Photo courtesy of ©Disney
These days, it’s rare to visit Epcot when there’s not a festival afoot. The festival season has expanded to take over almost the entire year and each of them has developed its own unique draw.
Sandwiched between the very merry Festival of the Holidays and the beloved Flower and Garden Festival, Festival of the Arts (affectionately referred to as Artful Epcot or, perhaps less glamorously, #FARTS) runs this year from January 14 – February 21, 2022 – which gives us a limited amount of time to tackle one of the coolest events of the year. Let’s rundown what’s offered so that you can make the most of it while it lasts.
The Basics
The Epcot International Festival of the Arts runs from January 14-February 21, 2022. Admission is included with your park ticket – so you’ll be able to visit the shows and more without paying extra, but, like at any of the festivals, you’ll pay extra for the food and drink options as you roam from booth to booth. You might also want to set aside some extra trip money in case any of the many many pieces of artwork by various incredible artists catch your eye as you browse your way around the park. You’ll find everything from paintings to sculpture and furniture – themed to traditional Disney IP, Star Wars, Marvel, and beyond.
Food
General Tso’s Chicken Shumai from China’s Painted Panda Booth
Like at any Epcot festival, food is a highlight here. And because Artful Epcot focuses on the aesthetic side of things, perhaps more focus is placed on presentation at this Festival than any other – making for some deliciously Instagrammable moments, if you’re into that kind of thing.
Guide to the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine from Disney’s Festival Passport
There’s also a Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine if you’re up for the culinary challenge. You’ll purchase five different vibrant food items from various locations around the Festival only to be rewarded at the end with a free “technicolor treat” at the Deco Delights kitchen! Make sure to get a stamp in your Festival Passport each time you buy a qualifying item. And note that you don’t need to do it all in one day. Complete the tour at your leisure and just be sure to head to Deco Delights for your prize before the Festival Ends on February 21, 2022.
If you have food sensitivities or other concerns, grab a Festival Passport at the entrance or around the park for guidance on where to find plant-based options, gluten/wheat-friendly foods and more. And if you’re still concerned, never hesitate to ask at the booths. They will track down whatever information you need to be sure you’re eating only what you’re supposed to be eating.
As for specific food reviews? Stay tuned for details and recommendations as we continue to sample all of the things but as a teaser let’s just say you might not want to skip China this year…
Drinks
And hand in hand with the food are the drinks. You’ll find specialty cocktails, beers, ciders, wines, and countless nonalcoholic options throughout the booths – from boba tea in China to cider flights in Morocco. You can expect to pay a bit more for these, ounce for ounce, than traditional full drinks – so think of it more as a chance to sample a few favorites with your noshes.
If you’re a cold brew fan, you’ll also want to peak into each of Epcot’s four Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company stands. Each features a signature drink for the Festival, from a Mocha Masterpiece Cold Brew near Mission: SPACE to a Rainbow Dreams Cold Brew near The American Adventure.
Activities
When you aren’t eating or drinking your way around the park, you’ll find so many more things to see and do. Artful Photo Ops will let you jump into some of history’s most famous pieces of art. You can make some spin art with paint at a Festival Market.
Or track down some special Magic Shots from Disney’s PhotoPass Cast Members!!
Entertainment
Photo courtesy of ©Disney – Disney on Broadway Concert Series
The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival has its Eat to the Beat Concert Series. Festival of the Holidays has Candlelight Processional. Flower and Garden has the Garden Rocks Concert Series. And Festival of the Arts has the Disney on Broadway Concert Series. I can’t stress enough how GREAT these shows are. If you’re not a Broadway person, the names of the performers might be foreign to you even if they are some of the biggest names in the business – but you don’t have to know them to know their voices or their songs. I shock myself every year when I fall in love with these performances all over again. Shows are nightly at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8 p.m. and you can find each evening’s performers on the concert schedule linked HERE.
Photo courtesy of ©Disney – Disney on Broadway Concert Series
For more entertainment throughout the day, check out the amazing Art Defying Gravity and Visual Art in Performance shows throughout the day at World Showcase Plaza.
