Epcot Festival of the Holidays 2024 – Fun, Food & Festivities

Epcot Festival of the Holidays is a magical yuletide extravaganza that brings lots of festive cheer to Epcot from November 29th to December 30th 2024.

This enchanting seasonal celebration creates an immersive experience with delicious holiday treats, cultural traditions, spirited story telling from around the world, Santa visits, scavenger hunts and the fan favorite, Candlelight Processional. Enjoy seasonal musical performances and take a festive global tour around Showcase Lagoon.

Epcot Festival of the Holidays Highlights:

• Holiday Kitchens serve up seasonal dishes reflecting unique customs from around the world
• Candlelight Processional features celebrity narrators sharing the Christmas story alongside a live choir and orchestra
• Festive Entertainment with JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season performing uplifting holiday songs
• Storytellers from around the world share holiday tales and traditions
• Seasonal Makeovers at Living with the Land and Guardians of the Galaxy

Epcot Festival of the Holidays
Holiday Kitchens

Get ready for the Festival of the Holidays to take your taste buds on a seasonal journey. Holiday Kitchens are the heart and soul of the festival, where you can get a taste of seasonal flavors and treasured holiday recipes from across the globe.

Multiple Holiday Kitchens are sprinkled throughout World Showcase offering an array of festive goodies. Disney chefs create treasured dishes to keep palates merry. From savories to sweets, children’s drinks to adult libations, there’s something on the holiday menu for everyone.

Two new kitchens located in CommuniCore Hall this year are Experimental Prototype Cookies of Tomorrow offering an array of cookies, plus Spaceship Earth gingerbread triangles available in a decorating kit. Favorites of Festivals Past features fan favorite dishes from previous festivals.

• Festival Passport: Grab a passport when you first enter Epcot so you can keep a track of your favorite dishes and locate all the food booths.
• Go Hungry because you’ll be able to sip and savor more than 50 bites and over 60 specialty beverages.
• Share Dishes so you can sample more!

Holiday Cookie Stroll

Purchase five cookies from any of the cookie stroll locations, collecting a stamp in your festive passport for each one. When you’ve got 5 stamps in your passport, head to Holiday Sweets & Treats for a complimentary specialty treat.

All ages will love joining in. There’s no time limit and you can collect the five stamps at leisure during the festival. Claim your complimentary treat before Epcot Festival of the Holidays ends on December 30th.

Epcot Festival of the Holidays
Candlelight Processional

This is one of the most popular events during the Epcot Festival of the Holidays. Epcot’s grandest holiday tradition features the retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator. The Candlelight Processional is performed with a 50-piece orchestra, mass choir and different celebrity narrators. Many find it a spiritually moving experiences, but the choir and orchestra appeal to non religious visitors too.

The 40 minute show takes place at the America Gardens Theatre three times every night during the festival at 5:00pm, 6.45pm or 8:15pm.

Candlelight Processional 2024 Narrators

The Epcot Festival of the Holidays lineup of award-winning actors, singers and TV personalities features several new celebrity narrators making their debut, including Nico Santos, Tituss Burgess and Ralph Macchio. They will join many returning fan-favorite celebrity narrators, including Neil Patrick Harris, Josh Gad and Whoopi Goldberg.

Here’s the full line-up for the 2024 Candlelight Processional:

Candlelight Processional Seating

Standby seating is on a first come, first serve basis and does get full. Lines start forming well in advance of shows. You need to start lining up early to get a good seat. At least 50% of the theater is reserved for those with Candlelight Processional Dining Packages.

Timing for arriving to get in line really depends on the narrator. People will start lining up several hours in advance for popular narrators. The date you are visiting will also play a factor in wait times.

If you want to be guaranteed a seat for a popular narrator, without waiting in line for several hours, a dining package is the way to go. The dining packages are usually booked well in advance, but same day seating can also be booked at one location during the Epcot Festival of the Holidays.

