2022 Epcot Festival of the Arts Guide
EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts runs from January 14 until February 21, 2022 at Walt Disney World. This guide offers info, tips, food recommendations, and our must-see highlights of this annual winter special event. (Updated November 20, 2021.)
For those unfamiliar with it, the Epcot International Festival of the Arts is the newest special event of the year, which will be in its sixth year come 2022. Festival of the Arts is also the least-popular of Epcot’s events, and doesn’t draw nearly as many tourists as the long-running Food & Wine Festival. This is partly because it occurs in winter, but it also doesn’t seem to draw quite as many locals, either.
Walt Disney World has dubbed this event the “ultimate celebration of world-class food, amazing visual art, and live entertainment.” We agree. EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts is our favorite event of the year, and we love chatting with artists, watching the performers, and eating our way around the 13 booths, and enjoying some of the art on display. Trying the new food, seeing artists exhibit their work, and participating in the interactive offerings at the event is always a good time.
After being blown away by the inaugural event, and while some of the specifics have changed in the last few years, our impression remains the same: Epcot’s Festival of the Arts is our #1 seasonal event of the year at Epcot.
In this post, we’ll cover some of the reasons why we love it, and why we recommend experiencing it for yourself in January or February! Let’s start with what’s been announced thus far for the 2022 Epcot International Festival of the Arts…
Here’s what we know about what’s returning for the 2022 Festival of the Arts at Epcot:
- Culinary delights from Food Studios around World Showcase
- The Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine — a fun food stroll featuring five delicious sweet and savory treats
- Chalk artists turning walkways into stunning landscapes and portraits
- Photo ops where you can step into famous artwork
- A paint-by-number mural
- Figment’s Brush with the Masters scavenger hunt
- Performance and visual artists
- Special festival merchandise
- Disney on Broadway Concert Series
These are just preliminary, partial details. Walt Disney World has indicated it will release more info on the 2022 Epcot International Festival of the Arts in the weeks and months to come.
With that out of the way, let’s offer a bit of background. The Epcot International Festival of the Arts is a special event celebrating the visual, culinary, and performing arts from around the world. The event includes Food Studios (naturally!) and an array of entertainment options.
The first thing you need to know is that there’s a lot to see and do at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, but the vast majority of the entertainment is not continuously running. Quite the converse, in fact.
While there is virtually always something occurring throughout the park between park opening and 5 p.m., many of the live performers are only out a few times per day, and some of their sets are fairly short.
Because of this, it’s absolutely essential that you consult a times guide or entertainment schedule for the day your visiting, and plan around the entertainment that is the most “rare.” Alternatively, if you have a surplus of time, you might want to take a slow approach, just meandering around World Showcase and stumbling upon art as you stroll. We really enjoy that sense of “discovery.”
The Food Studios, exhibits, and interactive art opportunities can be slotted in whenever, so fit those into your schedule when you have down time, but plan around the live entertainment.
You won’t be able experience all of Epcot and Festival of the Arts in a single day. Accordingly, we advise spending two days at Epcot during Festival of the Arts: both weekdays. Weekends at Epcot are busy during Festival of the Arts, primarily due to strong word of mouth about the event among locals, who work during the week. As with every other Epcot festival, weekdays are far less busy.
This winter, tourism was down considerably, making Walt Disney World’s visitor numbers disproportionately locals who visit Friday through Sunday. It’s likely that Winter 2022 will be a very different story. As discussed in our Crowd Predictions for 2022 Epcot Festival of the Arts, we are forecasting significantly higher crowd levels for the upcoming event.
For more info, refer to that–or consult our January 2022 Crowd Calendar and February 2022 Crowd Calendar for Walt Disney World for specific best and worst dates to visit.
Let’s turn to the Food Studios. For many guests, these will be the highlight of the event, offering marketplace snack options in venues similar to those found during the Epcot Food & Wine Festival. We thought the food was generally really presented exceptionally well, and tasted very good at last year’s event.
We sampled most of the menus at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, and were surprised that most portions were relatively hearty and value for money was fairly solid. In both cases, better than the Food & Wine Festival, but not as good of value as a regular counter service meal.
