- Mar 13, 2024
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We’re halfway to the holiday season in Disney World, which runs from November 13th through January 6th. So even though it might feel like a million degrees outside in Florida right now, we’re already dreaming of days with cooler weather, snoap, holiday decorations, and holiday activities. Bring on Santa!
2025 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays
Disney World has recently dropped some new details about the upcoming holiday season, including details about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Jollywood Nights, and more. Well, we also just got confirmation of everything that’s coming to the 2026 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, so let’s take a look!
This year’s EPCOT Festival of the Holidays will run from November 27th through December 30th. As always, it starts on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
2025 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Passport
All you need to attend is a valid theme park ticket to get into EPCOT, which gets you access to everything the festival has to offer.
One of our favorite parts of the festival (save for maybe the food) is the group of storytellers you can find around World Showcase who bring holiday tales to life from countries all over the world.
Holiday Storytellers at Italy Pavilion in EPCOT
You’ll be able to find storytellers at the following locations:
Looking to meet up with the big guy himself? Santa will be making special appearances throughout the festival, including traveling around World Showcase to greet folks. You can also see Père Noël in the France Pavilion telling the story of Babette and her Christmas letter, and Bar Santa in the Norway Pavilion. Santa will also be meeting people in CommuniCore Hall.
Santa!
You’ll also want to head to The Odyssey building to see Goofy dressed up as Santa.
Be sure to get photos of all the festive decor you’ll find throughout EPCOT.
Holiday decor in the U.K. Pavilion
Each country also has its own decorations, so you’ll want to visit each!
Disney also confirmed that the Gingerbread Spaceship Earth display will return to the festival this year. You’ll find the display in CommuniCore Hall, and you’ll want to stick around for a special countdown celebration that happens every 15 minutes.
Gingerbread Spaceship Earth
You’ll get to see the edible Spaceship Earth light up with a new song and a light show. It’s DAZZLING!
Another one of the BEST parts of the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays is the Candlelight Processional, which will return this year. This incredible performance features a celebrity narrator telling the story of Christmas with a live choir and full orchestra. Performances are held multiple times during each evening, and it’s a must-see event.
Josh Gad narrating the 2024 Candlelight Processional
Disney has not yet released the names of this year’s narrators, but in the past, they’ve included Neil Patrick Harris, Brendan Fraser, Gloria Estefan, Josh Gad, and more. Disney will also eventually release information on Candlelight Processional dining packages.
Disney also confirmed other entertainment returning to this year’s EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, including JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season, which is a high-energy performance that celebrates Kwanzaa.
Joyful: A Celebration of the Season!
The iconic Voices of Liberty will be performing classic holiday songs in Dickensian costumes for the season at the American Adventure Pavilion.
Okay, our absolute FAVORITE part of the festival involves visiting all the food booths to try holiday-inspired treats and drinks. Disney has not yet confirmed which food booths we’ll see this year, but we’ll be keeping an eye out for updates.
We’re in it for the food!!
However, Disney DID confirm the return of the Holiday Cookie Stroll, which gets you a prize for purchasing five qualifying cookies.
Living With the Land will become Glimmering Greenhouses with lights and seasonal decor during the festival. Meanwhile, you’ll be able to watch Spaceship Earth light up with special holiday-themed lighting each evening.
This is SO fun!
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt is also returning this year, where you purchase a map that tasks you with finding hidden Olafs throughout World Showcase for a prize.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Magical Guides-Olafs-Holiday-Tradition-Expedition-Scavenger-Hunt-Festival-of-the-Holidays-EPCOT-Disney-World-5-2-700x525.jpg
Hidden Olaf
Scentsy’s Festive Fragrances: A Sensory Wonderland is also returning this year with all-new fragrances celebrating holidays around the world.
Festive Fragrances by Scentsy
We’ll be keeping an eye out for more updates about this year’s EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, so stay tuned to Magical Guides for more.
