Even though we are still enjoying the spooky month of October, and everyone is soaking up the sights and sounds of fall, the shorter days and cooler weather indicate that the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth is just around the corner. The joyful holiday season at Walt Disney World Resort will soon come to life with magical traditions, jubilant entertainment, tasty dishes, and holiday merchandise.
Let’s take a look at what is ahead!
NEW Celebrity Narrators Join EPCOT Candlelight Processional Alongside Returning Favorites
The EPCOT Candlelight Processional is the retelling of the Christmas story by a narrator and jubilant choir, alongside a 50-piece orchestra, herald trumpets, and the incredible Voices of Liberty. This event is a guest favorite and returns this year with more celebrity narrators than ever before!
To aid you with your plans for a visit, here is the full list of celebrity narrators:
- Chrissy Metz (NEW): Nov. 24-25
- Luis Fonsi (NEW): Nov. 26-27
- Ann-Margret (NEW): Nov. 28-29
- Simu Liu: Nov. 30-Dec. 2
- John Stamos: Dec. 3-5
- Neil Patrick Harris: Dec. 6-8
- Marlee Matlin: Dec. 9-11
- Brendan Fraser (NEW): Dec. 12-14
- Eva Longoria (NEW): Dec. 15-16
- Joey McIntyre (NEW): Dec. 17-18
- Sterling K. Brown (NEW): Dec. 19-20
- Jordan Fisher (NEW): Dec. 21-23
- Steven Curtis Chapman: Dec. 24-26
- Audra McDonald (NEW): Dec. 27-28
- Lisa Ling: Dec. 29-30
To make sure you have great seating for the performance, consider booking a Candlelight Dining Package. You will have your choice of seven eateries, offering something for everyone. Candlelight Processional Dining Packages open on October 17. Visit DisneyWorld.com for information, pricing, and availability.
From November 24 through December 24, at the Odyssey pavilion, guests will have the opportunity to visit Santa Claus himself! Make time to visit the big jolly guy and capture the perfect photo!
During this festive holiday season, World Showcase will come alive as storytellers from around the world captivate listeners with a myriad of tales. As you stroll around the park, plan to soak in the beautiful and diverse decor throughout World Showcase.
If that isn’t enough to get you in the holiday spirit, A Celebration of the Season in World Showcase Plaza will surely do the trick. Uplifting Gospel and R&B songs celebrating Christmas and Kwanzaa will have you toe-tapping and moving.
Over 15 Holiday Kitchens will tempt your palate with treasured dishes celebrating global holiday cheer. There will be plenty of returning favorites like Slow-roasted Turkey with Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, and Cranberry Sauce, plus some new surprises in store.
What’s better to have in hand as you meander through EPCOT than a delectable cookie? The Holiday Cookie Stroll is back! You can purchase five cookies from any of the official cookie stroll locations and collect the matching stamp for each cookie to add to your passport. Once you have collected five stamps, bring the stamped passport to the Holiday Sweets & Treats Holiday Kitchen and receive a specialty cookie. You can stroll at your leisure through December 30. It’s a great activity to enjoy with family and friends each time you visit the Festival.
Who is an Olaf fan? A fun way to explore World Showcase is to set off on an adventure with Olaf for his Holiday Traditions Expedition Scavenger Hunt. Just purchase a map and stickers from select festival merchandise locations and seek out the “tradition” that Olaf has found in each pavilion.
No Festival at EPCOT would be complete without merchandise. The whimsical cookie jar will add warmth to your home while giving you the perfect place to stash holiday treats. The Festival of the Holidays Mug and CORKCICLE Tumbler will be great for sipping warm apple cider or hot cocoa, all sporting this year’s signature motif of World Showcase icons. These items can be found throughout the park in locations like Creation Shop in World Celebration.
Get warm and cozy in the Festival of the Holidays Spirit Jersey featuring soft, faux shearling, and shiny gold touches.
Guests must have valid theme park admission and a theme park reservation. The ability to visit a theme park is subject to the park’s capacity limitation.
Plan to ring in the holidays at the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth.
Have you attended the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth?