Every year, after Thanksgiving until the end of December, the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays takes place around World Showcase. My family and I look forward to this festival every time we are at Walt Disney World during the holiday season. There is so much to see and do. The food is amazing and the decorations are so beautiful! The magic I felt as a young child during the holiday season returns as I listen to storytellers, learn about unique traditions, and enjoy all of the delicious treats from around the world.
Here is everything you need to know about EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays:
Entertainment:
The entertainment for Festival of the Holidays captivates everyone and is a crowd favorite year after year.
- Meet Santa: Stop by the Odyssey Pavilion to take pictures and visit with Santa himself.
- Themed Storytellers: Learn about special holiday traditions in each of the countries of World Showcase. These performers are memorable to say the least!
- JOYFUL!: Listen to a variety of songs from this talented singing group in World Showcase Plaza to celebrate both Christmas and Kwanza traditions.
- Candlelight Processional: Enjoy the story of Christmas with the help of a variety of celebrity narrators, an orchestra, and chorus at the American Gardens Theatre in the America Pavilion. This popular event brings about the joy of the holiday season every year.
Food and Drink:
EPCOT festivals are known for their delicious food and drink offerings, and Festival of the Holidays is no different. There are plenty of unique offerings to suit everyones tastebuds.
Holiday Kitchens: Try traditional holiday foods and drink throughout the world at 17 different booths special for the Festival of the Holidays.
Holiday Cookie Stroll: Enjoy cookies at designated booths and get your Festival Passport stamped with each cookie. Earn at least 5 stamps to win a cookie prize!
Festival of the Holidays Merchandise:
Shop to your hearts desire and check everyone off of your Christmas list. Find unique merchandise offerings during the holiday season.
Exclusive Merchandise: Shop Festival of the Holidays attire, pins, mugs, and more all throughout EPCOT. My favorite place to find exclusive merchandise is at the World Traveler near the International Gateway entrance.
Holiday Gifts: Visit unique stores throughout World Showcase to find seasonal gifts from different countries and cultures.
Festival Tips and Tricks:
- Purchase a Dining Package from 8 different EPCOT restaurants to ensure a seat for the popular Candlelight Processional. Please note that a valid park admission ticket is required for in-park dining and entertainment. The restaurants offering dining packages for the 2023 holiday season are:
- Biergarten Restaurant in the Germany Pavilion
- Coral Reef Restaurant in The Living Seas
- Garden Grill Restaurant in The Land Pavilion
- Le Cellier Steakhouse in the Canada Pavilion (My Favorite!)
- Regale Eagle Smokehouse in the American Adventure Pavilion
- Rose & Crown Dining Room in the United Kingdom Pavilion
- Spice Road Table in the Morocco Pavilion
- Enjoy lower crowd levels during the day time on weekdays.
- Load a mini festival gift card to help budget yourself on food and drinks throughout the Holiday Kitchen booths.
- Visit the festival more than once if your trip allows you to. There is so much to see, do and EAT!
- Bring your kids with you! There is plenty for them to enjoy and even try Olaf’s Holiday Scavenger Hunt through World showcase.
