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EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Complete Guide & Tips (2026)

EPCOT's Festival of the Holidays celebrates holiday traditions from around the world with cultural storytellers, the spectacular Candlelight Processional, a Cookie Stroll, and seasonal food booths. Included with park admission, it's one of the most culturally rich holiday experiences at Walt Disney World.

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Quick Facts

2026 Dates: November 27 – December 30, 2026
Cost: Included with park admission; food booths sold separately
Best Days: Early December weekdays, before Christmas week crowds arrive. November is also excellent.
Ticket: Included with park admission

What Makes EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Special

  • Candlelight Processional, a spectacular live telling of the Christmas story with a celebrity narrator, choir, and orchestra
  • Holiday traditions from around World Showcase in pavilion decorations and storytellers, from Las Posadas in Mexico to Père Noël in France
  • Holiday cookies and seasonal dishes at food studios throughout World Showcase
  • Holiday Cookie Stroll: buy five qualifying cookies at Holiday Kitchens, collect a stamp for each, and redeem the passport for a special treat
  • Holidays Around the World storytellers at each pavilion explain their culture's traditions
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Must-Do List

  1. 1Candlelight Processional: tickets required for guaranteed seating, or arrive 2+ hours early for standby
  2. 2Complete the Holiday Cookie Stroll: five cookies, five stamps, then a special treat
  3. 3Visit each World Showcase pavilion to hear the storytellers
  4. 4Evening walk around World Showcase with holiday decorations is magical

Top Food & Drink Picks

  • American Holiday Table: green bean casserole egg roll
  • Feast of Three Kings booth: seasonal specialties
  • Germany: holiday roasted nuts and strudel

Insider Tips

  1. 1Candlelight Processional dining packages guarantee seats and include a restaurant meal. Book 60+ days out
  2. 2Celebrity narrators change throughout the event. Check the lineup and plan accordingly
  3. 3December crowds in EPCOT are high but World Showcase's large footprint distributes them well
  4. 4The Cookie Stroll's cookies are bought one by one, so it works best shared across a group
  5. 5Evening is best for the Candlelight Processional and holiday atmosphere

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dates for EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays in 2026?

November 27 – December 30, 2026. These are the dates Disney has announced. Check the official Disney World website before you go, since nightly hours and entertainment can change.

Is EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays worth it?

Yes. EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is included with standard park admission. EPCOT's Festival of the Holidays celebrates holiday traditions from around the world with cultural storytellers, the spectacular Candlelight Processional, a Cookie Stroll, and seasonal food booths. Included with park admission, it's one of the most culturally rich holiday experiences at Walt Disney World.

What should I do first at EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays?

Prioritize: Candlelight Processional: tickets required for guaranteed seating, or arrive 2+ hours early for standby; Complete the Holiday Cookie Stroll: five cookies, five stamps, then a special treat; Visit each World Showcase pavilion to hear the storytellers.

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