The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is one of the most beautiful holiday celebrations that Disney offers. Throughout EPCOT, guests can experience different holiday traditions from around the world. This includes entertainment, food, merchandise, and more. This is a month of celebrating holiday cheer in many different ways. It is one of the Daps Magic team’s personal favorite offerings! Below are details for this year’s Festival of the Holidays.
Dates
This year’s EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will return on November 27 and run through December 30, 2026. As has become a tradition in recent years, the festival will start on the day after Thanksgiving. Remember, to experience this festival, one must be able to enter EPCOT. This means a valid form of admission and also a park reservation.
Holiday Traditions with World Showcase Storytellers
Throughout the World Showcase, there will be storytellers sharing their holiday traditions with those who happen to pass by. This comes from the heart of the holiday season. It helps build a bond between generations as tales and legends are passed down for hundreds of years and connect people. Guests can experience the storytelling tradition with these Holiday Storytellers throughout World Showcase. To put it simply, it is a beautiful thing.
Throughout each day of the festival, these storytellers will bring holiday tales to life. They will both entertain and educate guests on how diverse cultures celebrate this special season. Here is a look at all of the storytellers that can be found during the holiday season:
- Mexico Pavilion – Las Posadas Celebration
- Norway Pavilion – A Mischievous Magical Barn Santa
- China Pavilion – Chinese Lion Dancer and Si-Zhu Trio
- Germany Pavilion – Adventskalender
- Italy Pavilion – La Befana
- Japan Pavilion – Daruma Storyteller
- Between the Morocco and France Pavilions – Hanukkah Storyteller
- France Pavilion – Père Noël
- United Kingdom Pavilion – Father Christmas
- Canada Pavilion – Canadian Holiday Voyageurs
Santa
There will be plenty of opportunities for guests to find Santa during EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. Santa Claus will be making appearances during the festival and can be spotted while traveling around World Showcase as he greets guests and spreads cheer along the Way.
In the France Pavilion, Père Noël will tell the story of Babette and her Christmas letter.
Over at the Norway Pavilion, Barn Santa will tell his tale! Over at CommiCore Hall, Santa Claus will be meeting with guests. For guests wanting to see Goofy dressed as Santa, head over to The Odyssey!
Holiday Decor
Throughout EPCOT, there is beautiful festive decor to be found. This ranges from twinkling lights and garlands to beautifully decorated trees that are inspired by global traditions. While traveling around World Showcase, each pavilion will be decorated to celebrate its own unique holiday traditions.
Gingerbread Spaceship Earth Display
The Gingerbread Spaceship Earth Display will be returning to CommiCore Hall again this year. This includes a countdown celebration presented by Citizen. This is a beautiful culinary creation that also smells delicious. The display also comes to life every 15 minutes for the Celebration Countdown presented by CITIZEN. This year, it will include a new song during this light show!
Festival of the Holidays Shows and Entertainment
Candlelight Processional
One of the most beautiful traditions at EPCOT each holiday season is the Candlelight Processional. It takes place at the America Gardens Theatre and is a heartfelt retelling of the Christmas story. It features celebrated narrators who are accompanied by a mass choir and full orchestra. The performances for the Candlelight Processional occur multiple times nightly.
There will be more information about the Candlelight Processional coming in the future. This will include the lineup of celebrity narrators and information about the Candlelight Processional Dining Packages.
JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season
Celebrate the rhythm of Christmas and Kwanzaa with JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season. This is a high-energy performance that blends gospel, jazz, and R&B to highlight holiday traditions with a lively, soulful twist. This is a musical celebration that will simply make people happy and enjoy the spirit of the season.
Voices of Liberty Dickens Carolers
Another highlight of the season is the Voices of Liberty Dickens Carolers. The popular opening day at EPCOT Voices of Liberty will perform classic holiday tunes of Victorian-era England. They will also be dressed in appropriate festive fashion to accompany the spirit of their songs. The Voices of Liberty can’t be missed and truly capture the timeless charm of Christmas.
Festival Kitchens: Holiday Food and Beverage
Throughout EPCOT, the Holiday Kitchens will be serving up a wide range of delicious seasonal bites and beverages from around the globe. At each location, there will be a unique menu found that is inspired by holiday traditions. This makes for a delightful and delicious way to experience the holiday season.
As guests make their way around the park, they will find offerings that range from comforting to globally inspired dishes. There will be something to satisfy any craving and every festive mood. Ahead of the start of the festival, the specific offerings will be offered and Daps Magic will share them.
Holiday Cookie Stroll
The popular Holiday Cookie Stroll is also returning. Guests can purchase five qualifying cookies from select Holiday Kitchens and then collect corresponding stamps in the Festival Passport. Once all five have been gathered, the passport can redeem a special treat.
This is a fun and festive way to celebrate the holidays that is a fan-favorite year after year.
Holiday Overlays and Festive Features
There are some beautiful holiday overlays and festive features to be found throughout EPCOT during the Festival of the Holidays. These offer a variety of vibrant experiences for guests to enjoy during the holidays.
Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses
Hop aboard a festive version of Living with the Land during Glimmering Greenhouses! This relaxing boat ride is transformed with twinkling lights and seasonal decor throughout the greenhouses, offering a peaceful and beautiful holiday experience with a unique EPCOT twist.
Lights on Spaceship Earth
As night falls, Spaceship Earth comes to life with dazzling holiday lighting. The iconic geodesic sphere shines with festive colors and dynamic effects that add even more sparkle to your evening at EPCOT.
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt
Join Olaf on a festive adventure with Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt! Search throughout World Showcase to find Olaf as he discovers holiday traditions from around the globe. Purchase and complete the scavenger hunt and receive a fun holiday keepsake.
Scentsy’s Festive Fragrances: A Sensory Wonderland
Festive Fragrances presented by Scentsy returns for its third year with all-new fragrances celebrating holidays around the world from Noche Buena to Diwali.
Along the walkway between the Imagination! pavilion and World Showcase, get ready to explore this charming garden of snow globes infused with scents that bring the magic of fragrance and the holidays to life.
There are so many different ways to celebrate the holidays at EPCOT during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays! What do you think of all of the offerings for this merry festival? Which one is your favorite? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
