Festival of the Holidays and More Return to EPCOT for 2026 Christmas Season

Festival of the Holidays and other offerings will return to EPCOT for the 2026 Christmas season.

2026 Festival of the Holidays

The 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays begins on November 27, the day after Thanksgiving, and runs through December 30, 2026.

Holiday Kitchens will serve up an assortment of festive food and beverage items from around the world. The full list of booths and menus will be posted later.

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.

Candlelight Processional

Women in gold robes hold candles before a colorful, blurred Christmas tree at night near Epic Universe coaster.

The America Gardens Theatre will present the Candlelight Processional, a retelling of the nativity story, each evening. The performance includes a live orchestra, herald trumpets, the Voices of Liberty, the Disney Cast Choir, and local community groups performing Christmas carols.

Each show is hosted by a celebrity narrator. The 2026 lineup will be announced later.

Performances are usually at 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. The show is approximately 50 minutes. Seating is first-come, first-served and usually fills up fast. Dining packages with reserved seating will be available with details coming soon.

World Showcase Holiday Storytellers

A holiday storyteller in traditional attire holds a red cloth snake outside a building, accompanied by drums and a cart adorned with a crane and New Year's greetings.

Holiday Storytellers throughout World Showcase share traditions and tales from their respective countries. Disney only confirmed Père Noël would return to the France Pavilion and Barn Santa would be in the Norway Pavilion.

These storytellers also usually appear:

Mexico Pavilion – Las Posadas Celebration
China Pavilion – Chinese Lion Dancer
Italy Pavilion – La Befana
Japan Pavilion – Daruma Storyteller
Between the Morocco and France Pavilions – Hanukkah Storyteller
United Kingdom Pavilion – Father Christmas
Canada Pavilion – Canadian Holiday Voyageurs

Showtimes will be available in the My Disney Experience app.

JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season

The JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season concert series celebrates Christmas and Kwanzaa with a combination of classic holiday songs and updated arrangements performed by Central Florida group D’Vine Voices. Showtimes will be in the My Disney Experience app.

Santa Claus

In addition to Père Noël and Barn Santa, guests will be able to meet Santa Claus in CommuniCore Hall and Goofy as Santa in The Odyssey.

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.

Olaf’s Holiday Scavenger Hunt

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt returns with 13 different Olaf figures discovering holiday traditions from around the world. Guests can purchase a map and stickers at select festival merchandise locations. They can then find every Olaf and redeem the map at Creations Shop or World Traveler for a gift.

Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses

This holiday overlay features sparkling Christmas lights and decorations on Living With the Land in The Land pavilion. The boat ride still chronicles the work of Walt Disney World horticulturalists with some extra holiday narration.

Watch our POV from 2025:

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.

Decorations & Gingerbread Display

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.

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.

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.

Are you excited for the holidays at EPCOT? Let us know on social media.

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