Festival of the Arts returns to Epcot Jan. 15, 2027, with new Broadway stars. A 10th-anniversary concert lineup, an all-new Once Upon A Stage exhibit in CommuniCore Hall, and spring discounts that align with festival dates make for great reasons to visit Walt Disney World in 2027.
Photo Credit: Walt Disney World
Broadway Concert Series at America Gardens Theatre
The curtain is officially rising on the 2027 Epcot International Festival of the Arts, presented by Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game. Walt Disney World recently revealed the full Disney on Broadway Concert Series schedule for the festival, and it comes with a milestone: 2027 marks the 10th anniversary of the concert series. The festival and the concerts run January 15 through March 1, 2027.
Still, the headline for us is not just who is singing at America Gardens Theatre. It is what is happening inside CommuniCore Hall, where Walt Disney World is debuting an all new version of its Broadway exhibit, Once Upon A Stage: The Music of Disney on Broadway, along with brand-new Disney on Broadway merchandise. If you have ever wondered what that big, shiny building at the center of Epcot is actually for, Festival of the Arts has the answer. Historically, the displays within CommuniCore Hall during the Festival of the Arts have been impressive. We expect even more from the 2027 version.
Once Upon A Stage: CommuniCore Hall Gets a Starring Role
According to the Disney, the all new Once Upon A Stage: The Music of Disney on Broadway exhibit invites guests behind the curtain at CommuniCore Hall to explore Disney on Broadway musicals past, present and future. The focus this time is the music, tracing how the songs from shows like The Lion King, Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast go from the page to the stage.
This is the third straight festival with a Once Upon A Stage exhibit in CommuniCore Hall. The concept debuted in 2025, and Playbill described the 2026 edition as a behind the curtain look at Disney’s Broadway shows featuring authentic props and costumes. For 2027, Walt Disney World is calling the exhibit all new and has swapped “Magic” for “Music” in the title, so expect the soundtrack to take center stage.
A Quick Word About the Other Three Festivals
Let’s be honest. Epcot has four festivals a year, and CommuniCore Hall is in the middle of all of them. Yet for three of those festivals, the building tends to play the role of a very nice, very air conditioned room with a food booth in it.
During Food & Wine, CommuniCore Hall is mostly a place to grab a cheese plate, find a seat and recharge your phone. Flower & Garden puts its best work outside in the sunshine, which makes sense for a festival about plants, but leaves the hall feeling like the greenhouse nobody planted anything in. Festival of the Holidays? The hall gets some festive touches, but it is not exactly the North Pole. The building has big ceilings, great lighting and plenty of glass, and for most of the year it is acting like the world’s most expensive food court.
Then Festival of the Arts shows up, rolls out a red carpet, hangs a marquee and turns the whole thing into a Broadway museum. It is like watching an understudy finally go on and absolutely nail the role. The Once Upon A Stage the best use of CommuniCore Hall for any Epcot festival, and it is hard to argue. Walt Disney World , if you are reading this, the other three festivals would like to borrow this playbook. If they do not, they should!
New Disney on Broadway Merchandise
The exhibit is not the only debut in CommuniCore Hall. Disney says new Disney on Broadway merchandise will arrive there for the festival, with show themed keepsakes and collectibles inspired by Hercules, Aladdin, The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast. Hercules is the interesting name on that list. The stage version is newer to the Disney Theatrical lineup, so theater fans may want to shop early.
Disney on Broadway Concert Series 2027 Schedule
The 10th anniversary concert series features six pairings of Broadway performers, and Disney notes that six of the performers are making their first Festival of the Arts appearance. There are three shows nightly at America Gardens Theatre in the American Adventure pavilion, at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m.
| Dates | Performers |
| Jan. 15, 17, 18, 21, 22, 25, 26 | Michael James Scott and Marisha Wallace (first festival appearance) |
| Jan. 16, 19, 20, 23, 24, 27, 28 | Ashley Brown and Josh Strickland |
| Jan. 29, 31; Feb. 1, 4, 5, 8, 9 | Adam Pascal and Sherie Rene Scott (both first festival appearances) |
| Jan. 30; Feb. 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11 | Sierra Boggess and Norm Lewis (Lewis’s first festival appearance) |
| Feb. 12, 14, 15, 18, 19, 22, 25 | Kara Lindsay and Mason Reeves (Reeves’s first festival appearance) |
| Feb. 13, 16, 17, 20, 21, 23, 24, 26 | Caissie Levy and Ryan McCartan (McCartan’s first festival appearance) |
| Feb. 27, 28; Mar. 1 | Special finale: Seize the Day! A Newsies Celebration |
Who’s Taking the Stage at Festival of the Arts
- Michael James Scott and Marisha Wallace: Scott is Broadway’s longest running Genie, and Olivier Award nominee Wallace makes her festival debut. The two previously worked together in Aladdin.
