Spring at Walt Disney World always has its own soundtrack, but in 2026, EPCOT is turning the volume up.
The Garden Rocks Concert Series is officially returning as part of the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, bringing live performances to the America Gardens Theatre from March 5 through June 1, 2026—and the best part for guests is that the concerts are included with regular park admission.
The festival itself runs March 4 through June 1, 2026, which means you can time your trip around everything EPCOT does best in the spring: colorful topiaries, fresh seasonal food, and that “walk the World Showcase with something delicious in hand” energy that feels tailor-made for a day that ends with a concert.
This year’s lineup mixes throwback favorites, sing-along pop, classic rock, and a few fresh faces making their Garden Rocks debut. The series begins March 5–7 with The Music of ABBA, a new addition for 2026 that’s practically engineered for hands-in-the-air choruses and spontaneous dancing in the aisles.
From there, March keeps the momentum going with Simple Plan (March 8–9), Blue October (March 13–14), and Billy Ocean (March 15–16), followed by THE ORCHESTRA starring former members of ELO and ELO Part II (March 20–23). Late March leans fully into nostalgia with Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone (March 27–28) and 38 Special (March 29–30), which feels like an instant “this is the one we’re planning the trip around” moment for a lot of classic rock fans.
April is stacked in a way that almost dares you to come back for a second weekend. Chubby Checker kicks things off April 3–4, then Sugar Ray takes over April 5–6. The month also includes another new-to-the-series act, Information Society (April 10–11), followed by Rick Springfield (April 12–13) and Berlin (April 17–18). Then comes a one-two punch of legendary groove and feel-good hits with The Commodores (April 19–20) and Air Supply (April 26–27), with FireHouse—also new for 2026—slotted for April 24–25.
May is where the lineup starts to feel like a mini time machine that can also surprise you. A Flock of Seagulls (May 1–2) and Plain White T’s (May 3–4) set the tone, and then Katrina, formerly of Katrina & The Waves, makes her Garden Rocks debut May 8–9. 98 Degrees follows May 10–11, then The Spinners arrive May 15–16—an easy pick for anyone who loves those “how do they still sound that good?” vocal harmonies. The new names keep coming with Josiah Queen (May 17–18) and Iam Tongi (May 22–23), both making their first Garden Rocks appearances, before A.J. Croce brings “Croce Plays Croce” May 24–25. Queensrÿche closes out the last full May weekend (May 29–30), and Maverick City Music takes the finale spot May 31 through June 1.

If you’re eyeing the “new acts” factor, six performers are making their Garden Rocks debut in 2026: The Music of ABBA, Information Society, FireHouse, Katrina, Josiah Queen, and Iam Tongi. That mix is part of what makes the series fun to plan around—some nights feel like a greatest-hits playlist you grew up with, while others feel like “I’m going to discover a new favorite artist… in EPCOT.”
Now for the logistics that can make or break a concert day: seating for Garden Rocks is generally first-come, first-served, and EPCOT can get busy fast during festival season. That’s where the Garden Rocks Dining Package comes in. Disney offers dining packages that pair a meal at select EPCOT restaurants with guaranteed seating for a Garden Rocks show on the same day as your reservation.
According to Disney, the package includes an entrée and dessert (or a full buffet, where applicable) plus a beverage, which can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic depending on what you choose. Spice Road Table is the standout “different format” option: instead of the standard entrée-and-dessert setup, it includes two small plates, a shared tagine, a shared dessert platter, and one non-alcoholic beverage—ideal if you’d rather graze and share than sit down for a traditional meal.
Reservations for the Garden Rocks Dining Package open February 5, and you’ll be able to book through the My Disney Experience app or the Walt Disney World website. Disney also notes that concert times and additional performance details will be shared closer to the festival’s opening.
The takeaway for 2026 is simple: if you’re already thinking about a spring trip to EPCOT, the Garden Rocks schedule gives you a built-in reason to pick your dates with intention. Whether you’re chasing a specific artist, want a low-stress “dinner plus a guaranteed seat” night, or just like the idea of ending a festival day with live music in the World Showcase, Garden Rocks is one of those EPCOT perks that feels like a free upgrade—because it basically is.
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