Celebrate the holiday traditions of countries around the world – and make this festival one of your very own – at the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays.

Visit EPCOT at any given time of the year, and you’re bound to encounter one of the theme park’s many festivals. But there’s something particularly special about EPCOT during the holiday season (and yes, that includes its winter festival!) 

Not only is the park decked out in its Christmastime best, but the International Festival of the Holidays takes up residence and offers a unique look into how the season is celebrated worldwide.

Festival of the Holidays gives guests a peek into the traditions of others, through delicious seasonal dishes served at the holiday kitchens to storytellers who relay their version of Santa Claus or other festive figures to a retelling of the classic Christmas story. What’s in store for families? We’re sharing everything you need to know before visiting the Festival of the Holidays, both for kids and adults.

What is the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays?

EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays – or Festival of the Holidays, as it’s known – is a celebration of the winter holidays. It brings together all of the different holiday traditions and methods of celebrating from around the world, from Christmas and Hanukkah to Lunar New Year and Kwanzaa. 

During this festival, guests can wander around EPCOT to experience all of the holiday magic, but the traditions are really focused within the World Showcase. Here, you’ll find food, drinks, and plenty of entertainment to explore that’s festival-specific.

EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Dates for 2024

The Festival of Holidays will run from November 29 through December 30, 2024.

This festival is open to anyone who has a theme park ticket or Annual Pass – it doesn’t require a separate ticket.

Food at EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

Classic holiday dishes from countries around the world take center stage at the festival. Photo by Abby Richardson

Food is certainly the star of the show at EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays, especially for adults. Keeping with the theme of most EPCOT festivals, this holiday-themed one offers an array of outdoor kitchens (renamed “holiday kitchens” for the season). Each one serves up a different menu of holiday bites – and there are plenty of cocktails, wine, and beer options to enjoy, too.

However, in addition to the holiday kitchens, special seasonal menu offerings often pop up at restaurants (both quick-service and table-service) throughout EPCOT. You’ll find holiday-themed treats, drinks, and snacks pretty much everywhere you turn when the holidays at Disney World are officially underway.

2024 Holiday Kitchens at Festival of the Holidays

We don’t yet know what the lineup of holiday kitchens will look like for the 2024 Festival of the Holidays, but we can guess that it’ll be pretty similar to last year’s.

Here’s a look at the holiday kitchens from 2023 – just keep in mind these may change!

• American Holiday Table (American Adventure Pavilion)
• Bavaria Holiday Kitchen (Germany Pavilion)
• Bubbles & Brine (near Port of Entry)
• Char & Chop (near Disney Traders)
• Holiday Hearth Desserts (The Odyssey Pavilion)
• Holiday Sweets & Treats (near Port of Entry
• L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen (between the Morocco and France Pavilions)
• Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen (Mexico Pavilion)  
• Le Marché de Noël Holiday Kitchen (France Pavilion)
• Nochebuena Cucina (near Test Track presented by Chevrolet)
• Shanghai Holiday Kitchen (China Pavilion)
• Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen (Japan Pavilion)
• Swirled Showcase (near Port of Entry)
• Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina (Morocco Pavilion)
• Tuscany Holiday Kitchen (Italy Pavilion)
• Wine & Wedge (near Disney Traders)
• Yukon Holiday Kitchen (Canada Pavilion)

You’ll notice that most of the kitchens feature an international theme. That’s because the food served is meant to reflect the traditional dishes served during the winter holidays at a variety of countries. 

So, while you might see some familiar favorites (including options your kids will love!), there’s also plenty of new cuisine you can try.

Entertainment at EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

The holiday storytellers are a highlight of the festival. Photo by Laurie Sapp

If you’re looking for festive ways to keep the family entertained, we’ve got great news: The Festival of the Holidays is filled with things to do, see, and experience. 

Whether your kids like to get active and move around the theme park or sit and enjoy some lively entertainment, there’s a lot that happens during this wintertime festival that’ll entertain toddlers, young kids, and even teens. Here’s a look at some of the entertainment offerings:

• Candlelight Processional, a nighttime show led by celebrity narrators and accompanied by choirs and an orchestra to tell the Christmas story
• Meet Santa Claus, a chance for guests of all ages to meet the man of the season
• Holiday storytellers, who share the stories of how different winter holidays are celebrated in countries around the world, like Christmas and Lunar New Year
• JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season, a tribute to both Christmas and Kwanzaa with Gospel, R&B, and holiday songs performed
• Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt, a quest kids can complete to find Olaf throughout the park (and get a prize at the end!)
• Holiday Cookie Stroll, a chance to find and taste delicious holiday treats
• Attraction overlays like Glimmering Greenhouses at Living with the Land, which takes you on a ride through the greenhouses strung with festive lights

Is EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays Kid-Friendly?

You can absolutely enjoy the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays if you’re planning a Disney World visit with kids. While there’s plenty aimed at adults to enjoy – namely, the food and drinks from the holiday kitchens – kids of all ages can also have plenty of fun throughout the festival

For example, any kid will love the Holiday Cookie Stroll. After all, who doesn’t want to spend a day looking for holiday-themed cookies and giving them all a taste? Additionally, older kids who are game for a scavenger hunt will love playing Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition and spotting the beloved snowman around the park.

Kids of all ages (yes, even reluctant tweens and teens) should also enjoy the holiday storytellers. While different versions of Santa Claus will appear at some of the World Showcase pavilions, others offer a peek into other traditions, like the Chinese Lion Dancer that teaches guests about Lunar New Year or the Daruma storyteller who explains Japan’s Daruma doll tradition for the new year.

Lastly, if you have any kids who love hearing the Christmas story or simply adore a great show filled with music and plenty to see, the Candlelight Processional is another family-friendly tradition you can enjoy. While the littlest guests may not find it their favorite, it’s a staple that school-age kids and up will love to watch.