Check out the new merchandise, food, art, and more at EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts!

Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts has begun! We have a special sneak peek of the new merchandise, food, and art that you can find during this time.

Festival of the Arts

Enjoy all of the culinary, performing, and visual arts wrapped up in one festival! In between the food, the paint-by-number mural, and marketplaces that display beautiful artwork, there is so much to satisfy your craving for the arts.

I attended the festival for the first time last year, and I absolutely loved it. My favorite part was watching all of the artists create the sidewalk chalk art! Such talent!

This art-filled festival begins on January 8, 2021 and runs through February 22, 2021. This is in line with previous years.

So, what can you expect this year? Surely it will be different, but much will remain the same! Disney Parks Blog gives us a look.

Performing Arts

Voices of Liberty will take centerstage at America Gardens Theatre with a brand-new showcase – The Disney Songbook. From “When You Wish Upon a Star” to “Let It Go,” the ensemble will perform Disney songs and celebrate the artistry of Disney composers and lyricists.

Performance artists rotate throughout the festival in World Showplace, including thrilling feats of strength from Art Defying Gravity, a pianist playing favorite Disney songs, and a high-energy onstage performance by a guest artist who paints Disney characters in only a matter of minutes.

You can also take in the festive atmosphere created by the popular JAMMitors, performing live on the Mill Stage in the Canada pavilion.

Festival Merchandise

I love grabbing exclusive merchandise each time I visit EPCOT for one of the four festivals that take place each year. For 2021, Figment is all over the merchandise – from t shirts to mugs and more!

Festival of the Arts is celebrating its 5th year, and what better way to celebrate than with Figment?! Figment is the very definition of imagination and creativity.

In the photo above, you can see the plates in the shape of an artist’s palette along with tumblers in the background. If you look to the right, it appears as if the other side of the mug says “Eat, Sleep, Art, Repeat.” I am loving the purple, blue, and yellow tones throughout the merchandise.

Spirit Jerseys, hats, tumblers, art work, and t-shirts are all featured above. I love the tie-dyed Spirit Jersey and shirt! Mushu is depicted in the China Pavilion in the artwork as well.

Other event-specific merchandise is available throughout the park, including shirts, caps, face coverings, trading pins, MagicBands, homeware and more.

Art

More than 100 talented artists will visit the park over the course of the 46-day event, showcasing pieces in a wide variety of styles and disciplines. You can explore Festival Markets throughout the park to purchase new discoveries and, in some cases, meet the artists in person (while adhering to physical-distancing protocols).

Disney-inspired art is available throughout Festival Markets, ranging in styles from classic to whimsical to edgy. Non-Disney art is available, as well.

Visiting artists create new pieces live during the festival, providing insight into their processes and personalizing pieces for guests. The Animation Academy at America Gardens Theatre features a Disney artist providing guests a step-by-step lesson in drawing Disney characters.

On the bridge from Future World to World Showcase, you’ll discover the work of imaginative chalk artists. You can also find chalk drawings of Disney characters tucked away in corners throughout World Showcase.

Artists and Festival Markets will rotate throughout the festival, so you’ll likely find something new each time you visit.

Food

Is it even EPCOT if we don’t talk about food? Festivals are a foodie’s dream, and Festival of the Arts is no exception!

Food Studios located around World Showcase are where you can view – and eat – great works of art. Vibrante & Vívido Food Studio, a new location between France and Morocco, will feature a mouthwatering (and photo-ready) chilled seafood cocktail with octopus, scallops, shrimp, black garlic aïoli, tomato coconut sauce and serrano lime oil.

We have already laid out all the menus for this festival, which you can view HERE.

Other Offerings

Expression Section: A Paint-by-Number Mural invites you to help complete a larger-than-life piece of art created for the festival by Disney Imagineers.

Around World Showcase, you can step into famous artwork in special photo-opportunity installations.

With Spin Art, you create your own art by choosing favorite colors and then “spinning” them to life via a specially made stationary bicycle.

Through Enemy Ink, express your own special fashion sense by choosing a color, design and style and then watch as a custom t-shirt is printed right before your eyes.

Other ways to enjoy the Festival: Take part in the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine, where you’ll use the Festival Passport as a guide to purchase five vibrant food items and receive a complimentary, tasty technicolor treat.

The popular Figment’s Brush with the Masters returns this year, as well, inviting you to help Figment learn about art on a scavenger hunt around World Showcase. You will be able to purchase a map and stickers for the family-friendly hunt at a variety of merchandise locations. 

Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts will run for 46 days and be available with valid admission and a park reservation for the same date.