EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival 2026: Dates, Booths, and How to Plan It
Last updated: August 2026 · By the Pixie Vacations Disney team — Authorized Disney Vacation Planners (“EarMarked by Disney”) with 735+ five-star reviews and 15 years of the family-travel podcast Mouse Chat.
The 2026 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival runs August 27 through November 21, 2026 — 87 days with an expected 32–36 Global Marketplaces — and it’s included with regular EPCOT admission. It’s the park’s biggest and longest festival of the year: small-plate “tastes” from around the world, the Eat to the Beat concert series, and family-friendly extras like the Remy scavenger hunt. Here’s how to plan it so you actually enjoy it instead of just wandering hungry.
When is the 2026 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival?
The festival opens August 27, 2026 and runs through November 21, 2026. That’s one of the longest runs in the event’s history, so you have flexibility — but crowds and weather vary a lot across those 87 days. Some Global Marketplaces open in a phased rollout, so the earliest festival dates may not have every booth open yet.
What’s included — and what costs extra
Walking the marketplaces and browsing menus is included with EPCOT admission; you pay per item as you go (most “tastes” run roughly $5–$10 each). The Eat to the Beat concert series is also included with admission. Paid add-ons include specialty dining packages (a meal plus guaranteed concert seating), premium tastings, seminars, and beverage seminars — those sell out and are worth booking ahead.
How many booths, and which are worth it?
Expect 32–36 Global Marketplaces in 2026. Returning fan favorites include Gyozas of the Galaxy, Australia, and The Alps, and the popular “Emile’s Fromage Montage” cheese stroll returns — collect stamps in your festival passport for each eligible dish and earn a treat when you complete it. Menus are still being finalized close to opening, so grab a physical or app festival passport when you arrive to see the current lineup.
When should you go? A quick planning comparison
| Timing | Crowds | Weather | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late Aug – early Sept | Lower (back-to-school) | Hot, humid, afternoon storms | Fewer lines, but pack for heat |
| Late Sept – Oct weekdays | Moderate | Cooler, pleasant | Best overall balance |
| October weekends | Higher | Great | Combine with a Halloween party night |
| Nov (incl. Thanksgiving week) | High to very high | Cool, ideal | Holiday overlap, but book early |
For most families, late-September to mid-October weekdays hit the sweet spot: better weather than August and thinner crowds than the fall weekends and holidays.
How to plan your festival trip (quick checklist)
- Stack it with the fall room discount. Stays October 4–December 24, 2026 qualify for up to 20% off Disney Resort rooms (up to 30% for Annual Passholders) — an easy way to offset the trip.
- Book dining packages and seminars early — the ones with guaranteed concert seating go first.
- Budget per taste, not per meal. Two adults grazing across 8–10 booths will spend more than one sit-down meal; set a number before you go.
- Pace the day. Ride in the morning, graze mid-afternoon, catch an Eat to the Beat show in the evening.
Because room discounts, dining reservations, Lightning Lane, and final payment all have different deadlines, our free Disney Countdown Kit maps every booking deadline to your exact check-in date — with phone alarms built in so nothing slips.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2026 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival?
August 27 through November 21, 2026, at EPCOT — one of the longest festival runs to date.
Is the Food & Wine Festival included with park admission?
Yes. Walking the marketplaces and the Eat to the Beat concerts are included with regular EPCOT admission; you pay per food or drink item, and some special dining packages and seminars cost extra.
How much do the food booths cost?
Most individual “tastes” run about $5–$10 each. Two adults sampling 8–10 items should plan on roughly $80–$150 total, depending on drinks.
How many booths are there in 2026?
Around 32–36 Global Marketplaces are expected, with some opening in a phased rollout early in the festival.
What’s the best time to go?
Late-September to mid-October weekdays generally offer the best mix of comfortable weather and manageable crowds; November brings ideal weather but holiday crowds.
Can I combine Food & Wine with a Halloween party?
Yes — the festival overlaps Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (through Oct 31), making a fall trip a strong two-in-one. Pick your party night first, since the best dates sell out.
Ready to plan your Food & Wine trip?
We’ll match you to the right dates, apply the current fall room discount, and help with dining and festival packages — all at no extra cost to you. Request your free Disney quote and a Pixie planner will build your festival trip.
