I’m looking into the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival for a potential trip in 2026, and I’ve gathered some helpful information to share with you. This festival is a huge event at Walt Disney World, focusing on delicious food and drinks from all over the world. It’s one of EPCOT’s most popular festivals, and it typically runs from late summer into the fall.
EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Dates
Disney has confirmed that the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival will return in 2026 as part of their planned events. While they haven’t announced the exact dates yet, in past years, the festival has lasted for about 90 days. It often starts in late August and goes through November. Based on previous years, it’s likely the August start date will continue, giving you plenty of time to plan a visit.
Exploring the Festival Marketplaces
The heart of the Food & Wine Festival is the marketplace booths, where you can try small, sample-sized portions of food and drinks from different countries. I’m organizing this information by area within EPCOT to make it easier for you to navigate.
World Celebration Offerings
In the World Celebration area, you’ll find a couple of exciting new spots. The Macatizers Menu in CommuniCore Hall features different kinds of macaroni and cheese, including a plant-based IMPOSSIBLE Chili Macaroni and Cheese. There’s also a Festival Favorites Menu nearby, offering things like Kielbasa and Potato Pierogis and BBQ Pork Rinds, alongside sweet options like Key Lime Tart.
World Discovery Food Stops
Moving to World Discovery, Connections Eatery in World Celebration offers items such as a Korean BBQ Chicken Sandwich. Near Mission: SPACE, the Coastal Eats Menu has seafood like Roasted Warm Water Lobster Tail and Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail. If you love fries, The Fry Basket Menu, hosted by Coca-Cola, has several varieties, including Adobo Yuca Fries and Sweet Potato Casserole Fries, plus a Fry Flight. Also in this area is the Brew-Wing Lab, which serves a variety of chicken wings, including traditional buffalo, peanut butter and jelly, and even unnecessarily spicy Carolina Reaper Pepper Curry Wings. They also offer unique non-alcoholic drinks like a Pickle Milkshake.
World Showcase Culinary Adventures
The World Showcase is where you’ll find most of the international flavors. The Noodle Exchange, located near Disney Traders, offers different types of ramen bowls, including a plant-based option. Mexico presents delights like a Tostada de Camarones and a Flauta de Barbacoa. China offers Pan-fried Chicken Dumplings and Crispy Duck Bao Buns, along with a Mango Peach Bubble Tea. India features comforting Potato and Pea Samosas and Chicken Tikka Masala. At Refreshment Outpost, you can find an IMPOSSIBLE Spicy Sausage dish and a Curried Chicken and South African Boerewors Sausage Stew. The Alps menu has delicious Raclette Swiss Cheese dishes. Germany offers Schinkennudeln, Bratwurst, and Apple Strudel. Spain presents a Spanish Charcuterie board and Paella Negra. Italy has Italian-style “Nachos” and Polpettine Toscane, along with Vanilla Cheesecake. For American flavors, Block & Hans and Flavors of America in The American Adventure offer various hot dogs and a Chocolate Pudding Cake. Japan serves Wagyu Temaki Sushi and Teriyaki Chicken Buns. Greece has Spanakopita, IMPOSSIBLE Moussaka, and Griddled Cheese. Tangierine Cafe: Flavors of the Medina offers Grilled Kebabs and Fried Falafel Pita. Belgium has Beer-braised Beef and Belgian Waffles. Brazil offers Feijoada and Pão de Queijo. France presents Moelleux aux Oignons Caramélisés et au Fromage de Chèvre, Brioche aux Escargots, and Boeuf Bourguignon. The UK Beer Cart has a Strawberry Basil Cocktail, and Canada offers Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Soup and Filet Mignon. Refreshment Port has Braised Beef Poutine. Australia features Grilled Bushberry Spiced Shrimp Skewer and Roasted Lamb Chop, plus a Lamington for dessert. Swirled Showcase offers unique soft-serve flavors and floats. Shimmering Sips hosted by CORKCICLE has a Guava Cake and various Mimosa flights. Hawaii provides Slow-roasted Pork Sliders and Hawaiian Rice Bowls, with a Passion Fruit Cheesecake for dessert. There are also new menus like Bramblewood Bites, Milled & Mulled, and Forest & Field, offering seasonal dishes and unique desserts.
Emile’s Fromage Montage
I’m particularly excited about Emile’s Fromage Montage, which is a fun way to sample a variety of cheese dishes. You collect stamps by purchasing five specific cheese items from different global marketplaces. Once you have your passport stamped five times, you can redeem it at Shimmering Sips for a special festival prize. This sounds like a great activity for families who enjoy trying different cheeses. Some of the qualifying cheese dishes include Traditional Macaroni and Cheese, Cheesesteak Macaroni and Cheese, Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese, Schinkennudeln, Spanish Charcuterie, Griddled Cheese, Pão de Queijo, and Passion Fruit Cheesecake.
