10 Things to Do at Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays in 2024
When you visit Walt Disney World during the holidays, you’re privy to the many things that go on during a regular day, plus all the holiday extras. Each park offers unique ways for guests to celebrate. At Epcot, guests can participate in the International Festival of the Holidays, one of four annual festivals held at the park. This year’s festival runs between November 29th and December 30th.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of ten things to do at Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays. Most of these activities are complimentary with the cost of admission. However, a few things will cost extra, like purchasing a holiday scavenger hunt map or sampling treats at one of the many holiday kitchens. We’ll mention anything below that has an additional cost.
Most importantly, you can have a festive visit without splurging on too many extras. Epcot is gorgeous during the holidays. If you only wander the park, taking in the unique holiday decor in each country, the stunning tree at the World Showcase Plaza, and the pretty poinsettias planted everywhere, you’ll have a good time. However, if you want your vacation to be centered around the holidays, this list is for you!
#10 See Gingerbread Displays in the American Adventure
Walt Disney World is known for its elaborate resort hotel gingerbread displays. But did you know that a unique gingerbread display resides inside the American Adventure Pavilion at Epcot? The pavilion typically offers two gingerbread creations themed to historical monuments and one that resembles the pavilion. You’ll find these displays set up inside the colonial mansion. While you’re there, we recommend seeing the limited-time Portraits of Courage Exhibit by President George W. Bush. You might also like to take in a showing of the American Adventure and see the Voices of Liberty, which is next on our list.
Editor’s Note: This year, a new gingerbread display of Spaceship Earth was created for the festival. The new display wasn’t announced until a few weeks before the start of the festival. You can read more about Epcot’s newest gingerbread creation in the article below.
Spaceship Earth Gingerbread Display to Debut at Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays
#9 Take in a Holiday Performance of the Voices of Liberty
The Voices of Liberty perform underneath the rotunda in the center of the colonial mansion of Epcot’s American Pavilion. They wear seasonal attire during the International Festival of the Holidays and perform historical Christmas melodies. The entertainment section of the My Disney Experience app lists their daily showtimes. In the evenings, the Voices of Liberty participate in the Epcot Candlelight Processional. They offer a jaw-dropping performance.
#8 Meet Santa Claus
Santa Claus has a meet-and-greet inside the Odyssey Pavilion at Epcot. We love every opportunity to meet Santa at Walt Disney World. The settings are always immaculate, each making for a unique holiday photo. At Epcot, the set features a giant sleigh where guests can sit with Santa. Don’t forget to have a family picture taken here. Santa is always worth the wait!
More: Where to Meet Santa at Epcot
#7 See the Candlelight Processional
Each night of the International Festival of the Holidays, guests can hear the stirring story of Christmas retold in the American Gardens Theater of the American Adventure. A celebrity narrator, massed choir, 50-piece orchestra, herald trumpets, and the Voices of Liberty are all part of the performance. Nightly performances are held at 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. We have a list of celebrity narrators for the 2024 Candlelight Processional if you want to see who will be available when you plan to visit. You might also consider purchasing the Candlelight Processional Dining Package for this year’s event to secure advanced seating. However, note most packages sell out quickly.
#6 Learn about Christmas Traditions in other Countries from the Holiday Storytellers
Each country in Epcot’s World Showcase offers Holiday Storytellers during the Festival of the Holidays. For example, you might meet the Barn Santa in the Norway Pavilion or a viewing of the Chinese Lion Dance celebrating the Lunar New Year in the Chinese Pavilion. Each Storyteller will make multiple appearances throughout the day. Times are typically posted in the entertainment section of the My Disney Experience app.
#5 Sample Tasty Treats at the Holiday Kitchens
Specialty menus and favorite dishes are integral parts of any family gathering. At Epcot, the focus shifts to holiday dishes representing each country. Each holiday kitchen offers seasonal tasty treats and beverages. We’ll have a list featuring this year’s holiday kitchens with menus when they become available. You might even skip a regular meal like lunch or dinner (or both) in exchange for enjoying small plates at multiple kitchens. But note that this item on our list costs extra.
#4 Participate in the Holiday Cookie Stroll
While strolling through the World Showcase, you might enjoy the Holiday Cookie Stroll. Upfront, this item will cost extra. You’ll want to pick up a Festival Passport at the park’s entrance to participate. (If you forget, you’ll find them at the holiday kitchens throughout the World Showcase.) Typically, the Festival will have 8-10 holiday cookies each year. Guests who purchase at least five cookies on the list will receive a free cookie at a select booth. You must get your Festival Passport stamped each time you purchase a cookie. Then, turn the passport in at the designated location after you collect all five stamps to receive your complimentary cookie.
#3 Have Fun Completing Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition is one of our favorite ways to explore the World Showcase at Epcot. You can pick up a scavenger hunt map at World Traveler, Creations Gift Shop, and select other locations throughout the park. The map costs $9.99 and comes with a surprise. (We always get our surprise when we purchase the map so we don’t forget it later. You do not have to wait until you complete it.)
The map provides general locations to look for Olaf throughout the park. When you find him, match the correct sticker to that location. Below is a picture of where we found Olaf in a wooden sleigh with candy canes at Epcot’s Germany Pavilion. Some Olafs might be a little harder to find than others. But it’s a fun activity for a minimal fee.
#2 Take in a Performance of JOYFUL!
JOYFUL!, a gospel R&B choir, has been performing at Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays for some time now. They are incredibly entertaining and often reasonably simple to see. This year, they will debut at a new location on the CommuniCore Plaza stage, offering four daily performances. Those times will be listed in the entertainment section of the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit.
#1 Ride Living with the Land’s Glimmering Greenhouses on Repeat!
To be clear, we didn’t necessarily rank this list in any order. We consider many of the items on this list must-dos. But our absolute must-do every year is to ride Living with the Land’s Glimmering Greenhouses after dark. We also make an effort to experience it multiple times. This attraction comes to life even more during the holiday season with twinkling lights and festive holiday decor.
Extra Cost Option: If you already know and love this holiday overlay as much as we do, you might consider this year’s special holiday edition of the Behind the Seeds Tour. This upgrade is being offered for the first time in 2024.
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In the Comments
We hope you enjoyed this list of things to do during the 2024 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. What did you think of our list? Did we miss anything, or do you have any questions? Let us know in the comments below.
