EPCOT Food and Wine Festival: A Complete Guide for Families

by | Aug 27, 2026 | EPCOT, Walt Disney World

The EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival has returned for 2026! The festival runs from August 27 through November 21, 2026, bringing Global Marketplaces, live entertainment, scavenger hunts and plenty of fun for all ages to EPCOT. We’re sharing everything families need to know, including the best activities to enjoy with kids.

2026 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival

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EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Overview

The 2026 EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival runs from August 27 through November 21, giving families 87 days to experience the event. This year also marks the festival’s 30th anniversary, which Disney is celebrating by bringing back or reimagining 30 dishes from throughout its history.

Festival entertainment and most activities are included with valid EPCOT admission. However, food, beverages, merchandise, dining packages and scavenger-hunt maps cost extra. Depending on your admission type, a theme park reservation may also be required.

2026 EPCOT Food and Wine Global Marketplaces

Perhaps the biggest draw of the festival is the food! Throughout EPCOT, Global Marketplaces serve small plates and beverages inspired by countries and cultures from around the world. The smaller portions make it easier for families to share dishes and sample several different flavors during the day.

The Global Marketplaces and festival dining locations for 2026 include:

  • Coastal Eats near Mission: SPACE
  • Gyozas of the Galaxy
  • The Fry Basket near Refreshment Station
  • Flavors from Fire near Refreshment Station
  • Brew-Wing Lab at The Odyssey
  • Hops & Barley
  • Mexico
  • China
  • India near the China Pavilion
  • The Alps near the Germany Pavilion
  • Germany
  • Spain between the Italy and Germany Pavilions
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Greece between the Japan and Morocco Pavilions
  • Belgium
  • Australia
  • Brazil between the France and Morocco Pavilions
  • France
  • Canada
  • Swirled Showcase near Port of Entry
  • Shimmering Sips
  • Bramblewood Bites
  • Milled & Mulled between World Showcase and the Imagination! Pavilion
  • Forest & Field between World Showcase and the Imagination! Pavilion

From September 18 through November 8, families can also visit The Wedge Hosted by Dairy Does More inside CommuniCore Hall. This limited-time location serves several cheese-focused dishes, including macaroni and cheese, a cheese selection and a nonalcoholic Cannoli Milk Shake.

Several permanent EPCOT dining locations also serve festival-exclusive items, including:

  • Refreshment Port
  • Sommerfest
  • Regal Eagle Smokehouse
  • Funnel Cake
  • Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company locations
  • Connections Café and Connections Eatery
  • Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina
  • Sunshine Seasons

Menus, operating hours and availability are subject to change.

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EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Entertainment

Wondering what families can do at the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival beyond eating at the marketplaces? The festival offers scavenger hunts, live music, interactive exhibits and activities that children and adults can enjoy together.

  • Emile’s Fromage Montage: Purchase any five eligible cheese dishes marked in the Festival Passport and collect a stamp for each one. After collecting five stamps, bring the passport to Shimmering Sips to receive a complimentary festival treat.
  • Eat to the Beat Concert Series: Catch live performances at the America Gardens Theatre. Concerts are included with EPCOT admission, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. Families can also reserve an Eat to the Beat Dining Package for guaranteed admission to a reserved seating section.
  • Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit: Available from September 25 through November 2, this Halloween scavenger hunt sends families searching for character-inspired pumpkins throughout EPCOT. Purchase a map and stickers at a participating merchandise location and redeem the map for a keepsake, while supplies last.
  • Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak: Search EPCOT for Remy figures holding different ingredients, then match the corresponding stickers to their locations on the scavenger-hunt map. Maps can be redeemed for a keepsake while supplies last.
  • Jammin’ Chefs: Watch musical chefs create energetic rhythms using pots, pans and other kitchen-inspired instruments. Check the My Disney Experience app or EPCOT entertainment schedule for that day’s performance times.
  • Cheers to Cheese!: From September 18 through November 8, CommuniCore Hall hosts an interactive exhibit exploring the history of cheese. It’s an easy indoor activity to pair with a visit to The Wedge.
  • Living with the Land Festival Displays: The Living with the Land greenhouses feature festival-inspired displays highlighting ingredients used in dishes from around the world. It’s a relaxing, educational attraction that can provide a welcome break from the heat.

