Spending the holidays in Disney World is unlike any other experience you will ever take part in. At every turn you will see, smell, touch, taste, and hear things that are 100% festive in nature. Giant Christmas trees, elaborate gingerbread houses, wreaths, garland, and nutcrackers surround you. If you time your visit to EPCOT right, you’ll be part of one of my favorite festivals of the year: The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.
The 2025 edition of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays runs from November 28th – December 30th. This is EPCOT’s time to highlight what holiday traditions look like from all over the world. It is home to holiday performances, festive treats, and a holiday cookie stroll. In World Showcase, watch Holiday Storytellers from all over the world perform and share their native holiday traditions. Living With The Land – Glimmering Greenhouses returns with a holiday twist on the Living With The Land boat ride. Also, JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season is back with concerts celebrating the spirit of Christmas and Kwanzaa.
One of the most talked about traditions at the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is the Candlelight Processional, the story of Christmas told by a revolving cast of celebrity narrators. The show also includes a choir comprised of Cast Members and community singers, a 50-piece orchestra, and the Voices of Liberty (from EPCOT’s American Adventure pavilion). The celebrity narrator lineup has been released, and here is who you can expect at the Candlelight Processional (and when):
- Nov. 28-29: Constance Wu (New This Year)
- Nov. 30-Dec. 2: Jordan Fisher
- Dec. 3-4: Susan Egan (New This Year)
- Dec. 5-6: Ashley Eckstein
- Dec. 7-8: Ralph Macchio
- Dec. 9-10: Leslie Uggams (New This Year)
- Dec. 11-13: Marlee Matlin
- Dec. 14-15: Henry Winkler (New This Year)
- Dec. 16-17: Lauren Daigle (New This Year)
- Dec. 18-19: Gary Sinise
- Dec. 20-22: Brendan Fraser
- Dec. 23-24: Luis Fonsi
- Dec. 25-26: Joel David Smallbone (New This Year)
- Dec. 27-28: Brie Larson (New This Year)
- Dec. 29-30: Sheryl Lee Ralph (New This Year)
A surprise that immediately sticks out to me is the omission of names such as Neil Patrick Harris and Josh Gad this year. They have been returning celebrity narrators at this event for a number of years.
Candlelight Processional can be seen three times per day at the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays: 5:00 PM, 6:45 PM, and 8:15 PM at the America Gardens Theatre. Dining packages will also be available which allows you to enjoy a meal at a participating EPCOT restaurant while receiving a reserved spot to see the show. Sales for the dining packages open October 14th on disneyworld.com.
There’s plenty of reasons to attend this year’s EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. If you haven’t made plans to attend yet, start making those plans! The MouseHouseNews.net team will see you there, and we’ll keep you informed with new information as it becomes available.