Festival Activities and Entertainment
Beyond the food, there are other engaging activities. The Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt involves finding Remy statuettes throughout World Showcase and matching ingredient stickers to your map for a surprise at the end. For Halloween, Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit is another fun scavenger hunt where you find decorative pumpkins. New additions like Muppet Labs at the Brew-Wing Lab offer a unique, playful experience with themed food and drinks, which could be very entertaining for kids.
Eat to the Beat Concert Series
A daily concert series, the Eat to the Beat performances, happens at the America Gardens Theatre in the American Adventure Pavilion. These are free and feature a variety of musical artists. For 2026, they haven’t announced the lineup yet, but past performers have included bands like Boyz II Men and Sugar Ray. If you’re interested in a more premium experience, you can book an Eat to Beat Dinner Package at participating restaurants, which includes a meal and reserved seating for the concert. I’m hoping for some great musical acts for 2026!
Planning Your Dining Packages
For the 2026 Eat to the Beat Concert Series, booking a dining package can enhance your experience. Last year’s participating restaurants included Spice Road Table, offering two small plates, a dessert platter, and a nonalcoholic beverage. Other locations provided an appetizer, entrée, and dessert. I’m looking forward to seeing the confirmed dining packages for 2026. You can also check for same-day dining package availability at Regal Eagle Smokehouse.
Festival Merchandise
Throughout the festival, you’ll find special merchandise like clothing, kitchenware, and accessories. These items are often unique to the festival and can sell out quickly, so it’s good to keep an eye on them if you’re looking for souvenirs.
Culinary Demonstrations and Special Events
For those who want to dive deeper into culinary arts, there are paid experiences like Culinary Demonstrations, which cost around $19 and include samples and tips from chefs. Special Events, which can range from $30 to over $100, offer more in-depth workshops like “Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It,” where you can learn techniques like cocktail mixing. “Sunday Brunch with the Chef” features celebrity chefs. There are also Cheese Seminars, Food and Beverage Pairings, and Beverage Seminars focusing on wine, beer, or spirits. I’m considering a Food and Beverage Pairing event for some focused learning.
What are the dates for the 2026 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival?
The official dates for the 2026 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival have not yet been announced by Disney. However, based on previous years, you can expect it to run from late August through November.
I will be sure to check the Walt Disney World website closer to the event for the confirmed schedule. Planning ahead is key for popular events like this.
What are the best food booths to visit?
I’m still reviewing all the options for the 2026 festival, but generally, the booths in World Showcase often have the most authentic international flavors. For example, the Mexico, Spain, and India booths are usually very popular. The new menus in World Celebration also look promising for 2026.
Trying a variety of booths is part of the fun, so I suggest looking at the full menu online before you go to pick out your must-tries. For families with younger children, focusing on booths with more universally liked items or offering non-alcoholic drink options is a good idea. My daughter Emma, who’s six, particularly enjoys trying new snacks, and my older daughter Sofia, thirteen, is interested in the more adventurous flavors.
Are there any activities for kids during the festival?
Yes, there are several activities specifically designed for children and families. The Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt and Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit offer engaging ways for kids to explore EPCOT. Many of the food booths also have kid-friendly options, and the non-alcoholic beverages are great for everyone. These activities make the festival enjoyable for the whole family.
What is Emile’s Fromage Montage?
Emile’s Fromage Montage is a special festival challenge where you taste and collect stamps from five different cheese dishes at select marketplace booths. Once completed, you can redeem your stamped passport for a unique festival prize at Shimmering Sips. It’s a fun way to discover new cheese dishes.
This sounds like a fantastic way to encourage exploration of the diverse food offerings. I think it’s a great feature for adults who love cheese, and it encourages trying dishes you might not otherwise consider. Given my own enjoyment of various cheeses, this is definitely something I’ll be participating in.
When do the Eat to the Beat concerts start?
The Eat to the Beat concerts typically run daily throughout the duration of the festival. While the 2026 lineup and specific dates are not yet released, you can expect performances to occur multiple times each day during the festival period, usually in the late afternoon and evening.
These concerts are a great free form of entertainment included with park admission. If you’re considering a dining package, I recommend booking in advance as they are very popular and tend to sell out. It is always a good idea to check the official Walt Disney World website for the most up-to-date information regarding showtimes and performers for your intended visit dates.
What should I know about EPCOT resort areas?
EPCOT has several resort hotels located very close by, making it convenient for festival attendees. Resorts like the Epcot Resort area hotels, including the BoardWalk Inn, Yacht Club, and Beach Club, are within walking distance or a short boat ride to EPCOT. This proximity can be a great advantage for enjoying the festival without worrying about long travel times. If you’re staying at a resort in the nearby Orlando area, you’ll find various transportation options to get to EPCOT, including Disney buses, monorail (for select resorts), and ride-sharing services. Exploring the places to stay in Orlando can offer a range of options to suit your needs and budget for a visit to Walt Disney World.
I’m looking forward to exploring all the tastes and experiences at the 2026 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.
