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An Overview of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

Credit: PaulaK

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is officially underway, and it runs until December 30. It’s a short festival, but there is plenty to do for the whole family. Here is a quick overview of what you can expect.

Credit: PaulaK

The first thing that you need to do when you enter EPCOT is to pick up a Festival Passport. This will be your guide. You can learn about the various entertainment options and see the menus. You can access this information on the My Disney Experience App as well, but it’s nice to have it in your hands.

The Holiday Kitchens have returned. You can purchase small portions of different items around World Showcase. There are both foods and beverages, including extra adult beverages.

Credit: PaulaK

The Holiday Cookie Stroll is a popular event that has returned. You’ll purchase five cookies at the Holiday Kitchens, and have your Passport stamped. After you have all five you can receive a sixth 50th Anniversary Cookie for free.

As always, there is special merchandise that is specific to the festival. If you have your eye on the Holiday Cookie Stroll Jar you might want to buy it sooner rather than later, those tend to sell out.

Credit: PaulaK

Olaf is looking around World Showcase for holiday traditions in Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt. You can purchase a map for $9.99 and receive a prize when you’re done. You can also look on your own, just for the fun of it.

There is a lot of entertainment at this year’s EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season is back. There are holiday storytellers around World Showcase. You can find the times for all of the entertainment in the My Disney Experience App.

Credit: PaulaK

Santa greets children in the American Adventure Pavilion. It’s still socially distanced, but the kids get some one on one time with him.

The Candlelight Processional has returned, running three times each evening. A celebrity narrator shared the story of the birth of Jesus, back by a mass choir and a 50 piece orchestra. It is spectacular.

Credit: PaulaK

These are the highlights of this year’s EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. It’s always fun to experience the season like they might in other countries. The festival is included with your Theme Park admission.

About PaulaK

I grew up in Western Massachusetts. When I was nine my family went to Disneyland and I was hooked. I grew up, attended New England College in Henniker, NH and eventually moved to Virginia. I worked as a disc jockey, married and became a full time mom when our daughter was born. Fast forward several years. In 2010 we moved to Central Florida and my Disney obsession grew. I now work as a freelance writer and spend my spare time in the parks. Under the name Paula Brown I penned the novels Dream Wanderers and The Coffee Cruiser. I also am a co-author of Dining at Walt Disney World: The Definitive Guide. I'm obsessed with Star Wars, so this is a good time to live in Central Florida. I've been a vegetarian for well over a decade, a choice that my daughter eventually made as well. While my husband still hasn't joined us fully he has given up most meats except for seafood. I was relieved to find that vegetarian dining is not difficult at Walt Disney World.