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Our Blossoming Guide to EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival — Now in Bloom!

by Mommy Frog on March 1, 2023 37 Orlando

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Summary

The EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival is the perfect combination of delicious food, beautiful greenery displays and horticultural learning experiences. The park blossoms into a beautiful garden of sights, sounds and tastes of the spring season. This year's festival runs from March 1 to July 5, 2023 — that's four months to enjoy this seasonal classic! We hopped over on the first day and have updated our guide with everything to know for the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival 2023!

EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival 2023 — Festival Passport

EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival 2023 Overview

Move aside, Food and Wine ... EPCOT Flower and Garden is one of our favorite festivals of the year! The park blossoms with lush gardens full of bright flowers — we love the spring vibes! It's a great way to celebrate the season and enjoy the beautiful weather. The festival runs from March 1 to July 5, so there's lots of time to enjoy all the sweet offerings.

EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival 2023 — Mickey and Minnie topiary

Enjoy delicious food from more than 15 Outdoor Kitchens, exquisitely crafted topiaries of our favorite characters and beautiful themed gardens. Even if you don't have a green thumb, you will still find plenty to enjoy. While I technically have a green thumb, I must confess I'm not much of a gardener and still enjoy this festival. Tad and Lily love looking at all the "topies," plus a scavenger hunt, butterfly house and special seasonal displays and merchandise will keep you and your tadpoles busy all day! Leap and I love ending the night at the Garden Rock Concert Series with world-known artists performing on the weekends, along with viewing special projections on Spaceship Earth with music from "Encanto." And don't froget our favorite part of any festival ... the food! EPCOT Flower and Garden plates up fresh favorites highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.

 

@undercovertourist From Hook to Tiana, these topiaries are absolutely flowertastic! 🌸 Catch them from now until July in EPCOT! Which one is your fav? #epcot #epcotflowerandgarden #epcotflowerandgardenfestival #disneyworld #waltdisneyworld #wdw ♬ original sound - undercovertourist

What's even better? The festival is included with regular park admission! When you enter the park, be sure to pick up the Festival Passport! It includes detailed information about the topiary and garden destinations, entertainment and the Outdoor Kitchen menus. It came in handy for planning our day, as well as making sure we didn’t miss out on anything that was new. You can also find this digitally in the My Disney Experience app!

What's better than live music, colorful flowers and lots of yummy food? Hop along with us, as we share all of the "deets" about this fun, flowering festival!

Sculpted Topiaries at EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival 2023

EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival 2023 — Belle and Beast topiaries

I’ve never left the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival without nagging Leap to re-do our landscaping. Inspiration is everywhere! Disney’s expert team of horticulturists work year-round to create beautiful landscapes across the park. Look for the topiaries at the main entrance and scattered all around World Showcase, World Celebration, World Discovery and World Nature. EPCOT Flower and Garden exhibits its talent with incredible life-size recreations of beloved Disney characters.

Many topiaries repeat each year with some new ones popping up as well. New for 2023, "Encanto" fans will love the topiaries of Mirabel, Antonio, Isabela and Luisa, featured at the park entrance. There is also a new Princess Tiana topiary in The American Adventure pavilion.

EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival 2023 — "Encanto" topiaries at night

Around the park, you can find more amazing displays (and excellent photo-ops!). Stunning in the daylight, the topiaries take on a whole new life as the gardens and sculptures are illuminated at night. Here's the full list of the 2023 topiaries and locations:

EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival 2023 — Tiana topiary

  • NEW! Mirabel, Antonio, Isabela and Luisa from “Encanto” – Main Entrance
  • NEW! Princess Tiana – The American Adventure
  • Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Chip, Dale and Pluto – Bridge to World Showcase and World Celebration
  • Woody, Bo Peep and Her Sheep – World Nature Near the Land Pavilion
  • Goofy – World Showcase
  • Buzz Lightyear – World Discovery Near Mission: SPACE
  • Donald and Daisy – Community Gardens Near Connections Cafe
  • Figment – Near Journey Into Imagination
  • The Three Caballeros – Mexico
  • Anna and Elsa – Norway
  • Troll – Norway
  • Dragon – Japan
  • Pandas – China

EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival 2023 — Kermit topiary

  • Simba and Friends (Rafiki, Mufasa and Sarabi) – Between Imagination! and The Land Pavilion
  • Pumbaa and Timon – Between Imagination! and The Land Pavilion
  • Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – Germany
  • Lady and the Tramp – Italy
  • Beauty and the Beast – France
  • Lumiere and Cogsworth – France
  • Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy – Between France and Morocco
  • Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Tick Tock Croc – United Kingdom
  • Winnie the Pooh and Friends (Rabbit, Eeyore, Piglet and Tigger) – United Kingdom
  • Tinker Bell's Fairy House Garden – United Kingdom
  • Bambi and Friends – Near Imagination! and Refreshment Port
  • Geese – Canada
  • Butterflies – Main Entrance, Scentsy Garden, Butterfly House and World Showcase

Themed Gardens at EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival 2023

The festival features almost two dozen themed gardens and other destinations throughout the park — from the Shakespeare Garden in the United Kingdom pavilion to a miniature garden display in Germany. New this year is the Community Garden and Connections Conservatory Garden by Connections Cafe, Topiary Heritage Garden in the United Kingdom, Shishi-odoshi in Japan and Desert Garden in Mexico. There are even guided or self-guided tea garden tours at the United Kingdom as a fun way to learn how to brew the perfect cup of tea.

While fun and educational for everyone, we really appreciate how these exhibits teach our tadpoles how to create gardens and provide wildlife habitats … if pond life hasn’t taught them enough already!

EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival 2023 - Butterfly from Bambi's Butterfly House

A festival-favorite, Butterfly Landing is full of colorful blooms and a flurry of several species of butterfly. Find it between The Land and the Imagination! pavilions. Explore the life of a butterfly from its emersion from chrysalis to adulthood and watch as the fully-grown butterflies flutter around the garden from flower to flower. You might even find a butterfly has alighted on you, especially if you’re wearing a flowered dress or shirt. This is the only place where a female will pay attention to Leap when he's wearing his loud floral aloha shirts. (I kid, but not much.)

EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival 2023 - Blossoms of Fragrance Garden

Back this year is the fragrant garden on the bridge to World Showcase. Amid colorful butterfly topiaries, take in the aroma of distinct scents as we welcome the fresh smells of springtime.

Kids' Activities at EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival

EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival — Spike the Bee scavenger hunt

At EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival 2023, tadpoles have flower and garden activities specifically for them. Every year, there are play gardens that surround your tadpoles with lush natural landscapes and playscapes. The popular playground by Creations Shop has a camping theme during the festival for extra fun. For a limited time, there is also an Easter egg hunt inspired by Disney characters.

Back this year, the scavenger hunt, Spike's Pollen Nation Exploration, keeps the tadpoles on their webbed toes. It costs $9.99 and takes little ones on an "I Spy"-style adventure throughout World Showcase. Once completed, tadpoles return the map to Creations Shop or World Traveler for a surprise reward! This is a low-cost way to keep your tadpoles occupied and receive a cute souvenir as a result. Worth it!

(For those wondering, Spike the Bee first appeared in early Mickey Mouse cartoons in the 1940s and has returned in some most recent series. He is an unofficial mascot of the festival!)

EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival 2023 Menus

EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival 2023 — Food items from Bauernmarkt: Farmer's Market in Germany

I'm an epicurean amphibian. It's fun to see the topiaries and gardens, but my favorite plants are the ones I can eat! While EPCOT's Food and Wine Festival is known for its delectable tastes and treats, EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival is my favorite place to snack, thanks to its unique, fresh ingredients. For 2023, there are more than 15 Outdoor Kitchens with returning favorites like The Citrus Blossom, Honey Bee-stro and EPCOT Farmers Feast. Check out our full EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival 2023 menus and a downloadable version of the menus in walking order.

EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival 2023 - Frozen Violet Lemonade from Pineapple Promenade

A perfect first stop to your day is the delightfully renamed "Brunchcot" booth with Avocado Toast for me and the Froot Loops Shake for the tadpoles. That's right ... a drink that tastes just like the favorite colorful cereal. Tad and Lily raved about it! Another on our list is a festival staple — the nonalcoholic Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade. Yum! We tried everything at Bauernmarkt: Farmer's Market in Germany and loved it, especially the potato pancakes with house-made applesauce.

Meanwhile, Tad is always on a mission to collect stamps for the Garden Graze (looks like I just *had* to have the avocado toast ... hehe). Collect five stamps with any of the following items (any time during the entirety of the festival), and you'll receive a complimentary treat.

