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It’s time to kick off 2024 in grand style as we welcome the return of EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts!

The new annual tradition began on January 12 and runs through February 19. The Festival celebrates all aspects of the arts, including the visual arts, performance arts, and culinary arts. Whether you’re looking forward to seeing the works of local craftsmen and artists that will be on display, or take in a Broadway-style show, or yes (and we know that’s why most of you are here!), snacking your way around the world, the Festival of the Arts has a little something to satisfy that creative spark of inspiration in all of us.

So grab those painting smocks (and your appetite) and let’s take a quick tour to see what this year’s Festival has to offer. We’ll begin our journey with…

The Performance Arts

The Disney On Broadway Concert Series makes its triumphant return this year, giving you the chance to see some of Broadway’s brightest upcoming stars perform in a magical setting. Three shows will be taking place on each day of the Festival, where you can see some of your favorite Disney songs come to life right before your eyes. Highlights this years include Caissie Levy and Patti Murin performing songs from Frozen and Ashly Brown singing selections from Mary Poppins and Beauty and the Beast. Here is this year’s full schedule:

• Caissie Levy and Patti Murin (“Frozen”): Jan. 12, 14, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23
• Heidi Blickenstaff (“Freaky Friday” and “The Little Mermaid”) and Gavin Lee (“Mary Poppins” and “Beauty and the Beast”): Jan. 13, 16, 17, 19, 21, 24
• Ashley Brown (“Mary Poppins” and “Beauty and the Beast”) and L. Steven Taylor (“The Lion King”): Jan. 26, 28 and 29; Feb. 1, 3, 5 and 6
• Kissy Simmons (“The Lion King”) and Josh Strickland (“Tarzan”): Jan. 27, 30, 31; Feb. 2, 4, 7 and 8
• Mandy Gonzalez (“Aida”) and Michael James Scott (“Aladdin” and “Tarzan”): Feb. 9, 11, 12, 15, 18, 19
• Bradley Gibson (“Hercules” and “The Lion King”) and Shoba Narayan (“Aladdin”): Feb. 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19

The shows take place at the American Gardens Theatre (at the American Adventure pavilion in World Showcase) with showtimes at 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:00 PM.

Much like the Candlelight Processional during the Festival of the Holidays, you can opt to wait in line to see each performance, or make the event extra special by choosing one the many Disney on Broadway Dining Packages. Enjoy a gourmet meal and guarantee yourself a seat at your desired show. You can make reservations at any one of eight EPCOT restaurants:

• Spice Road Table (Here you’ll enjoy two small plates, a shared tagine, a shared dessert platter and a nonalcoholic beverage)
  (The remaining restaurants all offer an appetizer, entrée and dessert – or one full buffet/family-style meal (where applicable)—as well as a nonalcoholic beverage)
• Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
• Biergarten Restaurant
• Coral Reef Restaurant
• Garden Grill Restaurant
• Rose & Crown Dining Room
• Le Cellier
• Regal Eagle Smokehouse (same-day, in-person walk-up packages only)

After your meal, you’ll receive your Disney on Broadway concert seating badges which will specify the date and showtime that you have reserved. Once you arrive at the American Gardens Theater, you’ll enter through your own special queue and will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis. (But don’t worry, your seat is guaranteed!)

Elsewhere, you can enjoy a delightful assortment of performances by musicians, live painting demonstrations, and the thrilling acrobatic feats of Art Defying Gravity throughout Showcase Plaza.

The Visual Arts 

The Festival of the Arts is a wonderful place to visit with real-life artists as well as to express your own creative self. The Festival is home to many artists who set up booths throughout the park. You can browse through their galleries, meet the artists themselves, and even pick out that unique piece of art that fills your heart with magic to take home with you. New and returning favorites will be part of this year’s lineup, so be sure to take your time as you browse through the imaginative galleries.

If, on the other hand, you want to express your own creative yearnings, you’re in luck! At the Animation Academy, you can learn how to draw a Disney Character during a special session led by an animator. Featured artists include Will Gay, Brian Blackmore, Hannah Loflin, and Justin Dring, and the classes take place in the American Gardens Theatre at 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM daily.

If you’re looking for something a bit less intense, be sure to stop by the Expression Section: A Paint by Numbers Mural. This Festival favorite returns this year, and let’s you leave your creative mark on a larger-than-life mural. How does it work? All you need to do is to stop by the Expression Section booth to pick up some paint, a brush, and your assigned number. Then it’s time to head out to the mural, find your numbered squares, and fill them in with your selected color. As the Festival goes on, the image will slowly come to life, eventually revealing a breathtaking picture. You can take part in the experience every day from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM (though painting may understandably be delayed if there’s inclement weather about!).

Looking for an artistic photo op? You can put yourself right in the middle of a famous painting at one of the many Artful Photo Ops. Disney PhotoPass photographers will be on hand to snap your photo at any of the following locations:

• International Gateway: Luncheon of the Boating Party – Pierre-Auguste Renoir
• The American Adventure: Washington Crossing the Delaware – Emanuel Leutze
• Between Italy Pavilion and Germany Pavilion: Mona Lisa – Leonardo da Vinci
• Between Italy Pavilion and Germany Pavilion: The Scream – Edvard Munch
• Mexico Pavilion: An Homage to Frida Kahlo
• Bridge to World Showcase: Wish Storybook
• Italy Pavilion Courtyard: Teatime with Penguins
• Bridge to World Showcase: Forest Scene from Sleeping Beauty

You can also see Chalk Art masterpieces come to life on the promenade to World Showcase (including some dizzying three-dimensional photo ops!). Kids can even create their very own sidewalk chalk masterpieces on the promenade from 11am to 5pm daily.

