EPCOT Festival of the Holidays 2025: Dates, What’s New, What’s Back, and What to Eat

The 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will run from Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 30, 2025. This limited-time event at Walt Disney World transforms EPCOT into a celebration of holiday traditions from around the world. It’s a unique mix of live performances, specialty food booths, cultural storytelling, and festive decorations that make it one of the most meaningful (and underrated) seasonal offerings in the parks.

Unlike separately ticketed events like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, this festival is included with regular EPCOT admission and takes place daily during normal park hours. If you’re visiting Walt Disney World during these dates, this festival is an excellent bonus that doesn’t require a lot of extra planning (or extra cost) if you’re already planning an EPCOT day.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Holiday Kitchens with limited-time food and drink around World Showcase
• Live Entertainment like the Candlelight Processional and JOYFUL! concert
• Cultural Storytellers representing holiday traditions from across the globe
• Activities for Families like Olaf’s scavenger hunt and the Holiday Cookie Stroll
• Seasonal Touches including Santa sightings, festive overlays, and themed merchandise

This festival also marks the final stretch of EPCOT’s year-long celebration calendar, following the Food & Wine Festival. Crowds pick up closer to Christmas week, so earlier dates in the festival are a better bet for lighter crowds.

Confirmed for 2025: Candlelight Processional

The Candlelight Processional is one of the most beloved holiday traditions at EPCOT, and it’s officially returning for 2025. This nightly performance takes place at the America Gardens Theatre in the American Adventure Pavilion and features a retelling of the Christmas story with a celebrity narrator, a full 50-piece orchestra, and a massive choir made up of Disney Cast Members and local community groups.

What You Need to Know:

• Dates: Begins November 28, 2025, and is expected to run nightly through December 30, 2025
• Showtimes: Typically three performances each night — usually at 5:15 PM, 7:00 PM, and 8:30 PM
• Location: America Gardens Theatre (across from the American Adventure Pavilion)

Celebrity narrators are rotated throughout the season and announced closer to the festival start. Past favorites have included Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg, and Simu Liu. The full list is typically released in late October or early November.

Seating Options:

There are two ways to get a seat:

1. Standby Line: Free with park admission, but expect to wait. Lines form 60–90 minutes early for popular narrators or weekend dates.
2. Candlelight Processional Dining Package: This paid package includes a meal at a participating EPCOT restaurant and guaranteed seating at a specific showtime.

Dining package details—restaurants, pricing, and booking dates—haven’t been announced yet, but here’s what we know from previous years:

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner options available
• Prices typically range from $50–$100+ per adult, depending on the restaurant
• Reservations open around 60 days in advance, and book up quickly for popular narrators and weekends

Pro Tip:

If you want the best seats without waiting in a long standby line, go for the dining package. It’s the most reliable way to experience the show—especially if this is a must-do on your trip.

Confirmed for 2025: Holiday Kitchens

The Holiday Kitchens are the heart of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays for many guests—especially food lovers. These limited-time food booths are stationed throughout World Showcase (and occasionally in World Celebration and World Discovery) and serve up small plates and beverages inspired by winter traditions from around the globe.

Disney has confirmed the Holiday Kitchens will return for 2025, although the full list of booths and menus won’t be released until closer to the start of the festival (usually early November). That said, most years include 15–20 kitchens, with a mix of returning favorites and a few new additions.

What to Expect:

• Small portions (usually $5–$10 each) of globally inspired dishes
• Holiday-themed cocktails, wines, ciders, and non-alcoholic beverages
• Menus often reflect traditional seasonal dishes tied to Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s, and other winter celebrations
• Booths typically open daily at 11:00 AM and remain open through park closing

Examples from Previous Years (Likely to Return):

• American Holiday Table (American Adventure) – Turkey with stuffing and cranberry sauce, chocolate crinkle cookies
• L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen (Between Morocco and France) – Potato latkes, pastrami on rye, black and white cookie
• Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen (Mexico Pavilion) – Tamales, horchata margaritas
• Bavaria Holiday Kitchen (Germany Pavilion) – Pork schnitzel, cheese fondue in a bread bowl, Linzer cookies
• Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen (Japan Pavilion) – Sushi tree, soba noodles, matcha mousse cake

Menus vary slightly each year, but Disney tends to keep the most popular items consistent.

Practical Tips:

• Grab a Festival Passport (available at the front of the park or Holiday Kitchens) to see all booth locations, menu items, and pricing.
• Plan your route: Lines can build quickly at peak dining times (12–2 PM and 5–7 PM), so consider starting at the back of World Showcase or eating during off hours.
• Use a gift card: Consider loading a Disney-branded gift card wristlet with your food budget to make booth ordering faster.

Returning: Holiday Storytellers Around World Showcase

While not yet officially confirmed, Disney has featured Holiday Storytellers at EPCOT every year the festival has run in its current format, and there’s no reason to believe 2025 will be any different. These performances bring global holiday traditions to life, with live actors and cultural ambassadors sharing stories, songs, and customs from their countries.

