Whether your holiday traditions include choirs singing, chestnuts roasting, kitchens cooking, cookies baking or gifts unwrapping, EPCOT is the place to be from Nov. 26 through Dec. 30!!
The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth features cherished cultural traditions, savory seasonal flavors and costumed storytellers from the 11 nations around World Showcase. And, during “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” the 18-month celebration commemorating the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort, guests will discover incredible EARidescence and countless ways to make new memories with family and friends, making this holiday season extra special.
We’re excited to welcome back the beloved “Candlelight Processional”, a Disney Parks tradition dating back to 1958 at Disneyland park. This heartwarming production at America Gardens Theatre features the Voices of Liberty and a choir of Disney cast members, a live orchestra, and celebrity narrators retelling the traditional Christmas story.
This year, the following celebrity lineup will lend their talents to the performance, with additional celebrity narrators to be announced over the next several weeks:
- Chita Rivera
November 29 through December 1 - Jodi Benson
December 2 through December 4 - Alton Fitzgerald White
December 5 through December 7 - Lisa Ling
December 11 through December 13 - Steven Curtis Chapman
December 23 through December 25 - Blair Underwood
December 26 through December 28 - Pat Sajak
December 29 through December 30
A popular way to ensure your seat for the Candlelight Processional is to book a Candlelight Processional dining package. These packages can be booked starting on October 26th. Restaurants included are:
- Biergarten Restaurant- Germany Pavilion
- Coral Reef Restaurant- The Living Seas
- Garden Grill Restaurant- The Land Pavilion (this is also a character dining experience)
- Rose and Crown Dining Room- United Kingdom Pavilion
Holiday Kitchens will cook up treasured recipes from around the globe – from slow-roasted turkey and holiday pot pie to pumpkin gingerbread cheesecake and peppermint sundaes. A new offering, Chestnuts & Good Cheer Holiday Kitchen, will dish out fire-roasted chestnuts and cinnamon-glazed almonds and cashews, filling the air with delightful aromas.
Guests of all ages will enjoy sweet treats during the popular Holiday Cookie Stroll. Purchase any five cookies – such as the delicious SNICKERS®-Doodle Cookie made with SNICKERS® Bars or the tasty Chocolate Crinkle Cookie made with DOVE® Dark Chocolate – from any of the official Cookie Stroll locations featured in the Festival Passport and collect a matching stamp. Once guests have collected all five stamps, they can bring their passport to Holiday Sweets & Treats to receive a specialty cookie!
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt is another fun family activity for guests of all ages. Search for holiday traditions Olaf has gathered from around the world – and lost along the way! Guests can purchase the map and stickers from select festival merchandise locations while supplies last.
And, what’s a holiday season without gifts? From designer fragrances to handmade confectionary treats to festive holiday wines and teas from around the world, it’s easy to find gifts for everyone on the list – including commemorative festival merchandise featuring Olaf!
During the festival, holiday traditions of the world come to life around World Showcase, such as:
- Las Posadas at the Mexico pavilion
- Canadian Holiday Voyageurs in the Canada pavilion
- Chinese Lion Dance celebrating the new year in the China pavilion
- A Hanukkah storyteller along the promenade and delightful holiday storytellers in France, Italy, Japan, Norway and the United Kingdom.
- And outside The American Adventure, you can wave hello to Santa Claus as he gets ready for the big day.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth is available with valid theme park admission and a park reservation for the same date. Stay tuned for more details in the weeks ahead.
