2025 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Dates & Details Announced

Hey Disney Vacationers! Walt Disney World has officially announced the 2025 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays dates. The festival will run from Friday, November 28 through Tuesday, December 30, 2025. If you’re planning a Disney trip around the holidays, you’ll want to mark your calendar now—this seasonal celebration is one of EPCOT’s best events of the year.

Here’s everything you need to know.

What Is the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays?

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays celebrates traditions from around the world. The event transforms World Showcase into a holiday destination, complete with seasonal food, live music, cultural storytellers, and festive decorations.

The 2025 festival is presented by AdventHealth and continues the tradition of beginning the day after Thanksgiving. That means you can enjoy leftover pumpkin pie and then head to EPCOT to walk among lit-up pavilions, sip warm holiday drinks, and catch nightly performances.

2025 Festival Dates and Admission Info

• Start Date: Friday, November 28, 2025
• End Date: Tuesday, December 30, 2025
• Location: EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort
• Included With Admission: Yes, the festival is included with a standard EPCOT ticket
• Park Pass Reservation Needed? Only for certain ticket types like Annual Passholders. Most guests with date-based tickets do not need a Park Pass. Check Disney’s website to confirm if you need a park pass reservation.

If you’re planning to go, weekdays earlier in December are usually less crowded. Avoid the week leading into Christmas and the days between Christmas and New Year’s if you want lower crowds and easier access to entertainment and food booths.

Candlelight Processional Returns in 2025

A guest favorite each year, the Candlelight Processional is back. This nightly event takes place at the America Gardens Theatre and tells the story of Christmas with narration, a 50-piece orchestra, and a mass choir.

• Show Times: 5:00 PM, 6:45 PM, and 8:15 PM nightly
• Duration: Around 50 minutes
• Seating: First-come, first-served (can fill up quickly)
• Celebrity Narrators: To be announced
• Dining Packages: Include reserved seating (details coming soon)

The performance features well-known Christmas hymns and is a must-see if you’re visiting during the holiday season.

Voices of Liberty as Dickens Carolers

During the Festival, the Voices of Liberty also take on a special role outside the theater. Dressed in Victorian holiday attire, they perform as Dickens Carolers inside The American Adventure pavilion. Their harmonies are beautiful, and it’s a great way to pause and soak in the season.

Holiday Storytellers Around World Showcase

Throughout World Showcase, each country pavilion brings its own holiday traditions to life. Cast Members and performers share unique seasonal stories from around the world. These short shows are entertaining and educational, making them great for all ages.

Here’s a quick look at some of the expected storytellers for 2025:

• Mexico Pavilion – Las Posadas Celebration
• Norway Pavilion – Mischievous Magical Barn Santa
• China Pavilion – Chinese Lion Dancer
• Italy Pavilion – La Befana
• Japan Pavilion – Daruma Storyteller
• Between Morocco & France – Hanukkah Storyteller
• France Pavilion – Père Noël
• United Kingdom Pavilion – Father Christmas
• Canada Pavilion – Canadian Holiday Voyageurs

You can check showtimes in the My Disney Experience app each day.

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt

This one’s especially great if you’re visiting with kids (or if you’re a big Olaf fan yourself).

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition is a scavenger hunt around World Showcase. You’ll search for Olaf hiding in 13 locations, each featuring a different holiday tradition.

Once you find them all, head to Creations Shop or World Traveler at International Gateway to claim your holiday-themed prize. This adds an extra layer of fun as you explore each pavilion.

JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season

JOYFUL! is a concert experience that blends gospel, R&B, and jazz with classic holiday tunes. It celebrates both Christmas and Kwanzaa and is performed by D’Vine Voices, a talented group from Central Florida.

You’ll find JOYFUL! performances near the World Showcase Plaza, with showtimes listed daily in the app.

Holiday Kitchens and Seasonal Food Offerings

Food is a big part of the Festival of the Holidays. Dozens of Holiday Kitchens around EPCOT serve sweet and savory bites, as well as festive drinks from all over the world.

While Disney hasn’t yet revealed the full menu, returning favorites and new items are expected. These booths are a great way to sample global holiday flavors as you explore World Showcase.

Stay tuned for a complete Foodie Guide when Disney releases it.

Living With the Land – Holiday Overlay

If you love calm rides with a touch of holiday cheer, Living with the Land: Glimmering Greenhouses is for you. This EPCOT original gets a seasonal overlay with lights, holiday decor, and festive narration.

It’s a great ride for families and offers a relaxing break from the busier holiday crowds.

Holiday Magic Shots and PhotoPass Extras

Festival of the Holidays often brings seasonal Magic Shots and special PhotoPass locations. These might include characters in festive gear, holiday-themed props, or digitally added surprises like snow or mistletoe.

