2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Dates and Details
- Emma Walton
- 23 hours ago
- 8 min read
Check out this year's Holiday Details and Dates at Walt Disney World as the resort reveals its plans for 2025.
The holidays are a magical time to be in Orlando, and this year there is a ton in store for this upcoming holiday season across Walt Disney World, and one of the best seasonal offerings is the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.
Visiting EPCOT during International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth is a fan-favorite holiday tradition for Walt Disney World guests, and the resort has shared the details about what you can expect when the event returns this year, November 28 through December 30, 2025
Check out the latest theme park news and updates from Central Florida.
Start making your list (and checking it twice) to plan for which entertainment, eats, and experiences you want to enjoy this holiday season.
EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Dates
As usual, the festival kicks off the day after Thanksgiving, so you can trade the turkey for Christmas trees, holiday treats, and cheerful traditions!
Mark your calendar to attend Festival of the Holidays from November 28-December 30, 2025.
Planning ahead is the best way to start your vacation! Walt Disney World theme park tickets and lodging reservations are already available to book during the holiday season.
Many of the resort hotels embrace the spirit of the season with classic holiday lights, music, and decor, all with magical Disney flair, for you to take in during your visit.
Festival of the Holidays Shows and Entertainment
There is plenty of exciting entertainment to enjoy during Festival of the Holidays – jam with JOYFUL!, learn about holiday traditions around World Showcase, and experience the magic of the Candlelight Processional.
Experience the Candlelight Processional
Each evening during the festival, the America Gardens Theatre will come alive with the stirring Candlelight Processional, a retelling of the nativity story featuring holiday hymns. This beloved performance boasts a large live orchestra, herald trumpets, and vocal ensembles including the Voices of Liberty, Disney Cast Choir, and local community groups, who perform Christmas carols and traditional tunes for all to enjoy.
A highlight of the Candlelight Processional are the celebrity narrators who bring the story of Christmas to life onstage, with previous guests of honor including Josh Gad, Neil Patrick Harris, and Jodi Benson.
Performances are held nightly at 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m., with a runtime of approximately 50 minutes. Seating is first-come, first-served and often fills up fast, so we suggest planning ahead if you want to experience this stunning show. Dining packages with reserved seating are another great option for guests – more details will be available soon.
Learn from the World Showcase Storytellers
While you’re exploring the World Showcase pavilions throughout the day, you can stop to see performances from Holiday Storytellers as they share festive traditions and bring holiday tales to life in their respective countries. EPCOT is the perfect place to learn about how different cultures celebrate this special season.
Each country will spotlight unique 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 frequently, but showtimes can be confirmed each day in the My Disney Experience app.
Feel the Rhythm of JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season
JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season is a concert series that celebrates the spirit of Christmas and Kwanzaa. Holiday hits are performed by Central Florida group D’Vine Voices in an upbeat mix of music styles including gospel, jazz, and R&B. Check the My Disney Experience app for showtimes.
The combination of classic songs and updated arrangements with powerhouse vocalists will surely ignite warm holiday memories for every guest.
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.
Taste the Season with Holiday Kitchens
Food and drinks are a staple ingredient of EPCOT festivals, and this year’s Holiday Kitchens will be serving up an amazing assortment of bites and beverages. These standalone booths will highlight heartwarming holiday recipes and festive flavors from around the world – we can’t wait to try them all.
The final list of vendors is still being cooked up in our kitchens, but we are thrilled to share that there will be a blend of new offerings and returning favorites. For loyal fans of our Foodie Guides, you can look forward to a full Festival of the Holidays-focused guide coming at a later date.
Sweeten Your Day with the Holiday Cookie Stroll
Another can’t-miss activity for foodies is the Holiday Cookie Stroll, returning this year. We all have magical memories of being in the kitchen learning how to bake and decorate the tastiest treats, and at Festival of the Holidays you can take a bite of cookies made in our Walt Disney World kitchens.
The complete list of items for this cheerful cookie crawl is still in the works, but we can tell you today that the stroll will again feature the Coffee-Mocha Cookie topped with Coffee-infused Buttercream, Cocoa Nibs, and Chocolate-covered Espresso Beans.
When you purchase any five cookies from the official locations and collect the corresponding stamps in your Festival Passport, you can redeem a special surprise at Holiday Sweets and Treats. This adventure is the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth during the holiday season.
Festival of the Holidays Ride Overlays and Activities
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.
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt returns this year, which sends guests on a jolly journey to locate Olaf in 13 different spots throughout EPCOT.
Guests can purchase a map and stickers, available at select festival merchandise locations. Your quest is to find holiday traditions thatEmbark on Olaf’s Holiday Scavenger Hunt Olaf has discovered in every pavilion. Once you have them all, you can visit Creations Shop or World Traveler at International Gateway to redeem a gift that’s worth melting for.
See How Nature Shines on Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses
During Festival of the Holidays, the classic attraction Living with the Land transforms into a glittering greenhouse tour, featuring sparkling Christmas lights and dazzling decor, sure to fill guests of all ages with childlike wonder and awe.
The peaceful boat ride still chronicles the incredible work of Walt Disney World horticulturalists and their innovative growing techniques and technologies, with a bit of frosty flair. A holiday-themed narration can also be heard to guide you on your cruise.
Looking for more fun events and things to do in Central Florida? Check out our Events Guide.
Book Special Offers for Merry Holiday Savings
Looking to celebrate the best time of the year in a Disney Resort hotel with plenty of benefits including 30 minutes of early theme park entry and, for guests of Disney Deluxe Resort hotels or Disney Deluxe Villas, extended evening park hours?
Friends and families can save up to 20% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels, while also receiving up to a $100 Walt Disney World Resort Dining & Shopping Card when adding four-day (or longer!) standard theme park tickets to their stay.
This offer is available to book starting July 10 for stays most Sunday to Thursday nights October 12-November 20, 2025, and most nights November 23-December 25, 2025.
Visit DisneyWorld.com/SpecialOffers on July 10, 2025, to get offer details.
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