During the Christmas season, EPCOT celebrates holiday traditions for each of the 11 World Showcase Nations with storytelling, decorations, food, and music with the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. It is one of my favorite times to visit EPCOT.
If you are planning to go to Walt Disney World from November 25-December 30, I highly recommend you check it out!
What You Will Seet at the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
When you arrive at EPCOT, the first thing you need to do is grab an International Festival of the Holidays Passport.
This will tell you about everything going on during the festival along with where you will find everything from Holiday Food Kitchens to Cookie Stroll locations.
1. Holiday Kitchens
During the festival, you will be able to try different holiday dishes from around the world.
Each kitchen showcases different small plates, special holiday desserts, and beverages.
2. Holiday Hearth Desserts
This time of year, EPCOT has plenty of holiday desserts to enjoy and the place where you will find the most is at Holiday Hearth.
Many of these desserts qualify as snacks on the Disney DIning Plan.
These treats are in addition to the ones you will find throughout World Showcase.
3. EPCOT Cookie Stroll
Inside your Festival Passport, you will find the 5 cookie stroll locations.
Each place offers a delicious cookie for purchase and once you purchase it be sure to get your passport stamped.
If you try all and bring your Passport to the Sweets & Treats Holiday Kitchen, you will receive a complimentary Disney Sugar Cookie!
EPCOT Cookie Stroll Locations
- Holiday Sugar Cookie -Connections Cafe
- Black & White Cookie- L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen
- Gingerbread Cookie- American Holiday Table
- Jingle Sugar Cookie- Sunshine Seasons
- Spiced Chocolate Cookie-Nochebuena Cocina
- Snickerdoodle- Yukon Holiday Kitchen
- Linzer Cookie- Bavaria Holiday Kitchen
- Peppermint Pinwheel Cookie- Holiday Hearth Desserts
4. Holiday Storytellers
Guests at the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays get the chance to learn about other cultures through story-telling and music during their time in the World Showcase section of Epcot.
It is a fun event for the whole family and I’m sure you will walk away learning something you didn’t know before!
Norway Sigrid & Julenissen
Sigrid and Julenissen tell the story of Christmas with the help of a Gnome.
China Lion Dancers
These dancers put on a show Welcoming the New Year and wishing guests good luck.
Germany Nutcracker Story
Heiga tells the Story of the Nutcracker with a few twists!
Italy La Befana
The Good Witch tells the story of Epiphany from her native Italy.
America Voices of Liberty
Hear the story of Maccabees and Hanukkah celebration, Kwanzaa celebration, Voices of Liberty sing seasonal favorites. You won’t want to miss this performance in the America Pavilion.
This is also where you will be able to see Santa Claus. While you won’t be able to sit on his lap, you will be able to take a photo with him!
Japan Daruma Vendor
Learn about Daruma Doll and New Year celebration
France Pere Noel
Listen as he tells the story of receiving a letter from a child at Christmas
United Kingdom Father Christmas
Learn about how Father Christmas rings in the season with traditions
Mexico & the Pinata
Mariachis and Dancers explain the pinata.
5. Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition
Guests can search for hidden Olafs throughout the World Showcase.
You can do this on your own OR you can purchase a sticker map.
If you do purchase the map, once you complete it, you can turn it in for a souvenir.
6. EPCOT Christmas Displays
When we think of Christmas decorations at Disney parks, we usually think of Magic Kingdom. It is always decorated beautifully with wreaths and garlands.
When you attend the International Festival of Holidays, you will find EPCOT Christmas decorations, both traditional and whimsical!
When you think of topiaries, you probably think of EPCOT Flower & Garden festival that happens in the Spring.
7. EPCOT Christmas Tree
Just like at the other Disney World Parks, Disney Imagineers have placed a large decorated Christmas Tree in EPCOT for the holiday season.
It is especially beautiful at night!
8. EPCOT Candlelight Processional
Held in the America Gardens Theatre, the Candlelight Processional is one of the highlights of the holiday season.
This show is part live orchestra, part massed choir, and usually involves a celebrity narrator in the retelling of the traditional Christmas story.
There is nothing quite like it and you will walk away feeling the Christmas spirit for sure!
The Candlelight Processional is performed three times per night (5:15, 7:00 and 8:30pm), and guaranteed seating is available if you book a breakfast, lunch or dinner with the Candlelight Processional Dining Package.
If you don’t have guaranteed seating, you will need to line up about one hour before the Candlelight Processional in order to get a good seat!
Those visiting EPCOT in November and December will really enjoy all the holiday experiences this park has to offer!
Have you been to the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays? What was your favorite part of your trip?