The holiday season returns to EPCOT in 2026 with the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth. The celebration brings festive traditions from around the world to World Showcase, combining seasonal entertainment, international cuisine, holiday decorations and family-friendly activities. The festival will run from 27th November through 30th December 2026.
Unlike some separately ticketed holiday events at Walt Disney World, EPCOT’s festival is included with regular park admission, making it a popular choice for guests wanting a full day of Christmas atmosphere, food and entertainment.
Dates and Overview
The 2026 festival begins on 27th November, the day after Thanksgiving, and continues until 30th December. Throughout the festival, EPCOT will be transformed with holiday décor, seasonal entertainment and celebrations inspired by cultures from around the globe.
Guests can expect:
- Holiday Kitchens featuring seasonal food and drinks
- World Showcase Holiday Storytellers
- Candlelight Processional
- JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season
- Santa Claus appearances
- Holiday scavenger hunts
- Festive attraction overlays
- Special nighttime decorations and lighting
Holiday Kitchens: Festive Food Around the World
One of the biggest draws of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is the collection of Holiday Kitchens placed throughout the park.
Each booth celebrates seasonal flavours from different regions, offering festive snacks, meals and drinks inspired by holiday traditions. Full menus for the 2026 event will be announced closer to the festival.
Popular returning favourites include:
Holiday Cookie Stroll
The Holiday Cookie Stroll returns for 2026, inviting guests to collect stamps in their Festival Passport by purchasing qualifying cookies from selected Holiday Kitchens.
After completing the stroll, guests can redeem their completed passport for a special holiday treat.
Candlelight Processional
The Candlelight Processional remains one of EPCOT’s most iconic Christmas traditions.
Held at America Gardens Theatre, the show retells the Christmas story with:
- A celebrity narrator
- A full orchestra
- Herald trumpets
- The Voices of Liberty
- The Disney Cast Choir
- Local community choirs
The performance normally runs three times each evening, with previous schedules featuring shows around 5:00pm, 6:45pm and 8:15pm. Exact 2026 showtimes and the narrator lineup will be announced later.
Dining packages will also return, allowing guests to reserve seating for the performance.
World Showcase Holiday Storytellers
A highlight of the festival is discovering how different countries celebrate the holiday season.
Storytellers appear throughout World Showcase, sharing legends, traditions and seasonal stories from their cultures. Confirmed returning experiences include:
- France Pavilion: Père Noël
- Norway Pavilion: Barn Santa
- Mexico Pavilion: Las Posadas Celebration
- China Pavilion: Chinese Lion Dancer
- Italy Pavilion: La Befana
- Japan Pavilion: Daruma Storyteller
- Morocco/France area: Hanukkah Storyteller
- United Kingdom Pavilion: Father Christmas
- Canada Pavilion: Canadian Holiday Voyageurs
Showtimes will be available through the My Disney Experience app.
JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season
JOYFUL! returns as a musical celebration of Christmas and Kwanzaa.
The show features Central Florida group D’Vine Voices performing traditional favourites alongside modern arrangements, celebrating the music and spirit of the season.
Santa Claus Experiences
Guests looking for classic Christmas character moments will find several festive meet-and-greet opportunities.
Santa Claus will appear at CommuniCore Hall, while Goofy dressed as Santa will meet guests at The Odyssey. Additional holiday characters include Père Noël and Barn Santa in World Showcase.
Voices of Liberty Dickens Carolers
The Voices of Liberty return in their Victorian-inspired Dickens Carolers style.
Performing inside the American Adventure pavilion, the group brings classic Christmas songs to life with traditional harmonies and a nostalgic holiday atmosphere.
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt
Families can join Olaf on a festive adventure around EPCOT.
Guests purchase a map and stickers, then search for Olaf figures representing different holiday traditions around the park. Once completed, the map can be redeemed for a holiday surprise.
Living with the Land: Glimmering Greenhouses
The Living with the Land attraction receives a holiday makeover during the festival.
The relaxing boat ride through EPCOT’s greenhouses is enhanced with Christmas lights and seasonal decorations while still showcasing Disney’s horticulture and agricultural displays.
Spaceship Earth Holiday Lighting
After sunset, Spaceship Earth becomes part of EPCOT’s holiday transformation with special festive lighting effects.
The nighttime glow adds to the atmosphere around World Celebration and provides one of the most recognisable holiday photo opportunities in the park.
Holiday Décor and Special Displays
EPCOT receives seasonal decorations throughout the park, with each World Showcase pavilion highlighting different holiday styles and traditions.
Guests can look out for:
- Festive Christmas trees
- Garland and lights
- Pavilion-specific decorations
- Gingerbread Spaceship Earth display
- CITIZEN Celebration Countdown lighting moments
Festive Fragrances
The Festive Fragrances experience returns for another year, bringing holiday-inspired scents from around the world.
The experience features themed snow globes and seasonal fragrances along the walkway between the Imagination! pavilion and World Showcase.
Tips for Visiting EPCOT During the Festival of the Holidays
For the best experience:
Arrive early:
The festival becomes especially popular in the evenings when guests arrive for entertainment and nighttime lighting.
Plan Candlelight Processional carefully:
Shows often fill quickly, so dining packages or arriving early can help secure a seat.
Use the Festival Passport:
It helps track Holiday Kitchens, Cookie Stroll locations and special activities.
Explore World Showcase at night:
The decorations and lighting are at their best after sunset.
Allow extra time:
Food booths, storytellers and entertainment can easily turn EPCOT into a full-day experience.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays continues EPCOT’s tradition of celebrating the season through global culture, food and storytelling. With returning favourites like Candlelight Processional, Holiday Storytellers, the Cookie Stroll and festive overlays, it remains one of the most complete Christmas experiences at Walt Disney World.