The 2023 Garden Graze items are:

  • Avocado Toast with marinated toybox tomatoes on toasted ciabatta (Brunchcot)
  • Grilled Street Corn on the Cob with savory garlic spread and spicy corn chips (Florida Fresh)
  • Grilled Street Corn on the Cob with savory garlic spread and plant-based cotija cheese (Florida Fresh)
  • Pineapple Skewer with Tajin seasoning (Refreshment Outpost)
  • Potato Pancakes with house-made applesauce (Bauernmarkt: Farmer's Market)
  • Hummus Trio: Traditional hummus, red beet and black garlic hummus, and avocado-herb hummus with Moroccan bread and crispy papadam (Tangierine Cafe)
  • Coconut Tres Leches: Vanilla cake soaked in oat milk, almond milk, and coconut milk with toasted coconut (La Isla Fresca)
  • Boneless IMPOSSIBLE Korean Short Rib with cilantro-lime rice, Danmuji slaw, and kimchee mayonnaise (Trowel & Trellis)
  • IMPOSSIBLE Lumpia with Thai sweet chili sauce (Trowel & Trellis)
  • Chocolate Cake with black currant ganache, mixed berry compote, and chocolate ice cream (Trowel & Trellis)
  • Cookies ‘n “Cream” Chocolate Mousse Cup (The Land cart)

The popular Orange Bird sipper cup returned again this year and is available through Mobile Order at the Citrus Blossom booth in the Odyssey. You may get the Orange-Lemon smoothie on the side if you would like.

EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival Concerts

EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival 2023 - Garden Rocks

It’s not all sunshine and butterflies at EPCOT Flower and Garden … there’s music too! At the America Gardens Theatre, guests may dance and sing along to classic songs by a wide array of artists and genres with the Garden Rocks Concert Series. From Friday to Monday evenings, renown celebrity artists perform, and from Tuesday to Thursday, local bands from Orlando perform popular songs of yesterday and today.

Garden Rocks Lineup 2023

  • March 3-4 – Journey former lead vocalist STEVE AUGERI
  • March 5-6 – Daughtry
  • March 10-11 – Tommy DeCarlo
  • March 12-13 – Smash Mouth
  • March 17-18 – Mike DelGuidice
  • March 19-20 – Blue Oyster Cult – NEW
  • March 24-25 – Berlin
  • March 26-27 – The Pointer Sisters
  • March 31 – Luis Figueroa – NEW
  • April 1-2 – Piso 21 – NEW
  • April 3 – Melina León
  • April 7-8 – STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas
  • April 9-10 – Don Felder, formerly of the Eagles
  • April 16-17 – Switchfoot – NEW
  • April 21-22 – A Flock of Seagulls
  • April 23-24 – Jo Dee Messina
  • April 28-29 – Ambrosia with Peter Beckett, The Voice Of Player
  • April 30, May 1 – Kool and the Gang
  • May 5-8 – Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
  • May 12-15 – The Orchestra starring former members of ELO
  • May 19-20 – A.J. Croce: Croce Plays Croce – NEW
  • May 21-22 – Casting Crowns – NEW
  • May 26-27 – Jason Scheff, longtime lead singer of Chicago – NEW
  • May 28-29 – Rick Springfield
  • June 2-5 – Plain White T’s
  • June 9-10 – The Spinners
  • June 11-12 – The Commodores
  • June 16-17 – Vertical Horizon
  • June 18-19 – Tony Orlando
  • June 23-26 – Simple Plan
  • June 30, July 1 – Living Colour
  • July 2-3 – Wang Chung

Performances occur at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. Be sure to get there at least 30 minutes early because seats can fill up quickly. If you want to secure a good spot without waiting, dining packages are available for booking. You can reserve a meal at EPCOT anytime throughout the day, and come back later to a special seating area at one of the evening shows! We recommend this if you’re big fans and want primetime viewing.

Merchandise at EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival

EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival — Orange Bird merchandise

You may want to pack an extra duffle bag for your merch. There are always too many items to choose from. We are huge fans of all EPCOT festivals, but we find Flower and Garden has the most gorgeous, fun merch. Visit any of the festival markets located throughout the park, as well as Creations Shop and the Odyseey, to find different Flower and Garden collections featuring Orange Bird, Snow White and Figment.

EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival lets you discover fresh tastes, gorgeous gardens and all the information you need to have a bounteous spring. The EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival is included with regular park admission. Got questions or comments? Share them below!

Related: Guide to EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

Related: Guide to EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival

Related: Guide to EPCOT International Festival of Holidays

Hoppy planning!

Keep hopping, Mommy Frog!
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Nov 15, 2021 at 4:26 p.m. Linda Ross Says...

