As the air fills with the spirit of joy and merriment, each November and December EPCOT transforms into a dazzling tapestry of cultural celebrations, showcasing the rich traditions and diverse customs that make this season truly special. The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays offers a unique and magical experience for visitors of all ages. Immerse yourself in the warmth of holiday cheer as you embark on a journey around the globe, savoring the flavors, sounds, and traditions that make this annual celebration a cherished highlight of the holiday season. You won’t want to miss out on any of the offerings, so be sure to take a look at the below guide to the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays at Walt Disney World.
Download a full Guide to EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
What is the Festival of the Holidays?
The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is an annual celebration held at Walt Disney World each November and December. The festival includes special entertainment, food and beverage options, and attractions overlays. Most festival offerings are included in the cost of your daily admission, making it a great reason to visit Walt Disney World during the holiday season.
Below is everything you need to know to make the most of your time at EPCOT during the holidays. If you’d like additional assistance planning your Disney Vacation, be sure to reach out!
When is EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays?
The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is an annual festival that runs from late November through December. The 2025 Festival of the Holidays runs from November 28 through December 30 and access to festival offerings is included with your park ticket.
What to Expect at the Festival of the Holidays
When you visit EPCOT during the Festival of the Holidays you’ll be treated to all of the usual attractions and experiences, but you’ll also be able to experience some festive offerings including exclusive:
- Holiday Storytellers
- Entertainment
- Holiday Kitchens
- Scavenger Hunt
- Merchandise
Holiday Entertainment at EPCOT
The heart of the festival lies in the World Showcase, where pavilions representing different countries come alive with holiday cheer. Each pavilion highlights its unique traditions, from Japan’s Oshogatsu (New Year) to Germany’s festive Christmas markets. Don’t miss the Holiday Storytellers, who share legends and customs in engaging performances. You might hear tales of Father Christmas in the United Kingdom, La Befana in Italy, or the mischievous Yule Lads in Norway.
Holiday Storytellers
Holiday Storytellers share their country’s customs and traditions in an approximately 15 minute long performance at select times throughout the day. Times are noted below, however we always recommend confirming times through the My Disney Experience app on the day you’re visiting.
- Mexico Pavilion – Las Posadas Celebration
- Days: Sundays through Thursdays
- Times: 11:05 AM, 11:55 AM, 12:45 PM, 2:35 PM, 3:45 PM and 5:10 PM
- Norway Pavilion – A Mischievous Magical Barn Santa
- Days: Daily from November 28 to December 30, 2025
- Times: 11:40 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:20 PM, 4:10 PM, 4:55 PM, 5:40 PM and 6:25 PM
- China Pavilion – Si-Zhu Trio
- Days: December 1 through December 5, December 8 through December 12 and December 15 through December 18, 2025
- Times: Noon, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM
- China Pavilion – Chinese Lion Dancer
- Days: November 28 through November 30, December 6 and 7, December 13 and 14, and December 19 through December 25, 2025
- Times: Noon, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM
- Germany Pavilion – Adventskalender
- Days: Fridays through Tuesdays from November 21 to December 30, 2025
- Times: 12:40 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:35 PM, 3:55 PM, 5:00 PM and 6:05 PM
- Italy Pavilion – La Befana
- Days: Daily from November 28 to December 30, 2025
- Times: 11:15 AM, 12:15 PM, 1:00 PM, 1:55 PM, 3:30 PM, 4:15 PM, 5:00 PM and 5:40 PM
- Japan Pavilion – Daruma Storyteller
- Days: Daily from November 28 to December 30, 2025
- Times: 10:45 AM, 11:45 AM, 12:45 PM, 1:35 PM, 2:35 PM, 4:15 PM, 5:00 PM and 5:45 PM
- Between the Morocco and France Pavilions – Hanukkah Storyteller
- Days: Daily from November 28 to December 30, 2025
- Times: Noon, 1:00 PM, 1:50 PM, 2:50 PM, 3:45 PM, 5:05 PM, 5:50 PM and 6:30 PM
- France Pavilion – Pere Noel
- Days: Daily from November 28 to December 30, 2025
- Times: 10:00 AM, 11:05 AM, 12:10 PM, 12:50 PM, 2:20 PM, 3:25 PM, 4:30 PM and 5:15 PM
- United Kingdom Pavilion – Father Christmas
- Days: Daily from November 28 to December 30, 2025
- Times: 11:45 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:20 PM, 2:05 PM, 3:50 PM, 4:45 PM, 5:35 PM and 6:30 PM
- Canada Pavilion – Canadian Holiday Voyageurs
- Days: Daily from November 28 to December 30, 2025
- Times: 3:25 PM, 4:35 PM, 5:35 PM, 6:40 PM, 7:40 PM and 8:40 PM
Meet Santa Claus
Come together with family for the time-honored tradition of getting a photo with Santa. Santa Claus is meeting families through December 24, 2025 at CommuniCore Hall at 11 AM; 12:30 PM 2 PM; 3:30 PM; and 5 PM. A PhotoPass photographer is available at this location to ensure you can get everyone in your Christmas pictures!
Meet Santa Goofy
New this year, Santa Goofy will be meeting guests in The Odyssey Pavilion from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM and 4:10 PM to 7:10 PM daily through December 30.
JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season
Experience the joy of Christmas and Kwanza with the JOYFUL! ensemble, as they perform uplifting Gospel, R&B, and holiday songs each day in World Celebration in the CommuniCore Plaza Stage. Performances take place every day of the Festival at 2:00 PM, 3:05 PM, 4:05 PM, and 5:10 PM.
Voices of Liberty: Dickens Carolers
The Voices of Liberty perform original renditions of heartwarming holiday tunes daily from November 29 through December 30, 2024 in The American Adventure Pavilion Rotunda. Check your My Disney Experience app or the Festival Passport for performance times.
Download a full Guide to EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Candlelight Processional
A favorite among guests visiting EPCOT for years, the Candlelight Processional shares the story of Christmas as narrated by celebrity guests and accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra, herald trumpets, and the Voices of Liberty chorus.
Candlelight Processional takes place three times each evening (5 PM, 6:45 PM, and 8:15 PM) at the America Gardens Theatre at EPCOT from November 28 through December 30, 2025.
The 2025 Candlelight Processional celebrity narrators are listed below:
- Nov. 28-29 – Constance Wu (NEW)
- Nov. 30-Dec. 2 – Jordan Fisher
- Dec. 3-4 – Jennifer Garner (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 Smallbone (NEW)
- Dec. 27-28 – Brie Larson (NEW)
- Dec. 29-30 – Sheryl Lee Ralph (NEW)
Seating is limited for Candlelight Processional performances, so we recommending getting in the standby line 1.5 to 1 hour prior to showtime.
Download a full Guide to EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Candlelight Processional Dining Package
If you’d like to skip the standby line, you can consider booking a Candlelight Processional Dining Package. The dining package is available at select restaurants in EPCOT and includes a meal and reserved seating at the performance.
To reserve the Candlelight Dining Package, log onto your My Disney Experience account and reserve through the dining section of the app/website. Dining reservations may be made up to 60 days in advance. When you book your Disney Vacation with KMV Travel, your personal Travel Advisor will take care of getting all of your dining and enhancement reservations!
*Same day dining packages can be purchased at Regal Eagle the day you’d like to attend Candlelight Processional at the quick service restaurant. Packages are subject to availability and may not be available on peak dates.
Holiday Kitchens
Eat your way around the world and try some tasty treats that celebrate the season at EPCOT’s Holiday Kitchens. Be sure to try the Cookie Stroll, where you can collect and enjoy cookies from designated booths and earn a special treat when you complete the trail. Below are the locations you can visit during the festival to try out some of the offerings.
- Experimental Prototype Cookies of Tomorrow – Communicore Hall
- Favorites of Festivals Past – Communicore Hall
- Chestnuts & Good Cheer – Between World Showcase and Imagination! Pavilion
- Nochebuena Cocina – Between World Showcase and Imagination! Pavilion
- Mele Kalikimaka – Between World Showcase and Imagination! Pavilion
- Holiday Sweets & Treats — Near Port of Entry
- Refreshment Port – Near Port of Entry
- Swirled Showcase — Near Port of Entry
- Yukon Holiday Kitchen — Canada Pavilion
- Le Marché de Noël Holiday Kitchen – France Pavilion
- L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen — Between the Morocco and France Pavilions
- Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina – Morocco Pavilion
- Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen — Japan Pavilion
- Funnel Cake – American Adventure Pavilion
- American Holiday Table — American Adventure Pavilion
- Tuscany Holiday Kitchen — Italy Pavilion
- Bavaria Holiday Kitchen – Germany Pavilion
- Refreshment Outpost – Between China and Germany
- Shanghai Holiday Kitchen — China Pavilion
- Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen – Mexico Pavilion
- Holiday Hearth Desserts — The Odyssey Pavilion
- Connections Eatery
- Connections Cafe
- Sunshine Seasons
- United Kingdom Beer Cart
- Canada Popcorn Cart
Put together your must-try list by heading to the Disney Parks Blog Foodie Guide.
Holiday Cookie Stroll at EPCOT
While you’re tasting your way around the world, take part in the Holiday Cookie Stroll. Purchase 5 cookies from any of the official cookie stroll locations (noted in the Festival Passport) and collect a stamp each time. Once you’ve collected them all, bring your completed passport to Holiday Sweets & Treats to receive a specialty cookie.
Living with the Land Holiday Overlay
You won’t want to miss seeing the greenhouses decorated for the holidays! Head to The Land pavilion and ride Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses, as it is decorated to celebrate the season during the festival.
Be sure to visit in the evening so you can experience the greenhouses lit up!
Download a full Guide to EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Olaf’s Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Go on scavenger hunt around the world with Olaf! Olaf’s Holiday Scavenger Hunt maps may be purchased for $11.99 from merchandise locations including Creations Shop and World Traveler. Once you have your map, mark the “traditions” that Olaf has found in each pavilion in the World Showcase. Once you’ve found all of the traditions, bring your map to Disney Traders, Creations Shop or World Traveler to redeem it for a gift. This is a great activity for the whole family to take part in!
Ready to plan your trip to Walt Disney World this Holiday season? Let us help you plan a stress-free vacation. Start planning today!
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