- Ashley Brown and Josh Strickland: Broadway’s original Mary Poppins and original Tarzan return to celebrate the 20th anniversaries of both shows.
- Adam Pascal and Sherie Rene Scott: Two Tony Award nominees known for Rent and Aida, both making their festival debuts. Aida fans, this is your week.
- Sierra Boggess and Norm Lewis: Olivier nominee Boggess and Tony nominee Lewis are known for The Little Mermaid and The Phantom of the Opera. Lewis makes his festival debut.
- Kara Lindsay and Mason Reeves: Lindsay, Broadway’s original Katherine in Newsies, returns alongside newcomer Reeves, who originated Kristoff on the North American Frozen tour.
- Caissie Levy and Ryan McCartan: Tony Award winner Levy, Broadway’s original Elsa, teams with newcomer McCartan, who originated Prince Hans on the North American tour. Yes, Elsa and Hans on the same stage. Let it go, Anna.
The festival closes with a three night Seize the Day! A Newsies Celebration finale on Feb. 27, Feb. 28 and March 1. Walt Disney World says more finale details are coming soon.
Disney on Broadway Concert Series Dining Packages
Band at Biergarten at Epcot
Photo by Jon Self
Want a guaranteed seat instead of a standby line that wraps around the American Adventure? The Disney on Broadway Concert Series Dining Package for Festival of the Arts pairs a meal at a participating Epcot restaurant with guaranteed seating for a same day concert. Disney says booking opens December 3. Pixie Vacations travel advisors can help you lock in a package as soon as the window opens.
Why 2027 Festival of the Arts Is a Great Time to Book a Disney World Vacation
Photo Credit: Walt Disney World
Festival of the Arts has quietly become one of the best times of year to visit Walt Disney World, and 2027 makes the case even stronger. Here is why we think it belongs on your calendar.
- The Festival of the Arts is included with park admission. The exhibit, the concerts, the gallery displays and the photo ops come with your Epcot ticket. You only pay extra for the food studio bites, merchandise, workshops and dining packages.
- Spring 2027 discounts overlap the festival. Disney’s current offers include up to 25% off select rooms for stays select nights Jan. 3 to April 29, 2027, and up to $250 off per night on select 4 night or longer room and ticket packages. Disney Visa Cardmembers and Annual Passholders have their own offers too. Availability is limited, terms apply, and offers can change, so see our Walt Disney World discounts page and let a Pixie check which deal works best for your dates.
- Better weather than summer. January and February bring cooler Florida temperatures, which means walking World Showcase without melting. Just pack a jacket for those 7:45 p.m. concerts.
- Smarter crowd timing. Not every festival week is created equal. Weekdays in January tend to be lighter, while Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend (Jan. 18, 2027) and Presidents’ Day weekend (Feb. 15, 2027) usually bring bigger crowds. Use the Pixie Vacations Disney World crowd calendar to compare dates.
- You can pick your Broadway week. Since the lineup rotates, you can plan your trip around the pairing you want to see, whether that is Elsa and Hans, Aida reunited, or the original Mary Poppins and Tarzan.
Pixie Tips for Planning Your Festival of the Arts Trip
- Hit CommuniCore Hall early. Once Upon A Stage is a walk through exhibit, so visiting in the morning means more time with the displays and fewer people in your photos.
- Book dining packages on Dec. 3. Concert seating for popular pairings goes fast, especially on weekends.
- Stay close to Epcot. The Epcot area resorts let you walk or take a boat to the International Gateway, which is handy for evening concerts at America Gardens Theatre. Ask a Pixie about a split stay if you want an Epcot area deluxe for part of your trip.
- Budget for the food studios. The festival food is half the fun, and it adds up quickly. A travel advisor can help you build that into your plan.
Book Your 2027 Festival of the Arts Vacation With Pixie Vacations
Between a brand new Broadway exhibit, a 10th anniversary concert lineup and spring discounts that line up with festival dates, 2027 is a great year to see Epcot at its most creative. And for once, CommuniCore Hall gets to be the star of the show.
Ready to grab your spot in the audience? Get a free quick quote from a Pixie, browse our Disney World vacation packages to start planning. Our advisors’ services are free, and they can watch for new offers and the Dec. 3 dining package window for you.