For a fun change of pace, you can take part in Figment’s Brush with the Masters. This fun-filled scavenger hunt takes place around World Showcase. To begin your quest, you’ll need to pick up a special map and stickers (for $9.99) at the Creations Shop, Port of Entry, or World Traveler shops. Now that you’re ready to go, it’s time to search high and low for Figment hiding inside art inspired by famous works at each World Showcase Pavilion – just look for the Figment-themed picture frame. Every time you find Figment, add the corresponding sticker to the Pavilion on your map. When you find them all, you can bring your map to Disney Traders or World Traveler and trade it in for a special keepsake!

Speaking of Figment, this lovable purple dragon (and Festival Mascot) can be found on all sorts of merch. You’ll find everything from household items and décor to apparel and trading items. (And yes, we hear a Figment Popcorn Bucket will be all the rage once again!)

The Culinary Arts

OK, we get it. For most of you our there, it’s all about the food! Well once again, the Festival of the Arts will NOT disappoint! You’ll find 16 Food Studios throughout EPCOT that blend touches of delectable flavors with an artistic twist. A returning favorite includes the Rainbow Cake with freeze-dried SKITTLES found at Figment’s Inspiration Station at the Odyssey: Art, Food and Little Sparks of Magic.
Here is the rest of the 2024 Food Studio lineup:

• The Artist’s Table – American Adventure Pavilion (Specialties include Duck and Dumplings and Hummingbird Cake)
• The Craftsman’s Courtyard – Near Creations Shop (Specialties include Grilled Pork Belly with Salsa Verde and Grilled Marinated Skirt Steak)
• Cuisine Classique – in World Discovery (Specialties include Beef Wellington and Cast Iron-Roasted P.E.I. Mussels)
• Deco Delights – Near Port of Entry (Specialties include the Neapolitan Dessert Trio: Chocolate Tart, Vanilla Bean Cheesecake and Strawberry Mousse)
• The Deconstructed Dish – World Discovery (Specialties include the Deconstructed BLT and the Deconstructed Key Lime Pie)
• El Artista Hambriento – Mexico Pavilion (Specialties include Carne Asada and Tostada de Langosta)
• Goshiki – Japan Pavilion (Specialties include Wagyu Bun and the Sushi Donut)
• Gourmet Landscapes – Canada Pavilion (Specialties include Verjus-Roasted Beets, Roasted Bone Marrow, and Wild Mushroom Risotto)
• L’Art de la Cuisine Française – France Pavilion (Specialties include Crème de Brie en Petit Pain [Warm Creamy Brie in a House-Made Bread Bowl] and Saumon Fumé Mousse et Aspic, Blini et Fromage de Chevre [Salmon Mousse, Smoked Salmon, Dill and Flaxseed Biscuit]
• L’Arte di Mangiare – Italy Pavilion (Specialties include Mozzarella Fritta and Conchiglie Ripiene)
• The Painted Panda – China Pavilion (Specialties include General Tso’s Chicken Shumai, Char Siu Pork Bun, and Sesame Balls with Red Bean Paste)
• Pastoral Palate – Germany Pavilion (Specialties include Red Wine-Braised Beef Short Rib and Black Forest Cake)
• Pop Eats – Near Port of Entry (Specialties include Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup with Pimento Cheese)
• Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina – Morocco Pavilion (Specialties include Grilled Kebabs and Chocolate Cake with Pomegranate Mousse)
• Vibrante & Vívido: Encanto Cocina – Between Morocco Pavilion and France Pavilion (Specialties include Chorizo and Potato Empanada and the Passion Fruit-Filled Mango Cheesecake)

You can also take part in the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine. Using your Festival Passport as your guide, you can set out on a tasty quest to discover seven vibrant dishes. If you took part in the Holiday Cookie Stroll during the Festival of the Holidays then you know the drill. If you can get collect stamps for at least five of these artistic treats, then you can turn your stamped Festival Passport in at the Deco Delights Food Studio in exchange for a complimentary Artist Palette Cookie.
Here are the Wonderful Walk stops:

• Pop Eats: Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese
• Pop Eats: Tomato Soup with Pimento Cheese, Bacon and Fried Green Tomato Grilled Cheese
• Vibrante & Vívido: Chorizo and Potato Empanada with Turmeric Aïoli and Annatto Aïoli
• Gourmet Landscapes: Verjus-Roasted Beets with Goat Cheese, Petite Lettuce, Blackberry Gastrique and Spiced Pecans
• The Deconstructed Dish: Deconstructed Key Lime Pie
• Deco Delights: Neapolitan Dessert Trio
• Figment’s Inspiration Station: Blueberry-Filled Pastry Tart with Purple Icing

Just as with the Holiday Cookie Stroll, The Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine can be completed at your leisure – so you can enjoy a new treat every time you visit throughout the festival.

So how about it? Are you ready to indulge your creative side? Then head on over to EPCOT and the Festival of the Arts, and don’t forget to bring that spark of imagination!

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