2024 Candlelight Dinner Package

When you book a Candlelight Dinner Package you’ll enjoy dining at one of several Epcot eateries, followed by same day guaranteed seating at the Candlelight Processional. Your dining package includes an entrée and dessert or one full buffet (where applicable), plus a non-alcoholic beverage. At Spice Road, you’ll get 2 small plates and a nonalcoholic beverage per person, plus a tagine and dessert platter for your party to share

• Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue (Same day reservations only) $41 adult, $24 child
• La Crêperie de Paris – France Pavilion – $53 adult, $27 child
• Spice Road Table – Morocco Pavilion – $61 adult, $24 child
• Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria – Italy Pavilion – $63 adult, 27 child
• Nine Dragons Restaurant – China Pavilion – $65 adult, $28 child
• Chef’s de France – France Pavilion $66 adult, $37 child
• Rose & Crown Dining Room – United Kingdom Pavilion – $66 adult, $29 child
• Biergarten Restaurant – Germany Pavilion – $71 adult, $38 child
• Garden Grill Restaurant – The Land Pavilion – Breakfast: $71 adult, $43 child | Lunch/Dinner: $84 adult, $52 child
• Tutto Italia Ristorante – Italy Pavilion – $75 adult, $28 child
• Coral Reef Restaurant – The Living Seas – $78 adult, $32 child
• La Hacienda de San Angel – Mexico Pavlion – $86 adult, $37 child
• Le Cellier Steakhouse – Canada Pavilion – $104 adult, $42 child
• Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya – Japan Pavilion – $105 adult, $60 child
• Teppan Edo – Japan Pavilion – $105 adult, $60 child

For reservations book online. It is highly recommended you book as early as possible. You will also need an Epcot park reservation too.

Your seating is guaranteed when you book a dining package, but you are not assigned a specific seat. You are guaranteed a seat in a reserved area.

Same Day Candlelight Processional Dining Options

If you don’t book a dining package in advance, same day dining options with reserved seating for the Candlelight Processional can be booked at Regal Eagle Smokehouse or Spice Road Table.

• Regal Eagle Smokehouse – American Adventure Pavilion – $41 adults, $24 children

Check availability on the day you visit. Seating packages are limited, head there as early as possible in the day for the best chance of a reservation.

If you are not that fussed about seating, there is usually standing room just outside the theater that still gives you a reasonable view. You have to keep clear of walkways and will be moved by Cast Members if you block any.

You can also hear the performance in the American Adventure area.

Epcot Festival of the Holidays
Story Telling

One of our favorite parts of the Epcot Festival of the Holidays. All ages will love experiencing international cultures and traditional story telling by live actors in seasonal costume. Various nations showcase traditions specific to their culture. Plus, there’s also entertaining story telling, live music performances and culinary treats.

The Story Tellers are the stars of the Epcot Festival of the Holidays. Do make sure you stop and listen to the the tales and special seasonal shows. You’ll enjoy traditional tales and holiday antics from around the globe.

Mexico Pavilion – Las Posadas Celebration

¡Feliz Navidad! Join the fun and pageantry of Las Posadas with dancers, piñatas and the music of Mariachi Cobre.
Performance Details: 25-minute performances

Norway Pavilion – A Mischievous Magical Barn Santa

Celebrate the season during Epcot Festival of the Holidays with laughter as a mischievous Barn Santa visits Sigrid, an unsuspecting Christmas storyteller.
Performance Details: 15-minute performances

Italy Pavilion – La Befana

Come hear the tale of La Befana, the kind-hearted witch who visits sleeping young children on the Eve of the Epiphany.
Performance Details: 15-minute performances

Japan Pavilion – Daruma Storyteller

Hear the fascinating story of the Daruma doll and the Japanese customs of the New Year!
Performance Details: 15-minute performances

Between Morocco and France Pavilions – Hanukkah Storyteller

Discover an entertaining celebration of Hanukkah along World Showcase promenade, where a storyteller recounts traveling abroad to explore the diverse music and traditions of Hanukkah around the world.
Performance Details: 15-minute performances

France Pavilion – Père Noël

Visit with Père Noël and rediscover the magic of Christmas through the letter of a delightful child during the Epcot Festival of the Holidays.
Performance Details: 15-minute performances

United Kingdom Pavilion – Father Christmas

Join Father Christmas as he rings in the season, sharing the traditions of the United Kingdom and good cheer.
Performance Details: 15-minute performances

Canada Pavilion – Canadian Holiday Voyageurs

Explore holiday customs from the various regions of Canada on a musical tour of the Great White North with the Canadian Holiday Voyageurs.
Performance Details: 20 minute performance

The Odyssey Pavilion – Santa Claus

Get ready for a Christmas photo op with Santa Claus, daily through December 24. Whether you know him as St. Nick, Père Noël or Father Christmas, a visit with jolly Santa Claus brings good cheer to the season.

