This year, Walt Disney World is kicking it up a notch with all new holiday offerings and more for the 2019 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. Not only can you look forward to tasting fun seasonal foods from around the World Showcase, but you can also experience brand new cookie selections, a ride overlay from Living with the Land, decadent foods, and more.
The Festival of the Holidays runs from November 29th to December 30th, so if you plan on being around Walt Disney World during the event we recommend you stop by and check it out. If you would like a preview of what’s going on a Epcot for the holidays, make sure you check out our video below featuring the new outfits for Anna and Elsa, Festival of the Holidays Merchandise, and much more!
The Holiday Cookie Stroll
Upon entering the World Showcase plaza, you’ll be presented with a cookie stroll passport that will guide you to all of the delicious holiday cookies around the world. There are 5 cookie stroll locations:
Bavaria Holiday Kitchen at the Germany Pavilion Linzer Cookie
American Holiday Table at the America Pavilion Gingerbread Cookie
Yukon Holiday Kitchen at the Canada Pavilion Peppermint Pinwheel Cookie
Feast of the Three Kings near the Mexico Pavilion Chocolate Crinkle Cookie
L'Chaim Holiday Kitchen between the Morocco and France Pavilions Black-and-White Cookie (This one is vegan!)
You can eat your cookies as you go or collect them all in a very cute Chip and Dale cookie stroll jar which is available in select gift shops throughout Epcot. Once you have collected all of the stamps from your cookie stroll, you can receive a free Santa Sugar Cookie!
The Candlelight Processional
If you’re a fan of beautiful performances hosted by inspiring Disney Legends and celebrities, then you’re going to want to check out the Candlelight Processional held in the American Pavilion a Epcot. A large choir holding candles with a live orchestra tell the story of how Christmas came to be in front of a live audience. Here’s the line up of performances and their hosts that you will definitely not want to miss out on!
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 Olmos - December 25 and 26
Marlee Matlin - December 27 and 28
Lisa Ling - December 29 and 30
Holiday Kitchens
It wouldn’t be a proper festival without plenty of food and drinks! From Mexican Traditions to UK favorites (depending on which way you walk), you can find a variety of holiday foods ranging from savory to sweet. Steve’s favorite last year was the Turkey Poutine fries with gravy and cranberry sauce at the Refreshment Port near the Canadian Pavilion. This year he’s looking forward to the Collezione Barilla from the Tuscany Holiday Kitchen in Italy.
Living With the Land Merry and Bright Nights
Living with the Land is decked out in beautiful lights this year and it is everything we ever needed from the experience. Not only will you learn about the innovative ways that Disney and the rest of the world is growing crops and farming lands for a more eco-conscious impact, you’ll also be dazzled with rows and rows of shimmering lights. To put it simple, we LIVE for this! Check out our IGTV video below to view the magic
Stunning Performances
If you think that the fun stops there, you’re wrong! There are plenty of other fun activities for you and your family to participate in to have the most fun at Epcot.
Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree
Join this marvelous duo on a scavenger hunt by purchasing a scavenger hunt map and stickers from either Pin Central, Disney Traders and World Traveler at the International Gateway. Maps are just $6.99 + tax. You’ll need theme park admission to play along.
You and the little ones will have to keep your eyes open for Chip and Dale carrying an ornament in each showcase pavilion and add the corresponding ornament sticker to that location. Once you complete the map, you’ll just need to take it back to the store and trade it in for your own set of ornaments.
JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season
Appreciate the soulful sounds of the season as you experience the joys of Christmas and Kwanzaa with Gospel and R&B. This choir can really sing and there is no doubt you will love their amazing performance.
Storytellers and Holiday Entertainment
Scattered throughout the Epcot World Showcase, you’ll find a variety of storytellers waiting to share some holiday history and traditions with you and yours. Meet the Mischievous Barn Santa in Norway, sing Feliz Navidad! in Mexico, meet Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus in America and much more. And don’t forget to make sure that you see the Chinese Lion Dancer that is said to bless you with good luck throughout the new year.
Epcot SCROLLS
A new concept that Disney is rolling out this year are the Epcot SCROLLS that tells you more information on how each country celebrates the holidays. Each scroll can inspire you to incorporate new traditions into your own holiday festivities and can show you unique holiday photo spots within the park. You can find all 13 of them throughout the World Showcase!
The International Festival of the Holidays at Walt Disney World is really bringing some fun to the parks this year and we’re so excited to start celebrating the season on November 29th.
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