Your Guide to the Merriest EPCOT Festival of the Holidays 2025!
Get ready to deck the halls, because the 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth is just around the corner! It’s that time of year when EPCOT transforms into a winter wonderland, offering a delightful mix of holiday traditions, delicious treats, and festive entertainment. If you’re looking to swap your Thanksgiving turkey for some serious holiday cheer, mark your calendars now!
Related – Walt Disney World Unwraps the Magic for the 2025 Holiday Season
EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Dates
The festival kicks off right after Thanksgiving, running from November 28 to December 30, 2025. That gives you a whole month to soak up the magic! And here’s a pro tip: now’s the time to start planning your visit. Walt Disney World theme park tickets and lodging reservations are already up for grabs for the holiday season. Plus, many of Disney’s resort hotels get into the spirit with their own stunning holiday lights, music, and decorations, adding an extra layer of enchantment to your stay.
Festival of the Holidays Shows and Entertainment
EPCOT truly comes alive with a fantastic lineup of shows and entertainment during the Festival of the Holidays. You can groove with JOYFUL!, discover unique holiday traditions from around the globe, and be swept away by the beloved Candlelight Processional.
Experience the Candlelight Processional
A true highlight of the festival, the Candlelight Processional lights up the America Gardens Theatre every evening. This moving performance retells the nativity story with holiday hymns, featuring a grand live orchestra, herald trumpets, and vocal ensembles like the Voices of Liberty, the Disney Cast Choir, and local community groups. It’s a truly spectacular show that’s sure to get you in the holiday spirit.
And guess what? There are celebrity narrators who bring the Christmas story to life on stage! Past narrators have included stars like Josh Gad, Neil Patrick Harris, and Jodi Benson. This year’s lineup is still under wraps, but keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog for updates! Performances happen nightly at 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m., lasting about 50 minutes. Seating is first-come, first-served and can fill up quickly, so if this is on your must-do list, plan to arrive early. Another great option for guaranteed seating is to book a dining package, with more details coming soon.
Learn from the World Showcase Storytellers
As you wander through the World Showcase pavilions, you’ll encounter enchanting Holiday Storytellers. These performers share festive traditions and bring holiday tales to life in their respective countries. It’s a fantastic way to learn about how different cultures celebrate this special season!
Each country offers 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, and you can always check the My Disney Experience app for daily showtimes.
Feel the Rhythm of JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season
Get ready to clap your hands and tap your feet with JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season. This concert series celebrates the spirit of Christmas and Kwanzaa with upbeat holiday hits performed by Central Florida group D’Vine Voices. They mix gospel, jazz, and R&B styles for a truly energetic and heartwarming performance. Check the My Disney Experience app for showtimes. The combination of classic songs and fresh arrangements, delivered by powerhouse vocalists, is sure to ignite some warm holiday memories for everyone!
Festival of the Holidays Food and Drink
What’s a holiday festival without some amazing food and drinks? EPCOT, known for its incredible culinary scene, certainly doesn’t disappoint during the Festival of the Holidays!
Taste the Season with Holiday Kitchens
Holiday Kitchens are a staple of EPCOT festivals, and this year’s lineup promises an amazing assortment of bites and beverages. These standalone booths will be serving up 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 perfected, but we’re thrilled to hear there will be a mix of new offerings and returning favorites. For all you foodies out there, keep an eye out for a full Festival of the Holidays-focused Foodie Guide coming soon!
Sweeten Your Day with the Holiday Cookie Stroll
Another can’t-miss activity for anyone with a sweet tooth is the Holiday Cookie Stroll, which is making a delicious return this year. You can relive those magical memories of baking and decorating tasty treats by sampling cookies made right in the Walt Disney World kitchens. While the full list of cookies is still being finalized, we can confirm that the delicious Coffee-Mocha Cookie (topped with coffee-infused buttercream, cocoa nibs, and chocolate-covered espresso beans) will be back!
Here’s how it works: purchase any five cookies from the official locations and collect the corresponding stamps in your Festival Passport. Once you’ve got all five, you can redeem a special surprise at Holiday Sweets and Treats. It’s the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth during the holiday season!
Festival of the Holidays Ride Overlays and Activities
Beyond the shows and snacks, there are even more festive activities to enjoy throughout EPCOT, including an iconic attraction with a holiday twist!
Where to Find Santa at EPCOT
Santa is a busy guy, always traveling the world, and that’s true in World Showcase too! You can catch Père Noël (Father Christmas) in the France Pavilion, where he shares the story of Babette and her Christmas letter. And keep an eye out for Barn Santa in the Norway Pavilion, who’s always up to his mischievous tricks!
Embark on Olaf’s Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt is back this year, sending guests on a jolly journey to find Olaf in 13 different spots throughout EPCOT. You can purchase a map and stickers at select festival merchandise locations. Your mission? To find all the holiday traditions Olaf has discovered in every pavilion. Once you’ve found them all, head to 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 the Festival of the Holidays, the classic attraction Living with the Land transforms into a glittering greenhouse tour! It’s adorned with sparkling Christmas lights and dazzling decor, sure to fill guests of all ages with childlike wonder. This peaceful boat ride still highlights the incredible work of Walt Disney World plant scientists and their innovative growing techniques, but with a bit of frosty flair and a holiday-themed narration to guide your cruise.
So, what are you most excited to experience at the 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays? Let us know!
Credit: Disney Parks
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