You’ll find these storytellers throughout World Showcase, usually performing in open-air spaces just off the main promenade. Performances generally begin in the early afternoon and are repeated multiple times throughout the day. A full schedule with times and locations is typically available in the Festival Passport or through the My Disney Experience app.

Examples of Storytellers:

• Mexico – Las Posadas Celebration: A musical retelling of the traditional Mexican celebration of Mary and Joseph’s journey.
• Norway – Barn Santa and Sigrid: A hilarious back-and-forth between Sigrid, a skeptical Norwegian woman, and the mischievous Barn Santa who keeps interrupting her.
• China – Chinese Lion Dancers: Performances that showcase the colorful and acrobatic lion dance used to bring good luck and prosperity.
• Italy – La Befana: A kind-hearted witch who delivers gifts to children in Italian folklore, told through a personal and heartfelt monologue.
• Japan – Daruma Storyteller: A tale about New Year’s traditions in Japan and the significance of the Daruma doll.
• France – Père Noël: A traditional French Santa who shares a story about receiving a letter from a young child and the joy of Christmas.

Practical Tips:

• Arrive 5–10 minutes early to grab a front-row spot—these shows are intimate and often performed at ground level.
• The Mexico, Norway, and France storytellers are typically the most popular. Prioritize them if you’re short on time.
• Use these breaks to rest and entertain kids between snacks and rides—they’re usually short (10–15 minutes) and great for the whole family.

This is one of the best parts of the festival that most guests walk right by. If you’re looking for an experience that feels unique to EPCOT and meaningful during the holidays, the storytellers deliver every time.

Confirmed for 2025: Holiday Cookie Stroll

The Holiday Cookie Stroll is officially returning for the 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. This activity is perfect for families, snack-lovers, and anyone looking for a sweet and simple way to experience the festival. The concept is straightforward: purchase five qualifying cookies from designated Holiday Kitchens, collect a stamp for each one in your Festival Passport, then redeem your completed passport for a complimentary cookie at the Holiday Sweets & Treats booth.

2025 Details

While the full lineup of cookies has not been released yet, Disney has confirmed that one of the returning cookies will be the Coffee-Mocha Cookie. This particular treat is topped with coffee-infused buttercream, cocoa nibs, and chocolate-covered espresso beans. More cookie varieties will be announced closer to the start of the festival, but in previous years the stroll has included a mix of returning favorites and new recipes created by Disney pastry chefs.

• Locations are typically spread throughout World Showcase, making this an easy activity to complete while enjoying the rest of the festival
• You do not need to complete the stroll in a single day. The passport can be saved and redeemed on a later visit as long as it’s within the festival window
• The final cookie is exclusive to the stroll and often comes with a commemorative keepsake like a small holiday ornament or themed cup

Tips for Completing the Cookie Stroll

• Grab a Festival Passport when you arrive at EPCOT or at any Holiday Kitchen. The cookie locations and redemption instructions are clearly marked inside
• Cookies generally cost between $3.00 and $4.50 each and are available during regular Holiday Kitchen hours, typically starting at 11:00 AM
• If you’re traveling with a group, consider sharing each cookie so you can complete the stroll without overloading on sugar
• The Holiday Sweets & Treats location is usually near the entrance to World Showcase (close to Port of Entry), which makes it convenient to wrap up your day

The Holiday Cookie Stroll is a low-cost, high-reward addition to your EPCOT visit that also doubles as a great way to keep younger kids engaged throughout the park.

Confirmed for 2025: JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season

JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season is confirmed to return for 2025. This high-energy live music performance blends gospel, jazz, R&B, and contemporary holiday hits to celebrate both Christmas and Kwanzaa. Performed by the Central Florida vocal group D’Vine Voices, this concert series is one of the most uplifting and musically polished offerings at the Festival of the Holidays.

Where and When to See It

• Location: World Showcase Plaza stage (between World Celebration and World Showcase)
• Showtimes: Multiple performances throughout the day, typically starting in the late morning or early afternoon and running until sunset
• Duration: About 20 minutes per performance

Exact showtimes will be available daily in the My Disney Experience app and listed in the Festival Passport.

What Makes This Show Stand Out

This isn’t a background street performance—it’s a full concert with powerhouse vocals, modern arrangements of classic songs, and seasonal messages of joy and unity. Whether you’re walking through the area or planning to catch it on purpose, the energy of this show tends to draw a crowd.

Unlike the Candlelight Processional, JOYFUL! performances do not require a wait or special seating. It’s an easy, drop-in experience that adds a lot of seasonal magic without a lot of effort.

Tips for Watching

• The best view is near the center of the World Showcase Plaza stage, with shade available in some spots during early shows
• Arrive 5–10 minutes early to grab a good viewing location—especially in the early afternoon when the area can get busy
• If you’re timing food booth visits around entertainment, this is a good show to watch while snacking

JOYFUL! is a great option if you want holiday entertainment without the crowds of the Candlelight Processional, or if you’re looking to balance cultural and religious celebration in your park day.

Confirmed for 2025: Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition is officially returning in 2025. This paid scavenger hunt sends guests on a self-guided adventure around World Showcase as Olaf searches for holiday traditions across different cultures. It’s one of the most family-friendly and interactive experiences offered during the Festival of the Holidays and is especially popular with kids.

