2024 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays: Dates, Events, and Highlights

Jun 24, 2024 in "Epcot International Festival of the Holidays"

Gallery / 5 Photos
2023 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays opening day

Posted: Monday June 24, 2024 10:37am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will take place from November 29 through December 30, 2024. This festival offers guests the chance to experience holiday traditions from around the world through various sights, sounds, and flavors.

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Spaceship Earth Lighting opening night

The familiar line-up of entertainment returns, including:

Candlelight Processional

One of the festival’s highlights is the Candlelight Processional. This event features a celebrity narrator telling the story of Christmas, accompanied by a massed choir, a 50-piece orchestra, herald trumpets, and the Voices of Liberty.

Meet Santa Claus

Guests can visit Santa Claus at the Odyssey Pavilion for a festive photo opportunity.

JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season

This show is a tribute to Christmas and Kwanzaa, featuring a mix of Gospel, R&B, and holiday songs performed live on stage.

Holiday Storytellers

Around EPCOT, storytellers share holiday legends and lore from various cultures, offering a unique glimpse into global holiday traditions.

Holiday Kitchens

Guests can enjoy heartwarming culinary traditions from around the world at various Holiday Kitchens set up throughout EPCOT. From savory to sweet, there’s something to delight every palate.

Holiday Cookie Stroll

This activity allows guests to sample a variety of cookies. Collect stamps in your Festival Passport and receive a special treat at the end of your journey.

Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses

Take a voyage through greenhouses adorned with lights, celebrating the season’s bounty in a unique and beautiful way.

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt

Join Olaf on a scavenger hunt around EPCOT to find holiday traditions he has gathered and lost along the way. This activity is fun for all ages and adds an element of adventure to the festival.

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wdwmagicJul 09, 2025

I'm going to close this thread now that we have 2025 details https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/walt-disney-world-holidays-2025.986347/

wdwmagicJul 09, 2025

Yes

DisneyDreamer08Jul 09, 2025

Does Fantasmic still happen for day guests on a Jollywood night?

DisneyDreamer08Jul 09, 2025

On sale July 16th for resort guests

DisoneJul 09, 2025

Heard and okay. Fingers crossed 🤞 then

TheMaxReboJul 09, 2025

No idea if they would ever do it but would be nice to see the gingerbread house somewhere at Disney Springs and would make it easier for people (locals) to get there and buy gingerbread and no overrun Grand Flo

DisoneJul 09, 2025

It's the opposite, they went out of there way to avoid this. It was suppose to happen in 23, pushed to 24 and then Pushed back again to 25 and possibly 26. Finally they ripped the bandaid off and just said do it in 2025 and get it over with. If they were trying to get rid of foot traffic they would also get rid of all the other gingerbread displays at the other Resorts. None of which make us much money as the gingerbread house at the Grand. No the Disney accountants are not trying to find ways decrease foot traffic with acceptable declines in revenue. If they're making money they're perfectly okay with the front traffic. The new bar may bring a new year-around revenue stream but they will still get a huge revenue boost by doing the gingerbread house. It's not a one or the other type thing. I'm more interested in how that Christmas tree is going to fit with the bar there. I'm waiting for the announcement, and I don't have inside knowledge on this just speculating on my own, that the Christmas tree in the lobby will also be canceled for 2025. I can't imagine they're going to put the tree so close to an actual construction site. And then once it's done will there be room for the tree?

aladdin2007Jul 09, 2025

Heard this as well, not necessarily for that reason, though probably a part of it. I can't see the bar and gingerbread house operating at the same time that would be a mess. This was their way out of it and the cost of doing it, regardless of what two month profit came in from it, the bar will bring in year round profit to make up for it. Disney has been trying to decrease foot traffic for a while now across property. Bad business in my opinion, but their messed accounting reigns supreme.

SchweinoJul 09, 2025

Ive always wondered why they would add another thing to generate a queue/line (bar) when that place can get super packed when GH is up and running. Sounds like the GF lobby is going to get even worse.

BrianJul 09, 2025

It is absolutely coming back.

mattpetoJul 09, 2025

I hope you’re right. I’m skeptical.

AylaJul 09, 2025

Dreamlights will never return as long as they are using projections.

DisoneJul 09, 2025

Imagine the Goodwill they would generate, if they brought both back? This year. On the heels of closing the Muppet's and the rivers of America, they need this Goodwill. I used to think statements of the attendance decline were overstated. Maybe 10-15% which isn't good by any business model at all but it's also not the end of the world and somewhat expected with epic opening down the street. But having been there recently on Sunday, oh my God it was way more than 10 to 15%. The Magic Kingdom felt like Disneyland on a Wednesday in September. I think Walt Disney World is in dire need of some wins and good will with their guests But I also believe they are woefully unaware of this. :(

DisoneJul 09, 2025

Nope. It will be back. Too much of a money maker. And honestly amount of grand Floridian guests complaining about the crowds are easily outmatched by the amount of Grand Floridian guests complaining that there's no gingerbread house. The gingerbread house has a direct impact in excess of $1 million in revenue for the Grand and an indirect impact in the ability to sell rooms during the holiday season at extremely high rates.