Epcot Festival of the Arts is the perfect blend of live performances, unique art inspired experiences, and a celebration of culinary arts. Use our Epcot Festival of the Arts 2024 guide to find the immersive experiences that keep us coming back year after year.
When Is Epcot Festival of the Arts 2024?
Festival of the Arts usually takes place the Friday before Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and continues until Presidents’ Day. This short window to experience Festival of the Arts is the only thing we dislike about this relatively new Epcot fest.
Epcot Festival of the Arts 2024 opened January 12, 2024 and continues through February 19, 2024.
We enjoy the added features other Epcot festivals bring to Disney World throughout the year, but those activities aren’t the main focus of our day. However, Epcot Festival of the Arts is so special it often replaces our normal rides and character interactions during a visit.
When first entering Epcot’s Festival of the Arts grab a festival passport. These small booklets are in the same display as park maps and are a great way to keep track of the performing arts, visual arts, and culinary arts available during the festival.
2024 Epcot International Festival of the Arts Activities
- Photo Ops
- Paint By Number Mural
- Disney on Broadway
- Chalk Art
- Live Entertainment
- Food Studios
- Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt
- Chalk Full of Characters
- Animation Academy
Epcot Festival of the Arts: Artful Photo Ops
Have you dreamed about stepping into famous paintings and being the star? At Epcot Festival of the Arts this dream comes true.
Uniquely designed photo ops with space between the background and foreground of the painting let you become part of the art.
Many of these life-sized paintings include frames and gallery lights which enhance the illusion of being part of the art. Expect PhotoPass photographers at most of the photo ops. This means everyone in your group can get into the picture.
Informational signs educate guests about the original art and provide a reference picture if you want to pose the classic way. PhotoPass photographers also suggest poses if you are unsure, but we often like posing in our own goofy ways.
Epcot Artful Photo Ops Locations
The 2024 Artful Photo Op locations include three new portraits based on Disney movies: Wish, Mary Poppins, and Sleeping Beauty. If you need more help finding these photo ops search the My Disney Experience app and use the detailed map for directions.
International Gateway
- “Luncheon of the Boating Party” by Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Bridge to World Showcase
- *NEW Wish Storybook
- *NEW Forest scene from Sleeping Beauty
The American Adventure
- “Washington Crossing the Delaware” by Leutz
Italy Pavilion Courtyard
- * NEW Teatime with Penguins inspired by Mary Poppins
Between Germany and Italy
- “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci
- “The Scream” by Edvard Munch
Mexico
- An homage to Frida Kahlo
Expression Section: A Paint-by-Number Mural
An impressive sight during Festival of the Arts is Expression Section: A Paint-by-Number Mural which encourages all guests to become artists. Thankfully this activity requires no formal training for art-challenged people like me.
Expression Section has moved to a new spot during Epcot Festival of the Arts 2024. Find this fun activity on the small path from Refreshment Port towards The Land.
This paint by numbers mural experience is only open from 11 am until 5 pm daily. Plan ahead so you don’t miss making some giant art with other Walt Disney World guests.
Stop at the entrance to grab supplies, a foam paint brush and a numbered paint cup. Cast members assign you a certain number of squares to paint and explain how to dispose of the supplies after completing your portion of the mural. As you leave, get a paper with the final mural design.
Expression Section: A Paint-by-Number Mural is ideally one of our stops early in the day. This allows us to check back to see “our” mural’s progress later in the day. Seeing the mural come together with the help of other guests provides a great sense of community.
Disney On Broadway
Incredible Broadway stars grace the America Gardens Theatre in Epcot’s American Adventure Pavilion. This large open air theater has rows of bench seating, but can get quite full for popular events like Epcot Candlelight Processional and some Disney On Broadway performances.
Epcot Festival of the Arts Disney on Broadway Concert Series shows take place three times per night. Choose the performance that works best with your other plans: 5:30 pm, 6:45 pm, or 8:00 pm.
Broadway legends enchant guests with a wide variety of Disney Broadway musical songs, with selections from Lion King, Tarzan, and more. Between songs the performers share stories and anecdotes from their Broadway experiences.
It isn’t unusual for us to stop by more than once per day for Disney On Broadway. Don’t have time for the whole performance? It’s easy to stand behind the seating area along the walkway to watch part of this amazing show.
If getting a premium seat is crucial for your visit, book a Disney On Broadway dining package at one of the eight participating restaurants.
