EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays: Experience All the Exciting Yuletide Joy in 2023
Winter at Walt Disney World is always a delightful, one-of-a-kind season whose experiences will stay with you for years to come. Despite being in sunny Central Florida, Disney manages to capture the wintry holiday spirit with a mixture of childhood nostalgia and innovative entertainment. It’s enough to keep the Grinch in anyone at bay! While there are many fantastic offerings in the Disney parks this time of the year, one of the most delightful – and delicious – experiences is the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays 2023.
What is the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays?
EPCOT Festival of the Holidays is an annual celebration of yuletide traditions from around the world. During the month of December, EPCOT’s World Showcase becomes a seasonal sensation, highlighting the important cultural practices and exciting winter experiences from each of the countries represented there. While Christmas traditions make up a large portion of the festivities, you’ll also get a taste of the Chinese New Year, Hannukah, La Posadas, and other international celebrations. There are lights, traditional dining experiences, music, storytelling, and (of course) EPCOT’s legendary outdoor kitchens.
This EPCOT festival first began in 2016, rebranding from the much older Holidays Around the World celebration in EPCOT. With the name change, the festival began focusing more on food and entertainment. There are many parts of the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays you won’t want to miss, including the classic Disney Candlelight Processional (more on that below!) and sampling holiday food from around the world.
When is the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays?
Festival of the Holidays is currently EPCOT’s shortest seasonal festival. As you might expect, it takes place over the traditional winter holiday season. The festival picks up almost immediately after EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival. This year, the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays 2023 dates begin on November 24th and run until December 30th.
(Note: The festival is not held over New Year’s Eve. The Disney parks do a more exclusive event for that evening.)
What is the Cost of Admission?
Festival admission is included in your regular park ticket. You will need a valid Disney Park ticket for the day. If you plan to spend your day across multiple parks, you’ll need to have a Park Hopper pass. There are some additional, optional events and experiences at this EPCOT festival that may have an accompanying fee. These experiences include food tours, specialty holiday dining events, and scavenger hunts.
What to See at the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays?
Although Festival of the Holidays is smaller than other EPCOT celebrations, there’s still no shortage of wonderful things to experience. You’ll discover a great selection of unique events and entertainment that you won’t find anywhere else in the Disney parks!
Holiday Storytellers
One of the most interesting parts of this festival is the Holiday Storytellers, who share tales of wonder and joy from their respective cultures. There are performances at nearly every pavilion every day (though Mexico is just Sunday through Thursday this year). Listening to their fascinating stories is well worth your time! This is included in festival admission, so make sure you check out at least one of the showtimes throughout the day.
- Mexico Pavilion: celebrate Las Posadas with Mariachi music, dancers, and colorful piñatas.
- Japan Pavilion: New Year’s is the main holiday here! Learn about intriguing Daruma dolls and their association with luck in Japan.
- Norway Pavilion: Barn Santa is a little mischievous, which means you’re in for some laughs.
- China Pavilion: A traditional Chinese lion dancer will usher in the Lunar New Year.
- Italy Pavilion: That isn’t Santa Claus – it’s Le Befana, the kindhearted Epiphany Eve witch!
- Between Morocco and France Pavilions: This roaming storyteller will regale you with tales of Hanukkah.
- France Pavilion: Meet Père Noël, France’s kindly Father Christmas.
- United Kingdom Pavilion: Join a more familiar version of Father Christmas as he shares traditions that families enjoy in the UK.
- Canada Pavilion: A musical tour of various Christmastime traditions in the Great White North.
- Odyssey Pavilion: Get your very own photo with Father Christmas at this traditional Santa meet and greet! Bring the whole family for a Christmas portrait session.
Live Music
It wouldn’t be an EPCOT festival without music! For the holidays, Disney is bringing JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season to the World Showcase. This talented group will be performing songs that embody both Christmas and Kwanzaa with upbeat, uplifting Gospel and R&B selections. You can find these snazzy singers in the World Showcase Plaza at 1:15 p.m., 2:20 p.m., 3:25 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.
The Candlelight Processional
The Candlelight Processional is one of the oldest Disney holiday traditions still consistently celebrated. The event originated in Disneyland back in 1957, as choirs from the area gathered around Beauty’s Castle and walked through Main Street, singing traditional Christmas hymns and carols. They were joined by actor Dennis Morgan in the Disneyland Town Square, who read sections of the biblical Christmas account between songs. It became an annual staple from that point forward.
In 1971, the Candlelight Processional came to the Magic Kingdom in Disney World, where it quickly gained the same popularity. It was moved to EPCOT in 1994, where it’s been held ever since.
Today, the Candlelight Processional has evolved into a classical music performance with a 50-piece orchestra accompanying hundreds of singers who magically gather to form “The Living Christmas Tree.” Following the tradition of the original Processional, a celebrity guest continues to narrate the Christmas story. In past years, these celebrity narrators have included Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg, John Stamos, Anthony Mackie, and Daniel Dae Kim.
The latest on Youtube:
The event runs three times nightly throughout the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays at the American Gardens Theater and has been confirmed for 2023. (Check out our detailed Candlelight Processional article for all of the details, including the celebrity guest line-up!)
