Disney Adults, there has been a ton of news released as part of Disney’s Halfway to the Holidays event. We’ve already heard about the return of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party as well as the 2026 Disney Jollywood Nights party. Now it’s time to talk about another one of your favorites: The EPCOT International Festival Of The Holidays!
Disney has officially announced the return of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth for the 2026 holiday season. Running from November 27 – December 30, 2026, the beloved festival once again transforms EPCOT into one of the most festive destinations at Walt Disney World. You should expect celebrations of holiday traditions, seasonal flavors, and entertainment from around the globe.
For Disney Adults, this annual festival offers one of the best ways to experience the holidays. Instead of focusing on a single celebration, EPCOT invites guests to explore how cultures around the world celebrate the season through food, music, storytelling, and unforgettable entertainment.
Celebrate Holiday Traditions Around World Showcase
One of the signature experiences returning in 2026 is the collection of Holiday Storytellers throughout World Showcase. Each storyteller shares the customs, legends, and traditions unique to their country’s holiday celebrations.
Guests can once again enjoy returning favorites including:
- Las Posadas Celebration in the Mexico Pavilion
- Barn Santa in the Norway Pavilion
- Chinese Lion Dancer and Si-Zhu Trio in the China Pavilion
- Adventskalender in the Germany Pavilion
- La Befana in the Italy Pavilion
- Daruma Storyteller in the Japan Pavilion
- Hanukkah Storyteller between the Morocco and France Pavilions
- Père Noël in the France Pavilion
- Father Christmas in the United Kingdom Pavilion
- Canadian Holiday Voyageurs in the Canada Pavilion
These performances continue to make the festival feel uniquely EPCOT by blending education with entertainment.
Holiday Kitchens Will Once Again Fill EPCOT With Seasonal Flavors
Food remains one of the biggest reasons Disney Adults return to this festival year after year.
Holiday Kitchens will once again serve festive dishes and seasonal beverages inspired by holiday traditions from around the world. Disney has not yet released the complete marketplace menus for 2026, although guests can expect those details closer to opening day.
The popular Holiday Cookie Stroll also returns, giving guests another opportunity to sample specialty cookies throughout the park while collecting stamps in their Festival Passport before redeeming a complimentary seasonal treat.
The Candlelight Processional Returns
No Festival of the Holidays visit feels complete without experiencing the Candlelight Processional.
The beloved performance returns to the America Gardens Theatre with celebrity narrators, a full orchestra, and a massive choir retelling the Christmas story. Disney has confirmed its return but has not yet announced this year’s celebrity narrator lineup or dining packages. Those announcements are expected later this year.
Many Disney Adults plan an entire EPCOT day around catching one of the nightly performances.
Getting JOYFUL! With A Celebration Of The Season
You can literally feel the rhythms of Kwanzaa and Christmas in your soul when you watch a performance of JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season. This live performance, held multiple times per day during the festival, was one of my favorite activities during the 2025 Festival of the Holidays. This highly underrated performance celebrates African-American culture during the holidays with soulful gospel, R&B, and jazz music in an uplifting performance. You can see the show from last year here.
Other Seasonal Entertainment Brings EPCOT to Life
Beyond the Candlelight Processional and JOYFUL!, guests can also enjoy other returning holiday entertainment throughout the park.
The Voices of Liberty will once again perform as the Dickens Carolers, filling EPCOT with Victorian-inspired holiday music. Santa Claus will make appearances throughout World Showcase while greeting guests inside CommuniCore Hall. Guests can also meet Goofy dressed as Santa Claus inside The Odyssey.
These smaller entertainment offerings create festive surprises throughout the day as you explore the park.
Festive Décor Makes Every Corner Picture Perfect
The holidays completely transform EPCOT.
Garland, wreaths, lights, and beautifully decorated Christmas trees fill every World Showcase pavilion while reflecting holiday traditions unique to each nation. CommuniCore Hall also becomes home to the returning Gingerbread Spaceship Earth display presented by Citizen, adding another must-see photo opportunity during the festival. Finally, we are pleased that the holiday overlay for Living With The Land is returning. The boat ride will again become Living With The Land – Glimmering Greenhouses. Be prepared for a festive ride through greenhouses decorated with holiday lights and other festive nods.
For photographers and content creators, the Festival of the Holidays continues to provide some of the most beautiful seasonal backdrops anywhere at Walt Disney World.
Start Planning Your Holiday Visit
Although the festival does not begin until the day after Thanksgiving, Disney is encouraging you to plan your holiday Disney vacation early. Resort reservations, theme park tickets, and vacation packages are available now, giving visitors plenty of time to secure accommodations during one of Walt Disney World’s busiest seasons.
As additional announcements arrive, Disney is expected to reveal:
- Holiday Kitchen menus
- Candlelight Processional celebrity narrators
- Dining packages
- Festival merchandise
- Additional entertainment details
I would love to help you with your next Disney vacation. As a Travel Advisor, I know the ins and outs of planning and can get you the best deal. The best news is that there is no additional cost to you! If you are interested in a free quote, click the button below to visit my travel site where you can request a quote.
MouseHouseNews.net Will Have the Latest Festival Updates
The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays continues to be one of the most popular seasonal events at Walt Disney World because it blends incredible food, world-class entertainment, and meaningful holiday traditions into one unforgettable festival.
If you’re planning to visit this holiday season, keep checking MouseHouseNews.net for the latest Festival of the Holidays news, food booth menus, entertainment updates, dining package announcements, and planning tips as Disney reveals more information throughout the year. Don’t forget to also subscribe to the MouseHouseNewsNet YouTube channel for the sights and sounds from Walt Disney World.
