2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Dates and Details

Kyle Werly
Nov 14, 2025
7 min read

Attending EPCOT during the International Festival of the Holidays, presented by AdventHealth, is a beloved holiday tradition for Walt Disney World visitors. We are excited to reveal the initial details of what guests can look forward to when the event makes its return this year.

Begin creating a list (and and checking it twice!) to organize the entertainment, food, and experiences that guests can enjoy this holiday season.

EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Dates

Like every year, the festival starts the day after Thanksgiving. This is the perfect time for visitors to trade in their turkey for Christmas trees, delicious treats, and fun traditions! Mark your calendars for the Festival of the Holidays, happening from November 28 to December 30, 2025.

Planning your vacation ahead of time is a great idea! You can book your tickets for Walt Disney World theme parks and make hotel reservations for the holiday season now. Many resort hotels are beautifully decorated with holiday lights, music, and festive decorations, all adding to the magic of Disney for you to enjoy during your stay.

Festival of the Holidays Shows and Entertainment

Join us for the Festival of the Holidays, where you can enjoy lots of fun activities! Groove along with JOYFUL!, discover holiday traditions from different countries at World Showcase, and be amazed by the Candlelight Processional. It’s a magical experience you won’t want to miss!

Experience the Candlelight Processional

Every evening during the festival, the America Gardens Theatre will host the beautiful Candlelight Processional. This performance tells the nativity story and features lovely holiday songs. Enjoy a large live orchestra, trumpet players, and vocal groups like the Voices of Liberty, Disney Cast Choir, and local choirs singing Christmas carols and traditional music for everyone to enjoy.

A special part of the Candlelight Processional is the celebrity narrators who bring the Christmas story to life. Past narrators have included stars like Josh Gad, Neil Patrick Harris, and Jodi Benson. This year’s lineup has just been announced, featuring both returning favorites and new faces.

Performances take place nightly at 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m., lasting about 50 minutes. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and fills up quickly, so we recommend planning ahead if you want to enjoy this amazing show. You can also consider dining packages that include reserved seating for a more convenient experience – details are available now.

Learn from the World Showcase Storytellers

As you explore the World Showcase pavilions, take a moment to enjoy the Holiday Storytellers. They share festive traditions and holiday stories from their countries, making EPCOT a great place to discover how different cultures celebrate this joyful season.

Each country features its own special stories and performers, including:

Mexico Pavilion – Las Posadas Celebration
Norway Pavilion – A Mischievous Magical Barn Santa
China Pavilion – Chinese Lion Dancer
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

Performances happen often, and you can check the daily showtimes in the My Disney Experience app.

Feel the Rhythm of JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season

Join us for JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season, a wonderful concert series that brings the joy of Christmas and Kwanzaa to life. Enjoy festive holiday songs performed by the talented D’Vine Voices from Central Florida. They will treat you to a lively mix of music styles, including gospel, jazz, and R&B. Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for showtimes!

The blend of classic holiday songs and fresh arrangements, along with amazing vocal performances, will surely create warm memories for everyone attending. Don’t miss this joyful celebration!

Festival of the Holidays Food and Drink

The holidays are not complete without a seasonal selection of snacks and sips, and of course EPCOT is known for its exceptional culinary offerings.

Check out the official Epcot International Festival of the Holidays Foodie Guide here!

Taste the Season with Holiday Kitchens

Food and drinks are a big part of the EPCOT festivals, and this year’s Holiday Kitchens will feature a wonderful selection of tasty treats and drinks. These booths will showcase delightful holiday recipes and festive flavors from around the globe – we’re excited to try them all!

While the final list of vendors is still being prepared, we’re happy to let you know that there will be a mix of new dishes and returning favorites. For our loyal Foodie Guide fans, you can now check out the food and drinks that will be available during the festival.

Sweeten the Day with the Holiday Cookie Stroll

One activity that food lovers won't want to miss is the Holiday Cookie Stroll, making its return this year! Many of us have fond memories of baking and decorating delicious cookies in the kitchen, and at the Festival of the Holidays, you can enjoy cookies made right in our Walt Disney World kitchens.

You can find the full list of cookies for this fun cookie crawl in the Festival of the Holidays Foodie Guide, where items are marked with an * icon. A favorite returning treat is the Coffee-Mocha Cookie topped with Coffee-infused Buttercream, Cocoa Nibs, and Chocolate-covered Espresso Beans, which is always a hit!

