Disney Reveals Food & Wine 2026 Details

Well, we’re a bit late in the game here, but Disney has finally let us know what to expect this fall. Disney just revealed details for the 2026 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. So, here’s what you need to know when the party starts later this month.

Let’s Discuss This Year’s Festival 

As a reminder, 2026’s Food & Wine Festival starts later this month. The exhibition will begin on August 27th and run through November 21st. Two years ago, Disney moved Food & Wine to later in the summer when it introduced Cool Kids’ Summer. Just like last year, this year’s festival ends right before Thanksgiving Week begins. 

So, the vibes of Food & Wine have undeniably changed. It’s much more of a fall event rather than a combo event with summer. With Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party beginning on Friday, Disney basically starts its autumn season during early August now. By the end of the month, we’ll be fully into Food & Wine season.

As always, this event represents the signature EPCOT festival of the year. While the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival came first, Food & Wine has the name recognition. And we all know the reason why.

The Global Marketplaces will return, and Disney has already guaranteed that the following popular dishes are back:

• Grilled Bushberry-spiced Shrimp Skewer
• Kirschwasser Torte 
• Street Corn-style Dumplings

As you know, these three are just the tip of the iceberg, which explains why Food & Wine is a culinary connoisseur’s dream. In particular, cheeseheads will be eating good this fall. Emile’s Fromage Montage returns to the various Global Marketplaces. Once again, you’ll collect stamps until you unlock the final reward. 

That’s not the only search, as Remy’s Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt will keep you entertained throughout your EPCOT visit. You’ll be on the lookout for Remy and his recipe ingredients as you roam around the various pavilions. 

(Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog)

What Else Can You Do?

The Eat to the Beat concert series provides the backdrop for nightly strolls around the World Showcase. Guests will head to America Gardens Theatre at the American Adventure pavilion for one of three nightly shows. They start at 5:30, 6:45, and 8 p.m. on most dates throughout the festival.

Disney has finally revealed the full lineup for this year’s event. Please be aware that cancellations sometimes happen, but here’s the current schedule:

August

• Aug 27: Evolution: Motown 
• Aug 28-31: Hanson 

September

• Sep 1-3: Evolution: Motown 
• Sep 4-5: The War and Treaty (NEW) 
• Sep 6-7: Yellowcard 
• Sep 8-10: Fly Guys 
• Sep 11-12: Couch (NEW) 
• Sep 13-14: Fitz and the Tantrums (NEW) 
• Sep 15-17: Latin Ambition 
• Sep 18-19: MercyMe 
• Sep 20-21: Grupo Manía (NEW) 
• Sep 22-24: Metro Latino Band 
• Sep 25-27: Element 
• Sep 28-29: New Found Glory 
• Sep 30: Smash Mouth 

October

• Oct 1: Smash Mouth 
• Oct 2-4: Champagne Orchestra 
• Oct 5-6: Rey Ruiz (NEW) 
• Oct 7-8: Tiffany 
• Oct 9-11: Viva Latina 
• Oct 12-13: The Fray 
• Oct 14-15: STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas 
• Oct 16-18: Jaclyn Hayden 
• Oct 19-20: Ben Rector 
• Oct 21-22: Allen Stone (NEW) 
• Oct 23-25: SoundUp 
• Oct 26-27: Lauren Alaina (NEW) 
• Oct 28-29: Bowling For Soup 
• Oct 30-31: Southbound 

In recent years, Disney has integrated a mix of local musicians alongside the ones with Billboard Top 40 credentials. Some fans actually favor the unknowns, as they tend to do more party shows. I’m not visiting this year, but if I were, I’d prioritize The Fray, Fitz and the Tantrums, and/or Ben Rector. Alas, the running joke in our family is that we seem to have the same vacation schedule as Mickey Thomas. It happens almost every year.

(Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog)

Let’s Talk Dining Packages

Should you have a preferred band, I’d advise you to buy an Eat to the Beat dining package. A lot of other people want to watch Yellowcard sing Ocean Avenue, too. You can jump the line by ordering a package at one of these restaurants:

• Biergarten Restaurant
• Chefs de France
• Coral Reef Restaurant
• Garden Grill Restaurant
• La Crêperie de Paris
• La Hacienda de San Angel
• Le Cellier Steakhouse
• Nine Dragons Restaurant
• Regal Eagle Smokehouse
• Rose & Crown Dining Room
• Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya
• Spice Road Table
• Teppan Edo
• Tutto Italia Ristorante
• Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria 

You may notice that’s a longer list of participating restaurants than in past years. That fact tells a story about this year’s Eat to the Beat. The reality is that if you want to watch a show, you’ll probably want to splurge on a dining package. Otherwise, you may not get a seat to the show. 

To a larger point, Disney reported its quarterly earnings on Wednesday. During the earnings call, CEO Josh D’Amaro indicated that Walt Disney World’s attendance is up four percent this summer. CFO Hugh Johnston added that future bookings are excellent, too. So, if you’re visiting the parks for this year’s festival, you should expect slightly larger crowds.

Take a look at last year’s International Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT:

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