The lights! The music! The treats! And the magic of the holidays! It’s all coming back with the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth. The month-long celebration is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the spirit of the holidays, and we’re filled with joy to share details about this year’s tinsel-filled festival.
The holidays are all about traditions, and the teams at EPCOT spend all year curating festive holiday fun tied to global traditions so that you and your family can create new traditions all your own. Here’s how you can enjoy the celebration at this year’s EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.
2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Dates
The dates for this year’s festival have been tucked away in a “confidential” box for a while, but now it’s time to rip off that wrapping paper!
The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth will return November 27 – December 30, 2026. As in years past, it will start the day after Thanksgiving, so don’t fill up too much on turkey and pie because you won’t want to miss any of the delicious dishes available around the park.
Beyond EPCOT, holiday magic decks the halls all over Walt Disney World, including all four parks, Disney Springs, and many of our resort hotels, and the best tip we can share is to start planning ahead for your visit now. Theme park tickets and lodging reservations are already available to book during the holiday season.
Holiday Traditions with World Showcase Storytellers
Storytelling is at the heart of the holiday season and is one of the important ways we build bonds between generations, connecting through tales and legends passed down for hundreds of years. Guests can experience this tradition with the Holiday Storytellers throughout World Showcase.
Each day of the festival, these storytellers will bring holiday tales to life, entertaining and educating guests on how diverse cultures celebrate this special season.
Where Guests Can Find Storytellers:
- 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 Sightings Around EPCOT
Guests hoping to share their holiday wishes are in for a treat as Santa Claus will be making special appearances during the festival! You may spot him traveling around World Showcase, greeting guests and spreading cheer along the way. Guests can see Père Noël telling the story of Babette and her Christmas letter in the France Pavilion, Barn Santa in the Norway Pavilion and, in CommuniCore Hall, Santa will be greeting guests with a jolly, “ho-ho-ho.”
And don’t forget to visit Goofy as Santa, who will be dressed in his holiday best and ready to pose for jolly photos full of seasonal fun at The Odyssey.
EPCOT Holiday Decor
EPCOT shines extra bright during the holiday season, with festive decor transforming every corner of the park. From twinkling lights and garlands to beautifully decorated trees inspired by global traditions, each World Showcase pavilion offers its own unique holiday flair.
It’s the perfect backdrop for photos and making magical memories with loved ones.
Gingerbread Spaceship Earth Display
Be sure to check out the Gingerbread Spaceship Earth display and countdown celebration presented by Citizen, where culinary artistry and holiday magic come together in a deliciously detailed creation. It’s a must-see (and must-smell!) experience that celebrates one of EPCOT’s most iconic landmarks.
Gather for the Celebration Countdown presented by CITIZEN, where the dazzling display lights up every 15 minutes, featuring new song and light shows with holiday flair.
Festival of the Holidays Shows and Entertainment
Candlelight Processional
A beloved holiday tradition returns with the Candlelight Processional at America Gardens Theatre. This heartfelt retelling of the Christmas story features celebrity narrators, accompanied by a mass choir and full orchestra. Performances are held nightly, with multiple showtimes to give guests plenty of opportunities to experience this inspiring classic.
Be sure to stay tuned for the announcement of this year’s celebrity narrators and more information about Candlelight Processional Dining Packages!
JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season
Get ready to clap along and feel the rhythm of Christmas and Kwanzaa with JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season. This high-energy performance blends gospel, jazz, and R&B to highlight holiday traditions with a lively, soulful twist. It’s a musical celebration that’s sure to have everyone smiling.
Voices of Liberty Dickens Carolers
The beloved Voices of Liberty return in festive fashion as the Dickens Carolers, performing classic holiday tunes in the style of Victorian-era England. Their rich harmonies and timeless charm make this a can’t-miss performance during your visit.
Festival Kitchens: Holiday Food and Beverage
Foodies, rejoice! Holiday Kitchens will once again serve up a delicious assortment of seasonal bites and beverages from around the world. Each location offers a unique menu inspired by holiday traditions, making it easy to snack your way through the season.
From comforting classics to globally inspired dishes, there’s something to satisfy every craving and every festive mood. Be on the lookout for the Disney Eats Foodie Guide for all the delicious details.
Holiday Cookie Stroll
The fan-favorite Holiday Cookie Stroll is back. Purchase five qualifying cookies from select Holiday Kitchens and collect corresponding stamps in your Festival Passport. Once you’ve gathered all five, you can redeem your completed stroll for a special treat.
It’s a sweet way to explore the festival and a delicious tradition that guests return for year after year.
Holiday Overlays and Festive Features
Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses
Hop aboard a festive version of Living with the Land during Glimmering Greenhouses! This relaxing boat ride is transformed with twinkling lights and seasonal decor throughout the greenhouses, offering a peaceful and beautiful holiday experience with a unique EPCOT twist.
Lights on Spaceship Earth
As night falls, Spaceship Earth comes to life with dazzling holiday lighting. The iconic geodesic sphere shines with festive colors and dynamic effects that add even more sparkle to your evening at EPCOT.
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt
Join Olaf on a festive adventure with Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt! Search throughout World Showcase to find Olaf as he discovers holiday traditions from around the globe. Purchase and complete the scavenger hunt and receive a fun holiday keepsake.
Scentsy’s Festive Fragrances: A Sensory Wonderland
Festive Fragrances presented by Scentsy returns for its third year with all-new fragrances celebrating holidays around the world from Noche Buena to Diwali.
Along the walkway between the Imagination! pavilion and World Showcase, get ready to explore this charming garden of snow globes infused with scents that bring the magic of fragrance and the holidays to life.
From heartwarming traditions and joyful performances to festive flavors and sparkling decor, the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays truly captures the spirit of the season.
Which experience are you most excited to try this year? Let the holiday countdown begin—we’ll see you at EPCOT!