As we note in our Food Studio Guide to the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, the “culinary arts” are the least important component of the event. We have several specific snack recommendations there, but none are essential to enjoying the event.
While the food is very good and some portions are generous, it’s also on the expensive side–even more than Food & Wine Festival. This makes it a tough sell if you’re paying out of pocket–especially since this event does not revolve around food.
Ultimately, you could skip the food entirely and still have an awesome time at the event. This is sentiment you might not read elsewhere, but keep in mind that a lot of the interest around Epcot’s festivals revolves around food; this is also how Disney monetizes the events.
So of course it makes sense for Walt Disney World and other blogs to hype up the food…even if it’s far from the highlight of Epcot’s Festival of the Arts.
Aside from the snacking, Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts offers Walt Disney World guests the ability to peruse artwork by Disney artists in galleries.
For the 2022 Epcot Festival of the Arts, it’s unclear where the festival center will be. Last year, it was World ShowPlace, but with conventions returning, that seems unlikely. Perhaps the Epcot Experience? We shall see. Regardless, the festival center is usually home to art galleries, exhibits, and food booths.
Additionally, there are live artists creating artwork in Epcot. It’s really interesting to watch them; we were so captivated by one of the artists that we watched him complete an entire Mickey Mouse painting, which he did in ‘unison’ with music.
Other artists will be painting landscape scenes throughout World Showcase. Additionally, chalk artists will reproduce classic works on park sidewalks, Epcot Living Statues will do roaming art, and guest performance artists will create live art with the wave of a paintbrush.
Interactive guest art is another one of our favorite aspects of Festival of the Arts. We have had a chance to help complete several different murals, including the one pictured below.
It’s also a really fun experience in the moment, and satisfying once you see the finished product a few days later, knowing I helped make that!
There’s also more structured entertainment for the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. The big change for 2022 is that the Disney on Broadway concert series is returning after its hiatus! Walt Disney World has confirmed this, and released a full schedule of concert dates and performers (we assume dining packages will be released at a later date.
Here’s the 2022 Disney on Broadway Concert Schedule:
Arielle Jacobs (Aladdin) and Adam Jacobs (Aladdin)
- January 14, 2022
- January 16 through 17, 2022
- January 20 through 21, 2022
Kerry Butler (Beauty and the Beast) and Telly Leung (Aladdin)
- January 15, 2022
- January 18 through 19, 2022
- January 22 through 23, 2022
Heidi Blickenstaff (Freaky Friday, The Little Mermaid) and Robert Creighton (Frozen)
- January 24, 2022
- January 26 through 27, 2022
- January 30 through 31, 2022
- February 3 through 4, 2022
Kara Lindsay (Newsies) and Dan DeLuca (Newsies)
- January 25, 2022
- January 28 through 29, 2022
- February 1 through 2, 2022
- February 5 through 6, 2022
Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins) and Josh Strickland (Tarzan)
- February 7, 2022
- February 9 through 10, 2022
- February 13 through 14, 2022
- February 17 through 18, 2022
Kissy Simmons (The Lion King) and Michael James Scott (Aladdin)
- February 8, 2022
- February 11 through 12, 2022
- February 15 through 16, 2022
- February 19 through 20, 2022
Special Performance
On February 21, 2022 give a standing ovation for an extended finale featuring Ashley Brown, Josh Strickland, Kissy Simmons and Michael James Scott!
Ultimately, Epcot International Festival of the Arts has proven itself to be something different. Food and drinks are the lowest priority here, and there is so much “other stuff” that it’s hard to view this as a thinly-veiled way to sell high margin stuff. When you consider how much all of the artists and entertainers likely cost, the cynicism melts away.
To the contrary, the Epcot Festival of the Arts is a true enhancement to Epcot. It cherrypicks the elements of Flower & Garden and Food & Wine that we like best, and enhances the park in an organic way that feels like it recaptures a bit of the original spirit of EPCOT Center. The event’s ambiance makes it even more enjoyable to just wander around Epcot, and there are strong educational and entertainment components.
