It's Here! EPCOT Food & Wine Festival 2026
If you know me, you know this festival is my absolute favorite time of year at Disney. The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival kicked off yesterday, August 27, and runs all the way through November 21, 2026, marking the festival's 30th anniversary — and I am SO ready.
The Global Marketplaces
The heart of this festival will always be the Global Marketplaces scattered throughout World Showcase, and this year there are 33 of them spread across the park. To celebrate the 30th anniversary, Disney brought back 30 dishes from festivals past, some served just as you remember them and others getting a fresh spin for 2026.
A few of my favorites, confirmed and ready to eat as of opening day:
Street Corn-style Dumplings from Gyozas of the Galaxy — chicken dumplings with tomatillo salsa verde, street corn salad, cotija, lime crema, and cilantro. And this booth got even better this year: they added Basil Pesto Chicken Dumplings (chicken dumplings, basil pesto, fonduta, tomato confit, and balsamic) and a plant-based Edamame Dumpling with butternut squash purée, caramelized onions, sage, and walnut-toasted garlic aillade.
Grilled Bushberry-spiced Shrimp Skewer from the Australia Marketplace — served with sweet-and-sour vegetables and coconut-chili sauce
Kirschwasser Torte from The Alps Marketplace — cherry-brandy buttercream, fondant, sugared almonds, and cherry compote
A heads up if you're planning a visit in these first few weeks: some Global Marketplaces are opening in phases this year. Festival Favorites joins on September 9, The Wedge (hosted by Dairy Does More, over in CommuniCore Hall) opens September 18, and Coastal Eats, Earth Eats, The Alps, and India don't open until October 2. So if you're building your day around a specific booth, double check when it opens before you go.
Festival Activities
A few of the festival's most beloved activities are back again this year:
Emile's Fromage Montage — a cheese-lovers food stroll where you collect stamps in your festival passport for eligible cheese-inspired dishes at select marketplaces, earning a festival treat once you complete it.
Remy's Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt — a fun, family-friendly hunt following Remy as he hides throughout World Showcase. This one's a great activity to build into your day if you've got littles with you.
And new this year, starting September 18 through November 8, CommuniCore Hall is hosting "Cheers to Cheese," an interactive exhibit all about the history of cheese, paired with The Wedge marketplace right next door.
Eat to the Beat Concert Series
This might be my favorite part of the whole festival. The Eat to the Beat Concert Series returns nightly at the America Gardens Theatre, running from August 27 through November 16, with three showtimes each night (5:30, 6:45, and 8:00 PM). Seating is first-come, first-served unless you snag a dining package for guaranteed seats.
This year's lineup brings some brand-new EPCOT debuts, including Lauren Alaina, Fitz and The Tantrums, and Grace Potter, alongside a stacked list of returning fan favorites like Hanson, Boyz II Men, The Fray, Yellowcard, Smash Mouth, MercyMe, Bowling for Soup, Ben Rector, and The Beach Boys. If there's an artist on this list you don't want to miss, I'd plan around their dates — the popular acts draw serious crowds, and a dining package might be worth it for guaranteed seating.
The Merch
You know I have to mention it — and this year's collection is so much fun. They leaned into a playful retro kitchen theme with rich navy, burgundy, mustard, and orange, all mixed with vintage-inspired recipe card and utensil graphics. The standout for me is the festival ear headband: a tiny chef's hat on top, Mickey and Minnie worked into the design, and an honest-to-goodness movable rolling pin and mini whisk. There's also a churro-shaped tote bag that unfolds into a full tote, a mug topped with a mini pastry lid, a festival wine glass, plus a cozy sweatshirt, a baseball cap, and a classic white pocket tee. Grab it all at Creations Shop or any of the festival markets around EPCOT while supplies last.
Why I Love This Festival So Much
There's something about walking through World Showcase during Food & Wine that feels different from any other time of year. The energy, the music drifting between pavilions, trying a new dish you've never had before, running into old favorites you look forward to all year — it's the kind of day that doesn't even feel like you're "doing a theme park." It just feels like a really good day out.
If Food & Wine has never made it onto your Disney itinerary before, this is your sign to add it this year.
xoxo, Katie
Thinking about planning a trip around this year's festival? Hop over here and fill out the form, and let's build your Food & Wine trip together. 🤍