The 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts closes February 23, giving Disney fans just this weekend to experience the 39-day celebration that many consider their favorite EPCOT festival despite being the shortest on the annual calendar. From interactive art experiences to specialty food at over 20 Food Studios to the final Disney on Broadway performances, the closing weekend represents the last opportunities to participate in experiences that won’t return until 2027.
The festival debuted in 2017 and quickly became a guest favorite by emphasizing hands-on participation where guests become part of the art rather than just passive observers. That interactive element distinguishes Festival of the Arts from longer festivals like Food and Wine or Flower and Garden.
The Disney on Broadway Finale
The biggest draw of the closing weekend is the Disney on Broadway Concert Series finale at American Garden Theatre. February 22-23 performances feature an extraordinary lineup including Ashley Brown from Mary Poppins, Ainsley Melham from Aladdin, Susan Egan from Beauty and the Beast, James Monroe Iglehart from Aladdin, and Kyra Belle Johnson from the Beauty and the Beast North American tour.
This represents one of the festival’s strongest lineups, with multiple performers who originated iconic Disney theatrical roles appearing together for just two days. Iglehart won a Tony Award for playing Genie in Aladdin. Egan originated Belle in the Broadway Beauty and the Beast. The combination creates special moments worth planning visits around.
Concerts happen several times daily with admission included in park entry and first-come, first-served seating. Expect larger crowds and longer waits than typical festival days.
Interactive Disney Experiences Ending
This weekend is the last chance to participate in the Expression Section: A Paint-by-Numbers Mural, where guests contribute to a large collaborative artwork. By the final weekend, the mural should be nearly complete, letting participants add finishing touches to a piece that’s been developing over 39 days.
Animation Academy also ends this weekend, giving guests final opportunities to learn drawing techniques from Disney artists and create character sketches to take home. The hands-on lessons appeal to children learning basics and adults developing artistic skills.
Scavenger Hunts and Card Collecting
For Disney Lorcana fans, this is the last weekend for Collection Quest and Ink & Find activities. Collection Quest lets participants open booster packs and trade cards with others in the Illumineer’s Lounge at Morocco Pavilion. Completion earns limited-edition cards including Donald Duck Pie Slinger Magical Places card.
Ink & Find sends participants searching for larger-than-life trading cards around EPCOT, matching them to ink stickers in Festival Questbooks for an additional limited-edition Rapunzel Appreciative Artist Magical Places card while supplies last. These promotional cards are festival-exclusive and won’t be available after the event ends.
Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt has the purple dragon hiding inside famous works of art around World Showcase. Guests purchase maps and stickers, then search for Figment-themed picture frames in each pavilion’s artwork. Completing the hunt unlocks a special keepsake.
The Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine offers another way to explore culinary offerings while engaging in structured activity encouraging visits to multiple Food Studios.
Food Studios Final Call
The 2026 festival features over 20 Food Studios throughout the park, each showcasing culinary creativity blending flavor with picture-perfect presentation. These aren’t standard festival food booths—dishes are designed to be as visually stunning as they are delicious.
This weekend represents last chances to try specialty items that won’t return until next year’s festival. Festival of the Arts food tends to be exclusive to this celebration, making the final weekend crucial for experiencing dishes missed earlier.
Disney Artist Appearances
Throughout the festival, guests have watched artists create Disney character paintings in minutes, seen magic at Chalk Art Galleries, and met various artists signing work. This final weekend continues offering those experiences, though specific schedules vary. Check DisneyWorld.com for current appearance times and locations.
Festival Merchandise
Festival merchandise featuring Figment remains available through the weekend, though popular items may be sold out by final days. The collection includes a Spirit Jersey featuring Figment drawing World Showcase, Loungefly ear headband with purple bow and fireworks, vibrant baseball cap showing Figment painting around Spaceship Earth, and Figment plush in paint-splattered apron and beret.
The Loungefly bag works as purse or backpack. A Corkcicle water bottle showcases music notes, paintbrushes, and World Showcase. A festival mug and Figment ornament round out offerings.
Making the Most of It at Disney
Arriving early secures good Disney on Broadway seating without excessive waiting. Completing scavenger hunts and interactive experiences before midday crowds makes activities more enjoyable. Sampling Food Studios throughout the day rather than hitting every location at once prevents overwhelming your palate.
The 39-day festival run makes this EPCOT’s shortest annual celebration, creating urgency around experiencing everything. After February 23, these food offerings, interactive experiences, performances, and artistic displays disappear until 2027.
