A Global Holiday Wonderland: Our Recap to the 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
The magic has returned to World Showcase! We were thrilled to be among the first to celebrate the start of the 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, which runs from November 28th through December 30th, 2025. This annual tradition, which grew out of the beloved “Holidays Around the World,” truly wraps guests up in the festive sights, sounds, and incredible flavors of the season from diverse cultures.
Related-Savor the Season With This 2025 Epcot Festival of the Holidays Foodie Guide!
From the moment we entered the park and soaked in the beautiful holiday decorations, we knew it was going to be a magical day, filled with the excitement of all the enhanced offerings around World Showcase and beyond.
Related-Your Guide to the Merriest EPCOT Festival of the Holidays 2025!
Festival Finds: Must-Have Merchandise
Our first stop was to check out the new merchandise, and the offerings this year are simply adorable! We spotted the charming new blue ears and a matching cozy sweater, which are sure to be a fan favorite.
For the collectors, a cute Figment ornament and a Figment-themed Loungefly bag and plush were also available, proving that EPCOT’s purple dragon is fully embracing the holiday spirit!
The Holiday Cookie Stroll
The Holiday Cookie Stroll is back and sweeter than ever! Armed with our Festival Passport, we embarked on the festive quest to collect stamps at the designated Holiday Kitchens and eateries.
We kicked off our stroll with two fantastic selections: the cozy Ginger-Molasses Cookie with cream cheese icing and the iconic Salted Caramel Spaceship Earth Cookie from the Experimental Prototype Cookies of Tomorrow kitchen. Unfortunately, the new Prototype Cookie (a sugar cookie with orange-cranberry icing and dark chocolate) had already run out for the day—a testament to its popularity! We’ll be sure to snag this highly sought-after treat on our next visit.
Remember, once you collect five stamps, you can redeem your passport at Holiday Sweets & Treats (near Port of Entry) for a special completer treat featuring M&M’S® Minis Milk Chocolate Candies Holiday Blend. This year’s prize is a fun Festival of the Holidays Cookie Batter Spatula and M&M minis!
Savory and Sweet: Holiday Kitchens
Since 2016, the addition of Holiday Kitchens has made food a major aspect of the celebration, giving guests a delectable taste of global holiday traditions. We sampled a few highlights during our visit:
- The Turkey Poutine from the Refreshment Port. (MUST TRY-THEY ARE AMAZING!)
- The comforting Reuben Croquettes (available at the Favorites of Festivals Past booth).
- A classic Slow-roasted Turkey dinner from the American Holiday Table.
Other tempting Holiday Kitchens to explore include Bavaria Holiday Kitchen, L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen, Mele Kalikimaka, and the new Experimental Prototype Cookies of Tomorrow.
Stories and Songs: Festive Entertainment
The highlight of the day for us was definitely the authentic and captivating entertainment offered around World Showcase.
- Holiday Storytellers: We were captivated by the tales of Father Christmas in the UK, the enchanting Père Noël in France, and the story of the kindhearted witch La Befana in Italy. These live performances share the unique legends and lore that are integral to the season in each country.
Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses: This classic attraction transforms into a dazzling, special voyage through greenhouses decked out with thousands of holiday lights, making it a must-see.
- Spaceship Earth Light Show: The park’s iconic globe puts on a spectacular, limited-time light show inspired by winter, featuring images like candles, snowflakes, and the Northern Lights—truly a showstopper in the evening!
Figment in his Holiday Sweater: Don’t forget to stop by Journey Into Imagination with Figment to see the little purple dragon in his festive attire! You can even meet him in his Christmas sweater this year inside ImageWorks.
Festive Fragrances presented by Scentsy: Along the walkway between the Imagination! pavilion and World Showcase, you can stroll through a delightful snow globe garden inspired by Scentsy’s seasonal aromas.
Oversized ornaments showcase classic holiday scents like Perfect Peppermint, Christmas Cottage (orange, raspberries, cloves, and spice), Sleigh Ride (pine-scented), and Silver Bells (vanilla, pear, and caramel).
Candlelight Processional and Character Sightings
While we were unable to attend the Candlelight Processional on opening day, this endearing retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator, 50-piece orchestra, and mass choir is highly recommended. This year’s lineup includes new narrators like Constance Wu, Jennifer Garner, and Brie Larson, along with returning favorites like Gary Sinise and Brendan Fraser. It’s a truly moving experience.
We did try to visit Santa Goofy but were bummed to see the line close about a half-hour before his scheduled end time. You can find Santa Goofy in The Odyssey Pavilion, while Santa Claus greets guests in CommuniCore Hall through December 24th!
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt: For a fun, interactive family activity, be sure to grab a map for Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition! You’ll search World Showcase for little Olaf figures, each holding a holiday item or symbol from a different country. Once you complete the map with the corresponding stickers, you can return it to a designated location for a prize!
From the Gingerbread Spaceship Earth display in CommuniCore Hall to the enchanting holiday decor, the 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays offers a wealth of traditions to discover. It truly is one of the most magical festivals EPCOT has to offer, making us feel that Disney is making the holidays truly special!
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