Do you know what the dates are for the Epcot Flower and Garden Show for 2022? Thank you!

Reply
Nov 15, 2021 at 10:31 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Linda!

Flower & Garden Festival 2022 dates have not been announced yet, but we'd expect it to run from early March to June (at least) and possibly into July since it was extended for an extra month in 2021. We'll update our guide once the dates are confirmed, so stay tuned!

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Mar 18, 2021 at 1:58 p.m. Debbie Says...

Do you order from the food cards online as quick service or just right at the cart?

Reply
Mar 18, 2021 at 2:35 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Debbie,

The Outdoor Kitchens do not have advanced online ordering, so you'll need to order at the food booth once you're there!

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Feb 4, 2021 at 6:31 p.m. Carolyn Says...

FOR 2021 - QUESTION

At what point prior to the official start date of the festival will much of the flowers and topiaries be in place? We will be there the week prior and would love to be able to see some of these! Would hate to miss out.

Reply
Feb 4, 2021 at 2:35 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Carolyn!

Some topiaries or displays DO tend to go up earlier than the festival, so you may see some in place during your trip! Crossing our froggy fingers for you!

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Mar 29, 2020 at 8:17 p.m. Barb Wynn Says...

What are the dates for the Epcot Flower and Garden Show for 2021? Thank you!

Reply
Mar 30, 2020 at 8:08 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Barb!

The dates for 2021 haven't been released just yet, but this year, the festival was scheduled to take place from March 4 to June 1. The timeframe each year is generally very similar, but we'll update with the exact dates as soon as we know more! :)

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Mar 5, 2020 at 1:59 a.m. Aliya Says...

How long does it usually take to go through flower and garden exhibit?

Reply
Mar 6, 2020 at 7:22 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Aliya!

Most of the park takes part in the festivities, so this is largely up to you and what you'd like to see! To see everything included at this year's festival, you could definitely make a whole day of it. If you only wanted to walk around to see the topiaries and get a few items from the marketplaces, you could reserve a few hours to do so.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Feb 6, 2020 at 11:52 p.m. Eric Says...

Any news on when and where the flower and garden magic bands and other Merch are being released? Any chance of pre ordering those and where to do that? Thank you!

Reply
Feb 10, 2020 at 10:54 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Eric!

No news just yet on when these will be released! We've got our eyes and ears open - keep an eye out at ShopDisney.com, too!

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Jan 8, 2020 at 3:32 p.m. Another Garden Fan Says...

Bloom-wise, when is the best time to visit the F&G Festival?

Reply
Jan 10, 2020 at 9:05 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Another Garden Fan!

We are toadally huge fans, too! Topiaries and gardens are installed and remain throughout the festival, so in terms of blooms, things should remain more or less the same throughout! They are meticulously kept. We instead consider at factors like crowds, weather and our own schedules when determining when to visit, as well as any concerts or tours that we'd like to participate in. You can find the weather and crowd forecast here, and a list of all of the fun activities going on throughout the festival here to choose the time that checks all of your boxes!

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Dec 24, 2019 at 3:34 a.m. Prestige Worldwide Says...

Going to EPCOT for Garden Rocks---Wish we knew the TBD Band/Artist between March 6-12 – TBD?????--any guesses AFTER Peabo Bryson???

Reply
Dec 24, 2019 at 7:24 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi there!

I wish we knew, too! Right now, March 6-12 is still listed as a TBD. We'll be sure to update as soon as more information is released!

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
May 9, 2019 at 7:27 p.m. Kaci Says...

I'm going to be their the first week of June. We plan on doing the Flower and Garden Festival on the 2nd. My son will be WAY more interested in the rides while I want to see the "topies" Any chance they will still be up on the 8th even though the festival is technically over?

Reply
May 13, 2019 at 11:41 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Kaci!

There are a few "topies" that stick around year-round! Have a frogtastic trip!

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Mar 24, 2019 at 4:35 p.m. Says...

Hi- we are going to be in Florida the first week of June, and thinking about checking out the flower festival (last minute) as I didn’t realize it was open til the 3rd. As we wouldn’t be able to get there until the 2nd, in your opinion- would it still be worth it to go, or wait until next year, when we could book it earlier in the spring?

Reply
Mar 25, 2019 at 9:01 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi there!

If you're just looking to experience the festival itself (and not looking for any special events or concerts that would have date constrictions), we still recommend that you check it out! Have a frogtastic time! There is something fresh every year at the festival, so you could always check it out two years in a row if you find that you love it as much as we do :)

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Mar 16, 2019 at 3:34 p.m. Garden Fan Says...

