Every season, Epcot dazzles guests with a new festival to enjoy. Starting at the end of summer and through the fall, savory tastes and adult beverages take over Disney World’s second theme park. The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is a longstanding tradition for many visitors. What is there to do at the Epcot food and wine festival? Is it worth it? Our guide to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival covers all of the basics and more information you’ll want to know.
A Guide to the 2024 EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival
Overview: What is there to do at EPCOT Food and Wine Festival?
The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival has all of the park’s attractions open plus event specific food, entertainment and experiences available.
You can expect the following at this festival:
- Themed food booths are in World Showcase and throughout the park.
- Watch special entertainment like well known artists in the Eat to the Beat Concert Series.
- Enjoy food or wine focused demonstrations, seminars and more.
- Shop dated merchandise with Disney character designs celebrating the festival.
- Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak scavenger hunt gives you something to look for.
- A Spaceship Earth light show that compliments the festival sparkles nightly.
How much is the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival?
Disney has many events that require separate tickets to enter. The Epcot festivals do not require the purchase of an additional ticket. A Disney annual pass, or regular day ticket, grants you access to enjoy the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival or the other festivals at this park. There may be special upsells you can enjoy at the festivals for a fee but these are optional. There is plenty to do without attending paid extras.
Is EPCOT food and wine year round?
Epcot food and wine is not year round. This is a long festival that lasts months each year. It usually starts toward the end of summer and lasts until close to Thanksgiving. The food and wine festival dates change every year.
EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Dates: When is EPCOT Food and Wine Festival 2024?
The next Epcot food and wine festival is August 29th through November 23rd, 2024. This is shorter than we’ve seen the last few years.
2024 Eat to the Beat Concert Schedule
The concerts in the America Gardens Theatre are a big draw for this event.
Beginning July 9th, you can book an Eat to the Beat Dining Package which comes with a seat to the show.
| 2024 Eat to the Beat Concert Dates | 2024 Eat to the Beat Concert Bands |
| August 30-31 | The Fray |
| September 1-2 | Sugar Ray |
| September 6-7 | Hoobastank |
| September 8-9 | Yellowcard (New this year) |
| September 13-14 | Tiffany |
| September 15-16 | MercyMe |
| September 20-21 | Sheila E. |
| September 22-23 | The Wanted (New this year) |
| September 27 | Luis Figueroa |
| September 28-29 | Mau Y Ricky (New this year) |
| September 30 | Jesse & Joy (New this year) |
| October 4-5 | Aloe Blacc (New this year) |
| October 6-7 | Joey Fatone & Friends |
| October 11-12 | We The Kings |
| October 13-14 | Switchfoot |
| October 18-19 | David Archuleta (New this year) |
| October 20-21 | Billy Ocean |
| October 25-28 | Hanson |
| November 1-2 | Haley Reinhart featuring Emily Estefan, Casey Abrams and Janel Parrish (NEW) |
| November 3-4 | Boyz II Men |
| November 8-9 | Magic! (New this year) |
| November 10-11 | Parmalee (New this year) |
| November 15-16 | Smash Mouth |
| November 17-18 | 98 Degrees |
Does the Food and Wine Festival have fireworks?
Yes, the food and wine festival has fireworks. Epcot shows the same firework show year round. Those visiting the food and wine festival can enjoy Luminous The Symphony of Us as the day comes to a close each night. This show tugs at your emotions with music from Disney and Pixar films. The relaxed pace and colorful fountains paint a heartfelt ending to your park days.
Pro tip: Where to watch fireworks from at Epcot.
This park is pretty consistent with firework and closing times. Visitors can usually expect to see the Epcot fireworks from around World Showcase at 9:00 p.m. each night no matter the time of year. It sometimes moves to 9:30 p.m. during peak seasons. Check the Disney World calendars before you go or My Disney Experience app on your visit.
Is EPCOT Food and Wine Festival worth it?
So does the Epcot food and wine festival live up to the hype? It’s seen as the premier event of its kind in the area and considering it’s all free with Epcot admission, yes! You can enjoy your regular Epcot day itinerary and choose to partake in festival festivities or not. For those who enjoy culinary delicacies, a few trips to the food and wine festival might be necessary. There are so many different foods to try, you might need more than one day to complete your to eat list. The biggest expense for most visits is probably eating and drinking around the world. The World Showcase food and beverage portions are small but you can try some really incredible flavors and dishes. Epcot is always a fun place to be with a range of attractions to enjoy. The food and wine festival brings even more to experience and eat.
What are the Epcot food and wine festival booths?
The Epcot food and wine booths, called Global Marketplaces, are mostly the same each year. These outdoor, walkup kiosks with windows are based on countries, regions or specialties. Many return annually but they might have different menu items. Each food booth has a menu of around three food items and three drink items. There is regularly a few savory things and a dessert or something sweet. Specialty booths are different. Some cater to one thing or genre like fancy Dole Whips.
Can kids go to the food and wine festival?
Yes, kids can go to food and wine at Epcot. One highlight of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is how different it can be from day to night. There can be a party like atmosphere that comes to life in World Showcase each night. Walt Disney World is known as a family friendly destination. At food and wine, Epcot becomes a little more mature in the evening for those looking to have a great night out with family or friends. However, attractions meant for little ones are still open. The festival provides a magical time for all ages. It’s just as fun if you go with the kids, can be great for a romantic date night and is also a nice place to reunite for a family reunion. World Showcase during food and wine is a bit more flexible in the kind of energy it provides. You can absolutely go and have fun with the whole family.
What is included in Epcot food and wine festival? What does Epcot food and wine festival include?
With your regular part ticket or annual pass, you get access to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. Rides and regular entertainment are available at all Epcot festivals. The park continues to function as it does normally when festivals are happening. That means beloved attractions like the Frozen ride are open for guests to enjoy. Then there is the addition of festival offerings. You can try food and beverages from the Global Marketplaces in World Showcase, see special entertainment like the concerts in the America pavilion, catch the Spaceship Earth light show, watch fireworks and more. There are some special experiences that come with an extra cost like the Party for the Senses and wine pairings.
What are the other festivals?
Aside from food and wine, there are also arts, flower and holiday festivals. See our overview of each event of this kind in our Epcot festival guide.
What are the drink around the world countries at Epcot?
When people drink around the world at Epcot, they are usually referring to the main countries in World Showcase. The year round country pavilions are:
Mexico
Norway
China
Germany
Italy
America
Japan
Morocco
France
United Kingdom
Canada
At the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival, additional food and beverage kiosks are are added. These may be inspired by countries like India, Spain and Belgium. Some of the Global Marketplace kiosks are themed not to countries but to types of food and drink instead. For example, the Mac & Eats and Hops & Barley Booths.
The typical drink around the world challenge includes sampling a drink in each of the 11 countries.
For festivals, there are more options and you may not want to limit yourself to what’s available all year at the park. This is especially true at food and wine which has so many unique flavors you won’t want to miss.
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