2023 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Guide

Joy to the World Showcase! If you’re visiting Walt Disney World during the holiday season, you must include EPCOT in your vacation plans. Why? Because EPCOT brings an extra dose of cheer with the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. Every section of the park is decked out in holiday decorations, there is a ton of free seasonal entertainment, and plenty of tasty treats to make you feel merry and bright.

We’ve updated our EPCOT Festival of the Holidays guide for 2023. This year’s festival has one of the strongest Candlelight Processional lineups in recent memory, and EPCOT’s latest and greatest ride is getting a holiday overlay.

Keep reading to find out everything there is to see, hear, ride, eat, and drink at the 2023 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays.

Update 11-09-2023 – We’ve updated this guide for the 2023 festival.

When is the 2023 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays?

This year’s EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays runs from November 24 – December 30, 2022

What is the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays?

Every November and December, the nations of World Showcase come together to share their holiday traditions with EPCOT guests. Through Holiday Storytellers in each country, nightly presentations of the Candlelight Processional, and limited-time food and merchandise, EPCOT is filled with winter cheer.

Whether you’re enjoying the festive entertainment or tasting the culinary offerings, the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is sure to get you in the holiday spirit.

How much does the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays cost?

Like all of EPCOT’s other festivals, EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is free with admission to EPCOT. Certain experiences and items such as merchandise, food, and beverages require a separate purchase.

How much does the food and beverage cost? Small plates at the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays range from $4.25 – $9.25. Desserts will be on the low end while protein heavy dishes will be on the more expensive end. Alcoholic beverages range from $5 for a glass of wine or beer to $10-$14 for a cocktail. Souvenir glasses will have an additional cost.

Should I visit EPCOT during the Festival of the Holidays?

Yes! While we believe anytime is a good time to go to Disney World, the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays is a really special event. Between the Holiday Storytellers and the Candlelight Processional, EPCOT Festival of the Holidays features some of our favorite Disney World holiday traditions. While the culinary offerings aren’t quite on the level of the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, the decorations and music make the park feel extremely festive.

One downside to visiting EPCOT during the holidays is the crowd levels. Crowds can get quite heavy during this time of year, especially the week of Christmas. We recommend visiting the first week of December to experience the lowest crowds. In fact, that’s one of our picks for the best weeks to visit Disney World!

What to Eat – Holiday Kitchen Menus and Cookie Stroll Locations

you can find the 2023 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays – Holiday Kitchen Menus here to find out what each holiday kitchen offers. Dishes range from savory appetizers such as seared scallops to traditional holiday desserts, like gingerbread men and peppermint sundaes.

This year’s Holiday Kitchen lineup is unique, because it includes four locations that were available during the Food & Wine Festival: Bubbles & Brine, Char & Chop, Swirled Showcase, and Wine & Wedge. These four food booths are sticking around due to the Disney100 celebration.

Here are the Holiday Kitchen locations for this year’s EPCOT Festival of the Holidays.

• 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 Morocco and France Pavilions
• Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen – Mexico Pavilion
• Le Marché de Noël Holiday Kitchen – France Pavilion
• Mele Kalikimaka – Near Port of Entry
• Nochebuena Cocina – Near Port of Entry – NEW!
• 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

The following quick service kiosks will also include special items for the Festival of the Holidays.

• Funnel Cake – Between the American Adventure Pavilion
• Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company – Throughout EPCOT
• Refreshment Outpost – Between the China and Germany Pavilions
• Refreshment Port – Showcase Plaza

Cookie Stroll Locations

Give your sweet tooth the gift of cookies this holiday season. Purchase any 5 of these cookies at select Holiday Kitchens and Quick Service Restaurants at EPCOT, and you’ll also receive a stamp for your Festival Passport. Once you have collected 5 stamps, bring your stamped Passport to Holiday Sweets & Treats near Port of Entry for an additional treat.

