Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
One of Disney World’s most popular events is the annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. Every year, Disney’s Epcot theme park hosts a cornucopia of cuisines, cultural events, and innovative cooking demonstrations from an acclaimed list of local and international chefs— it’s a food and drink lover’s paradise.
Here, you will find craft beers, savory wines, spirits, and plenty of delicious dishes to please anyone’s palate.
What is Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival?
Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival is an annual party of global food, fine drinks, and live music at Epcot’s Walt Disney World theme park. Running from August 29 to November 23. The 2024 food and wine festival at Epcot transforms into an international food market where guests can sample food and drinks from around the world.
Every year, food booths—called Global Marketplaces—are set up around the park, featuring the flavors and cuisine of different countries and regions. From gourmet to street food, the festival celebrates food and culture. Guests can also enjoy wine, beer, and cocktails with regional specialties. Along with the food, there are cooking demonstrations, mixology classes, and live music, making it a full-on food and culture fest.
Approximately 30 Marketplace food booths, along with specialty items at other locations, are spread across the promenade around EPCOT’s World Showcase Lagoon. These booths also extend into the neighborhoods of World Celebration, World Nature, and World Discovery, which were formerly part of Future World.
Dates for Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
The Epcot food & wine festival dates traditionally took place from late September to mid-November, but in recent years, the start date has shifted earlier, beginning in mid-July through August.
This year, the 2024 Disney International Wine and Food Festival will take place from August 29 to November 23.
Important Details To Maximize Your Experience at the Food and Wine Festival in Epcot
- Held primarily in Epcot’s World Showcase, as well as select parts of the other areas of Epcot.
- Must purchase a regular Epcot admission ticket to attend, but no other ticket is needed.
- Over 30 individual global marketplaces each year.
- Marketplaces are open during regular park hours for the duration of the festival.
- Menus are subject to change, and marketplaces are subject to closure.
- Availability of marketplace offerings varies and may be limited.
- Food and beverage offerings are for purchase (not free)
- Only those guests 21+ will be able to purchase alcohol.
- Special Events like dining experiences and concerts require separate tickets (prices vary)
How Does the Epcot Food and Wine Festival Work?
The Epcot Food and Wine Festival is an immersive experience that combines global cuisine, drinks, and entertainment into a Disney event. Once inside, you can visit the Global Marketplaces, which have pop-up food booths representing different countries and regions from around the world.
Each marketplace offers small plates, snacks, and drinks to sample international flavors. You can buy items individually at each booth; prices are generally $4 to $9 for food and drinks. If you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, many of the food items can be purchased with a snack credit, which is a great way to maximize your value.
Beyond the food and drinks, there are cooking demonstrations, wine and beverage seminars, and other events, many of which are ticketed separately. You can also enjoy live music performances like the “Eat to the Beat” concert series. Whether you’re just looking for a quick bite or to fully experience the culinary and cultural offerings, the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is where you can taste the world while in the middle of the Epcot fun.
Do I Need Separate Epcot Food and Wine Festival Tickets?
No, you do not need separate tickets to the food and wine festival in Epcot. The festival is included in the park’s general admission.
Epcot Food and Wine Prices
The food portions at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival are appetizer-sized and generally range from $4 to $8. This allows guests to sample multiple types of cuisine without filling up on one dish. Many items are eligible for a snack credit on the Disney Dining Plan, making it easier to budget.
As for beverages, individual beer servings range from $4.25 to $6 for a 6 oz. pour, while beer flights are around $9. Wine selections are typically priced between $4 and $8, and mixed drinks fall within the $7 to $9 range.
Booths accept a variety of payment methods, including cash, credit cards, Disney gift cards, MagicBands, and Disney Visa credit card reward dollars. Guests can also purchase an Epcot International Food and Wine Festival gift card or a wrist card for easier transactions. Those on the Disney Dining Plan can use snack credits for food items, helping them stretch their budget further by using credits on more expensive offerings.
In past festivals, guests received a free Marketplace Discovery Passport with stickers for tracking which booths they visited, adding an interactive element to the experience.
