2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Dates and Details

Visiting EPCOT during International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth is a fan-favorite holiday tradition for Walt Disney World guests, and we are thrilled to share the first details about what they can expect when the event returns this year.  

Start making a list (and checking it twice) to plan for which entertainment, eats, and experiences to enjoy this holiday season. 

EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Dates 

As usual, the festival kicks off the day after Thanksgiving, so guests can trade the turkey for Christmas trees, holiday treats, and cheerful traditions! Mark the calendar to attend Festival of the Holidays from November 28-December 30, 2025.

Planning ahead is the best way to start a vacation! Walt Disney World theme park tickets and lodging reservations are already available to book during the holiday season. Many of our resort hotels embrace the spirit of the season with classic holiday lights, music, and decor, all with magical Disney flair, for guests to take in during their visit.  

Festival of the Holidays Shows and Entertainment 

There is plenty of exciting entertainment to enjoy during Festival of the Holidays – jam with JOYFUL!, learn about holiday traditions around World Showcase, and experience the magic of the Candlelight Processional.  

Experience the Candlelight Processional 

Each evening during the festival, the America Gardens Theatre will come alive with the stirring Candlelight Processional, a retelling of the nativity story featuring holiday hymns. This beloved performance boasts a large live orchestra, herald trumpets, and vocal ensembles including the Voices of Liberty, Disney Cast Choir, and local community groups, who perform Christmas carols and traditional tunes for all to enjoy. 

A highlight of the Candlelight Processional are the celebrity narrators who bring the story of Christmas to life onstage, with previous guests of honor including Josh Gad, Neil Patrick Harris, and Jodi Benson. This year’s line-up will be announced at a later date, so be sure to keep checking Disney Travel News for updates. 

Performances are held nightly at 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m., with a runtime of approximately 50 minutes. Seating is first-come, first-served and often fills up fast, so we suggest planning ahead if guests want to experience this stunning show. Dining packages with reserved seating are another great option for guests – more details will be available soon.

Learn from the World Showcase Storytellers 

While exploring the World Showcase pavilions throughout the day, guests can stop to see performances from Holiday Storytellers as they share festive traditions and bring holiday tales to life in their respective countries. EPCOT is the perfect place to learn about how different cultures celebrate this special season. 

Each country will spotlight 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, but showtimes can be confirmed each day in the My Disney Experience app.  

Learn from the World Showcase Storytellers 

While exploring the World Showcase pavilions throughout the day, guests can stop to see performances from Holiday Storytellers as they share festive traditions and bring holiday tales to life in their respective countries. EPCOT is the perfect place to learn about how different cultures celebrate this special season. 

Each country will spotlight 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, but showtimes can be confirmed each day in the My Disney Experience app.  

Festival of the Holidays Food and Drink

The holidays are not complete without a seasonal selection of snacks and sips, and of course EPCOT is known for its exceptional culinary offerings. 

Taste the Season with Holiday Kitchens

Food and drinks are a staple ingredient of EPCOT festivals, and this year’s Holiday Kitchens will be serving up an amazing assortment of bites and beverages. These standalone booths will highlight 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 cooked up in our kitchens, but we are thrilled to share that there will be a blend of new offerings and returning favorites. For loyal fans of our Foodie Guides, guests can look forward to a full Festival of the Holidays-focused guide coming at a later date.

Sweeten the Day with the Holiday Cookie Stroll 

Another can’t-miss activity for foodies is the Holiday Cookie Stroll, returning this year. We all have magical memories of being in the kitchen learning how to bake and decorate the tastiest treats, and at Festival of the Holidays you can take a bite of cookies made in our Walt Disney World kitchens. 

The complete list of items for this cheerful cookie crawl is still in the works, but the stroll will again feature the Coffee-Mocha Cookie topped with Coffee-infused Buttercream, Cocoa Nibs, and Chocolate-covered Espresso Beans.  

When guests purchase any five cookies from the official locations and collect the corresponding stamps in a Festival Passport, they can redeem a special surprise at Holiday Sweets and Treats. This adventure is the perfect way to satisfy a sweet tooth during the holiday season.

Festival of the Holidays Ride Overlays and Activities 

Get wrapped up in the array of seasonal activities to enjoy throughout EPCOT, and don’t miss out on an iconic attraction with a festive twist.  

Where to Find Santa at EPCOT

Santa is always traveling around the world, and the same is true at World Showcase. Guests can see Père Noël (Father Christmas) appear in the France Pavilion where he tells the story of Babette and her Christmas letter, and Barn Santa will be up to his old tricks in the Norway Pavilion. 

Embark on Olaf’s Holiday Scavenger Hunt 

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt returns this year, which sends guests on a jolly journey to locate Olaf in 13 different spots throughout EPCOT.  

Guests can purchase a map and stickers, available at select festival merchandise locations. The quest is to find holiday traditions that Olaf has discovered in every pavilion. Once they have them all, guests can visit 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 Festival of the Holidays, the classic attraction Living with the Land transforms into a glittering greenhouse tour, featuring sparkling Christmas lights and dazzling decor, sure to fill guests of all ages with childlike wonder and awe.   

The peaceful boat ride still chronicles the incredible work of Walt Disney World horticulturalists and their innovative growing techniques and technologies, with a bit of frosty flair. A holiday-themed narration can also be heard to guide guests on their cruise.   

Check back for more details about the holiday season at Walt Disney World and beyond as we unwrap them!