updated September 2026
There is something about spring at EPCOT.
The flowers are blooming, the gardens are bursting with color, Disney characters come to life as incredible topiaries, and the entire park feels a little more relaxed and cheerful.
The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is one of my favorite ways to experience EPCOT in the spring. It’s beautiful, yes—but there’s much more to this festival than pretty flowers.
You’ll find incredible Disney topiaries, specialty gardens, educational exhibits, live entertainment, outdoor kitchens, family-friendly activities and plenty of opportunities to simply stop and enjoy the scenery.
And if you’re visiting during spring break, the festival makes an already popular time of year at Disney World even more colorful.
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2027 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival
Disney has announced that the 2027 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival will run from March 10 through May 31, 2027.
The festival will once again fill EPCOT with blooming gardens, colorful character topiaries, fresh spring-inspired flavors and live entertainment.
Disney has released a first look at several of the experiences returning in 2027, with additional details—including the Garden Rocks lineup and Foodie Guide—coming later.
I’ll update this guide as those details are released.
Disney Character Topiaries
Let’s start with one of the biggest reasons to visit Flower & Garden: the topiaries.
Throughout EPCOT, Disney horticulturists create incredible living sculptures inspired by beloved Disney characters.
These aren’t just decorations placed around the park. They’re works of art that require an incredible amount of planning, creativity and horticultural skill.
You’ll find Disney characters incorporated into the landscape throughout EPCOT, creating some of the most unique photo opportunities of the year.
And because the topiaries are part of the festival itself, you can enjoy them simply by exploring the park.
My advice? Slow down.
Some of the best topiaries aren’t something you need to seek out on a specific attraction. They’re waiting for you around the next corner.
Gardens in Full Bloom
During Flower & Garden, EPCOT becomes a giant outdoor garden.
Specially designed gardens and floral displays appear throughout the park, showcasing different plants, flowers and landscaping techniques.
It’s one of the things that makes this festival feel different from EPCOT’s other annual celebrations.
Instead of simply adding festival decorations to the park, Disney essentially reimagines the landscape itself.
And the result is beautiful.
If you’re a gardener or plant lover, you’ll find plenty to appreciate. If you’re not, don’t worry—you can simply enjoy the colors and beautiful surroundings.
Either way, bring your camera.
Butterfly Gardens & Educational Experiences
Flower & Garden isn’t just about looking at pretty flowers.
The festival has traditionally included educational exhibits where guests can learn more about gardening, pollinators and the natural world.
One of the most popular experiences has been the Butterfly Landing exhibit, where guests can walk among butterflies and learn more about these important pollinators.
Disney also incorporates Cast Member expertise into many of the festival’s garden experiences, giving guests an opportunity to learn more about the plants and landscaping they see throughout EPCOT.
Festival offerings can change from year to year, so be sure to check the current festival map and My Disney Experience app for what’s available during your visit.
Garden Rocks Concert Series
If you enjoy live music, make time for the Garden Rocks Concert Series at America Gardens Theatre.
The festival brings a mix of well-known performers and local Orlando-area talent to the stage throughout the celebration.
And yes—concert admission is included with your EPCOT park admission.
That makes Garden Rocks a pretty great addition to your EPCOT day.
The 2027 performer lineup has not yet been announced, but Disney has confirmed that the series will return with a mix of chart-topping artists and local talent.
Want a guaranteed seat?
Consider a Garden Rocks Dining Package. You’ll enjoy a meal at a participating EPCOT restaurant and receive reserved seating for that evening’s performance.
Learn more about EPCOT Festival Dining Packages.
If there’s a particular performer you really want to see, I would plan ahead rather than relying on standby seating.
Outdoor Kitchens: Spring on a Plate
Of course, we can’t talk about an EPCOT festival without talking about food.
The Outdoor Kitchens at Flower & Garden focus on fresh, seasonal and garden-inspired flavors from around the world.
You’ll find savory dishes, desserts and specialty beverages designed specifically for the festival.
Disney has confirmed that the Outdoor Kitchens will return in 2027 with both returning favorites and new dishes.
The official Foodie Guide will be released later, and I’ll update this section when the menus are announced.
My Festival Food Strategy
Don’t feel like you need to eat an entire meal at every Outdoor Kitchen.
I recommend sharing.
That lets you sample more dishes, discover new favorites and save room for the next booth.
Because if you’re walking around World Showcase thinking, “I can’t possibly eat another thing,” you’re probably about to walk past something you really want to try.
