Every year, Disney fans look forward to the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival for one obvious reason: the food. From returning favorites to brand-new dishes, the event has become one of the biggest draws on the Walt Disney World calendar. But for plenty of guests, the live entertainment is just as important.
That’s where one of the festival’s biggest changes for 2026 comes into play.
Beginning August 27, Disney is refreshing the Eat to the Beat Concert Series with nine performers making their EPCOT debut. While the festival will still welcome familiar artists that guests have come to expect, nearly a third of this year’s lineup features acts that have never performed at the America Gardens Theatre before.
The new additions include The War and Treaty, Couch, Fitz and the Tantrums, Grupo ManÃa, Rey Ruiz, Allen Stone, Lauren Alaina, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, and Grace Potter.
The variety is one of the most noticeable aspects of this year’s schedule. Country, rock, pop, funk, salsa, R&B, and Latin music are all represented, giving guests more options than ever throughout the festival’s nearly three-month run.
Disney isn’t replacing the event’s longtime favorites entirely. Hanson, Boyz II Men, Yellowcard, MercyMe, New Found Glory, Smash Mouth, The Fray, STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas, and The Beach Boys all return to the schedule, helping preserve the familiar atmosphere that many repeat visitors enjoy.
That combination of returning favorites and first-time performers could make this one of the strongest Eat to the Beat lineups in years.
The concert series officially begins on August 27 with Evolution: Motown before Hanson takes over the stage for several performances later that week. New artists then rotate into the schedule throughout September, October, and November.
One of the reasons Eat to the Beat remains so popular is that the performances are included with EPCOT admission. Guests can simply grab a seat in the America Gardens Theatre if space is available, while those wanting guaranteed seating can purchase one of Disney’s dining packages.
For longtime festival fans, adding nine debut performers represents one of the largest entertainment updates in recent years. Instead of seeing nearly identical schedules from one season to the next, visitors will have plenty of opportunities to discover artists they may not have considered seeing otherwise.
As Food & Wine continues evolving each year, Disney appears focused on keeping the festival fresh without abandoning the traditions guests have enjoyed for decades. This year’s concert lineup may be one of the best examples of that balance.
