EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Celebrations

As we get ready for our Thanksgiving celebrations, it’s never too soon about thinking of holidays at Walt Disney World! And just in the nick of time, details for this year’s Festival of the Holidays at EPCOT have just been announced. First and foremost, the dates! This year’s celebrations takes begins November 28 and runs through December 30. There is plenty of exciting entertainment to enjoy during Festival of the Holidays – jam with JOYFUL!, learn about holiday traditions around World Showcase, and experience the magic of the Candlelight Processional.

 

 

The Candlelight Processional

Each evening during the festival, the America Gardens Theatre will come alive with the stirring Candlelight Processional, a retelling of the nativity story featuring holiday hymns. This beloved performance boasts a large live orchestra, herald trumpets, and vocal ensembles including the Voices of Liberty, Disney Cast Choir, and local community groups, who perform Christmas carols and traditional tunes for all to enjoy.

A highlight of the Candlelight Processional are the celebrity narrators who bring the story of Christmas to life onstage. Here is this year’s line-up:

Nov. 28-29 – Constance Wu (NEW)
Nov. 30-Dec. 2 – Jordan Fisher
Dec. 3-4 – Susan Egan (NEW)
Dec. 5-6 – Ashley Eckstein
Dec. 7-8 – Ralph Macchio
Dec. 9-10 – Leslie Uggams (NEW)
Dec. 11-13 – Marlee Matlin
Dec. 14-15 – Henry Winkler (NEW)
Dec. 16-17 – Lauren Daigle (NEW)
Dec. 18-19 – Gary Sinise
Dec. 20-22 – Brendan Fraser
Dec. 23-24 – Luis Fonsi
Dec. 25-26 – Joel David Smallbone (NEW)
Dec. 27-28 – Brie Larson (NEW)
Dec. 29-30 – Sheryl Lee Ralph (NEW)

Performances are held nightly at 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m., with a runtime of approximately 50 minutes. Seating is first-come, first-served and often fills up fast, so you’ll want to plan ahead if you want to experience this stunning show.

 

 

Festival of the Holidays Storytellers

While you’re exploring the World Showcase pavilions throughout the day, you can stop to see performances from Holiday Storytellers as they share festive traditions and bring holiday tales to life in their respective countries. EPCOT is the perfect place to learn about how different cultures celebrate this special season.

Each country will spotlight unique stories and performers, including:

Mexico Pavilion – Las Posadas Celebration
Norway Pavilion – A Mischievous Magical Barn Santa
China Pavilion – Chinese Lion Dancer
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

 

 

Feel the Rhythm of JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season

JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season is a concert series that celebrates the spirit of Christmas and Kwanzaa. Holiday hits are performed by Central Florida group D’Vine Voices in an upbeat mix of music styles including gospel, jazz, and R&B. Showtimes can found on the My Disney Experience app.

The combination of classic songs and updated arrangements with powerhouse vocalists will surely ignite warm holiday memories!

 

Taste the Season with Holiday Kitchens

Food and drinks are a staple ingredient of EPCOT festivals, and this year’s Holiday Kitchens will be serving up an amazing assortment of bites and beverages. These standalone booths will highlight heartwarming holiday recipes and festive flavors from around the world – you’ll want to try them all!

The final list of vendors is still being cooked up in Disney’s kitchens, but there will definitely be a blend of new offerings and returning favorites. Details to come!

 

 

Sweeten Your Day with the Holiday Cookie Stroll

Another can’t-miss activity for foodies is the Holiday Cookie Stroll, returning this year. We all have magical memories of being in the kitchen learning how to bake and decorate the tastiest treats, and at Festival of the Holidays you can take a bite of cookies made right in Walt Disney World. New entries this year include the Prototype Cookie (a sugar cookie with orange-cranberry icing and dark chocolate), and the Ginger-Molasses Cookie with cream cheese icing, both found in CommuniCore Hall.

