EPCOT Christmas Tree Arrives in Walt Disney World Ahead of Thanksgiving

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As Thanksgiving week begins, Walt Disney World is getting ready for Christmas! Decorations are appearing throughout the massive 43-square-mile resort. While Epcot finishes up its 2025 International Food and Wine Festival, the park is already being transformed for the upcoming 2025 International Festival of the Holidays.

We recently visited Epcot and saw that holiday decorations were going up! They had garland with bright blue ornaments at the entrance, along with red and green poinsettias and other flowers in the planters. The park’s main international Christmas tree has also arrived.

Epcot’s Main Christmas Tree Has Arrived

Each of the four Walt Disney World theme parks features a special Christmas tree designed to reflect the unique atmosphere of that park.

The centerpiece of Epcot’s Christmas decorations is a massive tree, standing over 30 feet tall at the entrance to World Showcase. It’s beautifully decorated with gold garland, large bells, snow globes, and ornaments representing the different countries featured in the park. PhotoPass photographers are nearby to capture your photos from all angles.

The Iconic Christmas Trees of Walt Disney World

The tree at Epcot is a major landmark within the theme park, and it’s also one of twenty special trees found across all of Disney World.

These trees add beauty to many of the Disney resort hotels, including Animal Kingdom Lodge, Wilderness Lodge, and the Grand Floridian, among others.

Beyond the famous Christmas Tree at Disney Springs, you can explore a whole trail of uniquely decorated trees. Each one celebrates a different Disney attraction or character, making the holidays an especially magical time to visit.

According to David Sabila from the Disney Parks Blog, twenty spectacular “icon Christmas trees” are the centerpiece of this year’s holiday celebration. Each tree beautifully represents Disney’s traditions, joyful spirit, and storytelling. They’re designed to fill guests with seasonal magic and create lasting, sparkling memories.

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays

With the arrival of the holiday tree at Epcot, the International Festival of the Holidays is almost here! The festival kicks off on Black Friday, November 28, 2025, and showcases holiday traditions from around the globe.

Each country pavilion at the World Showcase will feature special entertainment, including unique traditions surrounding Santa Claus.

Santa will be meeting guests in Communicore Hall, which is temporarily closed while we get ready for the festival. The most popular event is the Candlelight Processional, a beautiful show with a live orchestra, a choir of Disney cast members, and a famous storyteller sharing the story of Jesus’s birth through music and narration.

As a movie fan, I’m really excited about the celebrity lineup for this year! We’re getting the always-welcome Gary Sinise back, and it’s fantastic to see Brendan Fraser returning too. But the surprises don’t stop there – Henry Winkler and Brie Larson are joining the fun as first-time narrators in 2025. If you want to see the complete list of stars lending their voices, head over to the Disney Parks Blog – they’ve got all the details.

The Holiday Season at Walt Disney World

Disney World has had some less busy periods recently, but the parks definitely get crowded during the holidays. While we fondly remember the old holiday lights at Hollywood Studios (which ended in 2015), the festive decorations and the beautiful Epcot tree still make this a wonderfully magical time to visit.

If you’re visiting Epcot or Walt Disney World this Christmas, expect large crowds. Remember to be patient and treat the cast members with kindness, and most importantly, have a safe and enjoyable holiday!

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2025-11-23 17:56