The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays returns in 2025, offering visitors an opportunity to celebrate the season with incredible entertainment, diverse cuisine, and engaging activities. This annual event transforms EPCOT into a festive wonderland, celebrating holiday traditions from around the globe. Running from November 28 through December 30, this year’s festival promises cherished favorites alongside new highlights, making it a must-visit for Disney theme park enthusiasts.
This blog will guide you through the event’s key features, including its dates, entertainment, culinary offerings, and interactive activities, so you can make the most of your holiday visit to EPCOT.
Festival Overview and Dates
Begins
November 28, 2025
Ends
December 30, 2025
The Festival of the Holidays is a seasonal celebration that showcases the spirit of diverse global traditions during the holiday season. Each year, EPCOT’s World Showcase becomes a vibrant setting for festivities, complete with themed decorations, storytelling, and exclusive holiday experiences.
The 2025 festival begins on November 28, the day after Thanksgiving, and runs through December 30. This four-week event invites guests to swap their Thanksgiving leftovers for seasonal treats, musical performances, and cultural traditions. Visitors can explore themed activities around the park while experiencing EPCOT’s iconic attractions decorated for the season.
If you’re planning to attend, it’s best to start preparing early. Tickets and lodging for the holiday season are already available, and many EPCOT resorts and areas are adorned with dazzling holiday lights and decorations, adding an immersive touch to your Disney experience.
Entertainment Highlights
Candlelight Processional
One of the most iconic aspects of the festival is the Candlelight Processional, held at the America Gardens Theatre. This moving retelling of the nativity story features a live orchestra, trumpeters, and choirs, including performances by the Voices of Liberty and the Disney Cast Choir. To bring the story to life, celebrity narrators take the stage, with past narrators including Neil Patrick Harris and Jodi Benson.
This year’s lineup of narrators will be announced closer to the event, so keep an eye on updates. Performances occur nightly at 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m., and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. For guaranteed seating, consider booking a Candlelight Processional Dining Package, which pairs a delicious meal with reserved seating for the show.
JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season
JOYFUL! presents an energetic concert experience blending gospel, jazz, and R&B to celebrate Christmas and Kwanzaa. Performed by the talented D’Vine Voices, the concert offers a powerful and uplifting mix of songs at scheduled showtimes.
World Showcase Storytellers
At the World Showcase pavilions, guests can take part in traditional storytelling and performances that celebrate holiday customs from around the world. Storytellers add depth and cultural richness to the festival with highlights such as:
- Mexico Pavilion: Las Posadas Celebration
- Norway Pavilion: A Magical Barn Santa
- China Pavilion: Chinese Lion Dance
- France Pavilion: Père Noël, who shares heartwarming holiday tales
- Hanukkah Storyteller: Located between the Morocco and France pavilions
Each performance offers a unique perspective and is a great way to learn about holiday traditions celebrated in various countries.
Culinary Offerings
Holiday Kitchens
Food and drinks are central to the Festival of the Holidays. Guests can explore Holiday Kitchens throughout the World Showcase, which feature festive menus inspired by global holiday flavors. From savory dishes to sweet treats and specialty beverages, there’s something to satisfy every palate.
The final list of participating kitchens and menus is yet to be announced, but fans can anticipate a mix of returning favorites alongside new culinary offerings. Keep your Festival Passport handy as you sample your way across the park.
Holiday Cookie Stroll
For those with a sweet tooth, the Holiday Cookie Stroll is a can’t-miss experience. The event invites guests to collect stamps by purchasing select cookies from designated locations. Once you’ve collected five stamps, you can redeem a special surprise cookie at Holiday Sweets and Treats. Returning to this year’s lineup is the Coffee-Mocha Cookie, a treat topped with coffee buttercream, cocoa nibs, and espresso beans.
Interactive Activities
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition
Guests of all ages can join Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition, a scavenger hunt that takes participants around the World Showcase to locate Olaf hidden throughout the pavilions. Maps and stickers can be purchased from festival shops, and completed maps can be redeemed for a festive surprise. This activity is a delightful way for families to explore the park together.
Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses
Even EPCOT’s attractions get into the holiday spirit. Living with the Land transforms into a holiday-themed ride featuring sparkling decor and narrations complementing the educational boat tour. This seasonal overlay adds a festive glow to the iconic greenhouse experience.
Looking Ahead
Plan your visit early to make the most of the celebration, and stay tuned for more event updates as we approach the holiday season. From its performances to interactive activities, EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays offers a wonderful way to celebrate the most festive time of the year!
For more updates on the latest developments at Walt Disney World, stay tuned to the DVC Shop blog and subscribe to our newsletter to get our latest articles delivered to your inbox.
Stay at Disney’s Deluxe Resort For Less
If are planning an upcoming visit to Walt Disney World, staying at either Boardwalk Villas or Beach Club Villas will put you just footsteps away from the EPCOT park entrance. You can view confirmed reservations for rent at Beach Club Villas or confirmed reservations for rent at Boardwalk villas. With DVC rentals, you can experience Disney’s Deluxe resorts for less, even without being a DVC member!
Beach Club Villas
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Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
