Walt Disney World - 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

The lights! The music! The treats! And the magic of the holidays! It’s all coming back with the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth. The month-long celebration is the perfect way to be immersed in the spirit of the holidays, and we’re filled with joy to share details about this year’s tinsel-filled festival.

The holidays are all about traditions, and the teams at EPCOT spend all year curating festive holiday fun tied to global traditions so that guests can create new traditions of their own. Here’s how your clients can enjoy the celebration at this year’s EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, which returns November 27 – December 30, 2026.

Storytelling is at the heart of the holiday season and is one of the important ways we build bonds between generations, connecting through tales and legends passed down for hundreds of years. Guests can experience this tradition with the Holiday Storytellers throughout World Showcase.

Each day of the festival, these storytellers will bring holiday tales to life, entertaining and educating guests on how diverse cultures celebrate this special season.

Where guests can find storytellers:

• Mexico Pavilion – Las Posadas Celebration

• Norway Pavilion – A Mischievous Magical Barn Santa

• China Pavilion – Chinese Lion Dancer and Si-Zhu Trio

• Germany Pavilion – Adventskalender

• 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

Guests hoping to share their holiday wishes are in for a treat as Santa Claus will be making special appearances during the festival! Guests may spot him traveling around World Showcase, greeting guests and spreading cheer along the way. Guests can see Père Noël telling the story of Babette and her Christmas letter in the France Pavilion, Barn Santa in the Norway Pavilion and, in CommuniCore Hall, Santa will be greeting guests with a jolly, “ho-ho-ho.”

Goofy will be also be dressed in his holiday best and ready to pose for jolly photos full of seasonal fun at The Odyssey.

EPCOT shines extra bright during the holiday season, with festive decor transforming every corner of the park. From twinkling lights and garlands to beautifully decorated trees inspired by global traditions, each World Showcase pavilion offers its own unique holiday flair. It’s the perfect backdrop for photos and making magical memories with loved ones.

Be sure to check out the Gingerbread Spaceship Earth display and countdown celebration presented by Citizen, where culinary artistry and holiday magic come together in a deliciously detailed creation. It’s a must-see (and must-smell!) experience that celebrates one of EPCOT’s most iconic landmarks. Guests can gather for the Celebration Countdown presented by CITIZEN, where the dazzling display lights up every 15 minutes, featuring new song and light shows with holiday flair. 

A beloved holiday tradition returns with the Candlelight Processional at America Gardens Theatre. This heartfelt retelling of the Christmas story features celebrity narrators, accompanied by a mass choir and full orchestra. Performances are held nightly, with multiple showtimes to give guests plenty of opportunities to experience this inspiring classic.

Be sure to stay tuned for the announcement of this year’s celebrity narrators and more information about Candlelight Processional Dining Packages!

Tell your clients to get ready to clap along and feel the rhythm of Christmas and Kwanzaa with JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season. This high-energy performance blends gospel, jazz, and R&B to highlight holiday traditions with a lively, soulful twist. It’s a musical celebration that’s sure to have everyone smiling.

The beloved Voices of Liberty return in festive fashion as the Dickens Carolers, performing classic holiday tunes in the style of Victorian-era England. Their rich harmonies and timeless charm make this a can’t-miss performance during your clients visit.

Foodies, rejoice! Holiday Kitchens will once again serve up a delicious assortment of seasonal bites and beverages from around the world. Each location offers a unique menu inspired by holiday traditions, making it easy to snack through the season.

The fan-favorite Holiday Cookie Stroll is back. Purchase five qualifying cookies from select Holiday Kitchens and collect corresponding stamps in the Festival Passport. Once all five have been gathered, redeem a special treat.

It’s a sweet way to explore the festival and a delicious tradition that guests return for year after year.

Hop aboard a festive version of Living with the Land during Glimmering Greenhouses! This relaxing boat ride is transformed with twinkling lights and seasonal decor throughout the greenhouses, offering a peaceful and beautiful holiday experience with a unique EPCOT twist.

As night falls, Spaceship Earth comes to life with dazzling holiday lighting. The iconic geodesic sphere shines with festive colors and dynamic effects that add even more sparkle to a evening at EPCOT.

Join Olaf on a festive adventure with Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt! Search throughout World Showcase to find Olaf as he discovers holiday traditions from around the globe. Purchase and complete the scavenger hunt and receive a fun holiday keepsake.

Information courtesy of Disney Destinations.

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From heartwarming traditions and joyful performances to festive flavors and sparkling decor, the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays truly captures the spirit of the season. Ready to start planning your holiday season escape to Walt Disney World? Contact your Magical Moments Vacations agent or click HERE for more information.