Special Events at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival
| Event | About | Add-on Price |
| Cheese Seminars | Experts are on hand to teach you everything you ever wanted to know about cheese. | Epcot park admission is required, plus $89 per person, plus tax for the seminar. |
| Sunday Brunch with the Chef | A 2-hour session with a Q&A with a celebrity guest. A breakfast buffet sparkling wine toast is included. | Epcot admission is required, plus $129 per person, plus tax. |
| Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It! Hands-On Workshops | Get hands-on instruction from culinary experts. Workshops include such activities as mixing cocktails and decorating cakes. | Epcot admission is required, plus $39 per person. |
| Parisian Breakfast | Held at Les Chefs de France, guests can indulge in mimosas, authentic French pastries, and plenty of hot chocolate, coffee, tea, and orange juice. | Epcot admission required, plus $42.21. |
| French Family Meal Traditions | Join the acclaimed chefs of the France Pavilion as they prepare traditional French dishes. Wine will – of course – be served! | Epcot admission is required, plus $95 + tax. |
| The Parisian Afternoon | This event emphasizes Parisian snacking at its finest. Macaroons, finger sandwiches, petit fours, and an unlimited amount of mimosas will be served! | Epcot admission is required, plus $55 + tax. |
| The “Hibachi” Experience: Iron Chef | This amazing 5-course meal features some of the best Japanese food on the planet, all exquisitely prepared before your eyes. | Epcot admission is required, plus $ 189.92 (includes tax). |
| Tokyo Pairing | This 3-course meal is the perfect meal to pair with sake. The menu includes Blue Fin sushi, Wagyu beef, and lobster tail. | Epcot admission is required, plus $160 + tax per person. |
| Mediterranean Food and Wine Pairing | The Mediterranean Wine and Food Pairing is a 4-course dining event held at Morocco Pavilion’s Spice Road Table. | Epcot admission is required, plus $65 + tax. |
| Italian Food, Wine Vs. Beer Pairing | Italy Pavilion hosts this pairing of wonderful food with wine and beer. It’s held at Via Napoli. | Epcot admission is required, plus $92.85 (includes tax). |
| Italian Regional Food and Wine Pairing Luncheon | Come try this pair of regional Italian wines with five courses of Italian dishes. Held in Italy’s wine bar, Tutto Gusto. | Epcot admission is required, plus $99 + tax. |
| Mexican Tequila Lunch | This event pairs Mexican regional cuisine with spirits like Mexican tequila. | Epcot admission is required, plus $89.68 (includes tax). |
| Wine Glass Painting at Abracadabra (Disney’s BoardWalk) | This event includes a painting, a drink, snacks, and two wine glasses. | $50 per person |
| Frozen Ever After Dessert Party | The Frozen Ever After Dessert Party is a buffet of sweet treats. | Admission is $79 for adults/$47 for children ages 3-9. |
| Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt | Search for Remy on a savory scavenger hunt during the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. | Scavenger hunt maps can be purchased for $9.99 + tax. |
Experience Global Cuisines
The festival hosts booths from a variety of countries, so you can experience the taste of food and drinks from all over the world.
Participating food and wine festival booths include Africa, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Greece, Hawai’i, India, Ireland, Islands of the Caribbean, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Spain, and Thailand.
Other non-country booths include The Almond Orchard, Brewers Collection of Europe’s most acclaimed beers, The Cheese Studio, The Chocolate Studio, Coastal Eats, Craft Drafts, Eart Eats, The Festival Center Wine Shop, Flavors from Fire, Hops and Barley, Light Lab, Shimmering Sips Mimosa Bar, and the Wine and Dine Studio.
Best Food at Epcot Food and Wine Festival
With so many incredible dishes to choose from at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, it can be overwhelming to decide where to start. To help you narrow it down, here are some fan-favorite dishes that stand out year after year:
- Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup (Canada): This rich and creamy soup, served with a warm pretzel roll, is a festival staple that never disappoints.
- Lobster Roll (Hops & Barley): Featuring succulent lobster tossed in a buttery sauce and served on a soft roll, this is a must-try for seafood lovers.
- Kalua Pork Slider (Hawai’i): Topped with sweet-and-sour Dole pineapple chutney and spicy mayonnaise, this slider is packed with flavor and a favorite among returning guests.
- Raclette Swiss Cheese (The Alps): Melted Swiss cheese served over baby potatoes, pickles, and bread is the ultimate comfort food that hits the spot every time.
- Liquid Nitro Chocolate-Almond Truffle (The Chocolate Studio): This indulgent dessert is flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen for a dramatic effect and served with warm whiskey caramel.
- Spicy Kenyan Vegan Githeri (Africa): A flavorful plant-based dish featuring white beans, pigeon peas, curry rice pilaf, and kachumbari slaw, perfect for those looking for something hearty yet healthy.
- Schinkennudeln (Germany): This traditional German dish consists of baked pasta with cheese and ham, offering a savory, comforting bite that’s a hit with all ages.
- Warm Chocolate Pudding (Ireland): A rich chocolate dessert with Irish cream liqueur custard, perfect for those with a sweet tooth.
- Belgian Waffle with Warm Chocolate Ganache (Belgium): A decadent dessert featuring a fluffy, golden waffle drizzled with rich, velvety chocolate ganache.
- Brazilian Cheese Bread (Brazil): A savory delight featuring warm, soft bread rolls infused with a rich, cheesy flavor.
- Emile’s Fromage Montage: Try a variety of cheeses served around the world with a scavenger hunt. With multiple locations, give yourself a stamp after each one visited to mark your progress. Once you’ve collected five stamps, bring your Festival Passport to the Shimmering Sips Marketplace hosted by CORKCICLE® for a specialty item unique to the festival.
Visit The New CommuniCore Hall
A newer addition to the EPCOT International Festival, CommuniCore Hall is a place you can go to unwind, relax, and make magical memories.
