The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year at Walt Disney World. Across the resort, there are parties, events, decorations, and other holiday festivities to enjoy. In this post, we will give you a complete guide to EPCOT’s holiday celebration, the International Festival of the Holidays.
What is EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays?
EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays is a celebration of the season from around the world. It’s the shortest of all of the EPCOT festivals, and this year it runs from November 25th through December 30th.
Unlike Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom, there is no additional charge to attend this festival. All you need is a park ticket and a park pass reservation.
There are, of course, opportunities to purchase holiday foods, drinks, and merchandise, but the event itself is free. Here’s a breakdown of what is included in this holiday celebration.
Holiday Kitchens
Of course, we’ll start out with my favorite- the food! Similar to the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, you’ll be able to sample culinary treats from around the world at different booths throughout the World Showcase.
The Holiday Kitchens EPCOT 2022:
- American Holiday Table – The American Adventure
- Bavaria Holiday Kitchen – Germany
- Chestnuts & Good Cheer Holiday Kitchen – Near Disney Traders
- The Donut Box – Near Test Track
- Holiday Hearth Desserts – World Showplace
- Holiday Sweets and Treats – Showcase Plaza
- L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen – between Morocco and France
- Mele Kalikimaka – Showcase Plaza
- Los Posadas Holiday Kitchen – Mexico
- Nochebuena Cocina – Port of Entry *NEW for 2022
- Tangerine Cafe: Flavors of Medina – Morocco
- Shanghai Holiday Kitchen – China
- Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen – Japan
- Tuscany Holiday Kitchen – Italy
- Yukon Holiday Kitchen – Canada
Candlelight Processional
The Candlelight Processional takes place at the America Gardens Theater in World Showcase. Each night a celebrity narrator tells the story of Christmas. The event also includes songs performed by a mass choir and orchestra.
Each night there are three different showings typically at 5:15 PM, 7:00 PM, and 8:00 PM. The processional lasts about 40 minutes. The lineup of narrators for 2022 is below.
The 2022 Schedule of Narrators:
- Simu Liu
November 25 and 26, 2022 - Chita Rivera
November 27 through 29, 2022 - Raul Esparza
November 30 and December 1, 2022 - Whoopi Goldberg
December 2 and December 3, 2022 - Isabella Rossellini
December 4 through December 6, 2022 - Daymond John
December 7 and December 9, 2022 - Josh Gad
December 10 through December 12, 2022 - Gloria Estefan
December 13 and December 14, 2022 - Neil Patrick Harris
December 15 through December 18, 2022 - Mariska Hargitay
December 19 and December 20, 2022 - Cal Ripken Jr.
December 21 through December 23, 2022 - Marie Osmond
December 24 through December 26, 2022 - Courtney Vance
December 27 and December 28, 2022 - Angela Bassett
December 29 and December 30, 2022
Candlelight Processional Dining Packages
There are dining packages available where you can purchase a meal that also includes a guaranteed seat at the Candlelight Processional for that evening. Each package includes an appetizer, entree, dessert OR buffet where applicable, and a non-alcoholic beverage. The restaurant options and pricing is listed below.
If you don’t have a dining package you would need to line up early to try to get a standby seat. The seats that are included with the dining packages are not assigned seats, so if you’re wanting to snag a good seat you may want to line up early even if you do have a ticket.
Holiday Storytellers
Throughout the World Showcase, storytellers share tales of the season from their respective areas of the world. The lineup of storytellers you’ll find is listed below.
- Las Posadas Celebration – Mexico Pavilion
- A Mischievous Magical Barn Santa – Norway Pavilion
- La Befana – Italy Pavilion
- Santa Claus – The Odyssey Pavilion
- Daruma Storyteller – Japan Pavilion
- Hanukkah Storyteller – Between Morocco and France Pavilions
- Père Noël – France Pavilion
- Father Christmas – United Kingdom Pavilion
- Canadian Holiday Voyageurs – Canada Pavilion
Olaf’s Tradition Expedition
This is the holiday version of the EPCOT scavenger hunt. You can purchase a map for $9.99 at one of many shops in EPCOT. You’ll be searching the World Showcase for Olaf’s Holiday Traditions.
For each one you find, you will add a sticker to your map. Once you have a completed map you can turn it in at one of the shops for a prize.
Holiday Cookie Stroll
Another one of my favorite activities at the festival is the Holiday Cookie Stroll. You can purchase a holiday cookie at several locations around the World Showcase. For each cookie you try, you’ll receive a stamp. Once you collect five stamps, you’ll be eligible to receive a complimentary specialty cookie.
Menu Items and Locations
- Nochebuena Cocina: Alfajores – Vanilla Shortbread Cookie with Dulce de Leche and Coconut
- Yukon Holiday Kitchen: SNICKERS®-Doodle Cookie made with SNICKERS® Bar pieces
- L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen: Black and White Cookie (plant-based)
- American Holiday Table: Chocolate Crinkle Cookie
- Bavaria Holiday Kitchen: Linzer Cookie
- Holiday Hearth Desserts: Gingerbread Cookie
- Sunshine Seasons: M&M’s® Sugar Cookie
- Connections Café: Sugar Cookie
Holiday Concert Performances
Along with all the food and other entertainment you’ll also find another staple of the holiday season- music! Throughout the park, there are musical performances you can enjoy.
- Joyful – a mix of Gospel and R&B featuring holiday songs located at the World Showcase Plaza
- Voices of Liberty – this a capella group typically perform Christmas carols at the Americans Garden Theater.
- Mariachi Cobre – A festive holiday performance located in the Mexico pavilion
- JAMMitors – You can catch our favorite musical group at EPCOT performing Christmas songs
Meeting Santa Claus
Throughout the holiday season, you’ll be able to stop in and say hello to Santa at the Odyssey Pavilion.
Gingerbread Capitol City
In the American Adventure pavilion, you can stop to see this amazing Gingerbread display of some of the most famous landmarks in the United States.
Holiday Ride Overlays
Similar to Magic Kingdom, there are a few attractions in EPCOT that will receive a holiday overlay.
Living with the Land will transform into Living with the Land Merry & Bright Nights. The decorations include holiday decorations and festive lights.
We’ve also received news that Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will get a brand new holiday overlay. Once we have more details on what is included, we will keep you updated.
Character Meet & Greets
Throughout EPCOT you’ll be able to spot some of your favorite characters dressed in holiday attire. Most of the princesses you usually find in the World Showcase are wearing Christmas accessories. Characters like Winnie the Pooh and Joy also have some holiday flair added to their usual outfits.
As you can tell, there are a lot of holiday extras that you can experience during this EPCOT festival. I recommend allowing yourself some time to really explore and enjoy the seasonal additions if you are visiting during the holiday season.
Have you ever been to the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays? Leave a comment and let us know- what’s your favorite thing to do at the festival?
