Disney has confirmed the dates and full lineup for the 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. The seasonal event returns with Holiday Storytellers across World Showcase, the Candlelight Processional, Holiday Kitchens, and a gingerbread version of Spaceship Earth. Whether you are a longtime fan or planning your first holiday trip, here is a breakdown of what to expect and a few new touches to look for.
When the Festival Takes Place
Begins
November 27, 2026
Ends
December 30, 2026
The 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays runs from November 27 through December 30. It opens the day after Thanksgiving, keeping the same Black Friday start that the festival has used in recent years. That gives guests just over a month to take in the food, entertainment, and decor before the run ends.
Holiday Storytellers Across World Showcase
The Holiday Storytellers return throughout World Showcase, with each pavilion sharing how a different culture marks the season. Disney describes the program as a daily fixture during the festival, with performers stationed in pavilions around the promenade.
This year’s lineup covers ten locations. You can find the Las Posadas celebration in the Mexico Pavilion, a mischievous Barn Santa in the Norway Pavilion, and a Chinese Lion Dancer along with the Si-Zhu Trio in the China Pavilion. The Germany Pavilion features the Adventskalender, the Italy Pavilion brings back La Befana, and the Japan Pavilion hosts a Daruma storyteller. A Hanukkah storyteller appears between the Morocco and France Pavilions, with Père Noël at the France Pavilion, Father Christmas at the United Kingdom Pavilion, and the Canadian Holiday Voyageurs at the Canada Pavilion.
Where to Find Santa Around the Park
Santa Claus makes special appearances during the festival, moving around World Showcase to greet guests. Disney has confirmed several set spots where you can find him during a visit.
Look for Père Noël sharing the story of Babette and her Christmas letter in the France Pavilion, Barn Santa in the Norway Pavilion, and Santa greeting guests in CommuniCore Hall. Goofy as Santa also returns at The Odyssey, dressed in his holiday best for photo opportunities.
Holiday Decor and the Gingerbread Spaceship Earth
Seasonal decor fills the park, with lights, garlands, and trees inspired by global traditions in each World Showcase pavilion. These displays make for a fitting backdrop if you plan to take holiday photos during your trip.
The Gingerbread Spaceship Earth display returns with its Celebration Countdown presented by Citizen. The display lights up every 15 minutes with a new song and light show, so it helps to time your visit to catch one of those countdown moments.
Shows and Live Entertainment
The Candlelight Processional returns each night at the America Gardens Theatre. The retelling of the Christmas story pairs a celebrity narrator with a mass choir and full orchestra, with multiple showtimes per evening. Disney has not yet announced this year’s narrators or the details for the Candlelight Processional Dining Package.
Other live performances round out the schedule. JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season blends gospel, jazz, and R&B in a show built around Christmas and Kwanzaa. The Voices of Liberty also return as the Dickens Carolers, performing classic songs in a Victorian-era English style.
Holiday Kitchens and the Cookie Stroll
The Holiday Kitchens return with seasonal food and drink from around the world, and each location carries its own menu tied to holiday traditions. Disney plans to share a full rundown of the menus at a later date.
The Holiday Cookie Stroll comes back as well. To take part, purchase five qualifying cookies from select Holiday Kitchens, collect the matching stamps in your Festival Passport, and redeem the completed stroll for a special treat. It is a simple way to sample treats while working your way around the park.
Seasonal Overlays and Walkway Features
Several attractions and pathways pick up a holiday layer for the festival. Living with the Land becomes Glimmering Greenhouses, with twinkling lights and decor throughout the greenhouses on the boat ride, while Spaceship Earth shines with festive lighting and effects after dark.
There is more to find on foot. Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition is a scavenger hunt that sends guests through World Showcase to find Olaf as he learns about global holiday traditions, with a keepsake available for completing it. Festive Fragrances presented by Scentsy returns for a third year along the walkway between the Imagination! pavilion and World Showcase, this time featuring new scents that span holidays from Noche Buena to Diwali.
Conclusion
The 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays offers a full slate of seasonal experiences, from World Showcase storytellers and Santa appearances to Holiday Kitchens, the Candlelight Processional, and the Gingerbread Spaceship Earth display. With the event running November 27 through December 30 and a few fresh touches like new Festive Fragrances scents, there is plenty for guests to plan around. As Disney shares menus and narrator details closer to the start, the lineup should give holiday visitors a clear sense of what to look forward to.
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.
