The holidays are coming to town and you can enjoy them at the 2019 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays! Celebrate the winter holidays from around the world from November 29th – December 30th, 2019. And here is everything you need to know to make the most out of your time at the Festival of the Holidays.
I love Christmas. Some might say to an obsessive level. But I think they are a little Grinchy. And I love Epcot festivals. So, each year when they combine the two – I’m a giddy little elf!
And since we try to fit small holiday traditions from our heritage into our Christmas season this festival is perfect for our family.
2019 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
From November 29th to December 30th, Guests are welcome to explore and learn all about the holiday traditions from around the world at the 2019 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays.
Holiday Storytellers from Around the World
From Santa and Mrs. Claus to the “Italian Christmas witch” La Befana, guests are in for a treat with the storytellers.
The 2019 storytellers haven’t been announced officially yet, but here is a look at the 2018 line up. Stay tuned as this will be updated later this week!
- Mexico – Las Posadas Celebration
- Norway – Sigrid the Storyteller meets the Christmas gnome, Julenissen
- China – Chinese Lion Dancers
- Germany – Durch and Durch
- Italy – La Befana
- The American Adventure – Santa and Mrs. Claus
- Japan – Daruma Storyteller
- Morocco – Sahara Beat
- Hanukkah – Storyteller Zachary
- France – Père Noël
- United Kingdom – Father Christmas
- Canada – Canadian Holiday Voyageurs
Epcot Holiday Kitchens
There are 13 Holiday Kitchens for 2019. The kitchens are open from 11 am to 9 pm daily during the Festival of the Holidays.
- Bavaria Holiday Kitchen (Germany)
- Prost!
- American Holiday Table (The American Adventure)
- Yukon Holiday Kitchen (Canada)
- Feast of the Three Kings
- Holiday Sweets and Treats
- L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen
- Le Marche de Noel Holiday Kitchen (France)
- Sapphire Holiday Kitchen (Morocco)
- Tuscany Holiday Kitchen (Italy)
- Shanghai Holiday Kitchen (China)
- Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen (Japan)
- Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen (Mexico)
I got to try a few new offerings recently including the potato latkes with sour cream from the L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen, Pork Schnitzel with Mushroom Sauce and Spatzle from the Bavaria Holiday Kitchen and Canadian Wild Rice and Ham Soup topped with Pine Nuts with a Pretzel Roll from the Yukon Holiday Kitchen. All three dishes were scrumptious!
I’m not an adventurous eater but we always set a goal to try at least one item from each festival kitchen. And while, I’ve had my fair share of misses, but most things are hits. So, if the holiday kitchen isn’t serving something you would normally try – take a leap of faith and try something new!
Chip and Dale Christmas Tree Spree
The hunt is on for Chip and Dale as they are searching for ornaments throughout the World Showcase. This fun scavenger hunt is a wonderful way to keep kids engaged and entertained as you sip and savor your way through the Holiday Kitchens.
But it’s not just for adults! My husband and I enjoy joining the hunt when we visit and have fun collecting the prizes each time we finish a map.
With each finished map you will get your choice of one ornament. This year there are three collectible ornaments featuring a few of your favorite Disney characters. The ornaments are made of hard plastic, which is perfect for young kids and for those with curious cats…
The maps can be purchased for $6.99 plus tax and are available around the World Showcase, but we tend to grab ours at Disney Traders as we enter Showcase Plaza.
The Candlelight Processional
Fall in love with Epcot’s fan-favorite – The Candlelight Processional. Listen as the traditional religious story of Christmas is told by celebrity narrators backed up by a treeful choir with a 50 piece orchestra.
Here’s some truth – I’m not a religious person, so I use to avoid the Candlelight Processional. But everyone raves about it each year, so we went for the first time a couple of years ago when Neil Patrick Harris was the narrator. And I thoroughly enjoyed it! So, go see it.
2019 Celebrity Narrator Line-up
- 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
There are three performances nightly at 5:00 pm, 6:45 pm and 8:15 pm from November 29 through December 30, 2019.
Candlelight Processional Dinner Package
The lines for each showing start hours before, especially for the popular narrators such as Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg. But with the Candlelight Processional dinner package, you get reserved seating with no wait! Plus dinner. So it’s really a win-win.
For more information on the dinner packages check HERE
JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season
Listen to the soulful harmonies of the gospel, jazz and a little R&B at the daily Joyful! A Celebration of the Season concerts.
The upbeat tempo and fun holiday songs will have you tappin’ your feet and clappin’ your hands and fill you with holiday spirit for the rest of the day.
Holiday Cookie Stroll
Cookies? Did you say cookies? Take a stroll around the World Showcase and try some tasty treats from the Disney bakers with the Holiday Cookie Stroll.
With your Festival Passport in hand, visit each of the five cookie stations, purchase a cookie for $2 and collect the proper stamp. Once you’ve collected 5 stamps, take your Festival Passport to the Sweets & Treats Holiday Kitchen to receive a complimentary Santa Mickey Sugar Cookie.
Here are the five cookie stations around the World Showcase:
- 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 Morocco and France Pavilions Black-and-White Cookie
This is a fun activity for the whole family and the best part – you don’t have to complete the Holiday Cookie Stroll in one day. Just make sure to bring your Festival passport back each time you visit until you’ve collected all five stamps.
And this year, for a small price you can collect all your cookies in a fun decorative jar!
Celebrate the Holidays Merchandise
Spirit jerseys, collectible pins, ornaments and more – the holiday merchandise is adorably charming featuring two of our favorite pals, Chip and Dale!
Here’s just a small peek at what merchandise is waiting for you at Epcot this year.
And some exclusive Disney World annual passholder merchandise is available too!
Have you been to the Festival of the Holidays at Epcot before? I’d love to hear which event is your favorite, so share it in the comments below!
My favorite time of year at Disney! I love how this is like a true festival now.