Walt Disney World has confirmed that the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth will return for the 2026 season, bringing holiday traditions from around the world back to EPCOT.
The festival will run from November 27 through December 30, 2026, beginning the day after Thanksgiving. Guests can once again expect holiday storytellers, seasonal entertainment, festive food and beverage offerings, special decor, and the fan-favorite Candlelight Processional.
Holiday Storytellers Around World Showcase
One of the festival’s signature experiences is the return of the Holiday Storytellers, who share seasonal traditions from countries around the world.
Guests will be able to find storytellers in:
- Mexico Pavilion — Las Posadas Celebration
- Norway Pavilion — A Mischievous Magical Barn Santa
- China Pavilion — Chinese Lion Dancer and Si-Zhu Trio
- Germany Pavilion — Adventskalender
- Italy Pavilion — La Befana
- Japan Pavilion — Daruma Storyteller
- Morocco/France area — Hanukkah Storyteller
- France Pavilion — Père Noël
- United Kingdom Pavilion — Father Christmas
- Canada Pavilion — Canadian Holiday Voyageurs
Santa Sightings and Holiday Characters
Santa Claus will make appearances throughout the festival, including a greeting location inside CommuniCore Hall.
Guests can also find:
- Père Noël in the France Pavilion
- Barn Santa in the Norway Pavilion
- Goofy as Santa at The Odyssey
Seasonal Decor and the Gingerbread Spaceship Earth Display
The entire park will once again be decorated with holiday trees, garlands, lights, and pavilion-specific seasonal displays inspired by traditions from around the world.
One returning highlight is the Gingerbread Spaceship Earth display and countdown celebration presented by CITIZEN, featuring holiday-themed lighting and music every 15 minutes.
Candlelight Processional Returns
The Candlelight Processional will once again take place nightly at the America Gardens Theatre.
The performance features a celebrity narrator, a mass choir, and a full orchestra retelling the Christmas story. Disney has not yet announced the 2026 celebrity narrator lineup or dining package details.
Additional Entertainment
Also returning for 2026:
- JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season — featuring gospel, jazz, and R&B holiday music
- Voices of Liberty Dickens Carolers — performing classic Christmas songs in Victorian-era style
Holiday Kitchens and Cookie Stroll
The festival’s Holiday Kitchens will once again offer seasonal dishes and beverages inspired by holiday traditions around the world. Foodie Guide to come!
The Holiday Cookie Stroll also returns, allowing guests to purchase five qualifying cookies, collect stamps in their Festival Passport, and redeem a completed stroll for a special treat.
Holiday Overlays and Seasonal Features
Several returning holiday experiences have been confirmed:
- Living with the Land — Glimmering Greenhouses
- Holiday lighting on Spaceship Earth
- Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt
- Scentsy’s Festive Fragrances: A Sensory Wonderland
A Full Season of Holiday Traditions
From World Showcase storytellers and celebrity-narrated performances to seasonal food booths and twinkling nighttime displays, the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays 2026 is once again shaping up to be one of the highlights of the Walt Disney World holiday season.
With the festival running from November 27 through December 30, there’s just over a month to experience EPCOT’s celebration of holiday traditions from around the globe. Will you be enjoying the festival this holiday season?
