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The EPCOT Festival of the Arts runs from January 15 to March 1, 2027, at EPCOT in Walt Disney World. That is 46 days, a week longer than the 2026 festival, which ran from January 16 to February 23. The park fills with art displays, Food Studios, hands-on activities and the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series.
Disney announced the 2027 dates on September 10, 2026, but has not posted the concert lineup, menus or show times. This guide separates what Disney has confirmed from what it offered in 2026, and compares hotels by the trip back after an evening concert. For the other festivals, see our EPCOT festivals calendar.
Quick answer: The 2027 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts runs January 15 to March 1 and is included with EPCOT admission. Concerts take place several times each evening at the America Gardens Theatre, with free first-come, first-served seating or a dining package for a guaranteed seat. Disney After Hours at EPCOT falls on January 21 and February 18. To walk back after a late show, stay at the Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin or Swan Reserve.
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On this page
EPCOT Festival of the Arts 2027 at a glance
- Dates: Friday, January 15, to Monday, March 1, 2027.
- Full name: EPCOT International Festival of the Arts presented by Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game.
- Cost: included with valid EPCOT admission. Disney says a park reservation may be required, based on your admission type. Food, drinks and dining packages cost extra.
Disney’s festival page still shows 2026 highlights, so treat the 2026 details below as a preview.
What Disney has confirmed for 2027
| Topic | 2027 status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | Confirmed | January 15 to March 1 |
| Broadway concerts | Returning | Lineup to be revealed later |
| Dining packages | Returning | On sale at a later date |
| Food Studios | Confirmed | 19 studios around the park |
| Disney Lorcana | Returning | Scavenger hunt, Collection Quest, lounge |
| Menus, prices, show times | Not posted | Details coming this winter |
| Park hours | Not posted | Not yet posted for festival dates |
Disney’s September 10 post also names returning favorites: Animation Academy, the Expression Section: A Paint by Number Mural and Artful Photo Ops. Its Disney Lorcana section adds the Ink & Find Scavenger Hunt, the Collection Quest and the Illumineer’s Lounge.
DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series
Broadway performers sing songs they helped bring to life on stage, plus other show tunes. Disney says the concerts take place several times each evening at the America Gardens Theatre, in The American Adventure pavilion, and a new pair of performers takes the spotlight every two weeks. The same theater hosts the EPCOT Candlelight Processional from late November through December.
Disney has not named the 2027 performers. In 2026, the series featured songs from Aladdin, Frozen, The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Tarzan and Newsies, and two pairs of performers alternated nights within each block of about two weeks. If one performer matters to you, wait for the 2027 schedule.
Standby seating
Seating is included with park admission and is first come, first served. Disney does not publish a recommended arrival time. By our walking-route check, the theater is about 0.4 mile, or 8 to 9 minutes, from International Gateway.
DISNEY ON BROADWAY Dining Packages
A dining package pairs a meal at an EPCOT restaurant with a guaranteed seat at a performance on the same day. Disney says the 2027 packages will go on sale at a later date. For the 2026 festival, Disney said booking opened December 17, 2025, about a month before opening day, and its posts listed more than a dozen participating restaurants. Prices were not posted at the time of writing.
For regular dining reservations, Disney’s resort benefits page says Disney Resort hotel guests can book 60 days before arrival for their whole stay (up to 10 nights). Other guests book up to 60 days ahead.
Food Studios and the food stroll
Disney says the 2027 festival will have 19 Food Studios. Its festival page lists 2026 favorites such as an art deco-inspired sweet at Deco Delights near Port of Entry and Bavarian fare with Black Forest cake at Pastoral Palate in the Germany pavilion.
In 2026, the food stroll was the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine. Disney’s 2026 foodie guide said you picked up a Festival Passport, bought five qualifying dishes to collect stamps, and redeemed a prize at Deco Delights.
- Alcohol: served only to guests 21 and older with valid ID, with a limit of 2 drinks per ID, per the Food Studios page.
- Special diets: Disney asks you to speak to a Cast Member and cannot guarantee allergen-free items.
