Here’s your comprehensive guide to the 2026 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, with everything you need to know about food booths, activities, live entertainment, and more!
It’s official: the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth is returning in 2026! This year’s festival will run from November 27 through December 30, 2026, bringing back holiday food booths, festive entertainment, cultural celebrations, and seasonal traditions from around the world.
The EPCOT Festival of the Holidays is one of the most beloved seasonal events at Walt Disney World. From Holiday Kitchens serving festive food and drinks to holiday storytellers, the Candlelight Processional, and seasonal attraction overlays, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during the holiday season.
Keep scrolling to check out everything you need to know about the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays.
2026 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dates for the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays?
The 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays runs from November 27 through December 30, 2026. As in previous years, the festival begins the day after Thanksgiving and continues through the end of the year.
How long does the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays run?
The EPCOT Festival of the Holidays is one of the shorter festivals hosted in the park, running for only 6 weeks. So, you’ll have to time your visit just right around the holidays.
How much is the 2026 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays?
The great thing about the festival is that it is completely free with the cost of admission to EPCOT! So, if you’re a Disney World Annual Passholder, you’ll essentially be able to enjoy the festival at no additional cost. Otherwise, if you’re purchasing a ticket, it will be whatever the per day cost is around the holidays.
Keep in mind that the food and drink at the festival booths are an additional cost and vary in price depending on what you order.
Who are the sponsors of the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays?
The presenting sponsor of this year’s festival is AdventHealth, the Official Health Care Provider of Walt Disney World Resort.
2026 Festival of the Holidays Holiday Kitchens
While there are a lot of unique things to do and enjoy during the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, the Holiday Kitchens tend to be the star of the show. Each Holiday Kitchen features unique food and drink offerings that are traditionally enjoyed around the holidays across the world.
Disney has confirmed that Holiday Kitchens will return for 2026, but the full menu lineup has not yet been announced. We’ll update this guide as soon as Disney releases the official Foodie Guide featuring all food and beverage offerings for this year’s festival.
Activities at the 2026 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays
There’s more to do than just eat your way around the world this holiday season! Throughout World Showcase, you can keep busy with a variety of activities that are sure to entertain everyone in your party – both young and old! Below is a list of all of the activities traditionally available during the festival:
- CommuniCore Hall: A Hub of Holiday Magic
- Holiday Cookie Stroll
- Candlelight Processional
- Holiday Storytellers
- Santa at the Odyssey Pavilion
- Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition
- Holiday Attraction Overlays
- The Odyssey
- Scentsy’s Festive Fragrances: A Sensory Wonderland
- Santa Claus at CommuniCore Hall
- Gingerbread Spaceship Earth & Celebration Countdown
- Santa Goofy at The Odyssey
CommuniCore Hall: A Hub of Holiday Magic
CommuniCore Hall once again serves as the center of holiday festivities during the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays. Guests can meet Santa Claus inside CommuniCore Hall and admire the popular Gingerbread Spaceship Earth display, which recreates EPCOT’s iconic geodesic sphere in gingerbread form.
Throughout the day, guests can also gather for the Celebration Countdown presented by CITIZEN, featuring a festive light-and-music show every 15 minutes. The area has quickly become one of the festival’s must-visit locations, especially for families looking to experience some extra holiday magic.
Candlelight Processional
The Candlelight Processional is one of the most beloved holiday traditions at Walt Disney World and has officially been confirmed to return for 2026.
Each evening, celebrity narrators join a mass choir and live orchestra at the America Gardens Theatre to retell the Christmas story. Multiple performances are typically offered nightly, and Candlelight Processional Dining Packages will return as well.
