EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

November 24 – December 30, 2023

Guests can experience merry moments as EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays jingles back to Walt Disney World Resort from November 24 – December 30, 2023.

This celebration of global holidays comes to life with immersive experiences throughout World Showcase and beyond, as guests savor international cuisine, enjoy live entertainment and engage in family-friendly activities, while enjoying the beauty of holiday traditions from around the world.

Visiting EPCOT during the festival this year will also give guests a final opportunity to experience the Disney100 Celebration. EPCOT is the heart of the celebration at Walt Disney World through December 30, 2023. In addition to festive décor marking the special occasion at the park’s entrance, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse don their platinum-best attire to greet guests in the Imagination! pavilion, Spaceship Earth lights up each night with a colorful lighting display accompanied by the Disney100 anthem, an original version of When You Wish Upon a Star. Guests can also indulge in celebratory dishes and drinks at four Holiday Kitchens: Char & Chop, Wine & Wedge, Bubbles & Brine and Swirled Showcase.

• Walt Disney World Events
• Holidays at Walt Disney World

• Festival Entertainment & Holiday Storytellers
• Candlelight Processional
• Holiday Kitchens
• Festival Merchandise
  

HOLIDAY COOKIE STROLL

The Holiday Cookie Stroll offers sweet treats to satisfy even the biggest sweet tooths. Cookie connoisseurs can purchase cookies to earn a matching stamp in their Festival Passport. When guests reach the magical number of five, they can visit the Holiday Sweet & Treats Holiday Kitchen and relish a specialty cookie. This activity is fun for all ages and can be completed at your leisure during Festival dates. The 2023 cookies (and locations) are listed below:

• Nochebuena Cocina: Spiced Chocolate Cookie
• Yukon Holiday Kitchen: SNICKERS®-Doodle Cookie made with SNICKERS® Bar pieces
• L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen: Black and White Cookie (plant-based)
• American Holiday Table: Gingerbread Cookie
• Bavaria Holiday Kitchen: Linzer Cookie
• Holiday Hearth Desserts: Peppermint Pinwheel Cookie
• Sunshine Seasons: M&M’s® Jingle Sugar Cookie
• Connections Café: Holiday Sugar Cookie

Olaf's Holiday Tradition Expedition 2023

Guests of all ages can partake in the joy of Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt. The journey commences with the purchase of a map and stickers, available at various festival merchandise locations, which lead guests on a delightful quest for traditions that Olaf has discovered in every pavilion.

FESTIVAL ENTERTAINMENT AND HOLIDAY STORYTELLERS

Celebrating the holiday season at EPCOT is so special. Throughout World Showcase, the tapestry of global customs unfurls with mesmerizing storytellers sharing tales of holiday traditions from around the globe. You can see the 2023 schedule by following this link.

Videos of each country's storyteller (filmed in 2021) can be found linked below with the exception of Germany and Morocco who did not perform in 2021.

Guests are encouraged to look for EPCOT SCROLLS in each entertainment location that tell the story of each country’s holiday tradition. Find all 13 of them to collect fun new ideas for celebrating your own holidays and tips for finding unique holiday photo spots in the park.

The information below is subject to change at any time so be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for the schedule.

During the festival, holiday traditions of the world come to life around World Showcase, such as: 

JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season – Showcase Plaza Stage
Experience the joy of gospel and rhythm and blues as the JOYFUL! ensemble performs holiday music in celebration of Christmas and Kwanzaa.

American Adventure: (VIDEO)

• Santa Claus: Get ready for Christmas with Santa Claus through December 24th. Whether you know him as St. Nick, Père Noël or Father Christmas, a visit with jolly Santa Claus brings good cheer to the season.
• Kwanzaa
• Voices of Liberty Dickens Carolers

China: (VIDEO) Chinese Lion Dance: Catch a glimpse of this colorful performance that brings good fortune and happiness in the Lunar New Year.

France: (VIDEO) Père Noël: Visit with Père Noël and rediscover the magic of Christmas through the letter of a delightful child.

Germany: (VIDEO) Chilli Da Mur: Watch as this accomplished German vocal group celebrates the season with folk music, pop, and original songs. (NOTE: This act is for reference purposes only.)

Hanukkah Storyteller: (VIDEO) Between the Morocco and France Pavilions at Epcot's World Showcase, a storyteller recounts traveling abroad to explore the diverse music and traditions of Hanukkah around the world.

Italy: (VIDEO) La Befana: Come hear the tale of La Befana, the kind-hearted witch who visits sleeping young children on the Eve of the Epiphany.

Japan: (VIDEO) Daruma Storyteller: Hear the fascinating story of the Daruma doll and the Japanese customs of the New Year!