We were just there and the garden festival was so amazing!! I’m wishing I’d bought some of the garden festival merchandise. Is there any way to buy it over the phone or will it eventually be released on online? Any insight/advice is sure appreciated!

Reply
Mar 18, 2019 at 7:59 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Garden Fan!

Unfortunately, you aren't able to order via phone, but they typically release some items online! Take a look at Shop Disney to see if they've got what you're looking for :)

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Mar 22, 2019 at 5:41 p.m. Garden Fan Says...

Thank you so much! I will keep checking the shop Disney site in hopes that they and to the online options. :-)

Reply
Mar 4, 2019 at 9:31 p.m. K Says...

Is there anywhere to find a list of what Outdoor Kitchen foods can be covered by DDP snack credits? It all looks so good, I'm thinking about cancelling Garden Grill in order to enjoy food booths for dinner! (We have Akershaus for lunch). Thanks!

Reply
Mar 5, 2019 at 8:24 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi K!

No lists have been released just yet, but there are generally lots of yummy options for snack credits. We'll keep you posted as the festival kicks into gear!

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Mar 5, 2019 at 2:47 p.m. K Says...

Thanks! Love reading all your posts as we prep for our first trip, and appreciate the reply! I'll keep checking back :-)

Reply
Mar 5, 2019 at 8:49 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

That makes us so hoppy, K! Thanks for taking the time to read and share with us! :)

Reply
Mar 4, 2019 at 3:08 a.m. Jeen Says...

Hey! So excited for my fav festival and all the new things to try and see!

I don’t know if I missed this but the dates and bands don’t match Disney’s website. Ex: sim plan plan is not till March 17. Has it changed?

Thank you for your awesome site.

Reply
Mar 4, 2019 at 9:44 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Jeen!

We were so excited to attend, and we're sure you'll have a great time, too! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. We just double-checked to be certain - the dates for the concerts come after the artist in question in this list (i.e., Simple Plan March 17-20), so not to worry - nothing's changed in terms of dates! :)

Have a frogtastic trip!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Jan 3, 2019 at 9:33 p.m. GAIL Says...

I'M GETTING REALLY EXCITED FOR THE 2019 CONCERT LINE-UP ANY CLOSER TO POSTING THOSE DATES??????

WHERE DO I LOOK FOR THAT INFO & HOW SOON??

Reply
Jan 17, 2019 at 10:28 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Gail,

We are toadally excited too! This year's concert lineup has been released here.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Nov 12, 2018 at 11:21 p.m. Brooke Brei Says...

My family will be attending the 2019 Flower and Garden Festival. It's getting close to the 180 day mark, so I'll be making dining reservations soon. I'm planning on getting a reservation for Akershus, which is included in the list of restaurants offering Garden Rocks dining packages. Will the reservation I make get me the reserved seating or will I have to call to change my reservation to a dining package after the schedule is released?

Reply
Nov 12, 2018 at 7:59 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Brooke!

That's a great question. Typically, the dining packages are displayed as separate reservations once they're announced. We do think it's a good idea to make a standard reservation now, and then call and adjust as soon as the details are announced for the package.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Oct 25, 2017 at 5:48 p.m. Anna Says...

Thanks for the info! Looking forward to F&G for 2018!

Reply
Apr 20, 2015 at 4:57 p.m. Cindy and Duane Says...

The EPCOT 2015 Flower and Garden Festival was the worst we have seen in the 3 years straight that we have attended. No HGTV guests, no give- aways and the special areas around the park that normally had special displays and ideas for your own home and garden were merely just pretty flowers. Even the butterfly exhibit wasn't all that great. We were very disappointed this year. Where in the past we would have gone back two or three more times during the festival, we will not this year. Hope the food and wine festival this year doesn't disappoint. We may have to re-think our seasonal passes for next year.

Reply
Mar 1, 2018 at 9:37 p.m. Melody Aminian Says...

I've never been to Disney World, but I've heard many different opinions about Epcot. What do you think of their new ideas for a Guardians of the Galaxy and Ratatouille attraction?

Reply
Mar 15, 2015 at 2:17 p.m. burt carvalhio Says...

We just returned from WDW on March 10th. The exhibits at Epcot and World Showcase were awesome. While traveling from country to country we stopped along the way to check out the food booths and incredible topiary work. If you go to Disney during the flower and garden show this is a must see.

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