Here’s the lineup of all the stars who will be sharing the Christmas story with EPCOT guests throughout the 2026 holiday season:
- November 27 & 28 – Auli‘i Cravalho
- November 29 – December 1 – Gary Sinise
- December 2 & 3 – To Be Announced
- December 4 & 5 – Whoopi Goldberg
- December 6 & 7 – Robin Roberts (NEW)
- December 8 & 9 – Jason Kelce (NEW)
- December 10 – 12 – Neil Patrick Harris
- December 13 & 14 – To Be Announced
- December 15 & 16 – Lauren Daigle
- December 17 – 19 – Ralph Macchio
- December 20 & 21 – Henry Winkler
- December 22 & 23 – Lacey Chabert (NEW)
- December 24 & 25 – Jodi Benson
- December 26 & 27 – Simu Liu
- December 28 – 30 – Eva Longoria
Candlelight Processional Dining Packages
Your package includes a guaranteed seat per person to a same-day Candlelight Processional. Additionally, it includes:
- At Most Restaurants: An entrée and dessert, or a full buffet (if applicable)—plus a nonalcoholic drink (or alcoholic drink for Guests ages 21+)
- At Spice Road Table: 2 small plates, a shared tagine, a shared dessert platter and a nonalcoholic drink (or alcoholic drink for Guests ages 21+)
Here’s a look at the qualifying restaurants:
Explore participating restaurants and dining package prices, which exclude tax and gratuity:
| Participating Restaurants | Adult (ages 10+) | Child (ages 3 to 9) | Dining Plan |
| Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Norway Pavilion |
$87 | $59 | 2 Table-Service Meals |
| Biergarten Restaurant Germany Pavilion |
$75 | $40 | 1 Table-Service Meal |
| Chefs de France France Pavilion |
$89 | $37 | 1 Table-Service Meal |
| Coral Reef Restaurant The Living Seas |
$82 | $34 | 1 Table-Service Meal |
| Garden Grill Restaurant The Land Pavilion |
$73 – Breakfast
$86 – Lunch/Dinner |
$46 – Breakfast
$55 – Lunch/Dinner |
1 Table-Service Meal |
| La Crêperie de Paris France Pavilion |
$59 | $31 | 1 Table-Service Meal |
| La Hacienda de San Angel Mexico Pavilion |
$86 | $37 | 1 Table-Service Meal |
| Le Cellier Steakhouse Canada Pavilion |
$109 | $44 | 2 Table-Service Meals |
| Nine Dragons Restaurant China Pavilion |
$70 | $30 | 1 Table-Service Meal |
| Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue (Same-Day Dining Packages Only) American Adventure Pavilion |
$43 | $26 | Not Eligible |
| Rose & Crown Dining Room United Kingdom Pavilion |
$68 | $31 | 1 Table-Service Meal |
| Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya Japan Pavilion |
$85 | $40 | 1 Table-Service Meal |
| Spice Road Table Morocco Pavilion |
$63 | $26 | 1 Table-Service Meal |
| Teppan Edo Japan Pavilion |
$89 | $40 | 1 Table-Service Meal |
| Tutto Italia Ristorante Italy Pavilion |
$85 | $36 | 1 Table-Service Meal |
| Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria Italy Pavilion |
$71 | $33 | 1 Table-Service Meal |
Another option to consider is a same-day dining package. To check availability for same-day dining packages, visit Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue, where you can dine without a reservation and guarantee seats to a Candlelight Processional show later that day by purchasing a same-day dining package.
Holiday Storytellers
Disney has confirmed the return of Holiday Storytellers throughout World Showcase. These performers share holiday traditions from their respective countries and cultures, offering a unique way to learn about celebrations from around the world.
2026 Holiday Storytellers include:
- 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 at EPCOT
Santa Claus returns to EPCOT during the Festival of the Holidays, giving guests several opportunities to spot the jolly old elf.
In addition to meeting Santa inside CommuniCore Hall, guests can encounter holiday-themed storytellers such as Père Noël in France and Barn Santa in Norway.
Meanwhile, over at The Odyssey, guests can meet Santa Goofy, who appears in his festive holiday attire and is available for photos throughout the season.
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition is a fun family-friendly activity during the festival. The popular scavenger hunt sends you around World Showcase to find Olaf who has gathered holiday traditions from around the globe.
To participate, you’ll need to purchase the scavenger hunt map from participating locations and find all of the spots where Olaf is hiding. When you return with a completed map, you’ll receive a prize.
Holiday Attraction Overlays
Several EPCOT experiences receive festive enhancements during the holiday season.
Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses
The popular boat ride is transformed with twinkling lights and seasonal decorations throughout the greenhouses, creating one of the most unique holiday experiences at Walt Disney World. Reservations open September 24, 2026.
Spaceship Earth Holiday Light Shows
As night falls, Spaceship Earth comes alive with special holiday lighting effects and seasonal music, creating a festive backdrop for an evening in EPCOT.
Voices of Liberty
Head over to The American Adventure Pavilion for a special performance by the Voices of Liberty. Instead of their typical fare, during this time of year, you’ll find the group performing acapella classic holiday tunes while dressed as Dickens carolers. Check your My Disney Experience app for showtimes.
JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season
JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season is a concert series that celebrates the spirit of Christmas and Kwanzaa. You can hear holiday hits performed by Central Florida group D’Vine Voices in a mix of music styles, including gospel, jazz, and R&B. Check the My Disney Experience app for showtimes.
The Odyssey
This year, the Odyssey will be decked out in festive decor. Here you can find Glittering Grove presented by Balsam Hill, with a display of faux trees! Santa Goofy will also be nearby for a great photo op.
EPCOT Holiday Decor
One of the highlights of visiting EPCOT during the holiday season is simply taking in the festive atmosphere. Throughout the park, guests will find holiday decorations, themed displays, seasonal music, and beautifully decorated Christmas trees inspired by traditions from around the world.
Each World Showcase pavilion adds its own cultural touch to the celebration, making EPCOT one of the most festive places to spend the holidays at Walt Disney World.
Scentsy’s Festive Fragrances: A Sensory Wonderland
Returning for its third year, Scentsy’s Festive Fragrances: A Sensory Wonderland will take place along the walkway between the Imagination! pavilion and World Showcase. You can explore festive fragrances by Scentsy, including Christmas Cottage, Sleigh Ride, Silver Bells, and Perfect Peppermint.
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