Will you be attending this year’s EPCOT Festival of the Holidays? Let us know in the comments!
2025 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays
Disney World has recently dropped some new details about the upcoming holiday season, including details about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Jollywood Nights, and more. Well, we also just got confirmation of everything that’s coming to the 2026 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, so let’s take a look!
Dates
This year’s EPCOT Festival of the Holidays will run from November 27th through December 30th. As always, it starts on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
2025 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Passport
All you need to attend is a valid theme park ticket to get into EPCOT, which gets you access to everything the festival has to offer.
Storytellers
One of our favorite parts of the festival (save for maybe the food) is the group of storytellers you can find around World Showcase who bring holiday tales to life from countries all over the world.
Holiday Storytellers at Italy Pavilion in EPCOT
You’ll be able to find storytellers at the following locations:
- 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
Looking to meet up with the big guy himself? Santa will be making special appearances throughout the festival, including traveling around World Showcase to greet folks. You can also see Père Noël in the France Pavilion telling the story of Babette and her Christmas letter, and Bar Santa in the Norway Pavilion. Santa will also be meeting people in CommuniCore Hall.
Santa!
You’ll also want to head to The Odyssey building to see Goofy dressed up as Santa.
Holiday Decor
Be sure to get photos of all the festive decor you’ll find throughout EPCOT.
Holiday decor in the U.K. Pavilion
Each country also has its own decorations, so you’ll want to visit each!
Gingerbread Spaceship Earth
Disney also confirmed that the Gingerbread Spaceship Earth display will return to the festival this year. You’ll find the display in CommuniCore Hall, and you’ll want to stick around for a special countdown celebration that happens every 15 minutes.
Gingerbread Spaceship Earth
You’ll get to see the edible Spaceship Earth light up with a new song and a light show. It’s DAZZLING!
Candlelight Processional
Another one of the BEST parts of the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays is the Candlelight Processional, which will return this year. This incredible performance features a celebrity narrator telling the story of Christmas with a live choir and full orchestra. Performances are held multiple times during each evening, and it’s a must-see event.
Josh Gad narrating the 2024 Candlelight Processional
Disney has not yet released the names of this year’s narrators, but in the past, they’ve included Neil Patrick Harris, Brendan Fraser, Gloria Estefan, Josh Gad, and more. Disney will also eventually release information on Candlelight Processional dining packages.
Other Entertainment
Disney also confirmed other entertainment returning to this year’s EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, including JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season, which is a high-energy performance that celebrates Kwanzaa.
Joyful: A Celebration of the Season!
The iconic Voices of Liberty will be performing classic holiday songs in Dickensian costumes for the season at the American Adventure Pavilion.
Food and Drinks
Okay, our absolute FAVORITE part of the festival involves visiting all the food booths to try holiday-inspired treats and drinks. Disney has not yet confirmed which food booths we’ll see this year, but we’ll be keeping an eye out for updates.
We’re in it for the food!!
However, Disney DID confirm the return of the Holiday Cookie Stroll, which gets you a prize for purchasing five qualifying cookies.
Other
Living With the Land will become Glimmering Greenhouses with lights and seasonal decor during the festival. Meanwhile, you’ll be able to watch Spaceship Earth light up with special holiday-themed lighting each evening.
This is SO fun!
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt is also returning this year, where you purchase a map that tasks you with finding hidden Olafs throughout World Showcase for a prize.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Magical Guides-Olafs-Holiday-Tradition-Expedition-Scavenger-Hunt-Festival-of-the-Holidays-EPCOT-Disney-World-5-2-700x525.jpg
Hidden Olaf
Scentsy’s Festive Fragrances: A Sensory Wonderland is also returning this year with all-new fragrances celebrating holidays around the world.
Festive Fragrances by Scentsy
We’ll be keeping an eye out for more updates about this year’s EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, so stay tuned to Magical Guides for more.
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Will you be attending this year’s EPCOT Festival of the Holidays? Let us know in the comments!
