EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Celebrates Global Holiday Traditions

Christmas at Disney World looks a little different in every park, but EPCOT is where the holiday season goes global. The EPCOT Festival of the Holidays turns World Showcase into a celebration of how cultures around the world mark this time of year, with storytellers, holiday food booths, and the Candlelight Processional leading the way. It’s included with your park ticket, and in 2026 it runs from November 27 through December 30, right in the middle of the holidays at Disney World.

The festival is big, the World Showcase is a long loop, and December crowds are very real. The good news is that the Candlelight Processional is the only piece that needs serious advance planning, and almost everything else is easy to enjoy as you wander. Plan around the few things that book up, leave space for the rest, and your day stays merry instead of frantic.

What to Know About the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays in 2026

The 2026 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays runs November 27 through December 30, starting the day after Thanksgiving and ending just before New Year’s Eve. Admission to the festival is included with your EPCOT ticket, while food, drinks, and a few add-on experiences like the scavenger hunt and Candlelight dining packages cost extra.

Think of it as a global holiday celebration where each pavilion in World Showcase adds its own flair to the season. From traditional treats in Germany to a mischievous Barn Santa in Norway, you can explore how different cultures celebrate while soaking in all the Disney holiday magic.

A few fresh details are worth knowing this year. Goofy is suiting up as Santa for photos at The Odyssey, and the Candlelight Processional welcomes three first-time narrators in Robin Roberts, Jason Kelce, and Lacey Chabert. Disney usually releases the full Holiday Kitchen menus a few weeks before opening day, so expect the 2026 food lineup closer to November.

EPCOT Holiday Kitchens You Can’t Miss

The Holiday Kitchens are a highlight of the whole festival. These are the food booths around World Showcase and the front of the park that serve seasonal bites and drinks inspired by global holiday traditions. Each year, new dishes are added alongside returning fan favorites, so grab a free Festival Passport when you arrive and circle your must-try items before you start walking.

The 2026 menus haven’t been announced yet, but last year’s lineup gives you a good idea of what to expect. American Holiday Table at The American Adventure serves slow-roasted turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, and cranberry sauce. It’s like Thanksgiving on a plate! Over in Germany, Bavaria Holiday Kitchen keeps the cheese fondue in a bread bowl on the menu, along with a hazelnut Linzer cookie that counts toward the Cookie Stroll.

L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen, between Morocco and France, leans into deli comfort with pastrami on rye, potato latkes, rugelach, and a Mickey-shaped black and white cookie. Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen in Japan is your stop when you want something warm, thanks to toshikoshi soba topped with shrimp tempura, and the sushi roll shaped like a Christmas tree makes a cute photo before it disappears.

Canada’s Yukon Holiday Kitchen is a strong pick when you want a heartier plate, with beef bourguignon and seared salmon in a maple-bourbon glaze. For something sweet to sip, the Festive Flight at Holiday Sweets & Treats near the entrance to World Showcase lets you try three hot cocoas at once, and Le Marché de Noël in France pours a frozen hot chocolate martini for the grown-ups in your group.

Holiday Kitchen portions are snack-sized and priced to match, and most plates landed under $10 last year. Many items have also counted as snack credits on the Disney Dining Plan, which makes the festival a tasty way to use up any extras before you head home.

How the Holiday Cookie Stroll Works

The Holiday Cookie Stroll is a fan-favorite activity and a budget-friendly way to enjoy the festival. Pick up a free Festival Passport at the park entrance or most Holiday Kitchens, and you’ll find the list of official Cookie Stroll locations inside. Purchase any five qualifying cookies, which typically run about $4 each, and get a stamp at each booth.

Once you collect all five stamps, head to Holiday Sweets & Treats to claim your complimentary completer treat. There were 13 eligible cookies in 2025, spread from CommuniCore Hall all the way around World Showcase, so you can build your five around the pavilions you’re already planning to visit. Last year’s lineup included a salted caramel Spaceship Earth cookie, a maple leaf shortbread in Canada, and a coffee-mocha cookie topped with chocolate-covered espresso beans.

