2026 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Dates & Highlights

Published on Aug 05, 2026 by Will

The lights, music, treats, and magic of the holidays return with the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth. This month-long celebration lets guests immerse in the holiday spirit through festive traditions from around the world. The EPCOT team curates global holiday fun so guests can create new celebrations and memories.

The 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will take place from November 27 through December 30. Starting the day after Thanksgiving, the event promises delicious dishes, festive entertainment, and seasonal decor throughout the park. Holiday magic also fills all four Walt Disney World parks, Disney Springs, and many resorts.

EPCOT's iconic geodesic sphere illuminated at dusk with surrounding flags.

Mariachi band performing with instruments in a festive outdoor setting.

Holiday Storytellers bring seasonal tales to life daily throughout World Showcase, sharing how diverse cultures celebrate the holidays. Guests can visit the Mexico Pavilion for the Las Posadas Celebration, the Norway Pavilion for a Mischievous Magical Barn Santa, China Pavilion for the Chinese Lion Dancer and Si-Zhu Trio, and more. Other storytellers include Adventskalender in Germany, La Befana in Italy, Daruma Storyteller in Japan, a Hanukkah Storyteller between the Morocco and France Pavilions, Père Noël in France, Father Christmas in the United Kingdom, and Canadian Holiday Voyageurs in Canada.

Santa Claus in a red suit stands outdoors, surrounded by colorful autumn leaves.

Christmas tree with colorful lights beside EPCOT's illuminated Spaceship Earth.

Santa Claus will be making special appearances during the festival, spreading holiday cheer throughout World Showcase. Visitors can find Père Noël sharing Babette's Christmas letter story in France Pavilion, a Barn Santa in Norway Pavilion, and Santa greeting guests with festive joy in CommuniCore Hall. Additionally, Goofy will be dressed as Santa, ready for playful photo opportunities at The Odyssey.

The holiday spirit shines brightly in EPCOT with festive decorations everywhere. Twinkling lights, garlands, and decorated trees inspired by global traditions enhance each World Showcase pavilion. This enchanting decor creates perfect photo backdrops and magical moments for guests.

Gingerbread sculpture resembling EPCOT's iconic geodesic sphere, decorated with lights.

A highlight is the Gingerbread Spaceship Earth display presented by Citizen, featuring culinary artistry and holiday magic through a detailed gingerbread creation. Visitors can join the Celebration Countdown presented by Citizen, where the display lights up every 15 minutes with new songs and holiday light shows.

The festival’s entertainment lineup includes the beloved Candlelight Processional at America Gardens Theatre, offering a heartfelt retelling of the Christmas story with celebrity narrators, a mass choir, and full orchestra. Performances are nightly with multiple showtimes. Announcements for celebrity narrators and Dining Packages are forthcoming.

Choir performing on stage with orchestra, festive lights and backdrop.

Performers in red outfits singing on stage during a festive event.

Other festive performances include JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season, a spirited show blending gospel, jazz, and R&B to celebrate Christmas and Kwanzaa with a lively soulful twist. The Voices of Liberty Dickens Carolers return in festive Victorian-style, performing classic holiday tunes with rich harmonies and charm.

Sparkling holiday-shaped cookie with decorative holly on a red plate.

Holiday Kitchens serve an array of seasonal food and beverages inspired by global holiday traditions, perfect for guests to snack their way through the festival. The popular Holiday Cookie Stroll returns, allowing guests to purchase five select cookies at different kitchens to collect stamps in their Festival Passport. Completing the stroll earns a special treat.

Several festive overlays and features enhance the guest experience. Living with the Land ride transforms into Glimmering Greenhouses, a peaceful boat ride decorated with lights and seasonal decor. At night, Spaceship Earth dazzles with dynamic holiday lighting. Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt invites families to find Olaf around World Showcase for a fun keepsake after completion.

Festively decorated indoor garden with lights and snowmen.

Scentsy’s Festive Fragrances returns for its third year, offering new scents celebrating holidays worldwide, from Noche Buena to Diwali. Along the walkway between the Imagination! pavilion and World Showcase, guests can explore this garden of snow globes infused with holiday scents that bring the festive spirit to life.

From enchanting traditions and joyful performances to seasonal flavors and dazzling decor, the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays offers an immersive celebration of the holiday season, creating new memories for guests year after year.

To read more about this, visit the Official Disney Parks Blog post here.
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