If you have Memory Maker, this is a fun way to capture the seasonal spirit throughout your visit.

Best Times to Visit the Festival

If you’re looking to experience the festival with fewer crowds, consider these tips:

• Visit weekdays between December 2–13, 2025
• Arrive early for food booths and Candlelight Processional seating
• Avoid the week of Christmas and New Year’s if possible

Crowds typically swell from mid-December onward, so earlier visits mean shorter lines and easier access to entertainment. It’s always good to check a crowd calendar for the best days!

Final Thoughts: Should You Visit?

The 2025 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays is more than just food booths and decorations. It’s a full-on seasonal celebration that mixes global culture with Disney magic. Whether you go for the Candlelight Processional, the Storytellers, the food, or just the festive atmosphere, this festival delivers on all fronts.

If you’re already planning a Disney trip during this window—or debating between early or late December—knowing the exact 2025 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays dates can help you make a better plan.

20% Off site-wide, plus Free Shipping on all orders of $65+

Over 75+ Designs! Your next park shirt is just a click away

Looking To Book Your Dream Disney Vacation?

Save time & money on your vacation

Your Disney vacation should create unforgettable memories that last a lifetime.

Whether you’re a first-time Disney vacationer or looking to plan your next magical adventure, it isn’t enough just to go on a Disney vacation. We want you to talk about your vacation for years to come and create memories you’ll cherish forever. Vacation is calling! Are you ready to answer?

REQUEST QUOTE

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Jonathan Cotton 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I’m no stranger to Disney planning, as a Disneyland magic key holder and DVC member. I’m the person people ask for trip planning advice. But I had never been on a Disney cruise, and had heard great about Nate and decided to reach out. I’m so glad I did because we could not have been happier with our experience. His tips and insights were incredibly helpful, and he was incredibly responsive any time we had a question. Who do the Disney experts turn to when they need help? Nate, that’s who.

We’ll definitely be using him again.
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Andria Skornik 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Our experience working with Nate as our Disney vacation planner was exceptional. He was responsive and thorough. He gave us insights that made the trip go much more smoothly. We were able to really relax and focus on quality time as a family and have so much fun doing it! I will definitely reach out for any future trips.
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 rpwoodjr 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Could not have wanted or expected more from Nate, our Distrips and More agent as we planned our 2025 Disney World trip. Nate was VERY responsive to emails and texts and more than willing to do whatever he could to guide us and answer our questions.  On several occasions I emailed him over the weekend not expecting a response until Monday but each time he responded before the weekend was over.  He even participated in a Zoom session with our group of five seniors as we planned our trip. He also helped us at the 11th hour when we added a family member to our travel group less than a month before our trip.  Without a doubt, I will reach out to Nate when I'm ready to plan my next trip to Disney World!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Homero Rendon 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
We are so thankful we used Nate to plan not only our first Disney trip, but also our second. He made the process so easy for us, especially for us since it was our first time going. There was a lot to consider and many decisions to make, such as where to stay, when to go, and what to experience. Nate really helped us narrow down what we wanted to do overall, but he didn’t stop there. He provided detailed guides to help us navigate the airport and find our transportation to the resort, as well as a guide to explore the resorts and make sure we saw the best Christmas decorations. One of the many amazing things he also did was set up our dinner reservations for us. This saved us so much stress and allowed us to get some of our top choices. From the moment we landed in Orlando to the moment we headed back home, he made sure everything went smoothly. You truly can’t go wrong with going to him for your next trip.
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Lee Mathes 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Nate was absolutely the best planner I have ever had.  Will most definitely be using him again.   He took care of everything and kept me on track.  Was so very helpful in making all the dining reservations and everything.   Can't thank him enough.   He made our trip completely stress free!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Amanda Moran 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Nathan has been an amazing trip planner for me! So helpful and responsive. I am a very type A person -- so someone who is even more on top of their game than me -- is so so appreciated! Nathan has booked 3 trips for me (1 completed 2 pending) and it was perfection. Thanks again!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Hyperion Adventures Podcast 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Nate has helped us with our vacation planning for the last couple of years and we couldn't be happier with his service and expertise. We've used other travel agents in the past and none of them have done as phenomenal a job to make sure every detail is taken care of as he has. Switching to Nate was one of the best decisions we've ever made. He's always quick to answer questions and works tirelessly to make sure we get everything we want from our trips. Plus, he's just a genuinely great person who is wonderful to work with. Whether you're planning a trip to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a Disney Cruise, or any other vacation, Nate is the guy you want putting it all together! Five stars across the board!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Google rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 7 reviews 
 
   
 
 

Meet the Author: Nate Bishop

I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!