Holiday Happenings at EPCOT You Don’t Want to Miss

EPCOT is one of our favorite places to visit during the holiday season. There is so much magic happening throughout Disney Park. It brings holiday cuisine, stories, and magic together to create a fantastic experience for everyone. We love that all these experiences can be enjoyed with our regular theme Park ticket.

Festival of the Holidays started November 25 and will continue through December 30, 2022. This spirited seasonal event brings a little extra magic to EPCOT. Let’s look at the holiday happenings at EPCOT that you won’t want to miss this year.

Holiday Kitchens

During EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, Guests can enjoy numerous holiday kitchens throughout EPCOT. The holiday kitchens are open each day from 11:00 to Park close, giving Guests time to enjoy all the cuisine and drinks.

Each booth has unique small plates and drinks for Guests to enjoy. They bring flavors from around the world to Guests. From excellent traditional holiday plates like the slow-roasted turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, and cranberry sauce at the American Holiday Table to unique flavors to try, such as the kalua pork with Okinawa sweet potatoes and mango salad at the Mele Kalikimaka booth, there is something for everyone to try.

If you are heading to EPCOT this holiday season, look over the menus at the Holiday Kitchens. Doing so can help you determine what will be on your list to try. There is a lot to choose from, which can be overwhelming once you arrive. If you have a plan ahead of time, you will be more prepared to enjoy all the booths without missing out.

Candlelight Processional

One of EPCOT’s highlights of the holiday season is the Candlelight Processional. This is an outstanding performance where a celebrity narrator retells the Christmas story. Joined by an orchestra and massed choir, the celebrity narrator takes Guests through the birth of a savior born in Bethlehem.

This performance happens most evenings throughout the festival at 5:15, 7:00, or 8:30. Depending on who is narrating, we highly recommend looking into booking a dining package to get guaranteed seating. Popular performances by Josh Gad and Neil Patrick Harris see highly long lines of Guests waiting to get a seat.

By booking a dining package at one of the participating restaurants, you can enjoy a great meal and receive seating for a show. Dining packages start at $64 for adults and $28 for kids. Guests can choose from top dining locations such as Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Biergarten, Coral Reef, Garden Grill, Le Cellier Steakhouse, or Rose & Crown.

Spice Road Table and Regal Eagle Smokehouse Crafts & Barbecue might offer same-day reservations.

Candlelight Processional is a genuinely moving performance that everyone should experience at least once during the holiday at EPCOT.

Holiday Cookie Stroll

For a fun experience, the whole family will enjoy and try the holiday cookie stroll. Guests purchase five cookies from official cookie stroll occasions throughout the holiday kitchens. Get marked off in your festival passport where you collect stamps.

Once you finally have all five stamps, you can bring your stamped passport to Holiday Sweets & Treats to receive a special treat. Find delicious cookies along the trail, such as the black and white cookie at L’Chaim Holiday Kitchen or the more traditional sugar cookie at Connections Cafe.

Kids will have so much fun eating the delicious cookies and receiving a prize at the end.

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt

Another fun activity the whole family will enjoy at the festival is another scavenger hunt. This one focuses on helping Olaf gather all the holiday traditions he lost throughout EPCOT.

Guests purchase maps and stickers from Creations Shop, Port of Entry, or World Traveler. From there, they work together to find the tradition Olaf has found in each pavilion. This is a fun adventure that t whole family can work together on as they explore the World Showcase.

Once you have completed the scavenger hunt and helped Olaf, you can return your completed map for a special holiday gift. Maps cost $9.99 plus tax, but it is well worth it for the entertainment of everyone.

Storytellers

Throughout the World Showcase, the holidays are brought to life through storytellers. These talented storytellers share the legends of the season from the specific country. Check the My Disney Experience app to see when each will occur. Each storyteller is around 15 minutes making it a perfect way to relax, enjoy a snack or beverage and take in some holiday spirit.

These are unique experiences and bring the magic of the holiday season to the EPCOT in a fantastic way.

Performances

There are some fantastic performances throughout EPCOT. On is JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season. With performances in the afternoon, this talented group performs uplifting and upbeat Gospel, R&B, and holiday songs.

Guests will also enjoy the Voices of Liberty. This group performs each day at the American Pavilion in the rotunda. This acapella group performs beautiful holiday songs daily, leaving you feeling all the holiday vibes.

EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays has so much for Guests to experience during their visit. When heading to EPCOT this holiday season during your Walt Disney World vacation, make sure you enjoy all these magical experiences.

It is these experiences that make the holiday season so special at EPCOT. From excellent, unique cuisine and moving performances, Guests won’t want to miss out on EPCOT during their holiday visit to Walt Disney World.