Celebrate Christmas and the Holidays at Walt Disney World, there’s snow much to look forward to with extra magical holiday happenings across the entire resort including EPCOT which features Holidays Around The World.
Anytime of the year is a magical time to visit Walt Disney World, but the holidays are truly the most magical time of the year, and this year you can enjoy new jolly experiences, glittering sights, sounds and the most scrumptious sweet treats. Plus, thrill to the return of fan-favorite Disney holiday traditions.
This year the holiday festivities at Walt Disney World begin on November 11 and run through until December 31, 2023, and no matter your traditions, get ready to celebrate the spirit of the season here in Orlando.
We will be regularly updating this page as we closer to the holidays, so keep checking back!
The Holidays At EPCOT
Embrace holiday traditions from around the world and delight in the telling of the Christmas story.
Highlights include:
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth – Be immersed in the wondrous sights, sounds and flavors of the season from November 24 through December 30, 2023! Savor treasured recipes from around the globe at Holiday Kitchens. And embark on a journey with Holiday Storytellers sharing holiday traditions from around the world.
Candlelight Processional – Hear the stirring story of Christmas presented by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by an orchestra and massed choir.
More Holiday Entertainment – Watch as Holiday Storytellers bring beloved traditions such as Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Lunar New Year and more to life! Witness stories told through music and dance, with performers in traditional costumes—November 24 to December 30, 2023.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Guests will experience the wondrous sights, sounds and flavors of the holiday season when the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth returns to EPCOT. Read on for all the details.
Candlelight Processional
To the delight of guests, EPCOT will once again welcome back “Candlelight Processional,” a Disney Parks tradition.
This heartwarming production takes place nightly at America Gardens Theatre and features celebrity narrators featuring award-winning actors, singers and TV personalities retelling the Christmas story accompanied by the Voices of Liberty a capella ensemble, a 50-piece live orchestra with herald trumpets, and glorious massed choirs comprising of Disney cast members and local community groups.
Candlelight Processional Dining Packages are available to reserve now. With a dining package, guests can enjoy a leisurely meal at a select EPCOT restaurant and guaranteed seating at one of the performances later that same day.
JOYFUL! A Celebration Of The Season
A stirring and uplifting performance of music in celebration of Christmas and Kwanzaa, returns to the World Showcase Plaza Stage with multiple performances daily.
Holiday Traditions
Holiday traditions of the world come to life around World Showcase with storytellers, musical acts and otherperformers.
Unique presentations include Las Posadas Celebration featuring Mariachi Cobre at the Mexico pavilion, the Canadian Holiday Voyageurs in the Canada pavilion, a Hanukkah storyteller along the promenade between Morocco and France, and other delightful holiday storytellers in France, Italy, Japan, Norway and United Kingdom.
Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses
A fan-favorite attraction overlay returns once again with Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses. A ride aboard this classic EPCOT attraction offers guests a peaceful cruise to view twinkling holiday light displays throughout the greenhouses.
Holiday Kitchens
Holiday Kitchens will cook up treasured recipes and festive drinks from around the globe – from spiced pumpkin punch and cranberry mimosas to slow-roasted turkey with stuffing and pork schnitzel with braised red cabbage.
An eye-popping selection of sweets and treats ranging from traditional linzer cookies and maple bûche de noël to chocolate-peppermint donuts will surely satisfy any sweet tooth.
The Holiday Cookie Stroll
The Holiday Cookie Stroll offers a sweet adventure. Guests of all ages can also take part in Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt to search for holiday traditions Olaf has gathered from around the world—and lost along the way!
Meet Santa Claus At The Odyssey Pavilion
No holiday celebration is complete without Jolly Old St. Nick himself, Santa Claus pays a visit to The Odyssey in his snow-covered sleigh—November 24 to December 24, 2023, giving guests the opportunity to say hello, pose for a photo and share their fondest Christmas wish.
The Best Time To Visit
The crowds around the holidays, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Eve are the busiest times to visit Walt Disney World during the holidays. Expect the parks to be very busy with long lines at all attractions.
The Christmas and New Years Eve Weeks are the absolute busiest time of the year at the resort. The upside to visiting during this time is the special entertainment around Christmas, especially at Magic Kingdom with lots of additional entertainment usually reserved for the ticketed Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party including the sparkling spectacular “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks” and the merry must-see “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.”
On New Year’s Eve, there’s special entertainment at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios including DJ Dance Parties and special fireworks.
Besides the crowds, there are a few other downsides to visiting during these two weeks. As you would expect, the resort hotels have the highest room rates of the year, and many resort restaurants add a holiday surcharges, plus it can be difficult to get reservations at many dining locations, especially if you are looking to eat at a favourite restaurant.
If you are looking to visit when its less crowded, November is quieter in general, with the resort getting busier as it get closer to Christmas, although you should expect elevated crowd levels throughout November and December with all days during the holidays experiencing higher the average crowd levels.
Expect elevated crowd levels through until mid-January 2024.
The Weather During The Holidays
The upside to visiting in November or December is that the weather is much more theme park friendly than during the red hot days of summer, expect cooler temperatures, low humidity, and less rain!
The downside? It can get very cold, colder than you might expect in Florida! The mornings especially can feel very cold.
Expect average daytime temperatures to be anywhere from the low 70s to the high 80s.
You should expect colder nights and early mornings, as cold fronts pass through, with overnight temperatures dropping to the 60s and even the 50s.
What To Wear During The Holidays
With the large variations in temperatures in November and December it's important to wear layers.
Yes, pack your t-shirts and shorts, but don't forget to pack sweaters for the evenings when temperatures dip, and pack a jacket too, just in case.
The Holidays At Disney Resort Hotels
Stay in the heart of the holiday magic, mere moments from the theme parks.
Highlights include:
Seasonal Décor – Delight in holiday decorations, including magnificent Christmas trees and gingerbread displays adorning the lobbies and Guest areas at select Disney Resort hotels.
Delicious Treats – Nosh on gingerbread goodies and savor specialty menu items at select restaurants in Disney Resort hotels.
Plus, you’ll be conveniently close to other holiday happenings at Walt Disney World Resort
Special Savings On Stays At Disney Resort Hotels
The only thing better than visiting a Disney theme park at the holidays is complementing it with a stay at a Disney Resort hotel.
Guests can save up to 25% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels for stays this fall and winter season.
To learn more, visit disneyworld.com/HolidaySavings.
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