A Complete Guide to the Festival of the Holidays at EPCOT

A Complete Guide to the Festival of the Holidays at EPCOT

A Complete Guide to the Festival of the Holidays at EPCOT

This post is your complete guide to the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays! The Festival of the Holidays is a short, wintertime festival held in Epcot Park that celebrates all things holidays around the world! This festival brings food, lights, and entertainment, like the Candlelight Processional, which makes it a top attraction in the winter at Epcot.

SPECIAL NOTE: If you are still in the process of planning your Disney vacation and need help picking the best time to visit Disney World for the festival, be sure to check out our Disney crowd calendar below!

 Disney World Crowd Calendar

What is the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays?

It is another one of the popular EPCOT festivals, but this time, they celebrate EPCOT holidays around the world, and park-goers get immersed in the park’s sights, surroundings, activities, and (of course) food. During this festival, you can expect to taste cheery dishes from the Holiday Kitchens sprinkled around the showcase. Disney Christmas at Epcot is elevated to a whole other level, where it celebrates not only Christmas but a Yuletide Extravaganza. Festival of the Holidays also offers the crowd favorite Cookie Stroll, Candlelight Processional, and so much more!

This is one of the many spectacular ways Epcot during Christmas celebrates the holidays. And another great reason to make sure you don’t miss out on anything going on at Walt Disney World during the Christmas season. 

When is the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Dates?

The EPCOT Festival of the Holidays typically starts after Thanksgiving and continues after the New Year. Last year, the Disney Festival of the Holidays will begin on November 29th and run until December 30th! This is one of Epcot’s shortest-running festivals in terms of how many days it runs. The longest-running festival is the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, which takes place right before Epcot at Christmas.

Related Post: Discounted Tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

What Can You Do at the Festival of the Holidays at Epcot?

To say these EPCOT December events are worth celebrating is an understatement. Yes, Magic Kingdom at Christmastime is where the holidays live at Walt Disney World. But there is no festival like the Festival of the Holidays at Epcot. Not only in terms of decoration but it is a limited-time event. But the events and entertainment are truly unmatched. Christmas in Epcot does a great job tying in the festival and what Epcot Christmas around the World stands for!

Festival of the Holidays Events

Epcot transforms into a winter wonderland with food, entertainment, and cultural celebrations that showcase various holiday traditions. Special events are held across World Showcase and Future World.

1. Candlelight Processional
   A beloved tradition at Epcot, this event features a celebrity narrator retelling the biblical Christmas story, accompanied by a full orchestra and choir. It’s a spiritual and moving experience, highlighting the religious aspect of Christmas.
2. Holiday Storytellers
   Throughout the World Showcase, you’ll find storytellers representing various countries, each sharing tales and traditions of how holidays are celebrated in their culture. It’s a fun and educational way to learn about international customs.
3. Olaf’s Tradition Expedition
   This is a family-friendly scavenger hunt where guests help Olaf discover different holiday traditions around the World Showcase. It’s interactive and perfect for kids, with small prizes for completing the adventure.
4. Holiday Cookie Stroll
   A sweet treat for guests, the Holiday Cookie Stroll encourages you to purchase specific holiday cookies from various locations around the park. After completing the stroll, you can earn a bonus cookie!
5. Gingerbread Capitol City
   A stunning gingerbread display representing iconic landmarks from Washington, D.C. The intricately detailed structures make this a must-see for visitors, with a great holiday photo opportunity.
6. Living with the Land Holiday Overlay
   The popular Living with the Land boat ride gets a festive twist during the holidays. Guests glide through the greenhouse, decorated with twinkling lights and holiday plants, showcasing sustainable holiday crops and farming techniques.

Each of these events provides a unique way to celebrate the season at Epcot, making the park a magical place during the holidays.

These events are so integrated into the Festival of the Holidays that we want to break them down individually for you below!

Related Post: Complete Guide to Visiting Walt Disney World at Christmas

What is EPCOT’s Candlelight Processional?

