EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will be starting from November 26 till December 30, 2021. You will witness Candlelight Processions narrated by celebrities, Cookie Stroll, Holiday Kitchens, and much more.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays celebrates various traditions and cultures around the globe. Every year this festival happens excluding last year due to Covid-19. But this year, they are back again with the same theme and no restrictions.
Tips for visiting EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
#1 You will get an EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Passport where you can track all the adventures. Moreover, this booklet will tell you what is happening around the vicinity. From food items to entertainment locations and other fun activities.
Also, with this booklet, you won’t miss anything in the World Showcase. But you need to check your My Disney Experience app if you want to know a specific time for a show.
#2 Keep an eye for holiday promenades. When they change the music, it means characters are coming out so you can click pictures of them.
#3 Remember, the number of people will increase as the days go by. So, if you arrive early, you do not have to wait in the queue for a long time. Once it is late afternoon, the place will become very crowded.
#4 If you want to buy Christmas gifts then you can go to the Holiday Markets. The Chip n Dale is one of the cutest collections available at this time.
#5 You will find many opportunities to click pictures, but you cannot miss the iconic tree at the World Showcase Plaza.
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Activities at the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Candlelight Processions
Candlelight Processional is the most famous entertainment at the International Festival of the Holidays. Also, there are performances at the America Gardens Theatre, and a celebrity will narrate the stories of the biblical tale of Christmas.
Then there is Walt Disney Cast Choir and live orchestra performing songs that are about hope and happiness.
In 2019 this event was held at 8:15 pm, 6:45 pm, and 5 pm each day at the theatre. Mostly the choir consists of school groups, but for this year, there will be more people.
Also, some of the celebrities who are confirmed to be the narrator are Jodi Benson, Pat Sajak, Steven Curtis Chapman, Alton Fitzgerald White, Chita Rivera, Blair Underwood, and Lisa Ling. More names will be announced as we get closer to the festival.
Musical Entertainment
The concerts are known as the Celebration of the Season, which celebrates the joy and happiness of Kwanzaa and Christmas. In 2020, the musical events took place at the World Showplace.
You can find the showtime of the events at the My Disney Experience app or the daily park guide. Besides, the concert is a blend of R&B, jazz, inspiring gospel, and much more.
Living with Holiday Land Overlay
This ride had a transformation in 2019 with a lot of Christmas décor and lighting. When you cruise through greenhouses, you will spot twinkling lights, colorful wreaths, snowmen families, and a Mickey reindeer head.
Holiday Cookie Stroll
At the international festival, there are various cookie strolls around EPCOT. Moreover, with each cookie you buy, you will get a Festival Passport.
If you buy five cookies from different Holiday Cookie Stroll, then you can bring that to the Sweets and Treats Holiday Kitchen. Once they verify it, you will get a free Peppermint Minnie Cookie.
Also, you do not need to buy all five cookies in a single day. You can come back later to buy them. Each cookie will cost you $2.50.
Holiday Tradition Expedition of Olaf
This one is for your kids. If they like Ratatouille’s Hide & Squeak at Food & Wine Festival, then make sure you check this one out as well.
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Also, you can buy a sticker and map at World Traveler, Port on Entry, or Disney Traders. It will cost you $7.99.
Here Olaf will be sledding around the World Showcase and collecting new holiday traditions. Your kids can help him to find all the holiday traditions in every Showcase pavilion.
When they are done with helping Olaf, they need to return the map to World Traveler, Mouse Gear, or Disney Traders. Once you give them the map, your kid will get a gift in return.
If your kids a big fan of Frozen, then this is a must-visit.
Meet and Greet with your favorite character
This year Disney World has hosted a few character promenades allowing people to interact with different characters from a distance.
Last year, other than Santa Clause, Anna, Elsa, Minnie, and Mickey were there as well.
Gingerbread Capital City
All the Disney Resorts will have their gingerbread.
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But there is a special one going to be present at EPCOT as well. This year the Disney chefs will create a gingerbread city.
Moreover, this is to pay homage to a few of the USA’s greatest landmarks, such as the Washington Monument, Martin Luther King Junior Memorial, and the USA Capitol Building.
Holiday Storytellers
During the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, some performances showcase the different cultures around the world. Moreover, the storytellers will share many unique stories about their country through a performance.
The storytellers that are confirmed this year:
Japan
The story is about the Daruma Doll, which is a good luck charm.
Canada
There are Canadian Holiday Voyageurs which will have everyone rocking around the Christmas Tree.
Norway
It is a mischievous yet hilarious story of Sant visiting Sigrid.
Hanukkah
Zachary, the storyteller, shares a story about their legendary songs and people.