The best part? You don’t have to do the stroll all in one day. You can complete it over multiple visits as long as it’s within the festival dates, which makes it easy to spread the sugar out across your whole trip.

A Must-See Gingerbread Display at EPCOT Festival of the Holidays

If you love Disney’s holiday gingerbread creations, you won’t want to miss the gingerbread version of Spaceship Earth featured during the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays. This impressive display is located inside CommuniCore Hall, which opened in 2024 as part of the park’s big transformation.

Pastry artists recreate the park’s iconic geosphere in edible form, using gingerbread, icing, and colorful candy to bring the festive scene to life. The detail is incredible, and you might even spot some surprises worked into the design. Disney creativity and holiday tradition meet in the best way here.

Time your visit for the evening if you can. Every 15 minutes, the Celebration Countdown lights up the gingerbread Spaceship Earth with music and a mini light show, so you never have to wait long for the next one. The display is free to view and makes for a welcome indoor break from the sun or the crowds. Plus, they have fun festival foods inside! Last year, the Experimental Prototype Cookies of Tomorrow kitchen served gingerbread milkshakes right next to the display.

Be sure to take a photo while you’re there, because this edible version of the park icon might be the cutest thing at the whole festival.

Candlelight Processional at EPCOT

The Candlelight Processional is EPCOT’s most beloved holiday tradition. A celebrity narrator reads the Christmas story backed by a 50-piece orchestra, the Voices of Liberty, and a choir of more than 150 cast members and community singers. It’s both beautiful and moving, and it gives the festival a sense of peace and togetherness.

This year marks the show’s 55th season at Walt Disney World. Performances happen nightly at 4:45, 6:30, and 8:00 PM at America Gardens Theatre, and the narrator changes every few nights.

2026 Candlelight Processional Narrators

Three narrators are making their Candlelight debut this season, joining plenty of returning favorites. Narrators can change, so double-check the official schedule before you lock in your night.

• November 27 and 28, Auli’i Cravalho
• November 29 through December 1, Gary Sinise
• December 2 and 3, to be announced
• December 4 and 5, Whoopi Goldberg
• December 6 and 7, Robin Roberts (new)
• December 8 and 9, Jason Kelce (new)
• December 10 through 12, Neil Patrick Harris
• December 13 and 14, to be announced
• December 15 and 16, Lauren Daigle
• December 17 through 19, Ralph Macchio
• December 20 and 21, Henry Winkler
• December 22 and 23, Lacey Chabert (new)
• December 24 and 25, Jodi Benson
• December 26 and 27, Simu Liu
• December 28 through 30, Eva Longoria

Standby seating is first-come, first-served, and lines for popular narrators form early. A Candlelight Processional Dining Package pairs an EPCOT meal with guaranteed reserved seating, and packages open for booking on October 14, 2026. If you have your heart set on a specific narrator, book as soon as the window opens, and a reservation alert service like Mouse Dining can help if your restaurant is already full.

Holiday Storytellers Around World Showcase

Learning how the rest of the world celebrates is the heart of the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays. In pavilions all across World Showcase, you’ll find storytellers sharing traditions and folklore in fun, engaging ways.

Start in Mexico with the music and pageantry of Las Posadas, complete with dancers, piñatas, and Mariachi Cobre. Next door in Norway, Sigrid’s holiday stories get interrupted by a mischievous Barn Santa, while China brings both the colorful Chinese Lion Dancer and the Si-Zhu Trio playing traditional folk music for the Lunar New Year.

Germany’s Adventskalender puppet show is a favorite with little ones, and in Italy you can hear the legend of La Befana, the kind-hearted witch who visits children on the eve of the Epiphany. Japan’s storyteller shares the tale of the Daruma doll and New Year customs, and the Hanukkah storyteller between Morocco and France explores how the Festival of Lights is celebrated around the world.

