NEWS: Disney Announces Dates for the 2020 Epcot International Festival of the Arts

Get out your calendars because the dates have been announced for the 2020 Epcot International Festival of the Arts! The shortest of all the Epcot festivals, the Festival of the Arts is a celebration of visual, culinary and performing arts! It also has the best weather of all the festivals! Catch more details below.

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Jennifer Fickley-Baker:

The annual Epcot International Festival of the Arts at Walt Disney World Resort invites guests to immerse themselves in the visual, culinary and performing arts in ways that only Disney can offer, including live concerts and art performances, workshops, art signings and much more. Today, we’re happy to share that this popular festival will return to the park January 17-February 24, 2020.

One highlight of the festival is the Disney on Broadway Concert Series, in which Disney on Broadway stars pair up to perform their favorite songs from award-winning productions at the America Gardens Theatre. We’re happy to confirm that the Disney on Broadway Concert Series will again return to the park nightly during the festival.

In addition to Epcot International Festival of the Arts offerings, guests visiting during the festival will also be able to enjoy fun new film experiences in World Showcase. As previously announced, the new “Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along” will debut in January 2020 in the France pavilion in addition to Impressions de France. This new sing-along adventure is directed by Don Hahn, producer of both the animated and live-action versions of this tale as old as time. “Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360” will debut in January 2020 in the Canada pavilion with new scenes and a new story. The Land pavilion will welcome a new film, “Awesome Planet,” in January 2020 showcasing the beauty, diversity and dynamic story of the planet.

And of course, guests will be able to cap off their day by taking in the new nighttime show “Epcot Forever,” which debuts October 1, 2019. The show will be an all-new spectacle of fireworks, music, lighting, lasers and choreographed special-effect kites that will take guests on a journey through the past, present and future of Epcot. Before this amazing new show debuts, don’t forget to bid a fond farewell to “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” before it closes on September 30, 2019.

RELATED ARTICLE: The Epcot International Festival of the Arts: What You Need to Know

by Chad and Cindy Nykamp

Disney loves special events and festivals and the latest addition to the line-up in a brand-new festival celebrating the arts that takes place at Epcot. The festival is a celebration of visual, culinary and performing arts. You might be wondering if Epcot needed another festival (this makes four), but the answer is yes! We enjoyed walking around Epcot and taking in the sights, sounds, and tastes of this fun, new offerings. Here are the 8 things you need to know about the Epcot International Festival of the Arts.

1 – It’s Time to Go to the Festival

Unlike its first year when the festival only ran on weekends, the Festival of the Arts will again remain open seven days a week from January 17 until February 24, 2020. The hours of the festival are 11:00 am – park closing. Most activities are free, only a few professional artist workshops require an extra fee.

2 – Get Your Supplies

You’ll want to pick up a 2020 Festival Passport when you enter Epcot. If you miss it there, they have them all over the park. This is a very handy guide that will give you all the information you need to make your way around the festival. As with the other event passports, you can check off activities and food items tasted.

Disney also offers a scavenger hunt, Figment’s Brush with the Masters. For a small fee plus tax, you can purchase a map at Pin Central, Disney Traders or World Traveler. During this scavenger hunt, you’ll be searching for a Figment themed picture frame within each country pavilion. You’ll place the appropriate portrait sticker on the right country on the map. After finding all the hiding Figments, turn in the map at Disney Traders for a prize.

3 – Explore Art Galleries Throughout the Park

Throughout World Showcase you’ll find many tent locations featuring Disney and visiting artists. You may see some of the artists in action. These tents have a variety of artwork available for purchase. You’ll also find Pavilion Exhibits.

4 – Disney on Broadway Concert Series

Celebrating the performing arts, the Disney on Broadway Concert Series highlights songs from award-winning Disney on Broadway musicals. The concerts take place at the American Gardens Theater, every day of the week this year. Showtimes are 5:30 pm, 6:45 pm, and 8:00 pm. There is a dining package available for the concert series if you would like reserved seating. For more information and pricing call (407) WDW-DINE.

5 – Epcot Living Statues

One of the most interesting activities of the festival is the Epcot Living Statues. You’ll find these statues at the Fountain View Stage and Plaza. Three statues, all with different theming, come to life in the most unsuspecting ways. It was very fun to watch the surprised guests and statue interactions. Quite a crowd gathers, but feel free to go up to the statues for a very fun photo opportunity! Check out the slideshow below for pictures of the statues.

6 – Strike a Pose

If you’ve always wanted to be in a painting, now is your chance. Disney has created life-size portraits that you can step into. Think you can smile as good as Mona Lisa? Or cross the Delaware River as stoically as George Washington? Then plan on stepping in and strike a pose. Disney PhotoPass photographers are there to snap pictures so the whole family can get in on the action. Here is a list of the 2019 locations and paintings:

7 – Food Studios

With the success of adding food and drinks to the Flower and Garden Festival, it’s no surprise that Disney has added “Food Studios” to the weekend’s line up. There are a total of 19 Food Studios that all have different art themes with the food presentation. There are also plenty of additional festival food items that are available throughout World Showcase. Festival food and drink prices vary. Your Disney Dining Snack credits would be well used here, though not all items are eligible as snack credits. Check the menu boards to see if it qualifies as a snack credit.

8 – Festival of the Arts Merchandise

What would be an Epcot festival without the opportunity to purchase event merchandise? All throughout the park, you’ll find event merchandise that includes Tervis tumblers, hats, t-shirts, posters and more. Festival Merchandise can be found all over the park.