When you buy any five cookies from the official locations and collect the stamps in your Festival Passport, you can get a special surprise at Holiday Sweets and Treats. This delightful adventure is a great way to indulge your sweet cravings during the holiday season!

Festival of the Holidays Ride Overlays and Activities

Guests can get wrapped up in the array of seasonal activities to enjoy throughout EPCOT, and don’t miss out on an iconic attraction with a festive twist.

Where to Find Santa at EPCOT

Santa is always traveling around the world, and the same is true at World Showcase. Guests can see Père Noël (Father Christmas) appear in the France Pavilion where he tells the story of Babette and her Christmas letter, and Barn Santa will be up to his old tricks in the Norway Pavilion.

CommuniCore Hall: A Hub of Holiday Magic

Join us at CommuniCore Hall for a festive celebration during the holiday festival! It will be transformed into a magical wonderland, and you’ll have another chance to meet Santa Claus. Whether you call him St. Nick, Père Noël, or Father Christmas, he’ll be there to greet you and your family with a cheerful smile and a big “ho-ho-ho.”

Don’t forget to visit the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays entertainment webpage for more details.

CommuniCore Hall will also feature a beautiful Gingerbread Spaceship Earth display that is both delightful and impressive. This special display showcases amazing creativity and craftsmanship, allowing you to admire the artistry behind this holiday favorite. It’s a fantastic spot for photos and a highlight of the festival.

While you’re there, be sure to catch the Celebration Countdown presented by CITIZEN, an exciting light show that takes place every 15 minutes.

And of course, no holiday celebration would be complete without delicious treats and festive drinks. Visit the Experimental Prototype Cookies of Tomorrow for a fun twist on EPCOT’s innovative spirit. Enjoy cookies like the Prototype Cookie, which features a sugar cookie topped with orange cranberry icing and dark chocolate, or the Ginger-Molasses Cookie with cream cheese icing. Pair them with comforting drinks like a Gingerbread Milk Shake or Hot Cocoa from Joffrey’s.

Discover Seasonal Surprises Around Every Corner at the Odyssey

The Odyssey is filled with festive fun that makes each visit feel like a special celebration. Guests can explore the Glittering Grove, presented by Balsam Hill, where stunning fake trees create a winter wonderland with sparkling lights and beautiful ornaments, perfect for taking holiday photos.

Just nearby, you can find Santa Goofy in his festive outfit, ready to bring smiles and joy. This fun character adds a playful touch to the holiday season. For more details, be sure to visit the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays entertainment webpage.

When you’re ready to treat yourself, the Holiday Hearth Desserts offers a delicious selection of sweet treats and warm drinks. Enjoy Red Velvet Cake Pops with festive sprinkles, Reindeer Chow with M&M’S Milk Chocolate Candies, and Cocoa Peppermint Warmer Hot Cocoa by Joffrey’s with a splash of peppermint schnapps. Every bite and sip is a delightful celebration!

Scentsy’s Festive Fragrances: A Sensory Wonderland

Returning for its second year, Scentsy will bring wonderful holiday scents to life. Stroll along the path between the Imagination! pavilion and World Showcase to discover Festive Fragrances presented by Scentsy, a lovely garden filled with holiday decorations and favorite seasonal aromas.

Featured fragrances include Christmas Cottage, Sleigh Ride, Silver Bells, and Perfect Peppermint. It’s a delightful experience that adds extra holiday magic to your visit!

Embark on Olaf’s Holiday Scavenger Hunt

Returning is Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt this year! This fun adventure invites you to search for Olaf in 13 different locations throughout EPCOT.

You can buy a map and stickers at select festival merchandise spots. Your mission is to find the holiday traditions that Olaf has discovered in each pavilion. Once you collect them all, head over to Creations Shop or World Traveler at International Gateway to claim a special gift that’s truly worth melting for!

See How Nature Shines on Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses

During the Festival of the Holidays, the popular attraction Living with the Land turns into a sparkling greenhouse tour. With beautiful Christmas lights and festive decorations, it's a delightful experience that will bring joy to guests of all ages.

This relaxing boat ride still showcases the amazing work of the horticulturists at Walt Disney World, highlighting their creative growing methods, all with a holiday twist. You'll also enjoy a festive narration that adds to the charm of your journey.