Get ready to dive into the most wonderful time of the year! EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays, presented by AdventHealth, returns in 2026, bringing all the festive magic, global traditions, and delicious treats you could wish for. This festival is truly special, transforming the park into a winter wonderland where cultures from around the world share their unique holiday spirit. Want to know what’s coming? Let’s dive into all the details!

From heartwarming traditions to sparkling decor, the teams at EPCOT work all year to bring this celebration to life. Here’s how you can enjoy the festivities at this year’s EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.

What to Expect at EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays 2026:

• Festival of the Holidays Dates
• World Showcase Storytellers
• See Santa at EPCOT
• EPCOT Holiday Decor
• Festival of the Holidays Shows and Entertainment
• Festival Kitchens: Holiday Food and Beverage
• Holiday Overlays and Festive Features

Good news, friends! The secret is out, and it’s time to mark your calendars! The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, proudly presented by AdventHealth, runs from November 27 to December 30, 2026. Yes, it kicks off right after Thanksgiving, so you might want to save some room after that big turkey dinner for all the amazing food coming your way.

And here’s a pro tip from me to you: the holidays are incredibly popular across all of Walt Disney World—EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, and even the resort hotels get into the festive spirit. Tickets and hotel rooms for this period are already available, so if you’re dreaming of a Disney holiday, now is the time to plan!

What better way to celebrate than through stories? The Holiday Storytellers are back, sharing enchanting tales from around the world. As you wander through World Showcase, you’ll meet incredible performers who bring centuries-old legends and traditions to life, showing how different cultures celebrate this magical time of year. It’s like a crash course in global holiday cheer!

Meet the Storytellers and Their Tales:

• 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

Santa Claus himself is making special stops at EPCOT! Keep your eyes peeled – you might just catch him spreading cheer as he travels through World Showcase. You can also visit Père Noël in the France Pavilion, hear from Barn Santa in Norway, or share your wishes with the big man in red at CommuniCore Hall.

Oh, and don’t forget Goofy! He’ll be dressed as Santa, ready for some hilariously festive photo ops at The Odyssey. Get those cameras ready!

EPCOT just *glows* during the holidays! Everywhere you look, the park transforms with twinkling lights, festive garlands, and stunning trees, each pavilion in World Showcase showing off its own unique holiday style. It’s pure magic, and the perfect setting for those unforgettable holiday photos with your loved ones.

You absolutely *have* to see the Gingerbread Spaceship Earth display, presented by Citizen! It’s a masterpiece of edible art and a feast for the senses – you can even smell the gingerbread. This incredibly detailed creation celebrates EPCOT’s most iconic landmark.

Every 15 minutes, gather ’round for the Celebration Countdown, where the display comes alive with new songs and dazzling lights. It’s truly spectacular!

The Candlelight Processional is back at the America Gardens Theatre, and it’s always a showstopper! This deeply moving retelling of the Christmas story features celebrity narrators, backed by a massive choir and a full orchestra. It performs nightly, with multiple showtimes, so you have plenty of chances to experience this inspiring classic.

Keep an eye out – we’ll announce the celebrity narrators and details on those popular dining packages soon!

Prepare to clap and sing along with JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season. This high-energy performance is a fantastic blend of gospel, jazz, and R&B, celebrating the traditions of Christmas and Kwanzaa with a soulful, lively twist. It’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a beat in your step!

The Voices of Liberty transform into the Voices of Liberty Dickens Carolers for the holidays! Dressed in Victorian-era style, they perform classic holiday tunes with their signature rich harmonies and timeless charm. Seriously, don’t miss them – their performance is absolutely captivating.

Calling all food lovers! The Holiday Kitchens are back, and trust me, your taste buds are in for a treat. These kiosks serve up an incredible array of seasonal bites and drinks from across the globe, each inspired by unique holiday traditions. You can literally eat your way around the world, from comforting classics to exciting new flavors.

Keep an eye out for the Disney Eats Foodie Guide – it’ll have all the delicious details you need to plan your culinary adventure!

Yes, the super popular Holiday Cookie Stroll returns! Here’s how it works: buy five special cookies from participating Holiday Kitchens, get a stamp in your Festival Passport for each, and once you have all five, you earn a special prize! It’s a deliciously sweet way to discover the festival and a tradition many guests look forward to every single year.

Even Living with the Land gets a holiday makeover! During Glimmering Greenhouses, this peaceful boat ride through EPCOT’s greenhouses twinkles with festive lights and seasonal decor. It’s a unique, calm, and beautiful holiday experience – definitely worth a ride.

Once the sun sets, Spaceship Earth absolutely comes alive! The iconic sphere dazzles with incredible holiday lighting, dynamic effects, and festive colors, adding an extra layer of sparkle to your evening at EPCOT.

Olaf needs your help on Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt! Explore World Showcase to find him as he learns about holiday traditions worldwide. Buy your map, complete the hunt, and you’ll get a fun holiday keepsake to remember your adventure.

For its third year, Scentsy’s Festive Fragrances is back, offering a sensory wonderland with brand new scents celebrating holidays from Noche Buena to Diwali. Wander through this delightful garden of scented snow globes along the walkway between the Imagination! pavilion and World Showcase. It’s a unique way to experience the magic of the holidays through smell!

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays really embodies the spirit of the season, from touching traditions and lively performances to incredible food and dazzling decor. What are you most excited to experience this year? The holiday countdown has officially begun – hope to see you at EPCOT!