Art, workshops and family activities
Disney’s 2026 highlights, subject to change:
- Animation Academy: a Disney animator shows you how to draw a Disney character. In 2026 it took place at the America Gardens Theatre.
- Expression Section: A Paint by Number Mural: you paint squares of a giant mural that guests complete together.
- Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt: you help Figment learn about art around World Showcase.
- Chalk art: Chalk Art Galleries with artists at work, Chalk Full of Characters drawings and Kids’ Chalk Art.
- Visual Art in Performance: an artist paints a Disney character in minutes. In 2026 it was at CommuniCore Hall Plaza.
- Once Upon A Stage: The Magic of DISNEY ON BROADWAY: an exhibit of props, costumes and photo ops from Disney stage musicals. In 2026 it was in CommuniCore Hall.
Check the My Disney Experience app on the day for times and locations.
Early Entry, Lightning Lane and After Hours
- Early Theme Park Entry: 30 minutes before opening, every day of your stay, for guests of Disney Resort hotels and select other hotels, through 2027. At EPCOT, the planned rides include Frozen Ever After, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Test Track.
- Extended Evening Hours: select nights for Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts plus the Swan, Dolphin, Swan Reserve and Shades of Green. Disney’s calendar did not reach the festival dates when we checked on October 28, 2026.
- Lightning Lane: the passes cover rides, not concerts. At EPCOT, Cosmic Rewind is a Lightning Lane Single Pass, and the Lightning Lane Multi Pass lets you pick one of Frozen Ever After, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure or Test Track. Disney Resort hotels plus the Swan, Dolphin, Swan Reserve and Shades of Green get a 7-day booking window; others get 3 days.
- Disney After Hours at EPCOT: a separate-ticket event on Thursday, January 21, and Thursday, February 18, 2027, from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., with entry from 7:00 p.m. Disney lists tickets at $159 to $189 plus tax, depending on the date.
A simple plan: ride first during Early Entry or the morning, graze the Food Studios in the afternoon and finish with a concert. Our EPCOT tips for first-timers explain both entrances and the main rides.
When to go during the festival
| Dates (2027) | What is happening | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sat–Mon, Jan 16–18 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend | Holiday weekend |
| Thu, Jan 21 | Disney After Hours at EPCOT | Separate ticket |
| Jan 24–30 | Disney Skyliner closed for refurbishment | Disney says buses replace it |
| Sat–Mon, Feb 13–15 | Presidents’ Day weekend | Valentine’s Day is Sun, Feb 14 |
| Thu, Feb 18 | Disney After Hours at EPCOT | Separate ticket |
| Feb 25 – Mar 1 | Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend | Half marathon Sun, Feb 28, per runDisney |
Holiday weekends usually bring more visitors, so the weekdays between them tend to be easier. NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for Orlando International Airport give January an average high of 71.8°F and low of 49.5°F, and February 74.9°F and 52.4°F. Our guides to Orlando in January and Orlando in February cover each week in detail.
Getting to the concerts and back
The main entrance by Spaceship Earth has the parking lot and bus stops. International Gateway, between the France and United Kingdom pavilions, is closer to the America Gardens Theatre.
| How you arrive | Entrance | Last ride back |
|---|---|---|
| Walk from the Swan, Dolphin, Swan Reserve, BoardWalk, Beach Club or Yacht Club | International Gateway | No timetable; walk back |
| FriendShip boat | International Gateway | Hours vary with water and weather |
| Disney Skyliner | International Gateway | 90 minutes after EPCOT closes; closed Jan 24–30 |
| Disney resort bus | Main entrance | 1 hour after closing |
| Hotel shuttle | Main entrance bus area | Set by each hotel |
| Car | Main entrance lot | Standard parking $35 a day, tax included |
Where to stay for the EPCOT Festival of the Arts
For evening concerts, the trip back matters most. We chose five hotels on Booking.com: three within walking distance and two Disney Springs-area hotels with hourly EPCOT shuttles, all on Disney’s Early Theme Park Entry list. For more choices, see our guides to hotels near EPCOT and hotels near EPCOT with shuttle.
