There’s a reason spring at Walt Disney World has a signature look: EPCOT bursting into bloom. The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival turns World Showcase into a living garden every year. Disney just confirmed the 2027 dates, along with a first look at what’s coming back.

Whether you’re a festival regular or planning your first spring trip, here’s what we know so far.

What Is the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival?

The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is one of EPCOT’s four seasonal celebrations. It joins the Festival of the Arts, the Food & Wine Festival, and the Festival of the Holidays on the calendar. Each spring, EPCOT fills with elaborate character topiaries, themed gardens, and floral displays that wind through World Showcase and beyond. Add live concerts and Outdoor Kitchens with garden-inspired dishes, and you get a festival for gardeners, foodies, and Disney fans alike. Best of all, regular park admission covers all of it.

2027 Flower & Garden Festival Dates

The 2027 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival runs March 10-May 31, 2027. That’s an extended window, so you can catch it on a spring break trip, a summer kickoff visit, or anything in between.

Topiaries, Gardens, and Exhibits

The heart of the festival hasn’t changed: it’s still the horticultural display. You’ll find eye-catching topiaries built around favorite Disney characters, plus vibrant gardens and thoughtfully designed floral exhibits scattered throughout the park. In fact, these displays consistently rank among Walt Disney World’s most popular photo spots, so give yourself extra time for photo stops as you wander World Showcase.

Garden Rocks Concert Series

Live music returns to America Gardens Theatre with the Garden Rocks Concert Series. The 2027 lineup will feature a mix of chart-topping national artists and rising Orlando-area talent. Disney has not yet released the full performer list.

EPCOT park entry includes admission to Garden Rocks, and seating is first-come, first-served. Want guaranteed seating instead? Once Disney announces reservation dates, look for a Garden Rocks dining package. It pairs a meal at a select EPCOT restaurant with priority seating for the show. Since these dining packages tend to book up quickly, set a MouseDining dining alert so you know the moment reservations open.

Outdoor Kitchens

No EPCOT festival is complete without its food kiosks, and the Outdoor Kitchens are the main event for Flower & Garden foodies. Expect a rotating lineup of fresh, spring-inspired dishes and drinks from stands throughout the park, with a mix of returning favorites and new additions. Disney has not yet released the full Outdoor Kitchens menu. We’ll update this article with the lineup once Disney releases it, so check back closer to the festival.

Are There Extra Activities for Kids and Families?

Yes. Past festivals have included hands-on activities and family scavenger hunts around the gardens and topiaries. Disney has also indicated more family-friendly adventures are coming for 2027. These extras are typically free with park admission, and they’re a great way to slow down and explore World Showcase at a kid-friendly pace.

What’s Included with Park Admission?

You don’t need a separate festival ticket. Standard EPCOT park admission gets you into the festival, the topiary displays, the gardens, and Garden Rocks concerts. The only things that cost extra are individual Outdoor Kitchens items, festival merchandise, and add-ons like guaranteed concert seating through a dining package.

Our take: This is one of the more relaxed EPCOT festivals to visit. There’s no single ticketed event to build your day around, and the gardens are stunning for photos no matter how crowded it gets. Plus, the Outdoor Kitchens make it easy to graze your way around World Showcase.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Flower & Garden Festival

• Arrive early. The topiaries and gardens photograph best in soft morning light. You’ll also beat the midday crowds around World Showcase’s most popular displays.
• Grab an Outdoor Kitchens passport if one is offered. Past festivals have released a paper or digital passport for tracking which kiosks you’ve tried. That makes it easier to plan a food crawl around the World Showcase Lagoon.
• Book Garden Rocks dining packages as soon as they open. Guaranteed seating is worth it for headliner acts, and reservations move fast. A MouseDining alert can help you catch the booking window.
• Pack for the heat. The festival runs into late May, so later dates can bring Florida’s early summer humidity. Plan for sun protection and hydration breaks between pavilions.

Brief History of the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival

The festival dates back to 1994, when it debuted as a modest seasonal display. Better Homes & Gardens sponsored that first event, which ran for 38 days and leaned heavily on gardening workshops and classes. Character topiaries and Outdoor Kitchens came later. The following year, Disney introduced the EPCOT Garden Railway, a miniature train display in the Germany pavilion that remains a festival staple.

The festival grew steadily over the following decades. Disney added more elaborate topiaries, expanded gardens, and new dining experiences along the way. Then, in 2015, Disney introduced the Garden Rocks Concert Series, replacing the earlier Flower Power Concert Series, alongside a wave of new character topiaries. Today, the festival stands as one of EPCOT’s four annual celebrations and one of Walt Disney World’s most popular spring traditions.

Stay Updated with MouseDining

The 2027 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival opens March 10. Details on Outdoor Kitchens menus, the Garden Rocks lineup, and dining packages will continue to roll out in the months ahead. Set a MouseDining dining alert so you never miss a reservation window. Then check back with us as Disney releases more festival details.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2027 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival?

The festival runs March 10-May 31, 2027.

Do I need a special ticket for the Flower & Garden Festival?

No. Standard EPCOT park admission includes access to the festival, the gardens, the topiaries, and Garden Rocks concerts. Only individual food items, merchandise, and optional dining packages cost extra.

Is the Garden Rocks Concert Series free?

Yes, EPCOT park entry includes admission to Garden Rocks. Seating is first-come, first-served, though guests can book a dining package for guaranteed seating once reservations open.

What can I eat at the Flower & Garden Festival?

The festival’s Outdoor Kitchens serve fresh, spring-inspired dishes and drinks at stands throughout the park. Disney has not yet released the full 2027 menu. We’ll update this article with the lineup once Disney releases it, so check back closer to the festival.