It’s shaping up to be an exciting year at EPCOT!

If you’re considering an EPCOT trip this year, knowing when to go is half the battle. 2026 is shaping up to be a BIG year for the Disney World park — between festival seasons, ride updates, and more fun events, there are several dates EPCOT pros are gearing up for.

Here are some important EPCOT dates that we know about so far — and some windows where we expect big events to pop up…

Confirmed Dates

EPCOT International Festival of the Arts — January 16th through February 23rd, 2026

Currently ongoing, EPCOT’s first festival of the year — the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts — blends visual, culinary, and performing arts into one very awesome event.

You’ll find plenty of art-inspired food booths, the Disney on Broadway Concert Series, live art demonstrations, and tons of Figment-filled fun that draws Picasso enthusiasts and foodies alike!

This festival is shorter than the others, so if attending is a priority, make sure you make your way to EPCOT ASAP.

Frozen Ever After Ride Changes — January 26th into February 2026

A popular EPCOT attraction is getting a much-needed upgrade!

Frozen Ever After will temporarily close on January 26th for updates to its audio-animatronics. Disney confirmed facial enhancements — to characters like Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff — that will abandon the projected faces in favor of more expressive animatronic faces like the ones we’ve seen in Tokyo DisneySea and Hong Kong Disneyland.

The change has been long overdue, as the faces on the current Frozen attraction are prone to glitches and have not aged well. If Frozen is a must-do for you and your family, you’ll want to avoid late January/early February trips. An official reopening date has yet to be announced as of this writing.

EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival — March 4th through June 1st, 2026

Spring at EPCOT welcomes the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival! Held this year from March 4th through June 1st, this festival brings with it topiaries, outdoor kitchens, and plenty of entertainment and activities the whole family can enjoy!

Some highlights include character topiaries throughout the park, fresh, garden-forward menus, the Garden Rocks Concert Series, and scavenger hunts.

Considered perhaps the prettiest EPCOT festival, the Flower & Garden Festival may be a priority for you if you’re considering an EPCOT visit in 2026.

“Soarin’ Across America” — Debuts May 25th, 2026

Soarin’ will temporarily swap out its usual global adventure “Around the World” for “Soarin’ Across America” later this year!

This latest version of the ride celebrates America’s 250th anniversary with iconic U.S. landmarks and a patriotic experience that celebrates the many states and what makes them special.

The change is slated to debut on Memorial Day, so expect the ride to be closed in the days leading up to May 25th — although an official closing date has yet to be revealed.

Disney After Hours Events — Select evenings from January 22nd through September 24th, 2026

If you’re looking to experience EPCOT with lower wait times and smaller crowds, Disney After Hours Events are your best bet!

Held from 9:30 PM to 12:30 AM on select evenings from January 22nd through September 24th, 2026, these separately-ticketed events are a great way to experience EPCOT without having to worry about crowds and ride/food lines. You even get some complimentary snacks and drinks!

Waiting on Disney Confirmation

There are some dates for confirmed events we’re still waiting on, such as…

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival will once again return to EPCOT, and we’re expecting dates in late August to mid-November 2026.

This summer/fall festival usually offers tons of global marketplaces (food booths), celebrity chef demonstrations, the Eat to the Beat Concert Series, and a unique culinary adventure that truly takes you around the world.

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is another festival returning to EPCOT that still needs some confirmed dates. We’re expecting the festival to arrive in late November and end on December 30th, 2026.

This event usually rounds out the year at EPCOT and is a festive celebration that transforms World Showcase with seasonal kitchens, storytellers from around the world, and cozy comfort foods that feed the soul.

This event usually brings with it Holiday Kitchens with festive spins on global dishes, special holiday traditions in each pavilion, and the famous Candlelight Processional at the America Gardens Theatre featuring celebrity appearances.

And this is only what we know to start out 2026! There’s no way Disney is done making announcements or surprising us with more EPCOT news — so make sure you keep it posted right here at DFB to stay in the know and get all the latest EPCOT (and Disney World) updates!

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Which EPCOT events are you most looking forward to in 2026? Let us know in the comments!