You can also indulge in a Coffee-Mocha Cookie topped with Coffee-infused Buttercream, Cocoa Nibs, and Chocolate-covered Espresso Beans…always a perennial favorite!

When you purchase any five cookies from the official locations and collect the corresponding stamps in your Festival Passport, you can redeem a special surprise at Holiday Sweets and Treats. This adventure is the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth during the holiday season.

 

 

 

Where to Find Santa at EPCOT

Santa is always traveling around the world, and the same is true at World Showcase. You can see Père Noël (Father Christmas) appear in the France Pavilion where he tells the story of Babette and her Christmas letter, and Barn Santa will be up to his old tricks in the Norway Pavilion.

In addition, CommuniCore Hall will be the ultimate destination for holiday cheer as it transforms into a festive wonderland complete with another chance to meet Santa Claus! Whether you know him as St. Nick, Père Noël, or Father Christmas, Santa will be ready to greet you and your family with a smile and a hearty “ho-ho-ho.”

 

 

Festival of the Holidays Gingerbread

CommuniCore Hall will also be home to a stunning Gingerbread Spaceship Earth display that’s as sweet as it is spectacular. This immersive experience celebrates creativity and craftsmanship, offering you a chance to marvel at the artistry behind this holiday icon. It’s the perfect backdrop for photos and a must-see centerpiece of the festival.

While you’re there, don’t miss the Celebration Countdown presented by CITIZEN, a dazzling light show happening every 15 minutes.

 

 

Discover Seasonal Surprises Around Every Corner at the Odyssey

The Odyssey will be decked with festive delights that make every visit feel like a celebration. Step into Glittering Grove presented by Balsam Hill, where a breathtaking display of faux trees creates a winter wonderland of shimmering lights and elegant ornaments that are perfect for your holiday photos.

Nearby, you can spot Santa Goofy ready to spread laughter and cheer in his holiday best. This whimsical character greeting adds a playful twist to the season.

And when it’s time to indulge, Holiday Hearth Desserts delivers a lineup of irresistible treats and cozy beverages. From Red Velvet Cake Pops with festive sprinkles and Reindeer Chow featuring M&M’S Milk Chocolate Candies Holiday Blend to Cocoa Peppermint Warmer Hot Cocoa by Joffrey’s with peppermint schnapps, every bite and sip feels like a sweet celebration.

 

Scentsy’s Festive Fragrances: A Sensory Wonderland

Returning for its second year, Scentsy will bring the magic of fragrance to life. Along the walkway between the Imagination! pavilion and World Showcase, get ready to explore Festive Fragrances presented by Scentsy, a charming garden of holiday ornaments infused with beloved seasonal scents.

Featured fragrances include Christmas Cottage, Sleigh Ride, Silver Bells, and Perfect Peppermint. It’s an experience that delights the senses and adds an extra layer of holiday magic to your day.

 

 

Embark on Olaf’s Holiday Scavenger Hunt

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt returns this year, sending you on a jolly journey to locate Olaf in 13 different spots throughout EPCOT.

You can purchase a map and stickers, available at select festival merchandise locations. Your quest is to find holiday traditions that Olaf has discovered in every pavilion. Once you have them all, you can visit Creations Shop or World Traveler at International Gateway to redeem a gift that’s worth melting for.

 

 

See How Nature Shines on Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses

During Festival of the Holidays, the classic attraction Living with the Land transforms into a glittering greenhouse tour, featuring sparkling Christmas lights and dazzling decor, sure to fill your heart with childlike wonder and awe.

The peaceful boat ride still chronicles the incredible work of Walt Disney World plant scientists and their innovative growing techniques and technologies, with a bit of frosty flair. A holiday-themed narration can also be heard to guide you on your cruise.

With so many ways to celebrate, the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is the ultimate destination for seasonal magic. So mark your calendar, plan your visit, and get ready to make memories that will last long after the final ornament is packed away!