The Festival of the Holidays Candlelight Processional is a celebration of the Christian tale of Jesus with singers, musicians, and even a celebrity narrator! This event is by far one of the most popular attractions in all of Walt Disney World, not just at EPCOT. One of the reasons it’s so popular is that guests get to enjoy the story of Christmas told by a celebrity narrator. Each night, a celebrity narrator will tell the biblical tale of a savior born in Bethlehem. The story also includes performances from an orchestra and massed choir. Guests will be able to enjoy some familiar Christmas songs throughout the entire performance.

Which Celebrity Narrators Will Perform at the Candlelight Processional?

• 11/29 – 11/30 Josh Gad
• 12/1 – 12/2 Nico Santos (NEW)
• 12/3-12/5 Chrissy Metz
• 12/6 – 12/7 Whoopi Goldberg
• 12/8 – 12/10 Tituss Burgess (NEW)
• 12/11 – 12/12 Brendan Fraser
• 12/13 – 12/14 Ralph Macchio (NEW)
• 12/15 – 12/16 Gary Sinise
• 12/17 – 12/18 Neil Patrick Harris
• 12/19 – 12/21 Pat Sajak
• 12/22 – 12/23 Gloria Estefan
• 12/24 – 12/26 Edward James Olmos
• 12/27 – 12/28 Sterling K Brown
• 12/29 – 12/30 Jodi Benson

Regardless of which night you choose to visit the candlelight processional, we always recommend making sure you show up as early as possible. This event is first come, first serve, and seating disappears quickly. So you’ll want to make sure you give yourself the best chance to see some of the most popular celebrities that always appear!

How long is the candlelight processional at EPCOT?

Typically, the processional lasts approximately 40 minutes. Each evening, you can enjoy three shows at 5:15 PM, 7:00 PM, and 8:00 PM.

Like any celebration in Disney, there’s always some amazing food to correspond with the event. Why would the EPCOT Festivals of the Holidays be any different? They’ve got some exciting comebacks for their EPCOT Christmas around-the-world food.

Related post: Complete Guide to the Epcot’s Festival of the Arts

EPCOT Christmas Storytellers

Epcot Storytellers are scheduled intermittently throughout the day, with times listed in the 2024 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Passport. Because they happen in their respective countries, it would be difficult to see them all in one day. Nonetheless, if there’s a storyteller in a country your family has ancestry from. Or perhaps there’s a culture you’re interested in; this is a great way to learn more about their holiday traditions.

What Are the Epcot Christmas Storytellers?

• Each country located in the world showcases performers bringing their holiday traditions to life. These storytellers share the history of their country’s Christmas celebrations. This is a very educational yet entertaining activity that both kids and adults would love to experience. 

Christmas storytellers are typically found in the following countries:

• Mexico – Las Posadas
• Norway – Sigrid and Barn Santa
• China – Chinese Lion Dance
• Germany – Helga
• Italy – La Befana
• America – Santa 
• Japan – Daruma
• Morocco 
• France – Père Noël
• United Kingdom – Father Christmas 
• Canada – Canadian Holiday Voyageurs

There’s also usually always a Hanukkah storyteller during the Festival of the Holidays as well. You can find this storyteller along the promenade next to the Morocco pavilion. 

Related Post: Complete Guide to Special Events at Disney World

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition

In short, it’s a scavenger hunt featuring everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf! Travel the World Showcase to help him find new traditions. Once you have found all of the traditions, visit a specified retail location to trade your map in for a gift!

For this year’s Festival of Holidays, EPCOT, Olaf has been sledding all around the World Showcase, collecting new and interesting holiday traditions. However, on his journey, he’s seemed to misplace some of them! He needs your help, as you must go on a festive quest to find these traditions. Simply purchase your Scavenger Hunt map and stickers at participating locations. Then, search for Olaf in each pavilion. Once he’s found, match each sticker to the location on the map. Once you have found all the traditions, visit Disney Traders, Creations Shop, or World Traveler to trade in your map for a gift. It may even be better than a warm hug! This event is similar to Chip and Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree in the past.

Related post: Epcot for Kids: Kid-Friendly Activities Your Little Ones Will Love

What is the Epcot Festival of the Holidays Cookie Stroll?

The Holiday Cookie Stroll at the  EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is the sweetest treat trail, where guests can purchase cookies for a prize! At Epcot at Christmas, you can purchase five cookies from the official cookie stroll locations featured in the  Festival Passport. Make sure to collect a matching stamp for each cookie purchased!