With a few years under the event’s belt, we’re confident that Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts has found its footing. While we hope that it continues to evolve and expand each year, it was largely the same the first three years. However, the big difference for 2022 is that EPCOT is in the midst of a massive construction project to transform Future World into three new neighborhoods (technically, this change already occurred–but you can’t tell from the maze of construction walls!).
Regardless, Disney continues to deliver on the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, which is why it has been our favorite festival for 5 years running. That might be hard to believe given the barrage of coverage that Food & Wine receives, and given that this is the shortest and newest event, but if we could only choose one to attend, this would be it. Despite the surprise spike in crowds last year, we would highly recommend this event–and this time of year–to anyone considering when to visit Walt Disney World in 2022.
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Your Thoughts
Did you attend Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts either of its first two years? Are you excited to experience the 2022 Festival of the Arts? Any tips you want to share to make the most of the experience? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
This is such an informative blog, especially for the artists looking for festivals to portray their art.
Went to check out the Festival yesterday and was so disappointed. Loved the art but the food? Not so much. As someone with a food allergy it was absolutely horrible. They don’t even have them listed on the signs outside of the booths any longer. You have to pick up a guide. And now they recommend that they call for each item because as I was told “ingredients can change even daily and we can’t guarantee anything any longer on a day to day basis”. On a day like yesterday when it was busy this pretty much means I won’t even try. It just holds up all the lines and makes lots of people mad at you. I had a bunch of people actually be very rude and vocal at Food and Wine when I asked about one of the ciders and they had to call for me. It took a really long time and people were not at all understanding in the line behind me. Disney may handle food issues well in other areas, but not at all well at the Festivals. It was very disheartening how this just gets handled worse and worse with every festival.
I am going Thursday (1-23) and as a person with a food allergy, I noticed the same exact thing and have been researching trying to find an ingredient list or something to help with my festival food decisions. I was very sad to see that they had very little to choose from for allergy with all these lovely foods! If only I could see what the foods are made from, then I could decide which ones I could eat or simply remove a few items to make it ok for me (I have a gluten intolerance, but not too severe). I have pretty much given up for this festival and will not purchase the special items, but will have to eat at the regular restaurants at Epcot with a special allergy list. I hope this is not the way Disney will continue with food allergies at the festivals, because I have always admired how well they had been handling it. Please Disney, give us an easy list or something that we can choose fun treats quickly too.
I have a gluten allergy, but not celiacs. There were only three items listed in the guide as “gluten friendly” and no desserts at all! This was the first festival that I have seen that Disney did not list the items on the menus at each booth. I was a little surprised by this new development. I have always wished they would give a booklet you could pick up at guest services with all the ingredients listed. I have often commented that many items could be made to work for certain allergies if you left off something like a drizzle or garnish. But they seem to be making it harder instead of easier. So sad.
Tom, totally unrelated question. I do read a TON of your blogs, so I lean heavily on your knowledge. Based on your previous experiences, any thoughts as to when Space 220 will start allowing reservations? I’m following all sorts of Twitter feeds, and am curious because I’m taking a trip with my family this summer…even using your recommendation and we are staying at the Poly Lite!!! Any suggestions or info could be helpful! Thank you my friend!
We are headed to the festival of the arts in February but our quick service dining plan is hardly accepted anywhere in the world showcase. We were hoping to try some of the food. Am I missing something? Thanks!
Oh really? I will need to be aware of this. That’s a bummer!
There aren’t many quick service locations in the world showcase, to be honest. You have the Cantina de San Angel in Mexico, Yorkshire Fish Shop in UK, and Les Halles Boulangerie in France, which is mostly a pastry counter anyways but serves some crepes and sandwiches. Better off to stockpile snack credits for your Epcot day and eat little snacks around the world.
Or swap a QS for three snack credits. Easy enough. You just have to use three up at one place in one order.
At least when I was there a few years ago a quick serve credit could be used to buy 3 snacks as long as it was 1 transaction. We were there for food and wine festival and wer e able to try several of the booth snacks that way.
