EPCOT Festival of the Holidays (2024)
It’s the most magical time of year at Walt Disney World and EPCOT has its own celebration called the Festival of the Holidays for an extra dose of holiday cheer!
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This year the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will run from November 29, 2024 through December 30, 2024. If you have a trip planning during these days, it will be a must see event while you’re at Walt Disney World!
Updated for 2024 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays event!
At EPCOT during the holidays, plan to take the time to check out all of the unique special holiday decorations and festivities. Take a stroll around the World Showcase to experience the holiday traditions and cuisines from different countries.
Don’t miss the Candlelight Processional, a beautiful retelling of the Christmas story with celebrity narrators and a mass choir. And of course, enjoy the dazzling display of holiday lights and fireworks during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.
On my recent trip, I was able to spend a few days at EPCOT and take in all this festival has to offer. If you will want to try the plentiful food options here and all of bounty of food stands, you may want to plan two days at this park.
If you’re visiting with small children or don’t plan to try much of the food, one day may be enough to spend at this theme park.
Festival of the Holidays Offerings
EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays celebrates the unique traditions of the countries around the World Showcase during the holiday season. Throughout the holiday season you can see showings of many of the country’s magical beings, like Santa in The Odyssey Pavilion, Père Noël in France, and La Befana in Italy.
In addition to a theme park full of holiday decor, special performances and entertainment, one of the highlights of the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays is the food!
EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Food Kiosks
At the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, you can find a variety of food kiosks offering delectable holiday treats from around the world.
Some of the popular kiosks include the American Holiday Table, Bavaria Holiday Kitchen, L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen, Feast of the Three Kings, and the Yukon Holiday Kitchen, among others.
Each kiosk showcases unique dishes and beverages that celebrate the holiday traditions of different countries, providing guests with a delightful culinary experience.
My favorites were:
- Nochebuena Cocina (Try the Christmas punch!)
- Holiday Hearth Desserts (Lots of variety here!)
- Wine & Wedge (The assorted cheeses make a great snack!)
- Bavaria Holiday Kitchen (Get the Linzer cookie, it is a must try!)
- American Holiday Table (Both the classic Gingerbread cookie and the Blackened Catfish were winners for me at this booth.)
The only stand I returned to multiple times was Nochebuena Cocina, for both the Spiced Chocolate Cookie and the Ponche Navideno (Christmas Punch)… so do with that information what you will.
For me the Nochebuena Cocina stand was the hands down winner and highlight of the festival food, with Holiday Hearth Desserts coming in a close second. The Peppermint Pinwheel from Holiday Hearth Desserts was both visually pleasing and delicious!
I did find a number of other favorites throughout the world showcase however, most notably the Linzer cookie at the Bavaria Holiday Kitchen and Blackened Catfish from American Holiday Table are two dishes I would absolutely try again.
The assorted cheeses from Wine & Wedge are always one of my favorite snacks at the festivals, and this tray is quite similar to the cheese assortment available at the same stand during Food & Wine.
EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Cookie Stroll
The Cookie Stroll at EPCOT is a delightful holiday activity where guests can purchase and enjoy a variety of delicious cookies at the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.
Participants receive a festival passport that guides them to different locations around the World Showcase where they can collect stamps for each cookie they try. It’s a fun way to sample a selection of festive treats while exploring the holiday offerings at EPCOT.
Cookies were reasoably priced in the $3-$4 range, and I was able to complete my Cookie Stroll for under $20 cost. At the end, you take your completed passport to Holiday Sweets & Treats with five stamps for all of the cookies you purchased, and you receive a special treat!
2023 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Completer Treat
I thought this was a really nice finish to an incredibly fun activity, and I think this is an affordable way to try a number of items throughout the World Showcase. Cookies are large enough to be split between a family.
Candlelight Processional at EPCOT
The Candlelight Processional is a beloved holiday tradition at EPCOT, featuring a retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator accompanied by a mass choir and a live orchestra. You’re able to see this event as you are walking past, and tickets are also available to secure a seat for specific evenings.
The event is held in the America Gardens Theatre and is known for its beautiful music, inspiring storytelling, and the festive atmosphere it creates. It’s a must-see experience for visitors to EPCOT during the holiday season.
Plan Your Day at EPCOT
EPCOT is a great theme park that has a lot of offerings and will take a full day to do all that there is to do in every area of the theme park. During the holidays, the countries around the World Showcase each have their own unique decor, treats, and entertainment, which are a must see during this time of year.
You’ll also want to spend some time in World Nature, checking out rides like Living with the Land Glimmering Greenhouses, where the Living with the Land ride is dressed up with glimmering lights for the holidays.
During your visit to the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, my recommended touring option would be to spend a good portion of the day in the World Showcase trying out the festival treats, and opting for quick service options over dining reservations. I did purchase an Individual Lightning Lane for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind to maximize my time.
Visit our EPCOT Guide post for a suggest family itinerary.
Activities for Little Ones at EPCOT
KidCot is an interactive activity designed for young visitors at EPCOT. At various locations around the World Showcase, children can stop at KidCot stations to receive a complimentary cardboard Duffy the Disney Bear or other character cutout and decorate it with special stamps and markers.
Additionally, they can interact with cultural representatives from different countries, who share stories and traditions from their respective homelands. It’s a fun and educational way for kids to engage with the diverse cultures represented at EPCOT.
If you’re visiting during the holidays, another fun activity is Olaf’s Scavenger Hunt that can be purchased for $9.99 (plus tax) at one of the participating locations: Creations Shop, Disney Traders, World Traveler, Port of Entry, Gateway Gifts, and other locations around the World Showcase. It is a fun and interactive way to go through the World Showcase and have your little ones explore along the way.
After you find all of Olaf’s hiding locations, fill up your map and bring it back into a participating store for a prize! This year’s prize is an adorable Frozen character cookie cutter you can bring home as a treat!
Check Out These EPCOT Resources
As you’re looking at the many holiday offerings and planning your Disney day, here are some resources to help you decide what to pack and what your top activities of the day will be!
- Guide to EPCOT; Planning Your One Day Itinerary
- What to Wear to Disney World in December
- What to Pack for Disney World
Disclaimer:
** All opinions are unbiased and independent. This post contains affiliate links. Moms with Mouse Ears is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com
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