EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival: All You Need to Know

Food, News, Orlando travel and vacation planning tips, Theme Parks, What's going on in Orlando?

When Disney does special events, they do them right! The EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival is no exception! This popular event brings in visitors from all over the world, celebrating delicious food and drinks from across the globe. Along with food and drink, the festival offers live music, cooking demonstrations, kids’ activities and even a race weekend. Here’s all you need to know about this mouth-watering festival:

The Basics

Many of the festival’s activities and events are included with the cost of your ticket to EPCOT. The festival runs August 29 through November 23, 2019.

Specialty Dining and Pairings

Come along with the festival master chefs as they lead you on a culinary adventure. Throughout the festival, master chefs host specialty dining parties and pairing events where they match up high-class meals with top-notch wines and cocktails. Travel the globe through these events, going from Japan to France to Mexico and beyond in just one trip. “Glass in Session” classes teach you how to best pair wine, beer or liquor with your favorite meals. If cheese is your thing, don’t miss one of several cheese-themed seminars and tastings.

Food-Themed Parties

No matter when you visit the festival, you can take part in a number of special food and drink-themed parties. Sports fans will flip over the Gridiron Club tailgate parties. Happening every Sunday from September through November, stop in to the World ShowPlace Events Pavilion for an NFL football party. Watch your favorite teams while enjoying food samples and drink tastings.

Cooking Classes

Hone your cooking skills at the festival’s various cooking classes. Class options include everything from frappes and beverages to food and beverage pairings. These cooking classes, along with the specialty dinings, food pairings and food-themed parties typically come with an additional cost and advanced reservations are highly recommended.

Food and Music

As part of the activities, EPCOT also hosts a number of concerts by popular musical artists. Performers for 2019 include Sawyer Brown, Mercy Me, Everclear and Sugar Ray—the full list is an eclectic mix of genres sure to please all tastes.

Special Souvenirs

Take home a little something to always remind you of your festival experiences. Custom festival merchandise is available for purchase, including apparel, home decor and kitchen accessories. You can even take home some of the wines, beers and spirits served at the festival. Disney veterans, don’t miss the unique festival trading pins to collect and trade.

Meet-and-Greets

You know you can meet your favorite Disney characters at all the parks. At the international wine and food festival, you can also meet some of your favorite culinary masters. Bring your cookbooks; many of the chefs will do personalized signings. Some of the world’s top beverage experts will also be on hand to sign bottles, a one-of-a-kind souvenir! You’ll enjoy visits with chefs like Jamie Deen, Robert Irvine, Andrew Zimmern and Cat Cora.

Kids Activities

While the festival draws a more grown-up crowd, kids will find plenty to do. Try your luck on Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak scavenger hunt. Search for the statues of Chef Remy throughout the park, earning a special prize. Candy Man-Style Maki lets kids get their hands in the cooking process, learning to make fun sushi candy. Other fun events just for the little ones include the Disney du Jour Dance Party, Family Play Zone and the Chocolate Experience.

Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend

Eat all you want and don’t worry about a single calorie when you take part in the Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend. The race weekend is October 31 through November 3, 2019. During that weekend, you can take part in a 5K, 10K, half marathon or get really crazy and do the half marathon and 10K to earn your two-course challenge finisher medal. Runners and their guests are treated to a post-race party, full of amazing meals and cold drinks.