As one of our favorite events of the year at Walt Disney World, EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival combines our love for Disney, food and wine. Honestly, what could be better than hopping around World Showcase and sampling new foods and drinks? This year's festival runs from Aug. 29 through Nov. 23, 2024. With delicious food and drink, fun kids' activities, renowned entertainment and themed merchandise, there's something for everyone at this popular event. Let's devour all the details together — bon appetit!
Overview of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
The EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival has been taking people’s taste buds all over the world since 1995. The event features its signature global marketplaces, live music, scavenger hunts and more. It's our favorite way to try new foods and flavors from all over the world! In 2024, you'll be able to wine and dine from Aug. 29 to Nov. 23.
One of the best parts about one of EPCOT's most popular events is that you can experience the bulk of the festival with your regular Disney World tickets. However, you will need to foot the bill for your eats and drinks, which can add up if you have a hearty appetite like us frogs at EPCOT Food and Wine Festival 2024. For the most part, kiosk food prices usually run between $4 and $9, with beverages varying from $3 to $10.
During past festivals, you could fine-tune your kitchen skills at a number of cooking demonstrations and seminars. These premium events have not taken place in recent years, but they could return for future festivals. However, EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival will be EPCOT's first festival to utilize the all-new CommuniCore Hall and Plaza!
Global Marketplaces at EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
We have downloadable menus, organized in walking order for you to use during your visit. Hop over to our downloadable version or our full post of Global Marketplace menus.
For the second year, we're very excited that the Brew-Wing marketplace is "Muppet"-themed! Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker of Muppet Labs invites you to their taste-tasting headquarters to try culinary experiments such as the Peanut Butter and Jelly Sticky Wings or the Pickle Milkshake. Our frog crew even challenged each other to try the Unnecessarily Spicy Yet Extremely Tasty Carolina Reaper Pepper Curry Wings! (We're still sweatin'!)
Returning in 2024, savor cheese dishes around the world with Emile's Fromage Montage. Purchase five cheese dishes from select global marketplaces and collect a stamp in your Festival Passport. Once complete, return it for a special prize!
Five new marketplace booths have debuted this year: Macatizers, Festival Favorites, Bramblewood Bites, Forest & Field and Milled & Mulled. We loved the Cheesesteak Macaroni and Cheese from Macatizers and all the fall-inspired dishes from Bramblewood Bites knocked our froggy socks off! The Pumpkin Mascarpone Ravioli from Forest & Field was also a stand out. YUM!
Some favorites from the 2023 festival have made a return, including Belgian Waffles with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream or Warm Chocolate Ganache at the Belgium Global Marketplace, Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce in Germany and Passionfruit Cheesecake with Toasted Macadamia Nuts in the Hawai’i Marketplace.
All of these marketplaces take credit and debit cards, but we find it's easier to use our MagicBands if we're staying on-site. (You can currently save up to 35% on select Disney World hotel stays through Dec. 25, 2024, when you book through Undercover Tourist! That's a lot of snack savings!)
We're also fans of purchasing an official festival gift card for the day, available at several merchandise locations around EPCOT. These mini-sized gift cards include a wearable plastic band so that you can swipe and go! Set your limit at the outset, and these gift cards can keep you on a budget. They also make a fun souvenir and let you enjoy all of the food and drinks you want until you reach the end.
Since EPCOT Food and Wine Festival runs for three months, there's plenty of time to come back and try lots more delicious food and drink!
EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival Entertainment
The headliner entertainment for the festival is the popular Eat to the Beat Concert Series. Hear from internationally recognized artists, as well as local bands, at the America Gardens Theatre. Showtimes are 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. nightly. Eat to the Beat Dining Packages will also return.
This year's lineup features a full menu of musical talent!
- Aug. 29 – Finesse
- Aug. 30-31 – The Fray
- Sept. 1-2 – Sugar Ray
- Sept. 3-5 – Finesse
- Sept. 6-7 – Hoobastank
- Sept. 8-9 – Yellowcard (NEW)
- Sept. 10-12 – Hooligans
- Sept. 13-14 – Tiffany
- Sept. 15-16 – MercyMe
- Sept. 17-19 – Foreigners Journey
- Sept. 20-21 – Sheila E.
- Sept. 22-23 – The Wanted (NEW)
- Sept. 24-26 – Dian Diaz
- Sept. 27 – Luis Figueroa
- Sept. 28-29 – Mau Y Ricky (NEW)
- Sept. 30 – Jesse & Joy (NEW)
- Oct. 1-3 – Latin Ambition
- Oct. 4-5 – Aloe Blacc (NEW)
- Oct. 6-7 – Joey Fatone & Friends
- Oct. 8-10 – Funkafied
- Oct. 11-12 – We The Kings
- Oct. 13-14 – Switchfoot
- Oct. 15-17 – Gilly and the Girl
- Oct. 18-19 – David Archuleta (NEW)
- Oct. 20-21 – Billy Ocean
- Oct. 22-24 – Hayfire
- Oct. 25-28 – Hanson
- Oct. 29-31 – Evolution Motown
- Nov. 1-2 – Haley Reinhart featuring Emily Estefan, Casey Abrams and Janel Parrish (NEW)
- Nov. 3-4 – Boyz II Men
- Nov. 5-7 – Sugar Vibe
- Nov. 8-9 – Magic! (NEW)
- Nov. 10-11 – Parmalee (NEW)
- Nov. 12-14 – M-80s
- Nov. 15-16 – Smash Mouth
- Nov. 17-18 – 98 Degrees
Kids' Activities at EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival
Even though "wine" takes up half of the festival's name, the tadpoles aren't left out! There are several family-friendly activities that any frog at any age can participate in at EPCOT Food and Wine Festival 2024.
