Epcot Christmas Guide 2025
Epcot during the holidays is unlike anywhere else at Disney World.
Instead of one version of Christmas, you get a dozen.
Each country adding its own spin on food, décor, and traditions. It’s a mix of cozy, cultural, and just the right amount of chaos once the festivals start.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know to plan your Epcot visit during Christmas 2025 - from when the decorations go up to what’s worth your snack budget.
When Does Epcot Decorate for Christmas?
Epcot begins its holiday transformation in mid-November, with the park fully decorated by Thanksgiving week.
You’ll see garlands and wreaths around the entrance plaza, Christmas trees sparkling at World Showcase Lagoon, and themed touches tucked into nearly every pavilion.
But don’t expect the same “red and green explosion” that Magic Kingdom is known for - Epcot’s décor celebrates international holiday traditions, so it’s more cultural and story-driven.
Highlights include:
- Spaceship Earth Holiday Light Show - The park icon glows with festive color transitions set to holiday music each evening.
- World Showcase Pavilions - Each country decorates differently (Germany and Norway are standouts).
- Living with the Land: Glimmering Greenhouses - The classic boat ride through The Land Pavilion transforms into a sparkling nighttime journey. You’ll float past glowing wreaths, illuminated crops, and twinkling tunnels - all made from real plants grown inside the greenhouse. It’s subtle, serene, and one of the most underrated holiday experiences in the park.
How Busy Does Epcot Get at Christmas?
Epcot stays manageable compared to Magic Kingdom, but don’t be fooled - holiday season still brings its crowd moments.
Busiest weeks:
- Thanksgiving week (Nov 23-30)
- Christmas week (Dec 21-27)
- New Year’s Eve (Dec 31) - Epcot’s New Year’s fireworks and DJ dance parties draw one of the largest crowds on property.
Moderate crowds:
- Between Dec 1-19, you’ll find lighter days, especially weekdays before schools let out.
- Post-Food & Wine lull (Nov 23-27) is a sweet spot for low waits and early décor.
Crowd Tip: Epcot’s size spreads guests out better than any other park. If you avoid peak mealtimes at World Showcase booths, it never feels unbearable. Once Festival of the Holiday’s start the food booths (throughout World Showcase) will be consistenatly busy during the week in the evenings and all day on the weekends.
Food & Wine Festival Wrap-Up
The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival wraps up on November 22, 2025, clearing the way for holiday prep.
If you’re visiting that last week of November, expect a transitional vibe:
- Some holiday décor already installed around the entrance and World Celebration.
- Food & Wine booths closing down while Festival of the Holidays kitchens get prepped.
- Crowds thinning out - a great time to explore before the holiday rush hits.
It’s a brief calm between two of Epcot’s biggest events - perfect for low-key park days.
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays (Nov 28-Dec 30, 2025)
This is Epcot’s main holiday event, and yes, it’s included with regular park admission. It kicks off November 28 and runs through December 30.
Holiday Kitchens
The “food festival” energy doesn’t stop after Food & Wine, it just gets more festive. Each pavilion offers seasonal dishes inspired by how that country celebrates the holidays.
Some fan-favorite returns include:
- Pfeffernüsse cookies in Germany
- Tamales in Mexico
- Slow-roasted turkey at American Holiday Table
- Cheese fondue in a bread bowl at Bavaria Holiday Kitchen
Pro tip: Grab the Festival Passport when you enter. It’s your checklist for food, drinks, and the Holiday Cookie Stroll, where you earn a sweet prize for collecting stamps at select booths.
Find the full list of food items here and what qualifies for the Holiday Cookie Stroll.
Entertainment & Holiday Fun
Epcot’s charm at Christmas is in the details. Each country brings its own storyteller or performer, celebrating how their culture marks the season. Here’s where to find them:
Holiday Storytellers & Performers
- Mexico Pavilion - Las Posadas Celebration - Experience dancers, piñatas, and the music of Mariachi Cobre during this vibrant retelling of Las Posadas.
- Days: Sun-Thurs | Times: 11:05 AM, 12:00 PM, 12:50 PM, 2:35 PM, 3:40 PM, 5:15 PM
- Norway Pavilion - A Mischievous Magical Barn Santa - Laugh along as Sigrid tells Christmas tales until she’s interrupted by a sneaky Barn Santa.
- Days: Daily (Nov 28–Dec 30) | Times: 11:40 AM–6:30 PM (8 performances daily)
- China Pavilion - Chinese Lion Dancer - A stunning performance symbolizing good fortune for the Lunar New Year.
- Days: Nov 28-30, Dec 6-7, 13-14, 19-25 | Times: 12:00 PM-4:00 PM
- Italy Pavilion - La Befana - Hear the legend of the kind witch who visits children on the Eve of Epiphany.
- Days: Daily (Nov 28-Dec 30) | Times: 11:15 AM-5:40 PM
- Japan Pavilion - Daruma Storyteller - Learn about the Daruma doll and Japan’s New Year’s customs.
