The holidays will be here sooner than we think, and Disney has just announced a bunch of events and special activities coming to Walt Disney World including the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays and holiday events at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Let’s Take a Look!
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
As always, this event will start the day after Thanksgiving, running from November 27 through December 30, 2026, at EPCOT park.
This event is included in the regular ticket price.
World Showcase Holiday Storytellers
There will be several storytellers located throughout the World Showcase. They will entertain guests with stories about their culture and holiday events associated with that country.
Storytellers or shows can be found in the following locations:
- Mexico Pavilion – Las Posadas Celebration
- Norway Pavilion – A Mischievous Magical Barn Santa
- China Pavilion – Chinese Lion Dancer and Si-Zhu Trio
- Germany Pavilion – Adventskalender
- Italy Pavilion – La Befana
- Japan Pavilion – Daruma Storyteller
- Between the Morocco and France Pavilions – Hanukkah Storyteller
- France Pavilion – Père Noël
- United Kingdom Pavilion – Father Christmas
- Canada Pavilion – Canadian Holiday Voyageurs
Other activities
Meet Santa
Guests can meet Santa at Communicore Hall.
Versions of Santa will also be strolling around the World Showcase.
Gingerbread Spaceship Earth Display
The Gingerbread Spaceship Earth display will return for 2026. It will light up every 15 minutes.
Candlelight Processional
One of the highlights of the event is the Candlelight Processional, where celebrities take the stage to tell the Christmas story while accompanied by a mass choir.
JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season
Christmas and Kwanzaa are both celebrated through music that blends gospel, jazz, and R&B music.
Voices of Liberty Dickens Carolers
Festival Kitchens will return with special food and beverage options for sale.
The Holiday Cookie Stroll is also returning for 2026.
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt lets guests help Olaf explore holiday traditions from around the world. When completed, there is a special gift.
Scentsy’s Festive Fragrances: A Sensory Wonderland explores holiday scents from around the world with a garden of scented snow globes between the Imagination pavilion and the World Showcase.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
While Disney’s Animal Kingdom doesn’t have a special ticketed event, it does offer several holiday-themed activities to explore!
Merry Menagerie Around Discovery Island
Arctic animal puppets designed by artist Rob Kaz are featured in this menagerie, including penguins, foxes, polar bears, and reindeer.
Plus, special original artwork from Kaz can be seen and purchased at the Island Mercantile. Kaz himself will be there from November 1 through November 22.
Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition
After sunset, this holiday version of the Tree of Life show is run every ten minutes until the park closes. This show features holiday-inspired music and wintery tales.
Adventurers Outpost
Here you can meet explorers Mickey and Minnie in their holiday attire.
What do you think? Comment and let us know!
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