Epcot‘s International Festival of the Arts opens in just a few days and we’re here to tell you about everything you do not want to miss this year. Beginning January 14 and lasting through February 21, 2022, Epcot will celebrate the visual, performing, and culinary arts with special offerings around the park. There is much more to this festival than strolling through the visual arts galleries on display at the pavilions in the World Showcase. In addition to being able to observe and appreciate art from all art mediums and styles, let’s check out what you will be able to find this year at this annual post-holiday festival.
Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt
If you’d like an activity to keep your little Mousketeers engaged while you walk through the art galleries, then purchase a map and stickers to participate in Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt from any of these gift shops: Port of Entry, Creations Shop or World Traveler. As you make your way around the World Showcase and through the galleries, search for the Figment-themed picture frames which will reveal Figment hiding somewhere in that piece of art! Once you identify all stickers with the correct country, return to one of the gift shops listed above to receive a special keepsake.
Animation Academy
If you are an aspiring artist yourself, you can learn to draw a Disney character from a Disney animator at Animation Academy! This experience is just the same as the opportunity as The Animation Experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Conservation Station, but will be located at the American Gardens Theatre in Epcot through the festival. Stop by any day of the festival at 12:30PM and 1:30PM.
Chalk Art
Be on the lookout for stunning sections of walkway transformed into true masterpieces with, you guessed it, chalk! Featuring your favorite Disney characters, if you’re lucky, you will catch one of the artists at work on these draw-dropping creations. Also, new this year is an opportunity for you and your child to create your own chalk art! Visit World Nature near The Land pavilion each day between 11:00AM and 4:00PM to participate. What a great way to give the little ones a break from standing in line!
A Paint-by-Number Mural
Also available at World Nature near The Land pavilion, is a large paint-by-number mural that is to be completed by park guests! Leave your mark on the International Festival of the Arts by completing a small piece of the mural. Upon completion, this will be a beautiful representation of the harmony Walt Disney envisioned for his park guests!
New Food Booths
Epcot is already THE place to go for good food in Walt Disney World and during the International Festival of the Arts you’ll find how the chefs celebrating not just their craft of creating delicious dishes, but also plating the food as if it were a work of art itself. If you’re a regular of this festival, you may be looking forward to some returning favorites like the sushi donut available at Goshiki (Japan Pavilion) or the tomato soup with grilled cheese from Pop Eats, but be on the lookout for brand new food booths added to the festival this year.
Continuing its popularity from the International Food and Wine Festival is The Donut Box will make an appearance, Vibrante & Vivido Encanto Cocina, featuring food inspired by the new Disney movie Encanto, Deco Delights celebrating food that will remind you of the Art Deco movement in Miami, and The Craftsman’s Courtyard which will provide light dishes one may find on the coast of California. Check here for a full list of all of the food booths you will find at the International Festival of the Arts and if you want to plan your selections ahead of time, you can browse the menus of all of the food booths.
Wonderful Walk Of Colorful Cuisine
Another activity for food enthusiasts at the International Festival of the Arts is the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine. Guests can partake in 5 specific artfully designed dishes in 5 different colors. When you purchase each of the food items below, have a cast member stamp your festival passport. When you collect all 5 stamps, report to Deco Delights food studio to redeem for a reward – the Artist Palette Cookie! You do not need to collect all 5 stamps the same day in order to earn your reward. You may collect the stamps and redeem any time during International Festival of the Arts. Find the rainbow in these dishes in the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine are:
- Red in the Blood Orange-braised Beet Carpaccio located at Gourmet Landscapes
- Green in the deconstructed Key Lime Pie located at The Deconstructed Dish.
- Yellow in the House-made Chorizo and Potato Empanada located at Vibrante & Vívido: Encanto Cocina.
- Orange in the pan-seared Scallops with Vanilla-Butternut Squash Purée located at The Artist’s Table.
- Find pink in the Vanilla Donut with Strawberry Sugar, Strawberry Ice Cream, Fresh Strawberries and Strawberry Gelée located at The Donut Box
Disney on Broadway Concert Series
If you love music, you won’t want to miss daily live performances from Disney on Broadway shows at the American Adventure Pavilion. See pairs of stars who have performed in Disney on Broadway shows sing their favorites and more from Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Frozen, Newsies, Mary Poppins, and Tarzan. Be sure to check the My Disney Experience App for daily show times. A grand finale performance will take place on February 21, 2022 with 4 performers, so be sure to add it to your itinerary if you have a park reservation for Epcot that day!
Photo Opportunities
Specially designed back drops will be available for guests during the International Festival of the Arts. Pose in front of oversized pieces of art by physically stepping inside! Disney PhotoPass photographers will be present to take your photo if you have purchased Memory Maker, but you are also welcome to take your own photo or ask a cast member to snap a shot of you and your travel party.
What are you most looking forward to this year at Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts? With so many offerings each day, we recommend you pick up an entertainment guide upon entering the park and consult the My Disney Experience app so that you don’t miss a thing!
Written by
Shelley Wehler
Contributing Writer
Shelley is a stay-at-home mother of two girls living outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. Her love of all things Disney has grown even more as she sees the magic come alive through the lens of her young daughters. She spends her free time keeping up with the latest in Disney news and daydreaming of her next trip to the parks!
