EPCOT’s biggest food event of the year returns in a matter of days, but the full lineup won’t be waiting for guests when the gates open.
The 2026 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival begins August 27 at Walt Disney World. While many Global Marketplaces will start serving immediately, several locations will remain unavailable for weeks. Some won’t join the event until October.
That makes the timing of a visit particularly important for anyone hoping to sample as much of this year’s menu as possible.
Food & Wine Returns for Nearly Three Months
The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival gives visitors a chance to turn a regular park day into a tour of a wide range of foods and drinks.
Global Marketplaces scattered throughout EPCOT serve smaller portions inspired by different cuisines. Guests can move from one location to another rather than committing to a single traditional meal. Specialty beverages and the Eat to the Beat Concert Series add even more to the event.
This year’s festival runs from August 27 through November 21. Disney has now released its 2026 menus, allowing visitors to see what’s coming and when they can actually order it.
Those dates matter because several marketplaces won’t participate from day one.
Festival Favorites Excluded From Opening Day
Festival Favorites will be among the first locations to join the festival after its August debut.
Located at CommuniCore Hall, Festival Favorites starts serving on September 9 and continues through November 21. It will therefore miss the first 13 days of Food & Wine.
Its lineup includes:
- Potato Pierogi
- Bo Ssam Pork Belly Lettuce Wraps
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse Trifle
- Frozen S’mores milkshake
- Alcoholic Specialties
Guests arriving during opening week will have to wait for a later visit to try these dishes.
The Wedge Has an Even Shorter Run
Another September arrival comes with an additional catch.
The Wedge Hosted by Dairy Does More doesn’t open until September 18, about three weeks after the festival begins. Unlike the other delayed locations, it also closes before Food & Wine ends. Its final day is November 8.
The cheese-heavy menu includes:
- Crab and Corn Macaroni and Cheese
- Cheesesteak Macaroni and Cheese
- Cannoli Milk Shake
- Alcoholic Specialties
That gives visitors a smaller window to experience The Wedge than many other festival marketplaces.
Coastal Eats Holds Off Until October
Guests looking forward to seafood will need even more patience.
Coastal Eats, found near Creations Shop, opens October 2 and remains available through November 21.
Its offerings include:
- Crab Cake
- Seafood Pot Pie
- Alcoholic Specialties
With that schedule, anyone visiting in August or September will miss Coastal Eats entirely.
Earth Eats Joins the October Lineup
Coastal Eats won’t be alone in making an October debut.
Earth Eats, located in EPCOT’s World Nature area, also begins serving on October 2 and continues through November 21.
Its menu includes:
- Red Wine-braised Beef Short Rib
- Lemon-Almond-Olive Oil Cake
- Minute Maid Aguas Frescas – Strawberry Hibiscus
- Alcoholic Specialties
The October opening means Earth Eats will sit out more than a month of the festival.
The Alps Makes Guests Wait Five Weeks
Over in World Showcase, The Alps will also remain closed during the festival’s early weeks.
Located near the Germany pavilion, the marketplace opens on October 2 and runs through November 21.
Visitors will find:
- Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese
- Tartiflette
- Kirschwasser Torte
- Alcoholic Specialties
Guests specifically interested in its Alpine-inspired dishes will need to schedule their visit for October or November.
India Won’t Serve Until October
India completes the group of Global Marketplaces opening on October 2.
Located near the China pavilion, India will serve guests through November 21 once it joins the festival.
Its menu includes:
- Potato-Pea Samosas
- Chicken Tikka Masala
- Mango Lassi
- Alcoholic Specialties
Like the other October openings, none of these offerings will be available during August or September.
Timing Could Change Your Food & Wine Experience
Guests shouldn’t mistake the staggered openings for the festival itself being delayed. Food & Wine still begins on August 27, with plenty to eat and drink available immediately.
However, the selection grows as the event continues.
Festival Favorites arrives September 9, The Wedge follows September 18, and four additional marketplaces join on October 2.
For visitors mainly interested in experiencing Food & Wine as soon as possible, opening week still offers that opportunity. Those hoping for the broadest selection, however, will find more choices later.
A quick look at the operating dates before heading to EPCOT could make all the difference between finding a must-try dish and discovering its marketplace hasn’t opened yet.
