The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is making its return to EPCOT!

The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts will run from January 17th and will run until February 24th. There is so much to see and do at this colorful festival, and it is only around for a very short time. Here are our top eight rules to help you when you visit the festival!

Whether it is your first time at the festival or you have been going to the Festival of the Arts each year, it is always good to keep these eight things in mind!

Purchase the DFB Guide to the EPCOT Festival of the Arts 2025

Here at DFB, we know a thing or two about EPCOT Festivals, and we want to help set you up for success! You can snag our DFB Guide to the EPCOT Festival of the Arts 2025 on our site right now to help prepare you for the festival. This digital download is filled with photos of all the food, menus, and prices, DFB’s best-of-the-fest recommendations, a calendar of special events and artist appearances, a map of the food booth locations, and more!

Purchase Your Digital Download Here

Don’t Visit on the First or Last Weekend of the Festival

Now we know that the Festival of the Arts is a super short festival, which means there is limited time to see and do all that the festival has to offer. If you can help it, we always recommend avoiding the first or last weekends of a festival as it tends to be super crowded, and lines for merchandise and food booths can be long.

Make a Game Plan

It is always a good idea to set expectations during your trip to Disney World, and the same goes for visiting the Festival of the Arts. On top of downloading the DFB Guide to the EPCOT Festival of the Arts 2025, you can actually view the festival passport on your My Disney Experience app before getting your physical copy at the park. This is a great way to map out everything you want to see and do so that you have an idea of the festival layout and get an understanding of your party’s needs.

Enjoy the Live Entertainment

The Festival of the Arts is all about celebrating all different types of art forms. On top of trying colorful dishes at the food booths, you can check out artwork and sometimes even meet the artist, watch live Broadway Musical performances at the America Gardens Theatre, watch chalk artists in action, and so much more!

Plus, this year, CommuniCore Hall will be home to a brand-new exhibit called Once Upon A Stage: 30 Years of Disney on Broadway. Here, you will be able to “experience the magic of Broadway both on and off the stage in this walkthrough exhibit celebrating three decades of Disney on Broadway. Discover costumes and props from your favorite stage musicals.”

Become an Artist at the Animation Academy

If you have ever wanted to become a Disney animator, during the Festival of the Arts, you can participate in the Animation Academy at the America Gardens Theatre.

This experience is offered before Disney on Broadway takes the stage. You can participate at 12:30 and 1:30PM, allowing you the chance to learn to draw Disney characters from featured Disney artists like Luke Consolo, Matthew Dewater, Justin Dring, Will Gay, and more!

Participate in the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine

If you don’t know what to try at the festival, you can participate in the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cusine. Simply pick up your festival passport and get it stamped by ordering one of the participating menu items. Once your passport is filled, you can redeem it for a free festival treat!

Split Dishes

There are so many different foods and drinks that you can try at each of the food booths around the park. While these portions are smaller, it is not a bad idea to split food with your party so that way you can try more food offerings.

Set a Budget

While splitting dishes can help with your budget, setting a budget can help set expectations for the day. On average, food dishes are between $5-$9, so let’s say about $7.

A great way to stick to your budget is by purchasing a festival gift card. They come in specialty festival designs and include a wristband so you can keep the gift card handy.

Make sure to keep these eight things in mind before you attend this year’s EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. For more Disney World tips and tricks and to stay up to date on all the latest Disney news, continue to follow along with DFB!

FULL LINEUP Announced for the 2025 EPCOT Festival of the Arts Disney on Broadway Concert Series

Will you be checking out the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts this year? Let us know in the comments!