Top 3 Holiday Activities at Epcot
When it comes to Holiday activities to do at Disney, and Epcot, it’s a pretty long list. During the Holidays, the list grows even longer. The only way to do it all, would be several days in the park, which is not what most people are able to do on their short vacation. When you have to choose the top things to do, here is what we would recommend as must do’s at Epcot during the Holidays.
Epcot Candlelight Procession
The procession takes place at the America Gardens Theatre in the American Pavilion around the World Showcase, three times each evening during the Festival of the Holidays. Celebrity narrators share the Christmas story, along with an orchestra, Voices of Liberty, a cast member choir, and local choirs. The local choirs process in carrying candlelight and singing. The later shows are better for the candlelight procession.
The narrator reads a part of the Christmas story, then the orchestra and choirs perform songs to correlate with the readings. This is a very popular event, and tough to get seats, unless you purchase a special event dinner package. Your only other option for seating in the theatre, is to get there early and line up for general seating. Although seating in the theatre is wonderful, we have no problem either standing behind the seating area, or even sitting near the fountain. There is nothing more moving than to see people of all ages, backgrounds, ancestry, and beliefs, come together as one, and celebrate the Christmas season.
Some of our favorite narrators have been Gary Sinise, Kurt Russell, and Neil Patrick Harris.
Here is the line-up for this years narrators, which is subject to change.
- Ming-Na Wen November 29 through December 1
- Neil Patrick Harris December 2 through December 5
- Whoopi Goldberg December 6 and 7
- Isabella Rossellini December 8 through 10
- Chita Rivera December 11 through 12
- Gary Sinise December 13 through 15
- Pat Sajak December 16 through 18
- Warwick Davis December 19 through 21
- Steven Curtis Chapman December 22 through 24
- Edward James Oleos December 25 and 26
- Marlee Matlin December 27 and 28
- Lisa Ling December 29 and 30
Performances are at 5:00 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:15 PM nightly
Storytellers Around the World
From our first visit at Christmastime 11 years ago, we have fallen in love with storytellers at Epcot. It became part of our homeschool lessons during the Holidays when the kids were younger, but we still enjoy to watch them. Several countries from around the World Showcase host storytellers to share traditions from their country.
Our favorites have been Norway, when Sigrid meets the mischievous Christmas gnome, Julenissen.
Our Jojo was even the mischievous bell ringer a couple years ago!!
France, with Père Noël, as he shares the magic of Christmas through the eyes of a child and their letter.
United Kingdom, hear of traditions from Father Christmas.
In 2018 we saw La Befana in Italy for the first time. She shares her story of visiting sleeping children on the Eve of the Epiphany.
Santa & Mrs Claus in America
Such a magical experience. Kids of all ages, including those young at heart, will love to meet Santa & Mrs Claus outside the American Pavilion. It has been our girls’ most memorable place to sit and talk with the big guy.
More To Do
Even though these are our top 3 Holiday activities at Epcot, be sure not to miss some of these other fun shows.
Like British Revolution in the United Kingdom. They play British Rock music, but toss in a couple Holiday tunes as well.
Over in Canada you can find the Canadian Holiday Voyageurs, as they share some Canadian traditions, and play Holiday music.
The Voices of Liberty come close to making our top three, so be sure to get over and see them inside The American Adventure. Voices of Liberty are Dickens Carolers who sing acapella Holiday music. It’s beautiful.
As you’re walking the park, don’t miss all the decorations and topiaries!! So festive!! Share one thing with us that gets you in the Christmas Spirit during the Holidays!!
Lastly
You won’t want to miss out on all the delicious Holiday food offerings. You can find a full list of this years Holiday Kitchens HERE, or you can pick up your guide when you enter Epcot.
Looking for more Holiday activities?
Holiday Hotel Hopping Around Disney’s Bay Lake!
You should even consider checking out our Central Florida Holiday Guide for Families and visit one of our historic small towns.
