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The Hidden Perk at the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival

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The 2026 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival begins on August 27th and runs for several months through November 21st.


Food and Wine Festival


The Food & Wine Festival is an annual celebration of global cuisine at EPCOT, and brings a ton of exciting eats and drinks, experiences, merchandise, and plenty of entertainment to the parks. Speaking of which, did you know that when you visit the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, your park ticket also gets you in to see FREE concerts?! It’s one of our favorite perks of the whole festival!


Click for FREE Food & Wine Map and Checklist

That’s right, the Eat to the Beat Concert Series is coming back in 2026, and you won’t want to miss this year’s lineup of artists! The Eat to the Beat Concert Series is free with your EPCOT park ticket and takes place at the American Gardens Theatre Stage, three times nightly. Iconic bands and artists perform Fridays through Mondays, while local bands perform Tuesday through Thursday evenings.

https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Magical Guides-Eat-to-the-Beat-Concert-America-Gardens-Theatre-EPCOT-Food-and-Wine-Festival-Disney-World-Photo-Aug-28-2025-5-57-04-PM-3520-x-1980-700x541.jpg
Eat to the Beat


Showtimes are typically at 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM, and 8 PM nightly. This year’s lineup features:

  • August 27: Evolution: Motown
  • August 28-31: Hanson
  • September 1-3: Evolution: Motown
  • September 4-5: The War and Treaty (NEW)
  • September 6-7: Yellowcard
  • September 8-10: Fly Guys
  • September 11-12: Couch (NEW)
  • September 13-14: Fitz and the Tantrums (NEW)
  • September 15-17: Latin Ambition
  • September 18-19: MercyMe
  • September 20-21: Grupo Manía (NEW)
  • September 22-24: Metro Latino Band
  • September 25-27: Element
  • September 28-29: New Found Glory
  • September 30-October 1: Smash Mouth
  • October 2-4: Champagne Orchestra
  • October 5-6: Rey Ruiz (NEW)
  • October 7-8: Tiffany
  • October 9-11: Viva Latina
  • October 12-13: The Fray
  • October 14-15: STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas
  • October 16-18: Jaclyn Hayden
  • October 19-20: Ben Rector
  • October 21-22: Allen Stone (NEW)
  • October 23-25: SoundUp
  • October 26-27: Lauren Alaina (NEW)
  • October 28-29: Bowling For Soup
  • October 30-November 1: Southbound
  • November 2-3: Boyz II Men
  • November 4-5: Big Head Todd and The Monsters (NEW)
  • November 6-8: M-80’s
  • November 9-10: Grace Potter (NEW)
  • November 11-12: The Beach Boys
  • November 13-16: The Hooligans
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Magical Guides-Eat-to-the-Beat-Concert-Beach-Boys-America-Gardens-Theatre-EPCOT-Food-and-Wine-Festival-Disney-World-Photo-Nov-16-2025-6-47-13-PM-3520-x-1980-700x520.jpg
John Stamos


If you want a guaranteed seat for these shows without having to wait in a long line, consider booking an Eat to the Beat Dining Package! Dining Packages are available to pair breakfast, lunch, or dinner (either a three-course meal or full buffet with a beverage — non-alcoholic or alcoholic for of-age guests — based on location) at a participating EPCOT restaurant with guaranteed priority seating for an evening show on the same date. The exception is Spice Road Table, where each guest receives 2 small plates and a nonalcoholic beverage (or alcoholic beverage for Guests 21 and older), and a shared tagine and a shared dessert platter for the table.

https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Magical Guides-Eat-to-the-Beat-Concert-Beach-Boys-America-Gardens-Theatre-EPCOT-Food-and-Wine-Festival-Disney-World-Photo-Nov-16-2025-5-23-31-PM-5712-x-4284-700x525.jpg
Dining Packages


Feast on fabulous food for lunch or dinner! Choose from several unique eateries at EPCOT offering Eat to the Beat Dining Packages. Each package includes:

  • An appetizer, entrée and dessert or one (1) full buffet (where applicable), along with a non-alcoholic beverage (or alcoholic beverage for of-age guests)
  • One (1) guaranteed seat per person to an Eat to the Beat concert held on the same day

To check availability for same-day dining packages, visit Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue during the Festival. Packages are subject to availability and may not be available on peak dates.


Eat to the Beat Same Day Dining Package sign


Here’s a look at the restaurants and pricing available with the Dining Packages:

https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Magical Guides-Eat-to-the-Beat-Concert-Beach-Boys-America-Gardens-Theatre-EPCOT-Food-and-Wine-Festival-Disney-World-Photo-Nov-16-2025-7-01-40-PM-4032-x-3024-700x525.jpg
Eat to the Beat


If seeing an Eat to the Beat concert is a must-do on your Disney vacation, then reserving a Dining package can be a great option! This is especially true if you are trying to see one of the extremely popular bands, and you do not want to spend your entire EPCOT day waiting in line. The reservations open on July 16th, so be ready to book because these packages can sell out.


You can also use the Standby Entrance if you don’t buy a dining package!


We’ll be on the lookout for even more EPCOT Food & Wine Festival updates you need to know about ahead of this year’s event. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more!


IT'S WINE & DINE TIME!



Food & Wine Festival can be a bummer. You stand in line waiting for what looks like the perfect treat, and it's a bust. But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE EPCOT Food & Wine Festival experience.

If you're planning a day or a week at the festival, we've got every performance, activity, and tasty nosh detailed out so you can make the most of your time and money. Listen, it's a tough job eating and documenting the nearly 200 bites and sips, but we do it all for YOU!​
GET YOUR GUIDE NOW


Learn More About the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival!​

Food and Wine Festival 101
Eat to the Beat Concert Updates
EPCOT Food and Wine Festival - Fans Facebook Page
Wine and Dine Half Marathon Details
Get More Updates, Tips, and Tricks to Help You Conquer the Food & Wine Festival

Join the Magical Guides Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!​


Are you heading to the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival this year? Let us know in the comments below.
 
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