Full Holiday Storyteller line-up and times for the 2023 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

Nov 24, 2023 in "Epcot International Festival of the Holidays"

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2023 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays opening day

Posted: Friday November 24, 2023 6:45am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has announced the full line-up and performance times of Holiday Storytellers for the 2023 EPCOT International Festival of the the Holidays.

The storytellers appear throughout EPCOT's World Showcase from November 24 through December 30, 2023.

Las Posadas Celebration – Mexico Pavilion

¡Feliz Navidad! Join the fun and pageantry of Las Posadas with dancers, piñatas and the music of Mariachi Cobre.

EPCOT Holiday Storytellers 2021 - Mexico pavilion

Sundays through Thursdays
11:05am, 11:55am, 12:45pm, 2:45pm, 3:50pm, 4:55pm
25-minute performances

A Mischievous Magical Barn Santa – Norway Pavilion

Celebrate the season with laughter as a mischievous Barn Santa visits Sigrid, an unsuspecting Christmas storyteller.

EPCOT Holiday Storytellers 2021 - Norway pavilion

11:35am, 12:20pm, 1:10pm, 2:05pm, 4:15pm, 5:20pm, 6:15pm, 7:10pm
15-minute performances

Chinese Lion Dancer – China Pavilion

Catch a glimpse of this colorful performance that brings good fortune and happiness in the Lunar New Year.

EPCOT Holiday Storytellers 2021 - China pavilion

12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm
15-minute performances

La Befana – Italy Pavilion

Come hear the tale of La Befana, the kind-hearted witch who visits sleeping young children on the Eve of the Epiphany.

11:15am, 12:15pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3:30pm, 4:15pm, 5pm, 5:50pm
15-minute performances

Santa Claus – The Odyssey Pavilion

Get ready for Christmas with Santa Claus now through December 24. Whether you know him as St. Nick, Père Noël or Father Christmas, a visit with jolly Santa Claus brings good cheer to the season.

2022 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays - Santa Clause meet and greet

11:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:30 PM, 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM
60-minute performances

Daruma Storyteller – Japan Pavilion

Hear the fascinating story of the Daruma doll and the Japanese customs of the New Year!

EPCOT Holiday Storytellers 2021 - Japan pavilion

11:35am, 12:35pm, 1:40pm, 2:40pm, 4:20pm, 5:15pm, 6pm, 6:45pm
15-minute performances

Hanukkah Storyteller – Between Morocco and France Pavilions

Discover an entertaining celebration of Hanukkah along World Showcase promenade, where a storyteller recounts traveling abroad to explore the diverse music and traditions of Hanukkah around the world.

10:30am, 11:40am, 12:40pm, 1:35pm, 2:35pm, 4pm, 5pm, 5:45pm
15-minute performances

Père Noël – France Pavilion

Visit with Père Noël and rediscover the magic of Christmas through the letter of a delightful child.

EPCOT Holiday Storytellers 2021 - Père Noël France pavilion

10am, 11:05am, 12:10pm, 12:50pm, 2:20pm, 3:25pm, 4:30pm, 5:15pm
15-minute performances

Father Christmas – United Kingdom Pavilion

Join Father Christmas as he rings in the season, sharing the traditions of the United Kingdom and good cheer.

EPCOT Holiday Storytellers 2021 - Father Christmas United Kingdom pavilion

11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:25pm, 4pm, 5:10pm, 6pm, 6:45pm
15-minute performances

Canadian Holiday Voyageurs – Canada Pavilion

Explore holiday customs from the various regions of Canada on a musical tour of the Great White North with the Canadian Holiday Voyageurs.

1:40pm, 2:45pm, 3:50pm, 4:55pm, 6pm, 6:40pm
20-minute performances

Discuss on the Forums

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DisneyDreamerxyzDec 18, 2023

someone mentioned putting screens up that would show video to those who can't see well or are not in the first few rows and I think that would be amazing! For those wondering, these are the changes to the show in the last few years... 1) Let There Be Peace On Earth added as finale song (was cut over a decade ago) 2) Do You Hear What I Hear added back into the show (was cut over a decade ago) 3) The French Carol il est né le divin enfant was cut (replaced by Do You Hear What I Hear) 4) Joy To The World and Handels Messiah was merged into a one song medley (most likely for time) 5) In 2022, Voices sung a medley at the beginning of the show that was actually the originally from 1994 (see below), however in 2023, it was cut for time, but a new medley was put in the show they sing at the end. 6) The Cast Choir used to sing Hark the Herald Angels Sing, this year it was cut for time. However Voices of Liberty does sing a verse of it in their end medley. 7) New in 2023 is a new arrangement of Away in the Manger (it's not actually new but a different, more upbeat version that what was sung previously) Phylicia Rashad was the first narrator at Epcot, and her version was recorded for the CD that used to be sold in stores around Epcot. Hear is a video of her narrating (unsure if this is from 1994 or later, because she came back a few times after as well)

James AlucobondDec 17, 2023

I would rather see them kill the America Gardens Theatre than expand it. They could easily put a more substantial theater somewhere else that doesn't block the lagoon and the Golden Dream.

TouchdownDec 17, 2023

Not with the Christmas Party also occurring at MK. I suspect they much prefer to sell dining packages due to seat scarcity then build a theatre where there is enough seats that you don’t need a dining package. As it stands right now you can hear everything from the plaza in front of AA anyways.

GringrinngghostDec 17, 2023

All I am saying is that, the larger the show, the bigger the trees in the theatre feel more like a nuisance then an aesthetic choice. Candlelight is honestly at the point that if they were to have built the theater in MK, I could have seen them move it there.

BrianDec 17, 2023

Pricing isn't always indicative of demand. The three other concert series aren't known for their lengthy standby queues. Certainly you won't see a queue stretching back to Norway for Mandy Gonzalez and Michael James Scott.

GringrinngghostDec 17, 2023

Dining package pricing says otherwise.

CompedDec 17, 2023

Or, dare I say it, bring the show back to MK. Where we know how many Main Street can hold. Terribly idea logistically, but certainly faithful to the show pre-1994.

BrianDec 17, 2023

It doesn't make sense to get rid of the trees for an event that takes place for roughly one month out of the year, while demand isn't nearly as high the rest of the year. If they'd like to accommodate more people, they should look at hosting the event somewhere larger, like World ShowPlace. They could also do a virtual queue for the show.

ToriDec 17, 2023

I really wish they would get rid of the trees and extend the roof

GringrinngghostDec 17, 2023

For anyone who hasn't seen but wanted to see Branden Fraser, I did make this one, and the show is about 98% subtitled. Interesting note on the last show for Branden Fraser, there was a wider soundstage on the orchestra, and I think they were a bit too hot in the mix, especially with the trumpets, but considering they were counteracting the wind... Not to mention, as the show appears to have bigger crowds it seems these days, the trees in the theatre are more starting to feel more like a nuisance, then an aesthetic benefit, especially as they had reserved seating line go all the way back to France, while the standby was apparently at one point back to Norway.

DisoneDec 16, 2023

That's a good point. Perhaps the motivation here is to pay a little bit more for the talent and make it up for it with lower cost of the logistics. It's anyone's guess whether the cost of those logistics is greater or less than the cost of eight additional voices of liberty.... I'm sure there can be a healthy debate about that, but either way I feel it resulted in a less impressive current version than what they were previously doing.