 is an annual event that takes place at Epcot World Showcase. This year the festival runs from November 24 through December 30, and the festival is included...&media=//doubleyourwdw.com/cdn/shop/articles/MG_5601_grande.jpg?v=1634332591)
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays (formerly Holidays Around the World) is an annual event that takes place at Epcot World Showcase. This year the festival runs from November 24 through December 30, and the festival is included with the price of your admission.
This festival features food, drinks, and performers from around the world, and more. Here is what you can expect if you visit Epcot during the holidays:
Candlelight Processional
This is an incredibly popular show held at the American Gardens Theater in the American section of the World Showcase. The show consists of a choir and 50-piece orchestra. A celebrity narrator then reads The Christmas Story.
The show is free of charge, but because it is an extremely popular show, you will definitely want to plan ahead if you would like to attend. Lines start hours ahead of time for seating, and even if you are in line you are not guaranteed a seat.
The best way to make sure you get seating for this show is to book a Candlelight Dining Package. You have the option of booking lunch or dinner packages that include your meal guaranteed seats for one of the 3 shows on that day.
Reservations can be made on Disney's website, and can be made starting October 17, 2023.One of the reasons this show has such a large draw is the celebrity narrators who participate. The 2023 line up is as follows:
-
Chrissy Metz
November 24 and 25, 2023 -
Luis Fonsi
November 26 through 27, 2023 -
Ann-Margret
November 28 and November 29, 2023 -
Simi Liu
November 30 - December 2, 2023 -
John Stamos
December 3 through December 5, 2023 -
Neil Patrick Harris
December 6 and December 8, 2023 -
Marlee Matlin
December 9 through December 11, 2023 -
Brendan Fraser
December 12 through December 14, 2023 -
Eva Longoria
December 15 through December 16, 2023 -
Joey McIntyre
December 17 and December 18, 2023 -
Sterling K. Brown
December 19 through December 20, 2023 -
Jordan Fisher
December 21 through December 22, 2023 -
Steven Curtis Chapman
December 24 through December 26, 2023 -
Audra McDonald
December 27 and December 28, 2023 -
Lisa Ling
December 29 and December 30, 2023
Read more about the Candlelight Processional here.
Shopping
The Festival will offer holiday merchandise throughout the parks. This year the merchandise will feature Olaf and Sven from the Frozen movies. You can find these limited items at the Creations Shop, Port of Entry, and other World Showcase stores. The collection includes:
- Adult Sherpa Spirit Jersey
- Adult tee
- Youth tee
- Beanie
- Throw
- Mug
- Ornament
- Candy dish
- Water bottle
- Cookie jar
- MagicBand
- Festival logo trading pin
- Disney Vacation Club Member trading pin
- Annual Passholder trading pin
- Annual Passholder adult pullover hoodie
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt
Kids can go on a scavenger hunt to find holiday traditions that Olaf has gathered (watch Olaf's Frozen Adventure to get the joke here). You can purchase your scavenger hunt map and stickers for $9.99 plus tax from Port of Entry, Creations Shop, and World Traveler in EPCOT.
You'll use the stickers on your map to mark the tradition that Olaf has found in each Pavilion of World Showcase. When you complete your expedition you can bring the map to Disney Traders, Creation Shop, or World Traveler to redeem your map for a gift.
Holiday Kitchens
The kitchens for 2023 are:
American Holiday Table (American Adventure Pavilion)
Enjoy a savory salute to the season—with traditional dishes reminiscent of grandma’s cooking.
Bavaria Holiday Kitchen (Germany Pavilion)
Willkommen! Help yourself to heartwarming holiday cuisine and German beverages.
Bubbles & Brine (near Port of Entry)
Indulge in succulent seafood that pairs beautifully with Champagne.
Char & Chop (near Disney Traders)
Stop by this butchery-inspired holiday kitchen for gourmet meats.
Holiday Hearth Desserts (The Odyssey Pavilion)
Cozy up with sweet treats, hot cocoa, blissful brews and more.
Holiday Sweets & Treats (near Port of Entry)
Rock around the Christmas tree with cookies, hot cocoa and specialty sips sure to top the “nice” list.
L'Chaim! Holiday Kitchen (between the Morocco and France Pavilions)
Propose a toast to life as you enjoy classic deli noshes with a side of New York flair.
Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen (Mexico Pavilion)
Feliz Navidad! Take your taste buds south of the border to celebrate the season.
Le Marché de Noël Holiday Kitchen (France Pavilion)
Feast ontrès magnifiquefare. Plus, refresh your spirit with specialty cocktails.
Nochebuena Cucina (near Test Track presented by Chevrolet)
Spice up your holiday with delicious dishes packed with bold Latin flavors.
Shanghai Holiday Kitchen (China Pavilion)
Have yourself a merry little meal, with popular Chinese plates and potables.
Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen (Japan Pavilion)
Please your palate with festive dishes and drinks from the Land of the Rising Sun.
Swirled Showcase (near Port of Entry)
Cool off with whimsical frozen treats and chilled beverages.
Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina (Morocco Pavilion)
Embark on a culinary adventure to Morocco—featuring grilled kebabs, hard cider and more.
Tuscany Holiday Kitchen (Italy Pavilion)
Mangiare! Savor a seasonal take on some of the world’s best-loved food and beverages.
Wine & Wedge (near Disney Traders)
Snack on artisanal cheeses and accoutrements—which pair well with wine, port and more.
Yukon Holiday Kitchen (Canada Pavilion)
Jingle your bells with delightful dishes and libations from the Great White North.
Additional Locations
Discover mouthwatering morsels, nibbles and noshes from these year-round food stops—each offering special menu items in addition to the regular menu.
- Funnel Cake(American Adventure Pavilion)
- Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company(multiple locations at EPCOT)
- Refreshment Outpost(between the China and Germany Pavilions)
- Refreshment Port(near Canada)
Holiday Cookie Stroll
There will be Cookie Stroll booths available around the World Showcase where you can purchase cookies. For each cookie you try you'll get a stamp. Once you collect 5 stamps you'll get a free cookie specialty cookie.
Details on Cookie Stroll locations will be updated once we have them.
Holiday Storytellers
Typically the holiday storytellers are performers you'll find in each of the pavilions. They bring each country's traditional holiday to life by sharing holiday stories and performances.
Here is what you could expect at each country's pavilion in years past. This should give you an idea of what we might see in 2023:
- Canada: Holiday Voyageurs sing seasonal songs
- United Kingdom: Father Christmas shares holiday traditions
- France: Pere Noel tells stories of children leaving out shoes for Christmas
- Morocco: Hear about Moroccan festivals and traditions
- Japan: Hear about Japanese New Year, O Shogatsu.
- America: Hear the story of Kwanzaa and Hannukah and see Santa and Mrs. Claus
- Italy: Hear the witch La Benafa tell the story of the Epiphany
- Germany: Hear the origin story of the Nutcracker.
- China: Dragon dancers perform and celebrate the New Year
- Norway: Hear the srory of the gnome Julenissen
- Mexico: Hear mariachi singers play festive holiday music
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See you at the parks,
-Julie
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