Catch These New Epcot Christmas Experiences

When it comes to the most expansive Christmas experiences among Orlando’s seven theme parks, it’s hard to argue with the assertion that Walt Disney World’s Epcot Park takes the honours for biggest, brightest and best.

The sheer size of the park, the variety of seasonal events and the international nature of the festivities all combine to offer a unique and compelling Yuletide adventure that starts the moment you walk through the gates until the final lighting show on Spaceship Earth’s famous “golf ball.”

True, Epcot is the last of the four Disney parks to get with the Christmas beat due to the late conclusion of the Food & Wine Festival, which now runs until November 23. But, once it kicks into gear on November 29 (until December 30), this is the celebration that delivers the biggest bang for your holiday buck.

The even better news for repeat visitors is that this year’s festive frenzy will feature fully seven new elements which add even further to the park’s appeal and will be well worth making time for on your next visit.

What is the International Festival of the Holidays?

Now, just to clarify the terminology at this time of year, it is officially called the International Festival of the Holidays (just because Epcot HAS to have a festival going year-round these days!). But everyone just calls it Epcot at Christmas. It celebrates the festive season in various ways and cultures, but it is all based around this time of year, so Santa hats are definitely appropriate wear.

This Festival consists of seven key elements.

Holiday Storytellers: Each pavilion on the World Showcase circuit (with the exception of Morocco) has its own seasonal tale to tell, and this is done in entertainment style with lively characters who share their legends and lore from the various cultures around the world. They vary from Pere Noel in France and Father Christmas in the UK to the Las Posadas celebration in Mexico and the child-like Daruma in Japan.

JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season: Don’t miss this lively stage show four times a day on the new CommuniCore Plaza Stage in the World Celebration area. A rousing, Gospel-style presentation with singers and musicians, it features well-known songs given a Gospel or R&B flavour in a tribute to both Christmas and Kwanzaa.

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition: Although this glorified scavenger hunt around World Showcase is designed primarily for children, it appeals to young and old alike. Look out for the various traditions highlighted by Olaf and add them to the sticker book you can buy at various locations around the various pavilions ($9.99). Once you have all the stickers (or, at least, some of them!), you can take the book into one of the designated merchandise venues for a seasonal prize.

Seasonal Tastes: Look out for the many kitchen kiosks now sprinkled throughout the park (like with the Food & Wine Festival) that provide sweet and savoury treats galore. It’s a fun way to snack as you tour and you certainly won’t go hungry!

Meet Santa: This is another traditional Epcot meet-and-greet for the duration of the Festival, with St Nick now appearing at the Odyssey Pavilion for a festive photo or two.

Voices of Liberty: The American Adventure’s fabulous a capella group put on their seasonal Victorian finery to stage periodic mini concerts in the Rotunda building, featuring classic carols and well-known Christmas tunes. We love them year-round, but they are extra special at this time of year.

Candlelight Processional: The undoubted highlight of the whole Disney Christmas programme is this three-times-nightly live concert and narration of The Nativity, with a 50-piece orchestra, herald trumpets, massed choir and Voices of Liberty. There is a special guest narrator each evening, including the likes of Whoopi Goldberg, Neil Patrick Harris and Gloria Estefan, and the whole 40-minute spectacle is a true joy to behold.

What’s new at EPCOT this year?

Disney’s Imagineers have combined with the delicious skills of the Epcot Pastry team this year to create something truly grand – an 8ft-tall gingerbread display inspired by Spaceship Earth. The geodesic sphere made up of hundreds of handcrafted gingerbread triangles will be on display inside CommuniCore Hall for all guests to see and enjoy throughout the festival. And, just like its park icon counterpart, the gingerbread version will also light up and dance to music periodically throughout the day!

Once you’ve marvelled at the gingerbread creation, stroll around CommuniCore Hall to take in beautiful seasonal décor inspired by the park’s unique design, and enjoy an enchanting forest with the Glittering Grove presented by Balsam Hill, where twinkling trees evoke festive flair.

For 2024, there are also two new Holiday Kitchens at CommuniCore Hall. The first is the uniquely titled Experimental Prototype Cookies of Tomorrow, which will be serving – you guessed it – cookies! Remember the gingerbread triangles that make up the Spaceship Earth display? You can purchase gingerbread triangles of your own at this Holiday Kitchen in a special decorating kit. Next, indulge in the best-loved dishes from previous years with Favorites of Festivals Past, located right outside CommuniCore Hall.

Stepping outside into CommuniCore Plaza, you’ll find a new, complimentary activity that is perfect for kids of all ages – snowflake decorating! Add this to your list of Festival fun, along with the Holiday Storytellers around World Showcase and, especially, the lights at the Living with the Land ride in World Nature, featuring the new Glimmering Greenhouses overlay.

Finally, along the walkway between the Imagination! pavilion and World Showcase, stop by to see an all-new seasonal display, open to all guests throughout the festival. Festive Fragrances presented by Scentsy is a gift for the senses where you can stroll through a snow globe garden, inspired by Scentsy’s seasonal aromas! Guests who visit CommuniCore Hall can also purchase some of their favourite holiday fragrances, reliving the festival experience long after their vacation.

Best of all, the whole programme (apart from the Holiday Kitchens and scavenger hunt) is included with general admission, so you can just stroll and take in the spirit of the season at your leisure.

What are YOUR favourite Epcot Christmas experiences? Tell us about it on our Facebook, X and Instagram pages.