• Nochebuena Cocina: Alfajores – Spiced Chocolate Cookie
• Yukon Holiday Kitchen: Snickerdoodle 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: Jingle Sugar Cookie made with M&M’s
• Connections Café: Holiday Sugar Cookie

What to Do at EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – Holiday Remix

EPCOT’s new roller coaster gets a holiday overlay during the festival. Running from November 24 – December 30, this version of the music-forward ride will feature an original mash-up of seasonal jams. Otherwise, the ride remains the same.

Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses

Candlelight Processional

The Candlelight Processional is a spectacular telling of the traditional Christmas story, with an orchestra, choir, and celebrity narrator. This is one of our favorite things to do at Disney World during the holiday season, and we consider this a can’t miss show.

This year’s Celebrity Narrator lineup adds Sterling K. Brown, Eva Longoria, and Brendan Fraser, while bringing back Simu Liu (Marvel’s Shang-Chi), John Stamos, and Neil Patrick Harris. Returning favorites include Neil Patrick Harris and Whoopi Goldberg.

Shows take place nightly at 5:15 PM, 7 PM, and 8:30 PM at the America Gardens Theater.

For more information such as the full narrator lineup and dining packages, check out our EPCOT Candlelight Processional Guide.

Holiday Storytellers

Throughout World Showcase, you can find holiday storytellers who share the tales and traditions from their native country.

Mexico – Las Posadas Celebration

“¡Feliz Navidad! Join the fun and pageantry of Las Posadas with dancers, piñatas and the music of Mariachi Cobre.”

Performance Details:

• Sundays through Thursdays
• 11:05 AM, 12:05 PM, 1:05 PM, 3:05 PM, 4:10 PM and 5:15 PM
• 25-minute performances

Norway – A Mischievous Magical Barn Santa

“Celebrate the season with laughter as a mischievous Barn Santa visits Sigrid, an unsuspecting Christmas storyteller.”

Performance Details:

• Sundays through Saturdays
• 11:35 AM, 12:35 PM, 1:35 PM, 2:35PM, 4:35PM, 5:35 PM, 6:35 PM and 7:10 PM
• 15-minute performances

China – Chinese Lion Dancer 

“Catch a glimpse of this colorful performance that brings good fortune and happiness in the Lunar New Year.”

Performance Details:

• Sundays through Saturdays
• Noon, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM
• 15-minute performances

Italy – 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:

• Sundays through Saturdays
• 11:30 AM, 12:15 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:40 PM, 3:35 PM, 4:20 PM, 5:05 PM and 5:45 PM
• 15-minute performances

Japan – Daruma Storyteller

“Hear the fascinating story of the Daruma doll and the Japanese customs of the New Year!”

Performance Details:

• Sundays through Saturdays
• 11:20 AM, 12:40 PM, 1:40 PM, 3:20 PM, 4:20 PM, 5:05 PM, 5:50 PM and 6:35 PM
• 15-minute performances

Between France and Morocco – Hanukkah Storyteller

“Guests will 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:

• Sundays through Saturdays
• 10:15 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:40 PM, 1:15 PM, 2:45 PM, 3:45 PM, 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM
• 15-minute performances

France – Père Noël

“Visit with Père Noël and rediscover the magic of Christmas through the letter of a delightful child.”

Performance Details:

• Sundays through Saturdays
• 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:10 PM, 12:50 PM, 2:15 PM, 3:15 PM, 4:30 PM and 5:15 PM
• 15-minute performances

UK – Father Christmas

“Join Father Christmas as he rings in the season, sharing the traditions of the United Kingdom and good cheer.”

Performance Details:

• Sundays through Saturdays
• 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:40 PM, 1:30 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM
• 15-minute performances

Canada – 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:

• Sundays through Saturdays
• 11:45 AM, 12:45 PM, 1:45 PM, 3:25 PM, 4:30 PM and 6:35 PM
• 20-minute performances

JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season

Head to World Showcase Plaza for an electric Gospel and R&B performance of holiday songs from the JOYFUL! ensemble.