How It Works

• Purchase a scavenger hunt map and sticker set at select merchandise locations. In past years, these have included Creations Shop, Port of Entry, and World Traveler at the International Gateway.
• Search for Olaf figures hidden in each World Showcase pavilion. Each Olaf is holding a different holiday tradition item from that country.
• Match the correct sticker to each country on your map.
• Return your completed map to either Creations Shop or World Traveler to claim a prize.

2025 Details

• There are 13 locations to find Olaf this year, spread throughout the World Showcase pavilions
• The scavenger hunt is available daily from park open until close
• The redemption prize is a small holiday-themed souvenir (usually a cup, ornament, or figure). While Disney hasn’t revealed the exact prize yet, it typically changes from year to year and supplies are limited

Tips for Completing the Scavenger Hunt

• You don’t have to finish in one day. If you’re visiting EPCOT multiple times during your trip, you can complete the scavenger hunt at your own pace
• Kids love this activity because it gives them a clear purpose while walking through the pavilions. It’s a great way to keep them engaged between food booths and shows
• Olaf figures are often placed high up on signs, roofs, or shelves. They’re not overly hidden, but you’ll need to look carefully

This is one of the few activities that combines cultural education with a bit of playful exploration, and it’s a relatively low-cost way to add something extra to your day at EPCOT.

Confirmed for 2025: Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses

During the Festival of the Holidays, Living with the Land transforms into Glimmering Greenhouses, a nighttime seasonal overlay that adds festive lights and holiday decorations to one of EPCOT’s most quietly beloved attractions. While the ride’s narration and greenhouse tour remain intact, the addition of shimmering lights and music makes this version feel extra special.

What to Expect

• Location: The Land Pavilion in World Nature
• Ride Type: Slow-moving indoor boat ride through EPCOT’s working greenhouses
• Overlay Availability: Begins at sundown each night during the festival and runs through park close
• Overlay Features: Holiday string lights, glowing ornaments, seasonal props, and a holiday-themed narration track

This is not a thrill ride or headline experience, but it has become a fan favorite for festival guests who enjoy quieter moments and hidden gems. The lights are woven throughout the attraction’s hydroponic and aquaponic gardens, adding a touch of magic to the real-world science EPCOT is known for.

Confirmed for 2025: Where to Find Santa at EPCOT

Meeting Santa is a staple of the holiday season, and EPCOT brings an international twist to the tradition. During the Festival of the Holidays, guests can encounter Père Noël in the France Pavilion and Barn Santa in the Norway Pavilion. These aren’t typical mall-style meet and greets, they’re live performances that combine storytelling, culture, and a bit of holiday magic.

France Pavilion: Père Noël

In the France Pavilion, Père Noël tells the story of a young girl named Babette and the Christmas letter she writes to him. His narration offers a glimpse into how French families celebrate Christmas, emphasizing warmth, tradition, and family togetherness.

• Location: Near the entrance of the France Pavilion, usually on the right side when entering from Morocco
• Format: Live solo storytelling performance (not a meet-and-greet)
• Duration: About 10–15 minutes
• Tip: Arrive 5–10 minutes early to get a spot up front

Norway Pavilion: Barn Santa

Barn Santa is one of the most entertaining characters in the entire festival. In this comedic performance, a skeptical woman named Sigrid attempts to explain Norwegian holiday customs, while the mischievous Barn Santa pops in and out to prove he’s real.

• Location: In the courtyard of the Norway Pavilion, near the stave church
• Format: Live dual-actor performance with humor that works for both kids and adults
• Duration: About 10–15 minutes
• Tip: This performance often draws laughs and crowds, so make time to stop and watch it in full

These performances are scheduled throughout the day, typically beginning in the early afternoon and running until early evening. You can check exact showtimes in the My Disney Experience app or the Festival Passport.

Final Thoughts and What Comes Next

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is one of the most unique seasonal offerings at Walt Disney World. It combines authentic cultural storytelling, meaningful entertainment, and some of the best seasonal food Disney serves all year. For families looking to slow down, experience something beyond rides, and take in the magic of the holidays, this festival delivers.

If you are planning a holiday trip to Walt Disney World in 2025, adding an EPCOT day during the festival is a smart move. It requires no special event ticket and fits easily into a regular park day. The Candlelight Processional alone is worth planning your evening around. When you combine that with the Holiday Kitchens, scavenger hunts, storytellers, and musical performances, it is easy to see why so many guests return year after year.

There are still some key details to be announced. We are waiting on:

• The full list of Holiday Kitchens and menus
• Cookie Stroll locations and pricing
• Candlelight Processional narrator lineup and dining package details
• Olaf scavenger hunt prize
• Festival merchandise previews

As soon as those details are released, I will update this guide to include everything you need to know. Be sure to bookmark this page or follow along with Adventures of a Disney Dad for the latest updates.

If you need help planning your holiday vacation, including booking EPCOT park days, selecting resorts with the best holiday decor, or using MultiPass effectively during this busy season, feel free to reach out. I offer free vacation planning services and would love to help you have a stress-free and memorable trip.