The 2026 EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival begins tomorrow, March 4, bringing over 60 Disney and Pixar character topiaries, outdoor kitchens with 76 new menu items, and the Garden Rocks Concert Series through June 1. The festival completely transforms the park’s appearance with botanical displays and garden-themed decorations.
Guests visiting tomorrow should expect EPCOT to look completely different from recent visits, as character topiaries crafted from living plants replace the artwork from Festival of the Arts that ended February 23.
Character Topiaries Throughout the Park
The most distinctive visual element is the character topiaries transforming EPCOT into a botanical showcase. Each topiary represents weeks or months of horticultural planning by Disney’s landscaping teams, who shape living plants into recognizable character forms that must remain healthy throughout the three-month festival.
The 2026 topiary list includes Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Bo Peep and her sheep, Lotso, and the Pixar Ball; Mike Wazowski and Sulley at Creations Shop; Figment with flower topiaries at World Celebration Plaza; Encanto characters including Mirabel, Antonio, Isabela, and Luisa near Imagination Pavilion; and Simba and Friends featuring Rafiki, Simba, Mufasa, and Sarabi.
Additional topiaries include Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Chip, Dale, and Pluto; Lightning McQueen and Mater near Connections Cafe; Groot near Cosmic Rewind; Stitch near Mission: SPACE; Tinker Bell’s Fairy House Garden at United Kingdom; Winnie the Pooh and Friends at United Kingdom; Lady and the Tramp at Italy; Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Germany; Beauty and the Beast at France; Tiana at The American Adventure; and Miguel and Dante from Coco at Mexico.
Garden Rocks Concert Series
Garden Rocks returns with nightly performances at America Gardens Theater at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8 p.m. through June 1. The series kicks off with Music of ABBA performing March 5-7. Concerts are included with EPCOT admission.
The 2026 lineup includes new acts like Information Society, FireHouse, Katrina formerly of Katrina & The Waves, Josiah Queen, Iam Tongi, and Maverick City Music closing out May 31-June 1.
Returning acts include Simple Plan, Blue October, Billy Ocean, THE ORCHESTRA starring former ELO members, Herman’s Hermits, 38 Special, Chubby Checker, Sugar Ray, Rick Springfield, Berlin, The Commodores, Air Supply, A Flock of Seagulls, Plain White T’s, 98 Degrees, The Spinners, and Queensryche.
Guests wanting guaranteed seating should book dining packages pairing meals at participating restaurants with priority concert seating.
Food and Activities at the Park
Outdoor kitchens throughout the park will serve garden-fresh cuisine emphasizing seasonal ingredients and fresh flavors. The festival features 76 new menu items in addition to returning favorites, requiring multiple visits to experience everything available.
Additional festival offerings include Spike’s PollenNation Exploration, Butterfly Landing presented by AdventHealth, Egg-Stravaganza Scavenger Hunt, Camp Get Out ‘N’ Play Garden, Blossoms of Fragrance presented by Scentsy, English Tea Garden Tours presented by Twinings, Rain or Shine Fruit Stand, and The Honey Bee-stro Garden.
Practical Tips for the Park
Guests planning to visit tomorrow should prepare for crowds, as festival opening day typically sees elevated attendance. Park reservations are required, and availability should be checked immediately.
Early March weather can be mild, requiring layers during evening concert hours. Rain gear is recommended as afternoon thunderstorms can develop quickly during Florida’s spring rainy season.
Guests with seasonal allergies should bring medication, as significant pollen fills the air when plants are actively blooming. Bees congregate around topiaries and food areas, so guests with bee allergies should maintain awareness.
The festival runs through June 1, with weather varying dramatically from relatively mild March temperatures to intense summer heat in late May and early June requiring sun protection and hydration strategies.
By tomorrow, EPCOT will look completely different from its Festival of the Arts appearance, with botanical displays and character topiaries creating one of the park’s most distinctive and photogenic seasonal celebrations.
