The holiday season at Walt Disney World takes on a magical quality when EPCOT transforms into a global celebration of festive traditions. The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays returns in 2025, bringing together cultures from around the world to share their unique ways of celebrating the most wonderful time of year.
When is the Festival?
The 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays runs from November 28 through December 30, 2025. The festival kicks off the day after Thanksgiving, giving you over a month to experience all the festive offerings throughout the park. This timing makes it perfect for both holiday vacation planning and those looking to celebrate the season with a touch of Disney magic.
The Candlelight Processional: A Must-See Holiday Tradition
One of the most beloved aspects of the Festival of the Holidays is the Candlelight Processional, a stunning retelling of the Christmas story. This breathtaking performance features a mass choir of cast members and community singers, the talented Voices of Liberty, and a live orchestra with fifty musicians performing together in perfect harmony.
The show takes place nightly at the America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase, with three performances each evening at 5:00 PM, 6:45 PM, and 8:15 PM. Each performance runs approximately fifty minutes. Celebrity narrators bring the story to life throughout the festival season, with different personalities appearing on various dates. Notable narrators for 2025 include Constance Wu, Jordan Fisher, Jennifer Garner, Ashley Eckstein, and Brie Larson, among others.
Seating for the Candlelight Processional is first-come, first-served and tends to fill up quickly, especially during peak holiday weeks. For those who want guaranteed seating, dining packages with reserved seats are available at select EPCOT restaurants. These packages allow you to enjoy a delicious meal before securing your spot for this unforgettable show.
Holiday Kitchens: A Global Culinary Journey
Food lovers will find themselves in paradise at the Festival of the Holidays, thanks to the special Holiday Kitchens scattered throughout World Showcase. These temporary food booths serve up traditional holiday dishes and seasonal treats from various cultures and countries, giving guests the opportunity to taste their way around the world without leaving Florida.
Some of the delicious offerings you can expect include Turkey Poutine with sweet potato fries, cranberry relish, and crispy onions at Refreshment Port, Blackened Catfish with Hoppin’ John at the American Holiday Table, and Pastrami on Rye at the L’Chaim Holiday Kitchen. The Yukon Holiday Kitchen features hearty Beef Bourguignon with crushed potatoes, perfect for warming up on cooler December evenings.
The Holiday Kitchens also feature seasonal beverages, including specialty wines, hard ciders, and festive cocktails that pair perfectly with the food offerings. Each booth celebrates different holiday traditions, making every bite a cultural experience.
The Holiday Cookie Stroll: A Sweet Adventure
Cookie enthusiasts will absolutely love the Holiday Cookie Stroll, one of the most popular activities at the festival. This delicious quest challenges you to purchase any five cookies from designated locations throughout EPCOT. As you collect each cookie, you’ll receive stamps in your Festival Passport to track your progress.
Cookie options include the Coffee Mocha Cookie topped with coffee-infused buttercream, cocoa nibs, and chocolate-covered espresso beans at Mele Kalikimaka Holiday Kitchen, Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies at Yukon Holiday Kitchen, Cinnamon-Spiced Chocolate Crinkle Cookies at Nochebuena Cocina, and festive options at Connections Cafe and Sunshine Seasons. Once you’ve completed your cookie collection with five stamps, head to Holiday Sweets and Treats to claim your special completer prize.
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt
Families with young children will especially enjoy Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt, which sends guests on a magical quest throughout EPCOT. This interactive activity invites you to locate Olaf in thirteen different spots around the park as he discovers holiday traditions from around the world.
You can purchase a map and stickers at select festival merchandise locations to participate in this cheerful hunt. Once you’ve found all of Olaf’s hiding spots and collected your stickers, visit Creations Shop or World Traveler at International Gateway to redeem a special gift. This activity is perfect for keeping kids engaged while exploring the park and learning about different cultural celebrations.
World Showcase Holiday Storytellers
Throughout the festival, World Showcase comes alive with Holiday Storytellers who share the unique traditions and customs of their countries. These cultural presentations happen at various pavilions around World Showcase, offering guests insight into how different nations celebrate the holiday season. From traditional music and dance to fascinating stories about holiday customs, these presentations add an educational and entertaining dimension to your festival experience.
Additional Festival Entertainment
The festival features several other entertainment options that add to the magical atmosphere. Joyful! A Celebration of the Season brings gospel and R&B music to the America Gardens Theatre on select dates throughout the festival. The popular Living with the Land attraction receives a special holiday overlay called Glimmering Greenhouses, where festive lighting transforms this educational boat ride into a sparkling seasonal experience.
Even Spaceship Earth gets into the holiday spirit with a special holiday lighting composition that illuminates the iconic geodesic sphere in festive colors throughout the evening.
Festival Merchandise and Special Items
No Disney festival would be complete without special merchandise, and the Festival of the Holidays delivers with exclusive holiday-themed items. One of the most anticipated items is Figment’s Ugly Christmas Sweater collection, which returns by popular demand in 2025. This fan-favorite merchandise line celebrates EPCOT’s beloved purple dragon with festive sweaters, shirts, and accessories that have become collector’s items for Disney enthusiasts.
Planning Your Visit
To make the most of your Festival of the Holidays experience, consider arriving early in the day to explore the Holiday Kitchens before crowds build up. The Candlelight Processional is extremely popular, so either arrive well before showtime for standby seating or book a dining package for guaranteed seats.
If you’re planning to complete the Cookie Stroll or Olaf’s Scavenger Hunt, pace yourself throughout the day. The Festival Passport is your essential guide to all the food offerings, entertainment schedules, and activity locations, so pick one up when you enter the park.
Weekdays tend to be less crowded than weekends, and the weeks immediately after Thanksgiving or mid-December may offer slightly lighter crowds compared to the final week before Christmas. However, the festival remains popular throughout its entire run, so expect festive atmosphere and fellow holiday enthusiasts regardless of when you visit.
Final Thoughts
The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays offers a truly unique way to celebrate the season by experiencing traditions from cultures around the globe. Whether you’re drawn by the moving Candlelight Processional, the delicious Holiday Kitchens, the fun scavenger hunts, or simply the festive atmosphere that permeates the park, this festival provides something special for everyone in your family.
With its month-long run from November 28 through December 30, 2025, you have plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in this magical celebration. Start planning your visit now to ensure you can experience all the holiday magic that EPCOT has to offer this season.
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