The EPCOT® International Festival of the Holidays Presented by AdventHealth: Guide to Joyful and Sparkling Yuletide Fun
Posted on September 02, 2026
Just a couple of months to go and we can already hear the holiday bells jingling everywhere! For a more special and magical touch to the most wonderful time of the year, Walt Disney World® Resort presents the 2026 EPCOT® International Festival of the Holidays. See The Most Magical Place on Earth glow and sparkle with colorful lights, amazing live shows and performances, and treasured holiday traditions. Below are some highlights you surely won't want to miss at the EPCOT® International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth.
- Holiday Traditions with World Showcase Storytellers
- Dazzling and colorful holiday decorations around the park
- Holiday themed menu items and exclusive merchandise
- Meet Santa Claus
- Fun and tasty Holiday Cookie Stroll
- Vibrant harmonies and cheerful melodies from holiday performers
Holidays at Walt Disney World® are next-level fun and magic, so don't miss out! Find out how you can make the most of your time at the 2026 EPCOT® International Festival of the Holidays. Read on.
EPCOT® International Festival of the Holidays 2026 Dates
The 2026 EPCOT® International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth is returning November 27 through December 30 . Just like in previous years, the event kicks off the day after Thanksgiving. This means that the fun and magic of the holidays keep rolling. Though we strongly suggest everyone not dig into the turkey, pie, and yams too much. The delicious treats the holiday kitchen will be serving need some space, you know?
Early planning is also strongly encouraged, because the holiday magic goes beyond EPCOT®. All four Walt Disney World® Theme Parks and Disney Springs® will be decked in lights and vibrant vibes from November 27 to December 30. Expect more people to join in the fun even before November kicks in, and make sure to grab your tickets in advance!
Magical Experiences at the 2026 EPCOT® International Festival of the Holidays
With colorful performances, scrumptious menus, and beloved holiday traditions from around the globe, you'll surely get why this is everyone's favorite festival.
Holiday Traditions with World Showcase Storytellers
Storytelling really brings the holiday season to life and is a great way for us to bond across generations, sharing stories and legends that have been around for centuries. At World Showcase, guests can join in on this tradition with the Holiday Storytellers. Each day during the festival, these storytellers will bring holiday tales to life, entertaining everyone while also showing how different cultures celebrate this special time.
Here are some of the spots where you can find these amazing Holiday Storytellers:
- Mexico Pavilion – Las Posadas Celebration
- Norway Pavilion – A Mischievous Magical Barn Santa
- China Pavilion – Chinese Lion Dancer and Si-Zhu Trio
- Germany Pavilion – Adventskalender
- 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
Spot Santa Claus at EPCOT®!
Sleighing down from the North Pole is our favorite holiday icon! Santa Claus is ready to hear all your holiday wishes! Santa will be making special appearances during the festival! Spot him at World Showcase, greeting everyone and spreading some holiday cheer.
You can watch Santa tell the tale of Babette and her Christmas letter at the France Pavilion and at Norway Pavilion. In CommuniCore Hall, he will be joyfully welcoming guests with a hearty “ho-ho-ho.” For extra holiday fun, make sure to see Goofy in his Santa suit! He’ll be all decked out for the season and ready for cheerful photos at The Odyssey.
Marvel at the shimmering holiday decorations at EPCOT®
Throughout the festival, guests can also enjoy a variety of holiday decorations around the park. From sparkling lights and festive garlands to beautifully adorned trees inspired by traditions around the world, every pavilion in World Showcase brings its own special holiday vibe. Every corner is a fantastic backdrop for all your photos, so be sure to snap lots of photos!
Gingerbread Spaceship Earth Display
Be sure to swing by the Gingerbread Spaceship Earth display and countdown celebration from Citizen, where tasty creations and holiday charm blend into a gorgeous work of art. You've got to see (and smell!) this event that celebrates one of EPCOT®’s coolest attractions. Don’t miss the Celebration Countdown presented by CITIZEN, where the dazzling display lights up every 15 minutes, showcasing holiday-themed songs alongside a sparkling light show.