Epcot Festival of the Holidays
Entertainment

JOYFUL! A Gospel Celebration of the Season

Enjoy a blend of holiday melodies as JOYFUL perform uplifting gospel, R&B and contemporary holiday songs at CommuniCore Plaza. The JOYFUL! performers sing favorites such as Go Tell It on the Mountain with amazing four-part harmonies. Plus, the group showcase the rhythm and joy of powerhouse vocals and togetherness in newer contemporary holiday favorites. American holiday classics like the quintessential Nat King Cole favorite The
Christmas Song and other melodies of the season are also included.

Kwanzaa will be incorporated into performances of JOYFUL! until December 25th. From December 26th the group will perform a full Kwanzaa show.

JOYFUL Performances showcase 4 times a day throughout the Epcot Festival of the Holidays. Check for updated times when you arrive.

Evening Fireworks

End your day with the breathtaking Luminous The Symphony of Us nighttime spectacular, with holiday enhancements that bring a seasonal touch to the show.

Spaceship Earth

From sundown, Spaceship Earth dazzles with holiday lights and projections, making it the perfect way to cap off your festival experience. There are usually holiday editions during the Christmas season.

Epcot Festival of the Holidays Spaceship Earth Gingerbread Display

Epcot is getting a brand new gingerbread display for the 2024 holidays. An 8 foot tall gingerbread Spaceship Earth that will light up and dance will be on show at CommuniCore Hall from November 29th.

It took over 160 hours to create using almost a thousand handcrafted gingerbread triangles to mirror Epcot’s iconic attraction. Ingredients include 240 pounds of honey dough, 100 eggs, 100 ounces lebkuchen spice, 55 pounds dark chocolate and 100 pounds royal icing.

There are 11 hidden Mickeys to find, representing the 11 countries of the World Showcase.

Glittering Grove

While you’re in CommuniCore Hall checkout out the gingerbread Spaceship Earth, be sure to take a visit to Glittering Grove, where you’ll find seasonal décor inspired by the Epcot design. Plus, there’s a selection of festival merchandise available for purchase.

Epcot Festival of the Holidays
Fun for Kids

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt in search of Olafs most treasured holiday collections that he’s misplaced around World Showcase. A Scavenger Hunt map and stickers is available for $9.99 during Epcot Festival of the Holidays.

Look for the traditional Olaf found in each pavilion and mark it on your map. Even if you don’t find them all, take your map to Creations or World Traveler at International Gateway and you’ll get a keepsake worth melting for.

Snowflake Decorating

Head over to CommuniCore Plaza anytime during the Epcot Festival of the Holidays, where the kids can take part in a complimentary activity of decorating their own snowflakes. You can time it so it coincides with a performance by JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season as they showcase on the CommuniCore Plaza stage several times a day.

Festive Attractions and Decor

No holiday festival at Epcot would be complete without some seasonal decor and a litrle festive twist on some attractions.

Living with the Land – Merry and Bright Nights

Take a nighttime ride through the greenhouses adorned with holiday lights and festive décor. This gentle boat ride is transformed with sparkling lights, making it a perfect, relaxing experience for all ages.

Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses

The Behind the Seeds Tour gets a holiday makeover for the season. Brand new for 2024, Glimmering Greenhouses is limited-time hour long walking tour of The Land Pavilion.

You’ll discover the secrets behind seasonal crops and get to explore hydroponic greenhouses and discover sustainable growing techniques. Plus you’ll see the seasonal light enhancements and festive displays.

Glimmering Greenhouses Tours are available at 6pm and 7pm from November 29 through December 30 2024, but are extremely limited. Behind the Seeds Tours are still available during the holiday season.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Holiday Remix

This seasonal version of the roller coaster includes holiday music to keep things festive. If you love Christmas music with a twist, you’ll appreciate the added seasonal fun on this popular attraction.

Epcot Festival of the Holidays combines Disney magic with the spirit of the season, offering something for all ages. From global cuisine and festive decor to live entertainment and heartwarming traditions, this festival provides a holiday experience you won’t want to miss​. See you there!

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