| Hotel | To EPCOT | Last ride back | Daily fee | Self-parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walt Disney World Swan | Walk about 0.7 mi | Walk or boat | $50 + tax | $40 + tax |
| Walt Disney World Dolphin | Walk about 0.7 mi | Walk or boat | $50 + tax | $40 + tax |
| Walt Disney World Swan Reserve | Walk about 0.9 mi | Walk or boat | $50 + tax (confirm) | $40 + tax |
| Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace | Hourly shuttle | 10:10 p.m. (sample) | $41 + tax | $38 + tax |
| Holiday Inn Orlando – Disney Springs Area | Hourly shuttle | 10:40 p.m. (sample) | $39 + 12.5% tax | $27 |
Shuttle times come from the operator’s booking calendar for January 15, 2027, checked on October 28, 2026. Its return times assume a 9 p.m. closing, because Disney had not posted park hours for the festival dates yet. Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book.
1. Walt Disney World Swan
The Marriott-run Swan is at 1200 Epcot Resorts Boulevard. By our route check, International Gateway is about 0.7 mile, or 15 minutes, on foot from the hotel’s lakeside, and the theater about 1.1 miles. Per the resort’s FAQ, water taxis leave the dock between the Swan and Dolphin about every 20 to 25 minutes, starting 1 hour before the parks open. Disney says boat hours vary with water and weather.
Disney lists the Swan for Early Theme Park Entry, Extended Evening Hours and the 7-day Lightning Lane window. The mandatory resort service package is $50 a day and self-parking $40 a day, both plus tax. Read our Walt Disney World Swan review.
Check your festival dates at the Walt Disney World Swan on Booking.com
2. Walt Disney World Dolphin
The Dolphin at 1500 Epcot Resorts Boulevard stands next to the Swan and shares its boat dock, walkways, fees and Disney benefits. International Gateway is also about 0.7 mile on foot. The resort’s FAQ says buses to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs run about every 20 to 25 minutes and keep running 45 minutes after the theme parks close. See our Walt Disney World Dolphin review.
See prices and availability at the Walt Disney World Dolphin
3. Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
The Swan Reserve at 1255 Epcot Resorts Boulevard is the newest of the three, across the road from the Swan. The walk is longer: about 0.9 mile, or roughly 20 minutes, to International Gateway, and about 1.25 miles to the theater. Guests use the same water-taxi dock and get the same Disney benefits. Self-parking is $40 a day plus tax. The resort’s FAQ quotes the $50 package without naming each hotel, so confirm it on your booking. See our Walt Disney World Swan Reserve review.
4. Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
The Buena Vista Palace at 1900 East Buena Vista Drive, by Disney Springs, sells EPCOT Fireworks View rooms in its Tower, with two queen beds or one king bed, most with a private balcony. Its $41 daily resort charge, plus tax, includes the Disney Parks shuttle, internet and float lagoon access. Self-parking is $38 and valet $48 a night, plus tax. EPCOT’s main lot is about 4.6 miles away by road.
The hotel’s shuttle page says EPCOT buses leave at 35 minutes past each hour, the first 90 minutes before the park opens, and return at 10 minutes past, the last 60 minutes after closing. The hotel says reservations are required both ways and open 72 hours ahead; the operator’s listing calls them recommended and bookable 48 hours ahead. The operator’s listing text says buses leave at 30 minutes past the hour, but its calendar for January 15, 2027, showed hourly departures from 7:35 a.m. to 7:35 p.m. Rides back from EPCOT space 34 were listed from 12:10 p.m. to 10:10 p.m. Read our Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace review.
5. Holiday Inn Orlando – Disney Springs Area
This Holiday Inn at 1805 Hotel Plaza Boulevard is a 7- to 10-minute walk from Disney Springs, per its FAQ. Its $39 nightly resort fee, plus 12.5% tax, covers hourly transportation to all four Disney theme parks, morning coffee, afternoon cookies and lemonade, and a refrigerator and microwave in every room. Standard parking is $27 a night. EPCOT’s main lot is about 5.3 miles away.
Shuttle reservations are required for registered guests: 48 hours ahead per the hotel, up to 7 days per the operator’s listing. On the operator’s calendar for January 15, 2027, EPCOT buses were listed hourly from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with rides back from space 34 from 1:40 p.m. to 10:40 p.m. The hotel says its shuttles do not run for special events, such as the Marathon or after-hours events. See our Holiday Inn Orlando Disney Springs review.