Here, you can bring food in to eat, meet characters, and enjoy seasonal experiences, such as art exhibits, live entertainment, culinary demonstrations, and purchasing festival merchandise.
2024 Eat To The Beat Concert Series
To enhance your experience, the international festival hosts top musicians for incredible concerts. This year, festival-goers can enjoy concerts at 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM, and 8:00 PM at the Epcot America Gardens Theatre.
August
- The Finesse Party Band (August 29)
- The Fray (August 30 and 31)
September
- Sugar Ray (September 1 and 2)
- The Finesse Party Band (September 3, 4, and 5)
- Hooastank (September 6 and 7)
- Yellowcard (September 8 and 9)
- The Hooligans (September 10, 11, and 12)
- Tiffany (September 13 and 14)
- MercyMe (September 15 and 16)
- Foreigners Journey (September 17, 18, and 19)
- Sheila E. (September 20, 21, 22, and 23)
- Dian Diaz (September 24, 25, and 26)
- Luis Figueroa (September 27)
- Mau Y Ricky (September 28 and 29)
- Jesse and Joy (September 30)
October
- Latin Ambition (October 1, 2, and 3)
- Aloe Blacc (October 4 and 5)
- Joey Fatone and Friends (October 6 and 7)
- Funkafied (October 8, 9, and 10)
- We the Kings (October 11 and 12)
- Switchfoot (October 13 and 14)
- Gilly and The Girl Band (October 15, 16, and 17)
- David Archuleta (October 18 and 19)
- Billy Ocean (October 20 and 21)
- Hayfire (October 23 and 24)
- Hanson (October 25, 26, 27, and 28)
- Evolution Motown (October 29, 30, and 31)
November
- Haley Reinhart featuring Maddie Poppe, Justin Lee Schultz, and Casey Lee (November 1 and 2)
- Boyz II Men (November 3 and 4)
- Sugar Vibe (November 5, 6, and 7)
- Magic! (November 8 and 9)
- Parmalee (November 10 and 11)
- The M-80’s (November12, 13, and 14)
- Smash Mouth (November 15 and 16)
- 98 Degrees (November 17 and 18)
The festival offers dining packages that will give you reserved seating for these concerts. There are 15 restaurants offering dining packages for lunch and dinner, and breakfast is available at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. Prices start at $46.
Epcot Food and Wine Festival Merchandise
The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival isn’t just about the food and drinks—guests can also bring home a piece of the experience with exclusive festival merchandise. To conclude your trip, remember it forever with a souvenir!
Throughout the park, you’ll find several locations offering themed items, perfect for commemorating your visit or finding unique souvenirs. Some key locations for merchandise include:
- Port of Entry: This central spot in the World Showcase is a hub for festival-exclusive items, from apparel to kitchenware.
- Festival Markets: Scattered around the Global Marketplaces, these stalls feature a variety of branded goods like mugs, wine glasses, and accessories.
- Mouse Gear: Epcot’s flagship retail store is another great place to discover festival-themed clothing, hats, and pins.
Popular merchandise items include festival logo apparel, home décor, and limited-edition pins. Guests can also find reusable utensils, cookbooks, and wine glasses celebrating the international food and wine experience. For Disney collectors, don’t miss the chance to grab limited-edition spirit jerseys, Minnie ears, and MagicBands designed specifically for the festival.
Become a Disney Vacation Club Member
For Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members, the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival offers exclusive perks and experiences that enhance the magic of the festival. DVC members can take advantage of special lounges, events, and merchandise tailored just for them.
One of the highlights is the DVC Member Lounge, located in the Imagination! Pavilion. This private space provides a relaxing break from the festival crowds with complimentary beverages, charging stations, and stunning views of Epcot. It’s a perfect spot to recharge before diving back into the festival fun.
Throughout the festival, DVC members may also enjoy exclusive events like member-only culinary demonstrations and discounted prices on select ticketed events. Additionally, members can purchase unique DVC-branded Food and Wine Festival merchandise, such as apparel and accessories, allowing them to celebrate their membership while taking home a special piece of Disney magic.
Savor the World at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival
The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is a culinary adventure that brings global flavors, entertainment, and culture to life in the heart of Disney World. With over 30 marketplaces, unique dining events, and live performances, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Whether you’re tasting dishes from faraway lands or attending a concert by a top artist, this festival is the perfect blend of food, fun, and unforgettable experiences. Make sure to mark your calendar and enjoy this one-of-a-kind event!
We hope this Epcot International Food and Wine Festival page has helped you decide if this event is worth booking. For more useful Disney World information, please review some additional pages on MagicGuides, such as our Disney Dining Plan Calculator, Disney Transportation Map, and Disney World Tips and Tricks articles.
If you need help planning and booking your magical Walt Disney World vacation, contact our friends at The Vacationeer. Their services are always helpful and totally free of charge! Click below for a free, no-obligation price quote.