Cookies for EPCOT Cookie Stroll

• Alfajores – Port of Entry
• SNICKERS®-Doodle Cookie – Canada
• Black and White Cookie (plant-based) – between Morocco and France
• Chocolate Crinkle Cookie – America
• Linzer Cookie – Germany
• Gingerbread Cookie – Port of Entry
• M&M’s® Sugar Cookie – Sunshine Seasons
• Sugar Cookie – Connections Café

These cookies include a Linzer cookie from Bavaria Holiday Kitchen in Germany, a chocolate crinkle cookie from American Holiday Table in the American Adventure, a Snickers Doodle Cookie from Yukon Holiday Kitchen in Canada, a gingerbread cookie from Port of Entry, and a black and white cookie from L’Chaim between Morocco and France. Once you have all five stamps, bring the stamped passport to Holiday Sweets & Treats in the World Showcase Promenade to receive a complimentary cookie! Talk about a delicious reward.

Related article: Experience the Holiday Season at Walt Disney World

Festival of the Holidays Christmas Concerts

The EPCOT Center Christmas Show is back again this year! This concert, titled JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season is a series of concerts to celebrate Christmas and Kwanzaa. This show contains a mix of inspiring gospel, jazz, R&B, and other genres. You can take a look at the EPCOT Christmas schedule performances on the daily park guide or your Festival Passport.

Epcot Christmas Concert Performances

• Joyful – This show contains a mix of inspiring gospel, jazz, R&B, and other genres Celebrating the Christmas and Kwanzaa holidays.
• Voices of Liberty – A Capella group performing Christmas classics in the Americans Garden Theater.
• Mariachi Cobre – Surround yourself with the sights and sounds of Christmas in Mexico!
• JAMMitors – Although the JAMMitors are a year-round performance group. During the festival, you can catch them jamming out to your favorite holiday tunes!

The Voices of Liberty, a cappella group, will also be performing their Disney Christmas Concert in EPCOT this year at the Americans Garden Theater. They will be alternating showtimes with Mariachi Cobre. Plus, the JAMMitors will also be performing their Christmas show at EPCOT at the Mill Stage over in the Canada pavilion.

Related Post: The Best Time to Visit the Festival of the Holidays 

Holiday Kitchens at Epcot’s Festival of the Holidays

The Disney EPCOT Holiday Food Festival 2024 never fails to bring delicious culture to the table with its unique dishes. There will be 16 EPCOT kitchens to enjoy this year, so make sure you’re visiting on an empty stomach, as you’ll want to try all of the Festival of the Holidays menu.

The Holiday Kitchens EPCOT

• American Holiday Table – The American Adventure
• Bavaria Holiday Kitchen – Germany
• Chestnuts & Good Cheer Holiday Kitchen – Near Disney Traders
• The Donut Box – Near Test Track
• Holiday Hearth Desserts – World Showplace
• Holiday Sweets and Treats – Showcase Plaza
• L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen – between Morocco and France
• Mele Kalikimaka – Showcase Plaza
• Los Posadas Holiday Kitchen – Mexico
• Nochebuena Cocina – Port of Entry
• Tangerine Cafe: Flavors of Medina – Morocco
• Shanghai Holiday Kitchen – China
• Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen – Japan
• Tuscany Holiday Kitchen – Italy
• Yukon Holiday Kitchen – Canada

These pop-up kitchens make original dishes specifically for the Disney Festival of the Holidays. So keep that in mind when you’re exploring because they’ll be gone before you know it! There is a taste of the holidays for everyone at the Festival of the Holidays. Take a stroll around the World and sample tasty treats from these holiday kitchens celebrating the most magical time of year.