France welcomes Père Noël, the United Kingdom has Father Christmas ringing in the season with good cheer, and Canada’s Holiday Voyageurs take you on a musical trip across the Great White North. These performances are short and easy to fit between snacks, and catching a few of them gives you a deeper appreciation for the global spirit of the season.

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More Magical Entertainment During EPCOT Festival of the Holidays

Besides the Candlelight Processional and World Showcase storytellers, EPCOT is packed with holiday entertainment that adds extra sparkle to your visit. Live music, holiday characters, and seasonal touches pop up all around the park. EPCOT shines during the holidays because it blends cozy Christmas vibes with authentic cultural touches.

JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season

This high-energy show at the CommuniCore Plaza Stage features powerful gospel and R&B renditions of holiday songs, celebrating both Christmas and Kwanzaa. It runs daily throughout the festival and makes an easy pick-me-up when your feet start dragging in the afternoon.

Meet Santa Claus in CommuniCore Hall

Santa meets guests daily through Christmas Eve in CommuniCore Hall. Plan on a sweet holiday photo and some one-on-one time with the big guy in red. He’s in the same building as the gingerbread Spaceship Earth, so it’s easy to pair the two into one cozy indoor stop.

Snap a Photo With Goofy as Santa

Over at The Odyssey, Goofy trades his usual look for a bright red Santa suit every day of the festival. His photo spot is a playful alternative if the line for the real Santa is long, and Goofy never misses a chance to ham it up for the camera.

Voices of Liberty at The American Adventure

In the rotunda of The American Adventure, the Voices of Liberty have traditionally performed as the Dickens Carolers, singing a cappella in Victorian costumes. Their harmonies will give you chills. The rotunda is also a cool, quiet spot to rest your feet between Holiday Kitchens, so it’s worth stepping inside even if you only have a few minutes.

Spaceship Earth Holiday Lights After Dark

Once the sun goes down, Spaceship Earth glows with holiday lighting and dynamic effects that shift with festive music. Save a few minutes for it on your way out of the park, because it makes a stunning last look at EPCOT before the day ends.

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition

If you’re visiting with kids (or just young at heart), don’t skip Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition. This interactive scavenger hunt takes you around World Showcase to help Olaf collect the holiday traditions he’s discovered.

Purchase a map and stickers at select festival merchandise locations, find all 13 hidden Olafs, and redeem your completed map at Creations Shop or World Traveler for a surprise. It’s a great way to keep little ones engaged while exploring the festival, and it gives the whole group a reason to slow down and notice the decorations in each pavilion.

Ride Through the Holidays in the Glimmering Greenhouses

Living with the Land is already a peaceful ride, and during the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, it gets a sparkling seasonal twist. The boat ride in The Land pavilion becomes Glimmering Greenhouses, a serene holiday experience that plenty of guests walk right past.

As you glide through the greenhouses, you’ll see how Disney transforms everyday agriculture into something truly enchanting. Twinkling string lights wrap around trees and trellises, oversized ornaments peek out from planters, and cheerful holiday decor is tucked between the growing produce. Everything glows softly, especially after sunset, and the whole ride turns calm and twinkly.

The wait for this ride will likely be longer than normal during the holiday overlay. If you can, ride it during the day for a closer look at the greenhouse details, and then come back at night to see the full effect of the glowing lights. It’s a quiet little holiday moment you’ll definitely want to make time for. If you love it, the separately priced Behind the Seeds walking tour also gets a holiday version, letting you explore the decorated greenhouses on foot.

Festival Merchandise and Photo Ops

The holidays are all about the memories, and EPCOT has plenty of festival merchandise to help you bring the season home. Festive spirit jerseys, holiday mugs, and adorable ornaments fill the shelves, so every Disney fan on your list is covered.

Make time for the holiday photo ops scattered throughout the park, plus fun Magic Shots with Disney PhotoPass photographers. You’ll find gorgeous decorations, oversized presents, towering trees in the pavilions, and plenty of spots to capture your group in their holiday best.