Photo courtesy of ©Disney – The Rainbow Connection, Spaceship Earth
And last but without a doubt not least, make sure you wander past the front of Spaceship Earth near the main park entrance and exit after the sun sets. Throughout the evening, you’ll be treated with a stunning show that syncs the Muppets’ song The Rainbow Connection with a beautiful show of lights on Spaceship Earth. It’s one of the most touching things I’ve seen in a long time and might just leave you shedding a few happy tears in the moment.
For the Kids (of all Ages)
Photo courtesy of ©Disney – Paint-by-Number Mural
Long gone are the days when kids languished about in tow while their parents enjoyed a walk around the world at Epcot. You’ll find lots of interactive experiences to keep them (and your own inner child!) busy as you enjoy the day. Be sure to grab a Figment’s Brush with the Masters scavenger hunt for the kids to complete during their day in the park. There’s also an Animation Academy that you can join as a family or solo, a daily Paint-by-Number Mural in the Expression Section, and even some Kids’ Chalk Art!!
The Animation Academy happens at 12:30pm and 1:30pm in the America Garden’s Theater outside the American Adventure pavilion. There you and your friends and family can learn how to draw a Disney character from a real animation artist!! These pros can teach even the most artistically challenged among us to create a work of art you’re proud to take home.
You’ll find the Paint-by-Number Mural near The Land pavilion from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. It’s fun to add your mark early and return throughout the day to see the image take shape as more and more people join in the fun.
On the walk across the bridge from Future World to World Showcase, you’ll find amazing Chalk Art Galleries on the ground around you – and then back at The Land from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. you’re littlest guests will have the chance to create their own masterpiece at the Kids’ Chalk Art station.
Then continue your exploration of chalk art as you wander World Showcase. You might just find that some special guests (like Abu and Jiminy Cricket!) are waiting to be discovered in art tucked away around the corners. Disney calls this Chalk Full of Character and we love stumbling on the little surprises as we make our way along the promenade and explore each country. How many can you find??
Merchandise
Photo courtesy of ©Disney – Figment Popcorn Bucket at Pop Eats! Market
Figment Popcorn bucket nonsense aside (when he’s around you’ll find him, and a long line, at the Pop Eats! Booth near Traveler’s Café – when he’s sold out take advantage of the low crowd at Pop Eats! and get a grilled cheese and tomato soup…), there’s so much great merchandise at Artful Epcot 2022. And lots of it is also featuring your favorite purple dragon with two tiny wings and eyes big and yellow.
Photo courtesy of ©Disney – Artful Epcot Festival Merchandise
And all of that is just icing on the cake of the REAL stuff that’s for sale around World Showcase and Future World during Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts. You’ll discover all sorts of Disney art and other pieces created by visiting artists at the various Festival Markets. And while I don’t know the actual numbers off hand, just in roaming a bit so far it seems like there are more artists than ever before – which makes for a better opportunity than ever to discover something brand new to you!
Tips
We tend to have our hands full at these festivals from juggling food and drink to exploring the Festival Markets. Disney makes this a little easier by providing mini Festival Gift Cards that can be preloaded with as little as $15 (or as much more as you’d like) and worn around your wrist as you stroll. Take it from me, this little detail makes for a much happier roaming experience in the park….
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Important Disclosure!! Note as always that I pay for my own Annual Pass and most of the treats that I discuss here on the blog. That being said, Walt Disney World was kind enough to invite me to explore the Festival earlier this week, so much of this in person information is from a hosted visit to the park. You can always rest assured though that my opinions are all my own. There are enough wonderful options to explore at these Festivals and beyond that I don’t ever need to hesitate to tell you when something *isn’t* worth your time or money.
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You can find my complete guide to making the most of your runDisney race weekend RIGHT HERE. And while those are on hold, you can find my guide to running trails on Disney World property RIGHT HERE.
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If you’re missing home (or love someone who is) and are looking for a way to bring the magic home, I’d love for you to check out my Core Memory Candle collection right HERE. And as always, stay safe and be kind, my friends.