Related Post: The Best Restaurants in Epcot

The Best Disney Resorts for the Epcot Festival of the Holidays

With the addition of the Disney Skyliner, there have never been more Disney hotel options for guests visiting EPCOT. Epcot was never short on resort access. Before the Skyliner was added to the Epcot area, Disney built up three resorts, a shopping and dining area, and two good neighbor hotels within walking distance. Guests staying at the resorts had easy and sometimes first access to Christmas at Epcot. Below are our recommendations when visiting the WDW Festival of the Holidays:

Hotels in walking distance to Festival of the Holidays Epcot:

• Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
• The Disney Yacht Club Resort
• Disney’s Beach Club
• Swan & Dolphin

Disney Skyliner access to the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays

• Disney’s Riviera Resort
• Caribbean Beach Resort
• Disney’s Pop Century Resort
• Art of Animation Resort

No Christmas in Walt Disney World has access like an Epcot Christmas. As we covered in terms of hotel accessibility, but also in park-hopping! Epcot now has five modes of transportation to get you to another Disney park. Or, for that matter, to get you to Epcot to celebrate the Festival of the Holidays. You can park-hop to and from Epcot by walking, the Disney bus system, the Monorail, Friendship boats from the World Showcase, and the Disney Skyliner! So, if you’re too full from snacking on all of the yummy holiday treats the festival has to offer, you have options to get back to your resort anywhere on the property!

Related Post: A Complete Guide to Disney’s Skyliner Route

When is The Best Time to Visit Epcot Festival of the Holidays?

Now that we have covered everything you need to know about the Epcot Festival of the Holidays. You may be wondering, “What’s the best time to visit the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays?”. We recommend planning your visit to Festival of the Holidays 2024 either November 26th – 30th or December 1st – 13th.

When is the Best Time to Visit the 2024 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays?

• November: 26th-30th, 2024
• December: 1st-13th, 2024

Dates are based on the previous year’s crowd levels.

And our answer comes with a warning. Please remember it’s the holiday season at Walt Disney World. These days will still have high crowd levels and wait times, they are just the better days to go! Try to avoid as best as you can the weeks of Thanksgiving, the week before, during, and after Christmas.

Related Article: When Does Disney World Decorate for Christmas

Disney Festival of the Holiday Tickets

To confirm, you do not have to purchase a specific 2024 Festival of the Holidays ticket to enjoy this amazing event! Simply shop for any Walt Disney World ticket and make your Disney park reservation at EPCOT for the day you plan to visit. We also encourage all guests to take a look at our one-day EPCOT park plan to save even more time while visiting the 2024 Festival of the Holidays. 

What’s Included With Your 2024 Epcot Festival of the Holidays Ticket?

• Access to the 2024 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays at World Showcase is included with your regular Walt Disney World ticket. It’s important to note that food and drink tastings are not included in the cost of your ticket.
• Holiday Kitchen items will run you between $5.00-$9.00 for food and $4.00-$10.00 for drinks on average.

With that being said, there are a ton of free things to do at the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays. These include unique character meet-and-greets, EPCOT holiday storytellers, live music, the candlelight processional, and holiday treats.

Disney Festival of the Holidays Cost

• There is no extra cost to enter the Festival of the Holidays at Epcot. Simply enjoy the festivities around Epcot Park, most of them being set in the World Showcase.

Related post: Walt Disney World Food and Wine Festival

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays FAQ

Q: What is there to do at Epcot Festival of the Holidays?

A: Christmas in Epcot does a great job tying in the festival and what Epcot Christmas around the World stands for! You can view the Candlelight Processional, watch the Holiday Storytellers, enjoy the Holiday Cookie Stroll, and taste holiday food from all over the world at the Holiday Market booths. 

Q: How Long is the Candlelight Processional at Epcot?

A: Typically, the processional lasts approximately 40 minutes. Each evening, there were three shows.

Q: When Does Epcot Decorate for the Festival of the Holidays?

A: We typically see all of their holiday displays officially up right around the last few days of November just in time for the EPCOT festival of the Holidays to start. Historically, Christmas decorations and stages have started popping up around the Monday before the festival begins. In this year’s case, November 14th.

When is The Best Time to Visit Disney World?

Our Disney  World Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices, and average temperature. We also break down the best time to visit Disney World based on specific times of the year and special events.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Disney World Trip?

Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Be sure to speak with a Disney World Travel Agent for the most recent deals and promotions. The Park Prodigy will provide a Free Quote for all Disney World Vacation Packages. The Park Prodigy can also help you save up to $20 per ticket when purchasing your Walt Disney World Tickets, and we offer promotional discounts for special events such as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tickets and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets.

Don’t forget to check out our wonderful friends over at Theme Park Today, as well.