Tips for Visiting EPCOT Festival of the Holidays

A festival day at EPCOT can be as packed or as relaxed as you want it to be. These tips make it easier to enjoy the best parts without running yourself ragged.

Choose Your Dates With Crowds in Mind

The first two weeks of December, especially weekdays, are usually the sweet spot for the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays. Weekends and evenings draw more Florida locals, and the week between Christmas and New Year’s ranks among the busiest stretches of the entire year at Disney World. The festival also ends on December 30, so a trip planned around New Year’s Eve will miss it.

Rope Drop, Then Head to World Showcase

Rope drop EPCOT to enjoy attractions in the front half of the park before the Holiday Kitchens open, usually around 11 AM. By the time you finish a few rides, World Showcase is waking up and the booths are ready for you.

Check the App for Showtimes

Storytellers, JOYFUL!, character visits, and Candlelight all run on set schedules. Check the entertainment schedule on the My Disney Experience app the morning of your visit, then build your loop around two or three showtimes so you aren’t crisscrossing the lagoon all day.

Pack for Florida’s December Weather

Florida can be warm or chilly in December. Check the weather app leading up to your trip and bring a couple of backup options just in case! A light layer for after sunset, comfortable shoes for the World Showcase loop, and a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated between tastings will cover most days. Festival days are long on your phone battery too, so a portable charger or a FuelRod belongs in your park bag.

Share Plates and Pace Yourself

Split up your tastings with friends or family so you can try more food without filling up too quickly. You also don’t have to do every booth, every storyteller, and every show in one day. Pick a few must-dos, let the rest be a happy surprise, and leave room for a slow hot cocoa break.

EPCOT Festival of the Holidays FAQs

• When is the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays in 2026?
  • The 2026 festival runs from November 27 through December 30. It starts the day after Thanksgiving and ends the day before New Year’s Eve.
• Is the Festival of the Holidays included with my park ticket?
  • Yes, general admission to the festival is included with your EPCOT park ticket. Food, drinks, and certain experiences like the Olaf scavenger hunt and Candlelight dining packages are an additional cost.
• Do I need a reservation to see the Candlelight Processional?
  • No, but standby seating is first-come, first-served. A Candlelight Processional Dining Package is the only way to guarantee reserved seating, and packages for popular narrators do sell out, so plan ahead.
• Is the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays good for kids?
  • Absolutely! From Olaf’s scavenger hunt and the German puppet show to Santa visits and sweet treats, there’s plenty for kids to enjoy. The storytellers make it a natural way to mix learning with fun.
• How much time should I plan for the festival?
  • Plan to spend at least half a day exploring the Holiday Kitchens and shows. If you want to do it all, including rides and an evening Candlelight Processional, a full day is best.
• Are the holiday experiences available every day?
  • Yes! All festival offerings like special menu items, storytellers, JOYFUL!, and Candlelight Processional are offered daily during the festival. Check the My Disney Experience app for showtimes since they may vary.

Planning a Disney vacation can feel like a full-time job—trust me, I get it! As your travel agent, I’ll take care of the details, so you can focus on the fun stuff (like deciding which snack to try first). Let’s plan that vacation you’ve been dreaming of!

Celebrate the Holiday Season Around the World at EPCOT

The EPCOT Festival of the Holidays is a trip around the world wrapped up in gingerbread, carols, and good cheer. Whether you’re sipping a frozen hot chocolate martini in France or listening to the Christmas story under twinkling lights, it’s a Disney holiday memory that stays with you long after the trip.

Your festival day doesn’t have to be perfect to be magical. Plan around Candlelight, pick a few booths you can’t stop thinking about, and let the rest of the day unfold at its own pace. Planning a Disney vacation can feel like a full-time job, and trust me, I get it! If you’d like help planning your holiday trip to Disney World, I’ll take care of the details so you can focus on the fun stuff (like deciding which snack to try first).

Other EPCOT Festivals

• EPCOT Festival of the Arts
• EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival
• EPCOT Food and Wine Festival
• Comparing EPCOT Festivals