Remy's Ratatouille Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt
Embark on a Ratatouille-inspired scavenger hunt around the park and win a special prize. Be on the lookout for statuettes of Remy hidden throughout World Showcase. You can purchase the map and stickers from select merchandise locations.
EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival Merchandise
Leap doesn't believe me, but I swear the festival merch gets cuter and cuter each year, and I just cannot resist. There's always the classic Event Logo collection with vibrant, contrasting colors. This year, there is also the Chef Mickey Mouse Collection, Chef Figment Collection and Chef Remy Collection. The Chef Figment collection definitely stole the show for us — how adorable are the Chef Figment Minnie Mouse ears!
Tips for Attending EPCOT Food and Wine Festival
1. Make a Plan Before Heading Out
If you take your food as seriously as I do, you'll want to identify a few must-try items in advance. It's a great way to whet your appetite, and it can help you budget. I make a list of the things I want to try and at which global marketplaces I can find them. It's not meant to be exhaustive because I want to leave a little room for discovery, but it helps me plan which foods (OK, desserts) I don't want to miss. (That's where that handy-dandy walkable infographic comes in!)
2. Have a Budget and Stick to It
As we mentioned earlier, setting a spending limit at the outset is the best way not to go overboard. You can use cash, credit, debit, gift cards or MagicBands (if you're staying at a Disney World Resort hotel). We prefer the miniature-sized festival gift cards because they are convenient with their wrist strap, and also make nice souvenirs.
3. Share Food Among Your Frog Squad
Another way to sample a little bit of everything is to go to the festival with a group. Even if it's just you and your bestie, a good time is guaranteed. Whether it's friends or family, everyone is bound to have different tastes. Get whatever you want and then share with the rest of the group!
Portions can be smaller than normal for some food items, so it's nice to have everyone try a little bit when possible and then head to the next one for lots of variety!
4. Be Ready for Lines at Festival Marketplaces
Lots of frogs will be trying the many food and drink offerings around World Showcase, so be prepared for some busy lines for your favorite treat. Lines can vary so we recommend utilizing the list of favorites you made and prioritizing ones you definitely will wait for. If a line was short, we often hopped in while we could. If a booth has an extra-long line, you can always try back later. Weekends and evenings will see longer lines, as more locals tend to hop by.
5. Scout Places to Eat
You don't want to dine and dash at the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival. Don't underestimate the importance of having a place to enjoy all of the food you're about to consume. We recommend scouting out a place to sit BEFORE grabbing those handfuls of food. That way, you're not left scrambling for seating. Have one member of your frog squad hold down your spot (or even a standing table) while others grab food and drinks.
There are generally a decent amount of standing tables around the festival booths, but limited seating options. Try to strategically find shade when possible, as most of World Showcase involves walking in the sun. Our favorite seating area is in the Odyssey, the building between Test Track and the Mexico side of World Showcase. This building houses some much-needed A/C! Of course, the newly opened CommuniCore Hall also has lots of tables and chairs available for seating.
6. Keep an Eye Out for Photo-Ops
Cute photo with a short wait? Count us in! You can find colorful festival displays at the entrance and as you transition to World Showcase.
7. Pace Yourself
It can be very tempting to dive into every dish (or drink) you see, but this is where your plan comes into play. Use that handy passport to help pace yourself as you travel around World Showcase ... but remember it's also OK to try something that just looks too yummy to pass up.
EPCOT Food and Wine Festival isn't just for adults! You can tackle the Remy's Ratatouille Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt or pick up a Kidcot Fun Spot bag filled with stickers and colorable postcards. We found the Kidcot activity bag at a majority of the pavilions — some spots are harder than others to find, but you can always ask a cast member if you have any trouble.
When in doubt, head to the playground! The Green Landing Family Play Zone is located between Creations Shop and Test Track and provides a wonderful playground for tadpoles to enjoy. There are many festival booths nearby so you can grab some food and play!
9. ... And Let Them Eat!
Sure, first impressions of EPCOT Food and Wine Festival cuisine may come off as quite exquisite and not exactly kid-friendly. Have no fear! The festival does a great job of combining traditional favorites with something new and exciting. What better way to get your tadpoles to experiment with veggies than with interesting Disney dishes?
10. Try New Things You Might not Consider Beforehand
Small plates inspired by cuisines from all around the globe could introduce you to your new favorite food! Don't be afraid to try that vegetable you've never heard of, the cheese with the funny name or an interesting new drink. You might just like them! (If not, I'll be hoppy to finish it for you.)
11. Dress Up and Have Fun
Whether it's just you and your bestie or a whole army of frogs, you'll have more fun if you get in the wine and foodie spirit. Wear your team colors, custom trip T-shirts or matching wine glasses. It will be a blast!
12. Watch the Spaceship Earth Projections
Ever since the new lighting was installed on Spaceship Earth in 2021, EPCOT's icon has dazzled guests at night with colorful displays. Each festival features a different projection show. This year, there is an updated version of the "Beauty and the Beast" projections that debuted last year.
There are no set times for the projections, though they typically happen every 20 minutes or so, and usually only occur before the fireworks, not after. We caught a showing around 8:50 p.m., but times can vary. As it starts to get dark earlier, there will likely be more opportunities to see these fun new projections.
There is a lot to digest (so to speak) as you decide what to experience at EPCOT Food and Wine Festival 2024! Do you have any questions about this year's event? Share in the comments below!
Related: Everything to Know About EPCOT's Transformation
Hoppy planning!