Spectacular Shows and Festival Entertainment
Nothing rings in the season of joy and gift giving better than unique holiday songs and cheers. Don't miss these awesome shows and festival entertainment you and your family will surely love.
Candlelight Processional - A Returning Favorite!
The Candlelight Processional is back at America Gardens Theatre, bringing a cherished holiday tradition to life. This touching retelling of the Christmas story includes celebrity narrators, a massive choir, and a full orchestra. Shows run every night with multiple showtimes available, ensuring guests have plenty of opportunities to enjoy this inspiring classic.
Stay tuned for the announcement of this year's celebrity narrators!
JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season - A Pop-tastic Performance!
At the EPCOT® International Festival of the Holidays, JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season brings upbeat gospel, jazz, and R&B to holiday favorites. The high-energy show mixes music and joy from Christmas and Kwanzaa traditions, and it’s easy to clap along and leave with huge smiles.
Voices of Liberty Dickens Carolers
The much-loved Voices of Liberty are back in style as the Dickens Carolers, performing classic holiday favorites in the spirit of Victorian England. With their rich harmonies and timeless charm, this performance is absolutely one you don't want to miss while you're here.
More Magical Surprises to Get the Holiday Bells Jingling
Enjoy colorful moments and festive fun around World Showcase and other spots within EPCOT®.
Festive Food and Drinks at Holiday Kitchens
Foodies, rejoice! Once again, Holiday Kitchens will present a delicious variety of seasonal treats and drinks from different cultures. Each spot features a unique menu that draws inspiration from holiday traditions, making it simple to snack your way through the season.
Whether you’re in the mood for comforting classics or adventurous global flavors, there’s a dish for everyone’s taste and festive vibe. More tasty details and exciting updates will be revealed soon, so stay tuned for the full list of this year's EPCOT® International Festival of the Holidays menus.
Holiday Cookie Stroll
Great news! The Holiday Cookie Stroll that everyone loves is returning. Just grab five qualifying cookies from selected Holiday Kitchens and collect the stamps in your Festival Passport. Once you’ve got all five stamps, you can exchange them for a special treat. It’s an awesome way to enjoy the festival and a yummy tradition that people keep coming back for year after year.
Enchanting Overlays on Your Favorite Spots
- Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses - Step into a festive version of Living with the Land during Glimmering Greenhouses! This soothing boat ride is lit up with pretty lights and seasonal decorations, creating a calm and stunning holiday experience with a one-of-a-kind EPCOT® touch.
- Lights on Spaceship Earth - When night arrives, Spaceship Earth transforms with brilliant holiday lighting. The famous geodesic sphere dazzles with festive hues and dynamic effects. This will absolutely elevate the magic of your EPCOT® experience.
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt
Join Olaf on a joyful adventure with Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt! Explore World Showcase and help him find holiday traditions from different countries. Get the scavenger hunt, complete it, and earn a fun holiday keepsake.
Scentsy’s Festive Fragrances: A Holiday Treat to Your Senses
Festive Fragrances by Scentsy is back for its third year, featuring fresh scents that celebrate holidays from Noche Buena to Diwali. Stroll along the path between the Imagination! Pavilion and World Showcase, and prepare to discover this delightful garden of snow globes filled with fragrances that capture the holiday spirit.
This 2026 EPCOT® Festival is an Absolute Must!
Visit Walt Disney World® Resort and step into the magic of the most wonderful time of the year. Experience holidays around the world throughout World Showcase pavilions, exceptional holiday food, and festive shows. We'll keep you posted on this year's collection of EPCOT® International Festival of the Holidays merchandise.
More surprises await guests this year, so it's always best to plan early. Grab your Walt Disney World® Resort discount tickets now for the best holiday deals and unforgettable moments at The Most Magical Place on Earth. Keep the festive spirit alive and make sure to share the joy with your loved ones in every season. Have fun, and see you at the festivals, FunExplorers!
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