Spike the Bee’s Pollen-Nation Exploration
Traveling with kids—or simply enjoy a good scavenger hunt?
Keep an eye out for Spike the Bee’s Pollen-Nation Exploration.
This family-friendly scavenger hunt sends guests around EPCOT searching for Spike as he visits different gardens and locations throughout the park.
Purchase your game board, look for Spike and collect the corresponding stickers. Once you’ve completed the hunt, you can redeem your finished map for a special keepsake.
It’s a fun way to encourage kids to explore World Showcase while giving everyone a little something extra to look for.
And let’s be honest: sometimes having a mission makes wandering around EPCOT even more fun.
Festival Photo Opportunities
Flower & Garden is one of the best EPCOT festivals for photos.
Between the character topiaries, colorful gardens, floral displays and seasonal backgrounds, you won’t have to look very far for a great picture.
Disney PhotoPass photographers may also offer special photo opportunities and effects during the festival.
If you see a PhotoPass photographer while you’re touring EPCOT, it’s worth asking what special options are available that day.
And don’t forget to take some photos that aren’t posed.
Sometimes the best pictures are simply the ones that capture the park looking absolutely beautiful.
More Than Flowers: Take Time to Explore
One of the biggest mistakes I think you can make at Flower & Garden is treating it like something you need to “check off” your EPCOT list.
The festival isn’t one attraction.
It’s something you experience while you’re exploring the park.
Look at the topiaries. Stop in a garden. Listen to Garden Rocks. Try something from an Outdoor Kitchen. Let the kids complete the scavenger hunt.
Then keep walking.
You may discover something you didn’t plan for at all.
Flower & Garden vs. EPCOT’s Other Festivals
EPCOT has four major annual festivals, and each has its own personality.
Flower & Garden: Spring, flowers, topiaries, gardens and fresh flavors
Food & Wine: Global food, drinks and culinary exploration
Festival of the Holidays: Holiday traditions, entertainment and seasonal flavors
Festival of the Arts: Disney art, creative food, interactive experiences and Broadway
If you’re trying to decide which festival is right for your trip, think about what you most enjoy.
For me, Flower & Garden is especially appealing if you appreciate beautiful scenery and a more relaxed, wander-and-discover kind of EPCOT day.
You can learn more about EPCOT’s other festivals here:
Is the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Worth Visiting?
Absolutely—especially if you love spring.
But you don’t have to be a gardener to enjoy it.
The topiaries are fun for Disney fans. The gardens are beautiful. The food gives you another reason to explore World Showcase. Garden Rocks adds live entertainment. And the family activities give younger guests something to look for along the way.
For me, one of the best things about Flower & Garden is that it doesn’t demand your attention.
You can make a whole day of the festival—or simply enjoy the details as you experience everything else EPCOT has to offer.
And that’s exactly how I’d recommend approaching it.
Don’t rush. Look around. Enjoy the view.
Where to Stay for Your EPCOT Vacation
If you’re planning to spend a lot of time at EPCOT, consider staying at one of the EPCOT-area resorts.
Being close to EPCOT gives you the flexibility to come and go more easily, which can be particularly nice when you’re visiting during a festival.
You can learn more about your options here:
Disney World EPCOT Area Resorts
And if you’re staying nearby, you can make the most of those beautiful spring evenings at EPCOT without feeling like you have to spend every waking minute in the park.
My Tips for Enjoying Flower & Garden
A few things I’d keep in mind when planning your visit:
Give yourself time to wander. The gardens and topiaries are part of the experience.
Don’t rush past the landscaping. Some of the most beautiful details are easy to miss when you’re focused on getting to your next attraction.
Share the food. You’ll be able to sample more of the Outdoor Kitchens without filling up too quickly.
Check the Garden Rocks schedule. If you want to see a particular performer, plan your day around the show.
Bring the camera. This may be one of the prettiest times of year to photograph EPCOT.
Let the kids participate. The scavenger hunt can turn an ordinary World Showcase walk into an adventure.
Visit more than once if you can. The festival runs for weeks, and EPCOT can look noticeably different as the season progresses.
Continue Planning Your Disney World Vacation
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Start with my complete Disney World Vacation Planning Guide for practical information to help you plan your trip from beginning to end.
You can also continue exploring:
- EPCOT Festivals
- EPCOT Festival of the Arts Guide
- EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Guide
- Disney EPCOT Area Resorts
- EPCOT Festival Dining Packages
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