United Kingdom
The storyteller shares the traditions that are followed in the United Kingdom.
France
The storyteller, dressed as La Befana. She is a kind and loving witch who visits kids on the eve of Epiphany.
America
Santa, along with Mrs. Claus, travels from the North Pole to the USA to visit all the good girls and boys.
China
A powerful performance from the Chinese Lion Dancers.
Mexico
Las Posadas will present Mariachi music, pinatas, and dancers.
Holiday Kitchens
The best thing about this festival is their Holiday Kitchens. Moreover, the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays has a huge variety of tasty food. Also, they provide different types of cuisines from all around the world.
Last year they added two new booths, which were Holiday Hearth and Mele Kalikimaka Holiday Kitchen. In 2020, they had a total of sixteen Holiday Kitchens that you could choose from.
This year as well, they have some amazing things to offer.
Epcot Festival of the Holidays 2021 menu
#1 The Donut Box
Main Course:
- Peppermint Chocolate Donut
- Pumpkin Spice Icing and Cake Donut
- Cream-filled Donut with Egg Nog, Crumbled Gingersnaps, and Cinnamon Icing.
- Holiday Donut with Crips Pearls and Coconut
Drinks:
- Gingerbread Milkshake and has Whipped Cream Vodka
- Guinness Gingerbread – Ireland, Stout, and Dublin.
- Gingerbread Milkshake.
#2 American Holiday Table
Main Course:
- Gingerbread Pumpkin Cheesecake with Pumpkin Seeds and Cranberry flavored Whipped Cream.
- Turkey (slowly roasted) with Mashed Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce, Green Beans, and Ben’s Original Stuffing.
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookie is made with Dark Chocolate.
- Holiday Pot Pie with Carrots, Puff Pastry, Onions, Jackfruit, Peas, and Mushrooms.
Drinks:
- Beer Flight
- Bell’s MI, Comstock, and Bright White Ale.
- Peppermint Chocolate Stout, FL, Titusville by Playalinda Brewing Co.
- Three Daughters Brewing Eggnog with FL, Petersburg, and Whiter Porter.
#3 Bavaria Holiday Kitchen
Main Course:
- Linzer Cookie
- Cheese Fondue with Marble Potatoes and Steamed Vegetables in a Bread Bowl.
- Pork Schnitzel with Braised Red Cabbage, Spätzle, and Mushroom Sauce.
Drinks:
- Regional Riesling
- (The Tan Brewing Co.) FL, Miami – Fest Bier
- Beer Flight
- Gluhwein Hot Spiced Wine
- Possmann Pure Hard Frankfurt and Apple Cider, Germany.
- Ayinger Brewery Celebrator Doppelbock, Germany.
#4 Good Cheer & Chestnuts
It is a new booth.
Main Course:
- Cinnamon glazed Almonds, Pecans, and Cashews.
- Chestnuts which are Fire-roasted.
Non-alcoholic Drinks:
- TG Eggnog
- Gourmet Hot Cocoa
Alcoholic drinks
- TG Eggnog with Peanut Butter Whiskey
- Hazel Nut Cracker Sweet Stout by Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co.
- Gourmet Hot Cocoa with Candied Nuts, Whipped Cream, and Peanut Butter Whiskey
#5 Le Marché de Noël
Main Course:
- Patates Douces Roties and Dinda Forestiere: Turkey with Onions, Bacon, and Mushrooms in Mustard Sauce, and it is served with Roasted Potatoes.
- Napoleon de Saumon Fume Brioche: It is smoked Salmon Napoleon with Cream Fraiche Mousee, Dill Mousee, and Smoked Salmon. It is served in Brioche.
- Framboise and Buche de Noel Chocolate Blanc: It is Chocolate Christmas Log with Chocolate Fudge, White Chocolate, Chocolate Biscuit, and Raspberry Cream coating.
Drinks:
- Louis de Camponac
- Cranberry Mimosa with Orange Juice, Cranberry Syrup, and Pol Remy Sparkling Wine.
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Rose Petillant Method Traditional Champagne: Pink Flamingo and Rose Sparkling
- Frozen Hot Choco Martini: Vodka, Whipped Cream, Grey Goose Vanilla, and Chocolate Milk.
#6 Holiday Hearth Desserts
Main Course:
- Snowball Cookies
- Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Icing
- Mouse Crunch
- Peppermint Bark
- Gingerbread Cookie
- Salted Caramel Cookie
Drinks:
- Cinnamon with Apple Cider
- Hot Cocoa
- Cocoa Candy Cane which is Hot Cocoa with Peppermint Schnapps
#7 Holiday Sweets
Main Course:
- Redemption Cookie
- Peppermint Sundae: Peppermint Candy, Whipped Cream, and Chocolate Ice Cream
Drinks:
- Hot Cocoa
- Peppermint Chocolate Shake
- S’mores Black Lager
- Peppermint Tea
- Beer Flight
- Hot Cocoa with Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey, Irish Cream, or Frangelico Liqueur.