Chalk Art Galleries
Unbelievable depth, color, and life-like chalk art is an amazing part of Epcot International Festival of the Arts. The bridge to World Showcase transforms from a plain walkway to a dazzling art gallery. All the chalk art is gorgeous, but it’s surprising how lifelike this medium can be.
See newly reimagined versions of favorite Disney characters in the Chalk Art Gallery. If you are lucky to see an artist at work, take a moment to watch them. It is truly impressive to see the images come to life.
Live Entertainment at World Showcase Plaza
A variety of high energy and engaging artists entertain Epcot guests on World Showcase Plaza stage. Art Defying Gravity is an incredible act that performs jaw-dropping acrobatics, strength, and balancing acts.
Visual Art in Performance showcases talented artists as they paint a masterpiece right before your eyes. Exciting music sets the mood while a featured artist effortlessly completes a work of art in mere minutes. This demonstration varies by artist, but is worth stopping to watch.
Lastly, musicians also grace the World Showcase Plaza stage during Epcot Festival of the Arts. Over the years we’ve seen a guitarist who played complex solos holding his guitar backwards and above his head, a pop music harpist, and a Didgeridoo musician. Each live music performance is incredible and completely unique.
Epcot Festival of the Arts Food Studios
The culinary arts are a large part of Epcot International Festival of the Arts. Food Studios are incorporated into several areas of Epcot providing delicious and visually pleasing experiences.
Many previous personal (and fan) favorite food studios like Pop Eats, The Deconstructed Dish, and Vibrante & Vívido return in 2024.
With sixteen Epcot Festival of the Arts Food Studios you could spend days trying the diverse foods and beverage options. I suggest previewing the menus online and making a list of top choices for your Epcot day.
The Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine
Guests are sent on a culinary scavenger hunt to choose five of the seven available savory and sweet dishes eligible for the walk. Purchase these special foods and get a stamp at each booth to prove you’ve completed the challenge.
Complete your Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine and show cast members at a special location to get your tasty, complimentary treat.
Figment’s Brush With The Masters Scavenger Hunt
Looking to savor your time at Epcot Festival of the Arts? I recommend buying a Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt map for the kids.
Search for Figment throughout World Showcase and use the provided stickers to show his masterful hiding spots on the map. When you are done, turn in the completed scavenger hunt map for a fun prize.
Epcot scavenger hunt maps usually cost $9.99 plus tax and are worth every penny. Over the years a variety of Epcot scavenger hunts have kept my daughter entertained for hours plus she’s gotten some cute prizes.
Take a peek at a previous year’s Figment Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt to get a better idea of this experience.
Chalk Full of Character
Look for adorable character chalk drawings that are integrated into Epcot’s World Showcase. Some are easy to spot, like Dante from Coco, while others like Abu in Morocco require more exploration.
Animation Academy
Try your hand at drawing a classic Disney character with a session at Animation Academy. Artists lead a drawing class at America Gardens Theatre at 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm daily.
When Should I Go To Epcot Festival of the Arts?
The best time to visit Epcot Festival of the Arts is during the week. In general, Friday and Saturday nights at Epcot are extremely crowded which is further exacerbated by festivals.
How Long Do I Need For Epcot During Festival of the Arts?
This answer varies greatly on what you want to do at Epcot during the festival. In one day you can experience a good mix of rides, food booths, and activities, but will only be able to do a small sampling of each.
If you want to do everything Festival of the Arts offers plus all the major rides you’ll need two days at Epcot.
Two days provides enough time to ride attractions like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Test Track, Guardians of the Galaxy, and more plus immerse yourself in the interactive and entertaining aspects of the festival.
Where Should I Stay For Epcot Festival of the Arts?
While almost any place is fine to stay, the most convenient Disney World resorts are ones located near Epcot’s International Gateway. Disney’s Boardwalk Resort plus Yacht and Beach Club are all within easy walking distance to Epcot.
Of these three, Yacht Club is our favorite deluxe resort with spacious rooms, laminate floors, and an incredible pool. However, Boardwalk Inn and Villas or Disney’s Beach Club Resort are excellent options, too.
Final Thoughts on Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2024
Epcot Festival of the Arts is the most immersive festival each year. The Paint-by-Number Mural, clever photo ops, and Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt make us feel like part of the fun instead of just an observer.
The food booths are delicious and seeing real Broadway performers sing Disney On Broadway songs as part of a park day is magical. I hope you are inspired to celebrate Epcot Festival of the Arts 2024 on your next Disney World trip.
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