Disney has officially pulled back the curtain on the 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, revealing dates and a full lineup for one of Walt Disney World Resort's most beloved seasonal celebrations. The annual event transforms EPCOT's World Showcase into a festive destination filled with global holiday traditions, seasonal food and beverage offerings, and beloved entertainment experiences.

What's Returning for 2026

Several fan-favorite elements are confirmed to make their return for the 2026 festival season. Guests can look forward to the following highlights:

  • World Showcase Storytellers — Cultural holiday guides stationed throughout the nations of World Showcase, sharing the unique holiday traditions of their home countries.
  • The Candlelight Processional — The iconic narrated retelling of the Christmas story, performed by a celebrity narrator alongside a live orchestra and mass choir at the America Gardens Theatre.
  • Holiday Kitchens — Seasonal food booths scattered around World Showcase offering holiday-inspired dishes and drinks inspired by cuisines from around the globe.
  • Gingerbread Spaceship Earth — The beloved annual display featuring EPCOT's iconic geodesic sphere reimagined in gingerbread form, a perennial photo opportunity for guests of all ages.

What This Means for Park Visitors

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is one of the park's most popular seasonal events and traditionally draws significant crowds in the weeks leading up to Christmas and through the New Year's holiday. Guests planning a visit during the festival window should be prepared for busier-than-average days, particularly on weekends and during the peak holiday travel period in late December.

The Candlelight Processional in particular often books up quickly, with dining packages that include guaranteed seating frequently selling out well in advance. Guests interested in securing seats through a dining package are encouraged to make reservations as early as possible once booking opens.

Planning Your Visit

With the 2026 festival season now confirmed, now is a great time to start thinking about your holiday trip to Walt Disney World. The event runs exclusively at EPCOT, making it a natural anchor for any late-year Orlando vacation itinerary.

For guests mapping out their holiday visit, be sure to check our crowd calendar to identify the best days to visit EPCOT during the festival, and review our dining guide for tips on snagging Candlelight Processional dining packages and Holiday Kitchen must-tries before they sell out.