Walt Disney World has been busy this week, announcing holiday events left and right as part of the Halfway to the Holidays Celebration. Dates and details have been revealed for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Jollywood Nights as well as everything else you can expect Walt Disney World to offer during the holiday season. Now we turn our attention to Epcot’s Festival of the Holidays, sharing the dates and everything the festival will include.

Festival of the Holidays has become one of our favorites of the four Epcot festivals. There’s exceptional entertainment and a few overlays that we adore. At this point, it’s the strongest park in terms of holiday offerings at Walt Disney World. The downside is that there are fewer dates here than the rest of the WDW parks. Let’s get to the details!

EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Dates

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will return November 27 – December 30, 2026. As in years past, it will start the day after Thanksgiving. With Food & Wine Festival running until mid-November, Festival of the Holidays takes over a few weeks after that. Personally, I wish this festival followed the dates of the other Walt Disney World holiday offerings and ran for nearly 2 months but we’ll take what we can get!

There’s plenty of offerings at Festival of the Holidays, which might be part of the reason it doesn’t run for longer. Here are the details on the annual festival.

Holiday Traditions with World Showcase Storytellers

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

Each storyteller offers a glimpse into the different country’s culture and holiday celebrations. Some are straight storytelling from an actor or two while others are more performative, like the beautiful Chinese Lion Dancer. All of these are worth checking out if you’re in the area!

Santa Sightings Around EPCOT

Guests hoping to share their holiday wishes are in for a treat as Santa Claus will be making special appearances during the festival! You 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.”

And don’t forget to visit Goofy as Santa, who will be dressed in his holiday best and ready to pose for jolly photos full of seasonal fun at The Odyssey.

EPCOT Holiday Decor

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.

Gingerbread Spaceship Earth Display

Be sure to check out the Gingerbread Spaceship Earth display and countdown celebration, 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. The dazzling display lights up every 15 minutes, featuring new song and light shows with holiday flair.

Festival of the Holidays Shows and Entertainment

Candlelight Processional

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.

Announcement about this year’s celebrity narrators and more information about Candlelight Processional Dining Packages will be available in the coming months. We’ll share those as they are released.

JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season

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.

Voices of Liberty Dickens Carolers

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 visit.

Festival Kitchens: Holiday Food and Beverage

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 your way through the season.

From comforting classics to globally inspired dishes, there’s something to satisfy every craving and every festive mood. The menus for the event typically come out a few weeks ahead of time, we’ll share them here!

Holiday Cookie Stroll

The fan-favorite Holiday Cookie Stroll is back. Purchase five qualifying cookies from select Holiday Kitchens and collect corresponding stamps in your Festival Passport. Once you’ve gathered all five, you can redeem your completed stroll for a special treat.

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

Holiday Overlays and Festive Features

Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses

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.

Lights on Spaceship Earth

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 your evening at EPCOT.

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt

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.

Scentsy’s Festive Fragrances: A Sensory Wonderland

Festive Fragrances presented by Scentsy returns for its third year with all-new fragrances celebrating holidays around the world from Noche Buena to Diwali.

Along the walkway between the Imagination! pavilion and World Showcase, get ready to explore this charming garden of snow globes infused with scents that bring the magic of fragrance and the holidays to life.

We’re looking forward to Epcot’s Festival of the Holidays! It’s one of our favorite times of year at Walt Disney World and 2026 shouldn’t be any different!

Are you excited for Festival of the Holidays? Let us know, along with any questions you might have, in the comments below. For those planning a trip to Walt Disney World, check out our guide to help you along the way! If you’re looking for discount tickets then this site has you covered. If you enjoy what you are reading here on Wandering in Disney please share this post with your friend and like our social media pages. You can also subscribe to the blog via WordPress or email. All of those links are on the right side of this page. Thank you for reading, we really appreciate it!