Check your dates for Holiday Inn Orlando – Disney Springs Area on Booking.com
What the extra fees add up to
A worked example for 3 nights, using only the fees each hotel publishes, on top of your room rate:
| Hotel | Daily fee | 3 nights of fees | 3 nights of self-parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swan or Dolphin | $50 + tax | $150 + tax | $120 + tax |
| Swan Reserve | $50 + tax (confirm) | $150 + tax | $120 + tax |
| Buena Vista Palace | $41 + tax | $123 + tax | $114 + tax |
| Holiday Inn | $39 + 12.5% tax | $131.63 with tax | $81 (tax not stated) |
If you drive to EPCOT from the Buena Vista Palace or the Holiday Inn instead of taking the shuttle, Disney’s standard theme park parking adds $35 a day, tax included. The Swan and Dolphin FAQ says standard theme park parking is included for its registered guests.
Disney-owned resorts near EPCOT
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, BoardWalk Villas, Beach Club Resort, Beach Club Villas and Yacht Club Resort are about 0.3 to 0.6 mile from International Gateway on foot by our route checks, and FriendShip boats stop at the Yacht & Beach Club and BoardWalk docks. Disney’s Riviera Resort connects by Disney Skyliner. These Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts get Early Theme Park Entry, Extended Evening Hours and the 7-day Lightning Lane window. Caribbean Beach, Pop Century and Art of Animation also use the Skyliner but are not on the Extended Evening Hours list. You book all of them with Disney, not on Booking.com.
Frequently asked questions
When is the EPCOT Festival of the Arts in 2027?
Disney lists the 2027 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts from Friday, January 15, to Monday, March 1, 2027. That is 46 days, a week longer than the 2026 run, which went from January 16 to February 23. More details come this winter.
Is the Festival of the Arts included with EPCOT admission?
Yes. Disney says the festival is included with valid EPCOT admission, and a park reservation may be required depending on your admission type. You pay extra for food and drinks, merchandise, dining packages and Disney After Hours, a separate-ticket event.
How do you get a guaranteed seat for the Disney on Broadway concerts?
Book a DISNEY ON BROADWAY Dining Package. It pairs a meal at an EPCOT restaurant with a guaranteed seat at a performance on the same day. Disney says the 2027 packages go on sale at a later date; for the 2026 festival, booking opened on December 17, 2025. Without a package, seating is first come, first served.
What is the best hotel for the EPCOT Festival of the Arts?
For evening concerts, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin are the easiest Booking.com picks: International Gateway is about 0.7 mile on foot, and you can walk back at any hour. For lower daily fees, the Buena Vista Palace and the Holiday Inn by Disney Springs run hourly EPCOT shuttles, with last returns after 10 p.m. on our sample date.
When is Disney After Hours at EPCOT during the festival?
Disney lists Thursday, January 21, and Thursday, February 18, 2027. The event runs from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., and ticket holders can enter EPCOT from 7:00 p.m. Tickets cost $159 to $189 plus tax, depending on the date. The Holiday Inn says its shuttles do not run for after-hours events, so a hotel within walking distance helps.
Bottom line
The 2027 EPCOT Festival of the Arts runs from January 15 to March 1, with Broadway concerts several times each evening, 19 Food Studios and two After Hours nights. Book your hotel now and your dining package as soon as sales open. For the easiest evenings, stay where you can walk back from International Gateway. See prices and availability at the Walt Disney World Dolphin.
How we checked this guide: Festival facts come from Disney’s festival, concert, Food Studios and After Hours pages and its September 10, 2026 announcement, checked on October 28, 2026. Fees come from each hotel’s own pages, shuttle times from the Fabulous Buses booking calendar for January 15, 2027, race dates from runDisney, weather from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals, and distances from road and walking-route checks. Read how we research our guides.
Sources checked in October 2026: Disney: EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, Disney Parks Blog: 2027 dates and offerings, Disney: Disney After Hours at EPCOT, Disney: Skyliner, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin: Transportation FAQ