- Days: Daily (Nov 28-Dec 30) | Times: 10:45 AM-5:45 PM
- Between Morocco & France - Hanukkah Storyteller - Hear stories of Hanukkah traditions and music from around the world.
- Days: Daily (Nov 28-Dec 30) | Times: 12:00 PM-6:30 PM
- France Pavilion - Père Noël - Experience the story of Christmas through the eyes of a child’s letter to Père Noël.
- Days: Daily (Nov 28-Dec 30) | Times: 10:00 AM-5:15 PM
- United Kingdom Pavilion - Father Christmas - Share in the merry traditions of the UK with this jolly storyteller.
- Days: Daily (Nov 28-Dec 30) | Times: 11:45 AM-6:30 PM
- Canada Pavilion - Canadian Holiday Voyageurs - Enjoy a musical celebration of Canadian holiday traditions across the Great White North.
- Days: Daily (Nov 28-Dec 30) | Times: 3:25 PM-8:40 PM
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt
Discover a world of holiday delights during Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition, available only during the Festival of the Holidays (Nov 28-Dec 30, 2025).
Here’s how it works:
- Purchase a map and stickers for $11.99 + tax at Creations Shop, Disney Traders, or other select locations.
- As you explore World Showcase, use the stickers to mark which “holiday tradition” Olaf has discovered in each pavilion.
- Once you’ve finished - or even if you don’t find them all - bring your completed map to Disney Traders, Creations Shop, Gateway Gifts, or World Traveler to redeem it for a special holiday keepsake worth melting for.
It’s the perfect low-stress activity while you sip and snack your way around the world.
Candlelight Processional
The Candlelight Processional is Epcot’s showstopper. Hosted at the America Gardens Theatre, it’s a retelling of the Christmas story featuring a celebrity narrator, a 50-piece orchestra, and an enormous choir of cast members and students.
Dates: November 28-December 30, 2025
Showtimes: 5:15 PM, 7:00 PM, 8:30 PM (subject to change)
You can either:
- Book a Dining Package - Guarantees reserved seating. Available at select World Showcase restaurants. Learn more about the Dining Packages here.
- Standby Line - Free, but expect to line up 45-60 minutes before showtime for decent seats.
The narrator lineup changes nightly and locals plan entire visits around their favorites.
See the full line up here.
Christmas Extras Beyond the Festival
Even if you’re not there for the festival itself, there’s still plenty of holiday magic:
- Epcot Resorts Loop: Hop on the Skyliner or walk to nearby resorts like the Beach Club (gingerbread carousel), Yacht Club (nautical Christmas display), and BoardWalk (classic holiday charm).
- Exclusive Holiday Merch: From ornament collections to themed Spirit Jerseys, Epcot gets some of the best park-exclusive drops.
- Photo Ops: Don’t skip the giant World Showcase Christmas tree near the lagoon. It’s a must for family photos.
Tips for Visiting Epcot During Christmas
- Best Time to Visit: Midweek in early December for mild crowds and full décor.
- Best Time of Day: Afternoon through closing - that’s when the park sparkles (literally).
- Fireworks: “Luminous: The Symphony of Us” adds a festive holiday tag in December - stay until park close.
- Lightning Lane Strategy: Buy a single Lightning Lane for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind - it’s the one ride where it’s absolutely worth it. Otherwise, if you’re planning to stay at Epcot all day, you can manage standby lines easily while strolling World Showcase and snacking through the festival. Of course, this is the more budget-friendly route. If you want to ensure you don’t wait in any lines all day here, but the Lightning Lane Multi-Pass in addition to this Single Pass.
- What to Wear: Florida nights get surprisingly cool - pack a light jacket or sweatshirt for World Showcase evenings. Or “forget” your jacket and hop into Connections for a Dinsey holiday themed purchase.
Epcot Christmas FAQs
Is Epcot worth visiting at Christmas?
Absolutely. Between the festival, décor, and live entertainment, it’s one of the best seasonal park experiences - especially for food lovers.
Are all countries decorated?
Yes! Each pavilion adds its own flair. Germany, Norway, and the American Adventure tend to go the hardest.
Is the Candlelight Processional free?
Yes, but seating is limited. Dining Packages are worth it if it’s on your must-do list.
What’s open between Food & Wine and Festival of the Holidays?
Everything. You’ll just catch that quiet in-between week while booths transition.
Do I need a Lightning Lane to enjoy the day?
No, but if you want an easy day, Lightning Lanes at EPCOT will make the day feel effortless, especially compared to other parks.
Final Thoughts
Epcot during Christmas isn’t about rushing between rides - it’s about slowing down, tasting your way around the world, and soaking in a dozen cultures’ take on the holidays.
It’s festive without being frantic, educational without feeling like school, and hands-down one of the most magical ways to end a Disney day.
