EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays Guide
The festival fun continues at EPCOT with the return of the International Festival of the Holidays! The most cookie-filled festival has returned to Walt Disney World and we have all the details.
The International Festival of the Holidays celebrates holidays around the world and includes Holiday Kitchens, a Cookie Stroll, an Olaf-themed scavenger hunt, exclusive merchandise featuring Olaf and Sven from Disney’s Frozen, World Showcase Storytellers, and the return of the seasonal favorite, Candlelight Processional. Additionally, Living With the Land’s holiday ride overlay, “Merry and Bright Nights”, has returned this year to celebrate the season.
This year, Festival of the Holidays will run from November 26th to December 30th. Admission is included with park tickets and a park pass reservation to EPCOT.
Holiday Kitchens and Cookie Stroll
No EPCOT festival is complete without food booths! With fourteen Holiday Kitchens plus a few additional exclusive holiday offerings, returning favorites and classic holiday food and drink are available throughout the World Showcase. For a full list of all the holiday kitchens at Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays, check out our blog post with every menu, photos, and prices!
Who doesn’t love a free cookie? The Holiday Cookie Stroll is back! First you’ll need to pick up a Festival Passport. Then visit each cookie stroll location and purchase a cookie for a stamp in your passport. Once you receive all five stamps, present your passport at the Holiday Sweets & Treats booth near Port of Entry to receive a free specialty 50th Anniversary themed cookie! For more information and a list of cookie stroll locations, read more here!
And don’t forget to visit The American Adventure rotunda at the America Pavilion, where you’ll be able to find miniature gingerbread versions of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and The American Adventure building created by EPCOT pastry chefs.
Entertainment
The Candlelight Processional has returned to EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays! The Candlelight Processional features a 50 piece orchestra, the Voices of Liberty and a cast choir, and celebrity narrators retelling the story of Christmas.
This popular seasonal performance runs from November 29th to December 30th at the America Gardens Theatre in the America Pavilion at Epcot. The Candlelight Processional is a very popular event, especially as we get closer to the holidays. Seating is limited for each performance so be sure to show up early for the performance you’re hoping to see or make a reservation for a Candlelight Processional Dining Package, which guarantees a seat to a performance that evening.
World Showcase Storytellers is one of the festival highlights for me! Holiday entertainment streetmosphere performers, bands, and ensembles will be throughout the World Showcase as storytellers sharing holiday traditions and culture from around the world. Performances will be throughout the day- I suggest looking in the My Disney Experience app or at the daily times guide for performance times as they are subject to change.
World Showcase Storytellers to look for include:
JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season – Gospel, rhythm, and blues ensemble performing holiday music celebrating Christmas and Kwanzaa (Showcase Plaza Stage)
Las Posadas Celebration – Dancers, piñatas, and the music of Mariachi Cobre celebrating the holidays in Mexico (Mexico Pavilion)
A Mischievous Barn Santa – Mischievous Barn Santa visits an unsuspecting Christmas storyteller named Sigrid in this humorous performance (Norway Pavilion)
Chinese Lion Dance – Lion Dance performance that brings good fortune and happiness in the Lunar New Year (China Pavilion)
La Befana – Listen to the tale of La Befana, a kind witch who visits sleeping children on the Eve of the Epiphany (Italy Pavilion)
Santa Claus – Wave hello to Santa Claus as he gets ready for Christmas (America Pavilion) (Available until December 24th)
Daruma Storyteller – The fascinating story of the Drama doll and Japanese New Year customs (Japan Pavilion)
Hanukkah Storyteller – A storyteller recounts traveling the world to explore the diverse music and traditions of Hanukkah (Between the Morocco and France Pavilions)
Père Noël – Visit Père Noël and rediscover the magic of Christmas through a child’s letter (France Pavilion)
Father Christmas – Father Christmas shares the holiday traditions of the United Kingdom and spreads good cheer (United Kingdom Pavilion)
Canadian Holiday Voyageurs – Explore holiday customs with a musical tour of Canada with the Canadian Holiday Voyageurs (Canada Pavilion)
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt is back at the festival. Search for Olaf statues throughout World Showcase to get a free prize!
To participate, purchase a map for $9.99 from Festival merchandise locations. Travel around the World Showcase and find the Olaf statues- once you find them, use the stickers provided with your map to mark the holiday tradition Olaf found. Once you complete your map, bring it to Disney Traders, Creations Shop, or World Traveler to redeem it for a gift!
The scavenger hunt map will be valid through December 31st.
Living with the Land at the Land Pavilion (World Nature) will have a holiday overlay- Merry and Bright Nights.
The fan-favorite boat tour will have holiday light displays throughout the greenhouses to celebrate the International Festival of the Holidays!
Exclusive Merchandise
This year’s exclusive festival holiday merchandise will feature Olaf and Sven from Disney’s Frozen! Select holiday items will include:
Adult Sherpa Spirit Jersey ($74.99)
Adult Tee ($29.99)
Youth Tee ($24.99)
Beanie Hat ($24.99)
Fleece Throw ($39.99)
Mug ($19.99)
Ornament ($14.99)
Candy Dish
Water Bottle ($39.99)
Olaf Cookie Jar ($39.99)
Holiday Cookie Stroll Cookie Jar ($29.99)
MagicBand ($39.99)
Olaf “Feels Like Home” Limited Release Trading Pin with Festival Logo ($15.99)
Olaf Limited Release Trading Pin ($19.99)
Olaf and Sven Limited Release Trading Pin ($15.99)
Candlelight Processional 2021 Limited Release Trading Pin ($19.99)
Annual Passholder Exclusive Adult Pullover Hoodie ($49.99)
All items will be subject to availability and may sell out before the festival is over. Check out photos of all the available merch over on this recap from Disney Food Blog!
Links to More Information
Every Holiday Treat at Walt Disney World
Disney Parks Blog Foodie Guide to the Festival
Disney Parks Blog Guide to Entertainment at the Festival
If you are attending the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays I hope this information enhances your experience- and that you have a holly jolly good time!
Thanks for spending a few extra magical minutes with me! Let me know if you have any questions about Festival of the Holidays in the comments.