Shows are at 1:15 PM, 2:20 PM, 3:25 PM and 4:30 PM

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt

What better way to celebrate winter than going on a scavenger hunt with everyone’s favorite snowman. No, not you, Frosty. I’m talking about Olaf!

For Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition, you buy a special map with a set of stickers for $9.99. Maps are available at Creations Shop, Port of Entry, or World Traveler.

As you explore the park, look out for specific items that are holiday traditions that Olaf has lost. These traditions will match your stickers. You place each sticker to its corresponding place on the map to complete the scavenger hunt.

Once you’ve completed the map, turn it in to Creations or World Traveler at International Gateway for a special prize.

Spaceship Earth Holiday Light Show

Invoking wintery images like snowflakes and candles, Spaceship Earth will light up multiple times per night with a short light show set to music.

Where can I find Santa at EPCOT?

Santa returns to the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays. While Santa previously met guests at the American Adventure Pavilion, you can find Jolly St. Nick at the Odyssey Pavilion, between Test Track and the Mexico Pavilion.

Santa Claus will have a meet and greet in 60 minute increments at the following times: 11 AM, 12:30 PM, 2 PM, 3:30 PM, 5 PM, and 6:30 PM.

If you’re looking for other places to meet Santa, check out our Disney World Santa Meet and Greet guide.

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Tips

• How early should you line up for Candlelight Processional? We recommend getting to the America Gardens Theater at least 30-45 minutes before the Candlelight Processional show starts. If there’s a particularly famous or popular narrator, increase that to 45 minutes to an hour. Seating is limited!
• Save money on a dining package. We really love any counter service option for a dining package for a show like Candlelight Processional. Regal Eagle Smokehouse is your only option, but it’s a great option. For $40, you get an appetizer, entree, dessert, drink, and a great seat for the show. Plus, you don’t need to make a reservation for this – just show up to the restaurant and ask. The only downside is that same day packages may not be available on peak days.
• Avoid the first days of the festival. This is when many Disney World bloggers will descend on the park to create #content. If you can, wait a day or two to visit EPCOT during this festival.
• You can do the scavenger hunt for free. You don’t actually need to pay to play the game. Just look out for the special item located in each country. You can write down which item you find in which part of the park, or mark your park map. You won’t get a prize this way, but you can still have fun finding the hidden holiday traditions.

• Pack your own straw and utensils: You will plow through a lot of plastic cutlery over your time at the Holiday Kitchens, and Disney’s paper straws are awful. Here are a few options for reusable travel utensils and straws that we recommend. Note: Disney does not allow knives of any kind, so if you have a travel cutlery set, leave the knife in your hotel room. Even if it isn’t that sharp! I included a travel spork as part of my recommended items. You won’t need a knife for most items anyway.

How to Plan a Very Merry Disney World Vacation

Planning a trip to the EPCOT during the holiday season? This guide is just the beginning. Get in touch with our friends at Vacationeer for free Disney World vacation planning. Their travel agents can help you plan your vacation for no extra cost. They’ll make sure you get the most out of your visit to EPCOT and the other WDW theme parks, even during the busy holiday season. Plus, they are Disney experts, so they’ll have their own recommendations and advice.

Check out our Disney World Holiday and Christmas Guide, which lets you know everything there is to do at WDW during the holiday season. Find out every limited time offering at each park, including Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Plus, we list every place you can see Santa at Disney World.

And don’t miss our other Disney World guides, which help you learn the basics of planning a WDW vacation. Our Guide 2 Disney Genie and EPCOT Lightning Lane Guide will help you spend less time waiting in line for EPCOT’s best rides and attractions. Plus, we have in-depth sections with EPCOT Tips & Tricks, EPCOT Rides & Attractions, an EPCOT Character Guide, as well as EPCOT Restaurants and Dining.

Let Us Know Your Thoughts

Do you have any tips for the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays? Let me know in the comments below!