For an additional fee, you can book Candlelight Processional Dining Packages from select EPCOT restaurants that include exclusive dinner options and guaranteed seating at the Processional.
What to Do at the EPCOT Festival?
With plenty of shopping, snacking, and exploring, you’ll have all kinds of fun things to do at the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays!
Meet Santa
Pop in to see Santa and snag a photo at the Odyssey Pavilion! You’re never too old for this fun, yearly tradition.
Visit the Holiday Kitchens
Like all EPCOT festivals, there is a grand tradition of great food and bite-sized snacks at the park’s outdoor kitchens. Located around the World Showcase, these holiday kitchens feature traditional holiday fare (like turkey and dressing) with some more adventurous international cuisine as well. Snacks typically cost anywhere from $5.00 to $12.00 dollars depending on the item, and alcoholic offerings are obviously on the most expensive end of the scale. Compared to other EPCOT festivals, there are usually fewer food booths, although there are 17 listed this year (with a few additional refreshments, like funnel cake and Joffrey’s coffee, to boot)! You won’t want to miss these specialty delights.
Here’s the line-up of 2023 Holiday Kitchens provided by Disney:
- American Holiday Table (American Adventure Pavilion)
- Bavaria Holiday Kitchen (Germany Pavilion)
- Bubbles & Brine (near Port of Entry)
- Char & Chop (near Disney Traders)
- Holiday Hearth Desserts (The Odyssey Pavilion)
- Holiday Sweets & Treats (near Port of Entry)
- L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen (between the Morocco and France Pavilion)
- Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen (Mexico Pavilion)
- Le Marché de Noël Holiday Kitchen (France Pavilion)
- Nochebuena Cucina (near Test Track)
- Shanghai Holiday Kitchen (China Pavilion)
- Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen (Japan Pavilion)
- Swirled Showcase (near Port of Entry)
- Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina (Morocco Pavilion)
- Tuscany Holiday Kitchen (Italy Pavilion)
- Wine & Wedge (near Disney Traders)
- Yukon Holiday Kitchen (Canada Pavilion)
Olaf’s Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt
This delightful all-ages scavenger hunt is hosted by everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf. The goal is to find all of the holiday traditions Olaf has discovered around the World Showcase! The hunt is a classic part of EPCOT festivals and a favorite for kiddos! For a small fee ($9.99), you can purchase a special map from Creations Shop or World Traveler and follow Olaf’s adventures through the park. If you match the included stickers with the potential hiding spots, you receive an exclusive prize for your trouble! Be sure to turn in your map to Creations Shop, World Traveler, or Disney Traders at the end of your hunt even if you didn’t find all of the spots – you may still get a prize!
Experience the Magic
See the 2023 Guide to the Magic Kingdom’s Fireworks Dessert Party
Did you know Disney offers a way to enjoy the nightly fireworks show from a reserved seat? Here is everything you need to know about the Magic Kingdom’s Fireworks Dessert Party to decide if it’s worth the splurge for your family!
The EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Cookie Stroll
This event is catered to anyone with a sweet tooth. Much like some of the other EPCOT food challenges, the EPCOT Holidays Cookie Stroll consists of five food items – cookies! – that can be purchased from the Holiday Kitchens. You collect a stamp in your EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Passport for each one. Once you’ve discovered them all, you can bring your passport to a specific booth and receive a free specialty cookie that’s only available with the completion of the Stroll.
Tips and Tricks for the Festival
- Pick Up a Festival Passport! This is your guide to the EPCOT festival, and you’ll find event schedules, information about exhibits, and menus for the Holiday Kitchens within it.
- Always Dress Comfortably. Odds are, you’ll be snacking your way through the World Showcase while you take in the decorations and listen to live music. Wear comfortable shoes as well as clothing that’s appropriate for warmer days and cooler evenings. The temperature often dips lower around the lagoon once the sun goes down.
- Visit on a Weekday if You Can. Weekends bring out big crowds from Florida locals, so you may have better luck with wait times and food booth lines during the week.
- Enjoy the Laidback Atmosphere. As a newer EPCOT festival, it is the lightest in terms of entertainment and specialty food booths. It hasn’t had as much time to grow and establish a footprint in the parks. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun! Typically, it is not as crowded as seasonal celebrations at the Magic Kingdom.
- Don’t Miss the Holiday Storytellers! They are a highlight of the event and well worth your time.
- Grab a Photo with the Storytellers! In addition to photo ops with classic Disney characters and Santa, you can also get photos with the Holiday Storytellers after their performances. It’s a unique opportunity for scrapbook (or Instagram) photos you can’t get outside of EPCOT!
Before You Go!
While not as extensive as other EPCOT festivals, the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays 2023 certainly has more than enough entertainment to keep you busy for a full day at the park. Enjoy inspired holiday cuisine across the World Showcase while listening to regional music and hearing classic holiday fables from around the world. If you want a taste of Disney magic for the holidays without the bustle of the Magic Kingdom’s crowds, you’ll love EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays!
Have you been to the Festival of the Holidays? What was your favorite tale from the Storytellers? Share your holiday experience in the comments below!
Featured photo: Unsplash