What a dream!!!! Disney at Christmas time is on my bucket list! Epcot seems to take the backburner to Magic Kingdom during the holidays. I will be sure to make Epcot a priority for Christmas.
I agree, but I’ll take the lower crowds, lol.
I have heard of Epcot but never investigated it further than that. Sounds fun and worth more looking into.
Totally worth looking into. We spend more time at Epcot, than any other park.
MY HUSBAND AND MADE A TRIP OVER TO EPCOT ONE YEAR WHEN WE VISITED UNIVERSAL STUDIOS IN DECEMBER. I LOVE THE CANDLELIGHT PROCESSIONAL! IT IS SO SPECIAL. WE HAD BRAD GARRETT FROM “EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND” READ THE CHRISTMAS STORY. HE HAS A GREAT VOICE FOR IT!
Oh, I would love to see Brad Garrett for candlelight!! He does have a great voice for it!!
Wow, there is so much to do at Epcot! I never considered visiting during The Holidays because I figured it would be crowded, but now I may reconsider.
It can get pretty crowded at Epcot depending on who the narrator is for the candlelight, but the first 2 weeks of December are the best time to try and visit.
Our family loves going to Epcot. My husband and I just attended the Food & Wine Festival a must do!
Yes, Food & Wine is a must do!!
What a cool event! I do like the diversity of things to see and do at Epcot. I just hadn’t thought about what they’d do over the holidays. Love it!
It really amazes me how much goes into all the things they do during the Holidays!!
I loved reading about this! I’ll have to put it on my to-do list for next year!
It definitely adds to the Holiday experience!!
We love listening to stories. Great storyteller makes are a memorable experience.
I agree, and Disney has such great storytellers!!
Looks like a great time! Thank you for sharing!
Happy to share!! Hope it’s helpful!!
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Oh I’d love to go to Epcot for the holidays! Very informative post!
It’s so magical!! The storytellers never get old!!
I’ve never been to DisneyWorld at Christmas, so I’ve missed out on all of these amazing events. I’m thinking my next visit better be during the holidays!
Yes!! Your family will love it during the Holidays!!
We’ve only visited Disney once at Christmas and although I loved it, I don’t recall any storytellers – sounds fantastic! I did LOVE the decorations. Disney definitely goes all out!
Storytellers are not out all day long, so you can miss them. Best to grab a schedule and choose the ones you want to see.
Disney at Christmas sounds like a dreamy vacation! On my list for sure!
Couldn’t believe what we were missing our on before we moved here!!
All of these event make me dream of Disney. I get this way every few months!
Understandable. If I don’t get down there every week, I have withdrawals!!
It can be overwhelming to choose what to do at Epcot so appreciate your insight to narrow it down to a few choices.
Yes, I think Epcot is the most overwhelming park at Walt Disney World. Happy to help!
Love Epcot and been to the Candlelight Procession years ago. Neil Patrick Harris was the narrator, lol!
How funny!! He is one of the best!!
This is one of my favorite things to do in Epcot!
We should plan to meet up one day!!
I love all the storytellers. I would love to come prior to Christmas to enjoy all of this. The last time we went was just after Christmas so it would be even better to go before.
Yes!! The first two weeks in December are typically slower too.
hands down best disney post I’ve seen. well done
Thank you so much!!
I love Christmas at WDW. We have been, but it was a while ago. The Festival of the Holidays was not around when we were there. Just another reason to go back (like I need one 😉 )
Yeah, you need to come back for this!!
Not my thing but I showed it to my aunt and she’s in! lol. You should get a commission. 😉
Everyone knows someone who loves Disney!!
This looks like a blast! I would love to experience this!
If this doesn’t get you in the spirit, nothing will!!
I would love to attend each event. I like everything. 🙂
It’s tough to pick, when you want to do everything!! It’s a struggle.
What a great time! Great ideas for what to do at Disney
Thank you!
Epcot is one of our favorite parks because you feel like you get to go on all of these little over seas trips without ever leaving Florida! We would love to visit sometime during the holidays.
Exactly!! I enjoy the educational part of everything!
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