Mexico: (VIDEO) Las Posadas Celebration: ¡Feliz Navidad! Join the fun and pageantry of Las Posadas with dancers, piñatas and the music of Mariachi Cobre.

Morocco: (VIDEO) Festivity in Morocco: Join in as a lively band recreates the fun of street festivals and the holiday season across Morocco. (NOTE: This act is for reference purposes only.)

Norway: (VIDEO) A Mischievous Magical Barn Santa: Celebrate the season with laughter as a mischievous Barn Santa visits Sigrid, an unsuspecting Christmas storyteller.

United Kingdom: (VIDEO) Father Christmas: See Father Christmas as he rings in the season, sharing the traditions of the United Kingdom and good cheer.

CANDLELIGHT PROCESSIONAL

Held each year at EPCOT, the Candlelight Processional is a not-to-be-missed event. A mass choir, joined by a 50-piece live orchestra and a celebrity narrator, tell the story of Christmas in words and music, in a very moving performance. An American Sign Language interpreter will also be on stage to translate the narrated story, allowing hearing-impaired guests to enjoy the event. Performances are held at the America Gardens Theatre. LEARN MORE

Candlelight Processional Dining Package

The Candlelight Processional Dining Package allows you to enjoy a meal at one of EPCOT's restaurants, or a surrounding restaurant, while guaranteeing you a seat for that evening's show. It's important to note that at times, this can be the only way to get a seat. Those with Dining Packages booked are typically the first to be seated – those waiting in the standby line will be given the few seats that remain. If you're at Walt Disney World during the holidays, this event should not be missed! LEARN MORE

HOLIDAY KITCHENS

Holiday eats, treats, and sips are a big part of the festival and include stand-alone Holiday Kitchens that are scattered throughout the World Showcase serving more than 50 bites from around the world and 60+ specialty beverages. You can view the full menus for each Holiday Kitchen by following this link.

Holiday Kitchens are open daily during the festival! Below is a list of the 2023 Holiday Kitchens:

American Holiday Table (American Adventure Pavilion)
Enjoy a savory salute to the season—with traditional dishes reminiscent of grandma’s cooking.

Bavaria Holiday Kitchen (Germany Pavilion)
Willkommen! Help yourself to heartwarming holiday cuisine and German beverages.

Bubbles & Brine (near Port of Entry)
Indulge in succulent seafood that pairs beautifully with Champagne.

Char & Chop (near Disney Traders)
Stop by this butchery-inspired holiday kitchen for gourmet meats.

Holiday Hearth Desserts (The Odyssey Pavilion)
Cozy up with sweet treats, hot cocoa, blissful brews and more.

Holiday Sweets & Treats (near Port of Entry)
Rock around the Christmas tree with cookies, hot cocoa and specialty sips sure to top the “nice” list.

L'Chaim! Holiday Kitchen (between the Morocco and France Pavilions)
Propose a toast to life as you enjoy classic deli noshes with a side of New York flair.

Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen (Mexico Pavilion)
Feliz Navidad! Take your taste buds south of the border to celebrate the season.

Le Marché de Noël Holiday Kitchen (France Pavilion)
Feast on très magnifique fare. Plus, refresh your spirit with specialty cocktails.

Nochebuena Cucina (near Test Track presented by Chevrolet)
Spice up your holiday with delicious dishes packed with bold Latin flavors.

Shanghai Holiday Kitchen (China Pavilion)
Have yourself a merry little meal, with popular Chinese plates and potables.

Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen (Japan Pavilion)
Please your palate with festive dishes and drinks from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Swirled Showcase (near Port of Entry)
Cool off with whimsical frozen treats and chilled beverages.

Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina (Morocco Pavilion)
Embark on a culinary adventure to Morocco—featuring grilled kebabs, hard cider and more.

Tuscany Holiday Kitchen (Italy Pavilion)
Mangiare! Savor a seasonal take on some of the world’s best-loved food and beverages.

Wine & Wedge (near Disney Traders)
Snack on artisanal cheeses and accoutrements—which pair well with wine, port and more.

Yukon Holiday Kitchen (Canada Pavilion)
Jingle your bells with delightful dishes and libations from the Great White North.

Additional Locations
Discover mouthwatering morsels, nibbles and noshes from these year-round food stops—each offering special menu items in addition to the regular menu.

• Funnel Cake (American Adventure Pavilion)
• Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company (multiple locations at EPCOT)
• Refreshment Outpost (between the China and Germany Pavilions)
• Refreshment Port (near Canada)

FESTIVAL OF THE HOLIDAYS MERCHANDISE

Visitors will find an array of special merchandise that has been created for the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays inside of the shops and various merchandise kiosks around the park. We recommend that if you see something you cannot live without, pick it up before walking away as many times, the items for sale vary from one location to another and you may not see that specific item again during your visit.