The Eat to the Beat Concert Series runs from August 27 through November 16, ending several days before the festival itself concludes. The 2026 schedule is:

  • August 27: Evolution: Motown
  • August 28–31: Hanson
  • September 1–3: Evolution: Motown
  • September 4–5: The War and Treaty
  • September 6–7: Yellowcard
  • September 8–10: Fly Guys
  • September 11–12: Couch
  • September 13–14: Fitz and the Tantrums
  • September 15–17: Latin Ambition
  • September 18–19: MercyMe
  • September 20–21: Grupo Manía
  • September 22–24: Metro Latino Band
  • September 25–27: Element
  • September 28–29: New Found Glory
  • September 30–October 1: Smash Mouth
  • October 2–4: Champagne Orchestra
  • October 5–6: Rey Ruiz
  • October 7–8: Tiffany
  • October 9–11: Viva Latina
  • October 12–13: The Fray
  • October 14–15: STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas
  • October 16–18: Jaclyn Hayden
  • October 19–20: Ben Rector
  • October 21–22: Allen Stone
  • October 23–25: SoundUp
  • October 26–27: Lauren Alaina
  • October 28–29: Bowling For Soup
  • October 30–November 1: Southbound
  • November 2–3: Boyz II Men
  • November 4–5: Big Head Todd and The Monsters
  • November 6–8: M-80’s
  • November 9–10: Grace Potter
  • November 11–12: The Beach Boys
  • November 13–16: The Hooligans

Shows take place at the America Gardens Theatre in the American Adventure Pavilion. Seating for standard admission is first-come, first-served, so arrive early if your family wants to see a particularly popular performer.

EPCOT Food and Wine Festival PhotoPass Opportunities

Families can commemorate their visit with several festival-exclusive Disney PhotoPass opportunities located throughout EPCOT. Available Magic Shots include:

  • Waiter Mickey Magic Shot: Add culinary flair to your photos at participating locations around World Showcase.
  • Swedish Chef Magic Shot: Pose with the Swedish Chef and his lobster sous-chefs in World Celebration.
  • Leaning Tower of Cheeza Magic Shot: Recreate a memorable moment from A Goofy Movie in the Italy Pavilion.
  • Elemental Magic Shot: Add a fiery effect inspired by Pixar’s Elemental along the path between Spaceship Earth and CommuniCore Hall.
  • Giant Empanada Magic Shot: Pose with an oversized festival treat in the Mexico Pavilion.
  • International Balloons Magic Shot: Surround your family with colorful Mickey balloons at select locations in World Celebration.

Magic Shot locations and availability can change, so ask the photographer which festival effects are available. Photos require a separate purchase or an eligible Memory Maker entitlement to download without a watermark.

Is the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Kid-Friendly?

Although the name may make it sound like an adult-focused event, the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival can be a lot of fun for families. Scavenger hunts, live music, PhotoPass opportunities and kid-friendly marketplace dishes give children plenty to enjoy alongside EPCOT’s regular rides and attractions.

Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak is one of the best activities for younger children. Families can search for Remy figures while exploring the park, turning a walk around World Showcase into a game. Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit offers a similar activity during the Halloween season, with character-inspired pumpkins hidden around EPCOT from September 25 through November 2.

Families with adventurous eaters can order several marketplace dishes and share them, making it possible for kids to sample new cuisines without committing to a full meal. There are also plenty of approachable choices, including dumplings, Belgian waffles, cheese bread, macaroni and cheese, mini churros and other familiar favorites. Menus identify plant-based selections, while Cast Members can provide additional information about ingredients and allergy-friendly options.

Emile’s Fromage Montage can also turn festival dining into a family challenge. Instead of requiring five specific dishes, the food stroll allows guests to purchase any five qualifying cheese items listed in the Festival Passport. Once you have collected five stamps, you can redeem the completed passport at Shimmering Sips for a complimentary treat.

For a more relaxed experience, consider visiting earlier in the day or on a weekday. Evenings and weekends can feel busier, particularly during popular Eat to the Beat performances. Families may also want to break up their marketplace stops with attractions, indoor shows or a ride on Living with the Land.

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Authored by
Morgan Flaherty

Morgan Flaherty, Disney World Expert and Mom | A lifelong Disney World visitor and fan, Morgan has become an expert on all things Disney. After dozens of visits at a Disney Adult, Morgan is now acquainting herself with the parks as a Disney Mom who has learned to navigate the Most Magical Place on Earth with a toddler by her side. If you're planning a Disney vacation with toddlers, she has all of the expert tips you need!