- Coquito Beer by MIA Beer Company
- Peppermint Chocolate shake with Whipped Cream Vodka
#8 Mele Kalikimaka
Main Course:
- Haupia: It is a Hawaiian Coconut Pudding with Coconut and Macadamia Nuts.
- Lomi Lomi Salmon with Onions, Yucca Chips, Yuzu Mayonnaise, Salmon Roe, and Tomatoes.
- Kalua Pork with Mango Salad and Sweet Potatoes.
Drinks:
- Melon Breeze mixed with Spiced Rum
- Sparkling Pineapple Wine
- Mai Time Wheat Ale
#9 Shi Wasu
Main Course:
- Chirashi Sushi Tree: Salmon, Vegetables, Ikura, Tuna, with Rice.
- Mont Blanc Tart: It is a Matcha Mousse Tart mixed with Sweet Red Bean and is sprinkled with Sugar Candy.
- Soba: It is Buckwheat Soba Noodles with Hot Dashi Soup, Fish Cake, Chopped Green Onion, Shiitake Mushrooms, and Shrimp Tempura.
Drinks:
- Banana Chocolate Boba: Calpico, Strawberry Boba Pearls, Cocoa, and Banana Syrup.
- Sparkling Plum Wine
- Banana Tokyo Chocolate: Vodka, Calpico, Banana Syrup, and Cocoa
- Pomegranate Draft Lager: It is a Rice Lager with a slight flavor of Lemon and Pomegranate.
#10 Las Posadas
Main Course:
- Dulce de Leche with Cinnamon Sugar.
- Tamal de Barbacoa: It is barbacoa Beef with Corn Masa, Queso Cotija, Crema Mexicana, and Ranchera Salsa.
- Giant Tostada de Chorizo: In a Giant Tostada Chorizo will be served with Pickled Onion, Queso Cotija, Chipotle Black Bean Sauce, Crema Mexicana, and Salsa Verde.
Drinks:
- Mistletoe Cerveza: Blackcurrant Liqueur and Tulum Artisanal Lager
- Horchata Margarita: Cinnamon Horchata, Abasolo Corn Whiskey, Centinela Blanco Tequila, and Agua de Horchata
- Cinnamon Cranberry Margarita: Ilegal Mezcal, Apple, Cinnamon, Orange Liqueur, Lime Juice, Cinnamon Sugar Rim, and Cranberry Juice.
#11 Tangerine Café:
Main Course:
- Lamb Kefta
- Grilled Kebabs with Garlic Aioli and Chickpea Carrot Salad
- Harissa Chicken
- Moroccan Bread with Zhoug Dip, Fig Tapenade, and Hummus.
- Almond Cake with Sesame Tuille, Orange Ganache, and Ginger Mousse.
Drinks:
- Cider Flight
- Fig Cocktail with Cranberry Juice, Fig Vodka, and Sparkling Wine.
- Woodchuck Cinnamon Nutmeg
- Rock Ginger Turmeric Cider
- Stem Ciders with Apple Hard Cider
#12 Tuscany
Main Course:
- Bomboloni Cioccolato Nocciola: It is a Doughnut filled with Powdered Sugar and Chocolate Hazelnut.
- Mezzaluna Croccanti: Half-moon Breaded Mozzarella which is filled with Pomodoro Sauce and Ravioli
- Ravioli: Scampi Sauce, White Wine, Parsley, Shrimp Ravioli, and Lemon Zest
Drinks:
- Moscato
- Prosecco
- Peroni Pilsner
- Chianti
- White Sangria mixed with Prosecco
- Rosa Regale
- Red Sangria mixed with Cabernet Sauvignon
- Pinot Grigio
- Margarita mixed with Limoncello and Tequila
#13 Refreshment Port
Main Course:
- Turkey Poutine with French Fries, Gravy, Crispy Onions, Cranberry Relish, and Turkey.
- Coquito Soft Waffle Cone
Drinks:
- Coquito Soft with Spiced Rum
- 3 Daughters Brewing Cranberry Cider
- Pumpkin Spice and Ginger Cocktail mixed with Vodka, Ginger, Lime, and Pumpkin Tea
Final thoughts
We hope you found this guide on the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays helpful and plan your vacation. Also, let us know which segment you are most excited about in the comment section below.