Hey Tom and Sarah – I am also a huge fan of the Arts Festival and had a wonderful time there during my visit last year! I was so excited that Animation Academy returned!!!! One quick question though – did the peanut butter and chocolate flavored cupcake return for the festival at Sunshine Seasons (the one with the multi-colored inside and white icing, despite the flavors)? It was soooo delicious and I am hoping it also returned! Enjoy the festival!
Hi Ellen, can you share more details about Animation Academy returning? ….it’s one of our favorites. Where is it located during the Epcot Festival? Headed there next week and would love to make it a priority to find…thanks so much for the heads up!
The artist whose name eludes you is Stephen Fishwick. I recognize the painting because we saw him 2-3 years ago and it was awesome! Definitely one of the live art performances to see if you can.
Dumb question – but is there art available for purchase at the event?
Absolutely.
So much great art! Disney inspired and otherwise.
Greetings,
How does an artist apply to be a part of the Epcot Festival of the Arts?
Thanks
I’m so excited to be able to take my 16 year old aspiring artist to the 2020 festival. Is there a way to find out in advance what workshops will be offered so we can be sure to attend as many as possible?
Disney does not make it easy, you have to click through several pages to get to it:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/epcot-international-festival-of-the-arts-workshops/
General info:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/epcot-international-festival-of-the-arts/
Have fun! It’s our favorite Epcot festival, for sure!
Hey Tom,
Is there any reason to think the festival of the arts will not be a permanent festival at Epcot?
Trevor Carlton is a blast to watch. About 18 yrs ago he did a 5×5 live painting of Tinker Bell which we have hanging in our foyer. Hope to go in 2020
Just saw James Coleman at the Wyland gallery at the Boardwalk in early Oct.
Tom, Thanks for a great update. Last year (2019) was the first year I took a few days to enjoy the festival and I’m planning to be back in 2020. The food was wonderful but the artwork was amazing. In 2020 I’d like to get to know more about the artists working live and also the artwork displayed in the tents. Does Disney typically provide a list of the artists in they identified online as “Must See Galleries” and the “Shop of Art and Festival Keepsakes”? I couldn’t find a list last year, but I was fine going tent to tent and discussing what each individual display had the offer. I especially enjoyed the Michelle St. Laurent, Noah Fine Art, and the James Coleman Studios artwork. Looking forward to more updates.
My 15 year old daughter and I attended this last year and were blown away! She is interested in art as a career and this provided advice and inspiration. We attended free and paid workshops–both great. Each artist would meet people after to discuss really anything or even look at their art! The Broadway shows were great (3 times a day) and we loved the food. Snacked around the world, for sure. Tom is right; this a unique and fun experience.
We plan to go back this year!
Hi! In this article, you mentioned being captivated by an artist as he created a Mickey Mouse painting to the music but not knowing the artist’s name. Based on the painting style shown in the photo, it appears to be Joe Kaminski. He’s one of my favorites!
You can see some of his other works here: https://www.joekaminskiart.com/
The artist is Stephen Fishwick with Disney Fine Art – Collectors Editions.
I stand corrected. Thanks!
I love Stephen Fishwick! I met him at the festival a few years ago. Very nice guy! And a seriously talented artist!
This year Disney Fine Art sent Trevor Carlton, he was so much fun to watch on stage! Does anyone know the dates for next year? I think Januray to March 2020?
I would love to know the date for 2020 as well!
When is the official opening date? Thanks
Are there any online maps of the layout of the Festival?
Tom, we’re on the plane returning from Festival of the Arts. Booked this weekend largely due to your write-ups on prior years. And it did not disappoint! Agree that the crowds were higher than a typical January visit, but worth it. We had a “Tom and Sarah” sighting on Saturday morning. We had just entered the World Showcase and the two of you were walking purposefully in the opposite direction – you looked like you were on a mission; otherwise, I would have flagged you down to tell you in person how much we enjoy the blog and how helpful it’s been. Hope the rest of your trip was terrific!
We’ll be in EPCOT IN February 1,2019. Do you have any updated info?
Can’t wait for this! We’ve been wanting to go since we first heard about it on this blog. Finally going this time in February!
That’s our feeling, too! Really looking forward to this.