Out of the four festivals, guests can find at EPCOT, something is very special about the Festival of the Holidays. This celebration of global holidays comes to life with immersive experiences throughout World Showcase and beyond as guests savor international cuisine, enjoy live entertainment, and engage in family-friendly activities while enjoying the beauty of holiday traditions from around the world. This festival is now open and runs through December 30, 2024. Learn more about the festival below and the ten things you don’t want to miss!
Click here for our Instagram Story from our visit to the festival on December 1, which includes lots of photos and video from the day!
1 – The Candlelight Processional
One of the most popular offerings at EPCOT is the Candlelight Processional, a cherished Disney Parks tradition. Every night at America Gardens Theatre, celebrity narrators retell the Christmas story, accompanied by the Voices of Liberty a capella ensemble, a resplendent 50-piece live orchestra complete with herald trumpets, and the melodic voices of a massed choir featuring Disney cast members and local community groups.
Credit: Disney/Abigail Nilsson Audiences will be treated to a star-studded experience this year as the celebrity narrator roster shines with award-winning actors, singers, and television personalities. This year’s lineup features nine new talents as well as beloved returning voices:
12/1 – 12/2 Nico Santos (NEW) 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 12/22 – 12/23 Gloria Estefan 12/24 – 12/26 Edward James Olmos 12/27 – 12/28 Sterling K Brown 12/29 – 12/30 Jodi Benson *Guests looking to ensure a seat for their preferred performance are encouraged to book Candlelight Processional Dining Packages. For more information, including pricing and availability, visit EPCOTHolidays.com.
Learn more about the Candlelight Processional by clicking here.
2 – NEW! A Grand and Miraculous Gingerbread Display
The EPCOT Festival Team, Walt Disney Imagineering, and the EPCOT Pastry team came together to create a truly and miraculous gingerbread display of Spaceship Earth. The 8-foot tall display featuring a geodesic sphere made up of hundreds of handcrafted gingerbread triangles is on display inside CommuniCore Hall for all guests to see and enjoy throughout the festival. The gingerbread version also lights up and dances to music periodically throughout the day, just like the real Spaceship Earth. There is a Celebration Countdown presented by CITIZEN, where guests can discover the next dancing lights performance.
3 – NEW! Glittering Grove Presented by Balsam Hill
Also in CommuniCore Hall is the new Glittering Grove presented by Balsam Hill. Here, you’ll find beautiful, seasonal décor inspired by EPCOT’s unique design. Enjoy an enchanting forest with twinkling trees that bring festive flair.
Glittering Grove presented by Balsam Hill in CommuniCore Hall during EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. (Harrison Cooney, Photographer) 4 – Visit With Santa Claus
To sprinkle even more yuletide joy, from November 24-December 24, Santa Claus spreads merry magic at the Odyssey Pavilion. Guests are invited to capture joyful snapshots and share their dearest holiday wishes.
5 – Holiday Traditions from Around the Globe
Throughout World Showcase, the tapestry of global customs unfurls with mesmerizing storytellers sharing tales of holiday traditions from around the globe.
Holiday storytellers include:
Las Posadas Celebration in the Mexico Pavilion: Join the fun and pageantry of Las Posadas with dancers, piñatas and the music of Mariachi Cobre.A Mischievous Magical Barn Santa in the Norway Pavilion: Watch as a mischievous Barn Santa visits Sigrid, an unsuspecting Christmas storyteller.Si-Zhu Trio in the China Pavilion: Celebrate the Lunar New Year with traditional Chinese folk music.Chinese Lion Dancer in the China Pavilion: Behold a colorful performance to bring good fortune and happiness in the Lunar New Year.La Befana in the Italy Pavilion: Enjoy the tale of La Befana, the kind-hearted witch who visits sleeping young children on the Eve of the Epiphany.Daruma Storyteller in the Japan Pavilion: Hear the fascinating story of the Daruma doll and the Japanese customs for the New Year!Hanukkah Storyteller Between the Morocco and France Pavilions: Watch as a storyteller recounts their travels exploring the diverse music and traditions of Hanukkah around the world.Père Noël in the France Pavilion: Visit with Père Noël and rediscover the magic of Christmas through the letter of a delightful child.Father Christmas in the United Kingdom Pavilion: Join Father Christmas as he shares the traditions of the United Kingdom and good cheer.Canadian Holiday Voyageurs in the Canada Pavilion: Explore holiday customs from the various regions of Canada on a musical tour of the Great White North. Check the My Disney Experience app for showtimes.
Credit: Disney/Abigail Nilsson Credit: Disney/Abigail Nilsson Credit: Disney/Abigail Nilsson Credit: Disney/Abigail Nilsson Credit: Disney/Abigail Nilsson 6 – More Live Entertainment
“JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season,” a stirring and uplifting performance of music in celebration of Christmas and Kwanzaa, can be found at the CommuniCore Plaza Stage with multiple performances daily. Check the My Disney Experience app for showtimes.
Also, be sure to check out Voices of Liberty during the festival at the American pavilion. Dressed up as Dickens Carolers, the Voices of Liberty sing original renditions of seasonal favorites! Check the My Disney Experience app for showtimes.
7 – Fun Activities for the Entire Family
Guests of all ages can enjoy Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt. The journey commences with the purchase of a map and stickers, available at various festival merchandise locations. These lead guests on a delightful quest for traditions that Olaf has discovered in every pavilion.
New this year is a complimentary activity that is perfect for kids of all ages – snowflake decorating! Guests can decorate a paper snowflake in CommuniCore Plaza.
Finally, you’ll want to visit the walkway between the Imagination! Pavilion and World Showcase to see an all-new seasonal display open to all guests throughout the festival. At Festive Fragrances presented by Scentsy, you can stroll through a snow globe garden that is inspired by Scentsy’s seasonal aromas!
Festive Fragrances. Credit: Disney/Harrison Cooney 8 – Indulge in Yuletide Treats
Click here to see the menu boards with pricing for easy planning.
Click here for the menus to the Holiday Kitchens.
More than fifteen Holiday Kitchens cook up treasured recipes and festive drinks from around the globe, including slow Roasted Turkey with Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and Cranberry Sauce.
There are two new Holiday Kitchens this year, both found at CommuniCore Hall. The Experimental Prototype Cookies of Tomorrow serves gingerbread triangles that make up the Spaceship Earth display and hot cocoa. The other kitchen can be found outside CommuniCore Hall, which features the best-loved dishes from previous years at Favorites of Festivals Past.
The Holiday Cookie Stroll offers sweet treats to satisfy even the biggest sweet tooths. Cookie connoisseurs can purchase cookies to earn a matching stamp in their Festival Passport. When guests reach the magical number of five, they can visit the Holiday Sweet & Treats Holiday Kitchen and relish a specialty cookie.
Credit: Disney 9 – Deck the Halls with Gifts Galore
For those eager to complete their holiday shopping lists, there are plenty of festival merchandise items to enjoy. New this year is the Figment Holiday Quarter Zip, which has Figment fans all in a frenzy! Another popular item this year is the Holiday Cookie Stroll Cookie Tote. Look for items throughout the park in locations such as Creations Shop in World Celebration.
10 – Living with the Land Holiday Overlay
A fan-favorite attraction overlay returns once again with Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses. A ride aboard this classic EPCOT attraction offers guests a peaceful cruise to view twinkling holiday light displays throughout the greenhouses. The greenhouses are all lit up and decorated for the holidays. It’s a really great addition to the land!
Credit: Disney/Abigail Nilsson Entertainment offerings are subject to change without notice.
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