Every year beginning mid-September to mid-November, Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival attract visitors to experience a food celebration. This year marks the 21st annual festival which features more than 270 chefs and several culinary stars. Festival guests will enjoy a variety of international cuisine during dinners and tasting events. There will also be culinary demonstrations, beverage seminars, cheese seminars, entertainment and many other food-related activities.

Tip: Buy a Food & Wine Festival gift card and pay your way around the World Showcase. It’s much easier and quicker than digging for cash or credit cards as you go from location to location.

Around 30 international marketplaces will feature bite-sized portions paired with beer, wine and inventive new cocktails. These appetizer-sized portions usually range in price from $5 to $15 and provide the perfect opportunity to try traditional cuisine from around the world. The event this year lasts from September 14 through November 14, 2016.

Epcot Food & Wine Festival

What’s New at This Year’s Food & Wine Festival?

This year there are new tasting marketplaces. Chocolate Studio will offer delectably dark and milky sweet treats. Islands of the Caribbean will feature such dishes as Jamaican Beef Patty with black beans and rice, and a seared grouper dish with coconut sauce rice. The Food & Wine Festival will also feature an all-new Wine & Dine Studio. It will offer a medley of wines paired with pork tenderloin and scallops. Keeping with a sustainable-theme in many new Epcot restaurants, Greenhouse Guru hosted by Village Farms will also have an eco-friendly kiosk.

Rockin' Burger Block Party

Also new at this year’s Food & Wine Festival is a Rockin’ Burger Block Party. It will be held on 3 different dates from 7-9pm at World ShowPlace. Celebrity chefs will amp up this traditional sandwich like never before!

Celebrity chef appearances include Masaharu Morimoto, Paul Wahlburg, Maneet Chauhan, Graham Elliot, Geoffrey Zakarian, Fabio Bongianni, Elliott Farmer and dozens of others. ABC’s hit daytime talk show The Chew will also be broadcasting live and sharing recipes. Five shows will be taped on October 5 to October 7, 2016.

The Chew cast at Food & Wine Festival

ABC’s The CHEW – Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival

Eat to the Beat Concert Series

In addition to great food, some pretty awesome entertainment is offered as well. This ‘ultimate dinner show’ features new entertainment each year. These acts join popular acts that have performed in years past to create an entertainment lineup that is sure to please event attendees. A wide range of musical genres are offered – all top-notch performers. New acts this year include:

  • Wang Chung – Sept. 14 & 15, 2016 – known for their song “Everybody Have Fun Tonight”
  • BoDeans – Sept. 21 – 23, 2016 – Known for their song “Good Things”
  • Plain White T’s – Oct. 7 – 9, 2016 – Known for their song “Hey There Delilah”
  • Jeffrey Osborne – Oct. 12 – 13, 2016 – Known for his song “On the Wings of Love”
  • Toad the Wet Sprocket – Oct. 22 – 23, 2016 – Known for their song “All I Want”
  • Living Colour – Oct. 28 – 29, 2016 – Known for their song “Cult of Personality”
  • Soul Asylum – Nov. 2 – 3, 2016 – Known for their song “Runaway Train”
  • Delta Rae – Nov. 4 – 6, 2016 – Known for their song “Run”

Of course there are many popular artists returning on the other days during the special event at this Orlando theme park. They include Fuel, Air Supply, Sister Hazel, 38 Special, Boyz II Men, Los Lobos, Chaka Khan and several others. Concerts are usually scheduled three times per day at the America Gardens Theater and last about a half hour. The concerts are included in regular Epcot admission!

Discount Tickets

If you are a Walt Disney World pass holder, you may be able to get discounts for a select number of events held Monday through Thursday. These festival specials include mixology seminars, culinary demonstrations and wine/beverage seminars. You must call 407-939-3378 to make reservations for special events and programs and to receive any discount offered. Florida residents may also get discounted tickets – at least into the theme park for the day. Discounts may also be available if you are staying at a Disney Resort Hotel. Be sure to inquire when checking in.

Admission to Epcot is required in addition to the Food & Wine Festival event charge. Ticket prices vary according to what you want to experience. For example, the Rockin’ Burger Block Party tickets go anywhere from $99 to $199! Festival event updates and details are posted at www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine. While this festival is rather expensive, the event is well worth experiencing if you are already planning on attending Epcot during this time. If you opt out of buying the festival ticket, you’ll still be able to enjoy some of the book signings, concerts and taste seminars.

If you don’t get filled up at the International Food & Wine Festival, come on down the road to Capone’s Dinner & Show and enjoy our delicious Italian/American buffet. We also serve White Zinfandel, Merlot and Chardonnay Wines. Our tickets can be purchased at half price every day of the year! If you do attend the festival, be sure to save a night for Capone’s… you’ll be glad you did!

Last Updated on January 19, 2018