What’s New for the Festival of Holidays at Disney World?

The Festival of Holidays at Walt Disney World returns to EPCOT with fan favorites, outdoor holiday kitchens, specialty merchandise, and other fun additions to add to your holiday lineup. Check out everything that’s NEW for the Festival of Holidays at Walt Disney World this year!

EPCOT at Christmastime 

One of our favorite places to go as we gear up for the holidays is EPCOT. While we LOVE Hollywood Studio’s kitschy Christmas feeling, EPCOT has a flavor all its own. Lots of them in fact. Combining music, foods, decor, and more you can also find a holiday festival as part of the festivities! 

When is EPCOT’s International Festival of Holidays in 2021?

Epcot’s International Festival of Holidays runs at EPCOT Park from November 26- December 30, 2021.

Holiday Disney Character Promenades

As part of the new offerings for the Festival of Holidays at EPCOT Walt Disney World, we’re seeing new Character Cavalcades across the parks as a way to offer a distanced experience. While not necessarily “parades” you can still see these characters, in their holiday best, cruising through EPCOT.

Santa Claus Promenade

Santa Claus himself, and maybe Mrs. Claus too, will be circling World Showcase to get a glimpse of the holiday happenings across the park! Keep an eye out for our favorite Christmas icon if you’re visiting EPCOT through the holidays. 

Mickey and Friends Holiday World Tour

No holiday event at Walt Disney World would be complete without a visit from Mickey Mouse himself! The Mouse who started it all will be hanging out with his friends, dressed to the nines in holiday attire. Be sure to catch Mickey Mouse and friends traveling the World Showcase through the Festival of Holidays for Christmas.

Frozen Holiday Promenade

If you’re looking for a little Frozen, be sure to catch a glimpse of sisters Anna and Elsa as they travel from country to country throughout the World Showcase! These princesses will be in their holiday wear for the season. 

Princess Promenade

Disney Princesses are, as always, part of the festivities! Be on the lookout for Disney royalty in their best holiday dresses taking a cruise around World Showcase at EPCOT.

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition

Replacing Chip and Dales Christmas Spree, is Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition, the NEWEST Disney Game to land in Walt Disney World! Join Olaf as he travels around the World Showcase in search of holiday traditions featured in each country! Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition is all about finding the holiday traditions Olaf has lost and found. These little games are perfect for the whole family and give you a chance to really get to know each country. Olaf will be searching for these traditions to share with Anna and Elsa for the holidays- so be on the lookout! 

Festival of Holidays Cookie Stroll Locations 2021

Here are the Official Cookie Stroll Locations for the Walt Disney World EPCOT Festival of Holidays.

• Yukon Holiday Kitchen- SNICKERS®-Doodle Cookie 
  SNICKERS®-Doodle Cookie made with SNICKERS® bar pieces
• L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen- Black and White Cookie
  The L’Chaim Holiday Kitchen between Morocco and France Pavilions Black-and-White Cookie. The black and white cookie has returned this year for this stroll. Not only is it a classic but it’s also delicious! Half white icing, half black, this cookie was a fan favorite last year. 
• American Holiday Table- Chocolate Crinkle Cookie 
  Chocolate Crinkle Cookie made with DOVE® Dark Chocolate. Chocolate Crinkles are one of our favorite classic holiday cookies and we are so excited for it to come to the cookie stroll this year. A soft, chocolate cookie with a fudge center, topped with powdered sugar, this is sure to be a holiday favorite this year. 
• Bavaria Holiday Kitchen at the Germany Pavilion Linzer Cookie
  Who doesn’t love a good Linzer cookie? This one is filled with raspberry jam and decorated with a gorgeous cut out snowflake. It doesn’t get more classic than that!
• Holiday Hearth Desserts- Gingerbread Cookie
  Gingerbread Cookie.

Visit all 5 official cookie stroll locations, collect a stamp in your passport at each, and head to the Sweets & Treats Holiday Kitchen to receive a FREE specialty cookie decorated for the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World. 

Festival of Holidays Kitchens- NEW!

The Festival of Holidays opens this year with a whopping 16 kitchens scattered around the World Showcase! Check out the full Festival of Holidays Menus for 2021for all the booths, cookie stroll, and more. 

Chestnuts & Good Cheer Holiday Kitchen – Near Port of Entry – NEW!

The newest booth to be added to the Festival of Holidays Holiday Kitchens is all about being cozy for the season. Join in on the festivities when you visit this new location offering cinnamon-glazed nuts and holiday beverages.

Candlelight Processional Entertainment- NEW!

2021 welcomes back the Candlelight Processional with new Celebrity Speakers in 2021. This retelling of the Nativity Story takes place at the America Garden’s Theater throughout the festival. 

New Celebrity Narrators

This year’s celebrity narrators include the following actors. Available through certain dates during the season. 

• Chita Rivera
  November 29 through December 1
• Jodi Benson
• December 2 through December 4
• Alton Fitzgerald White
  December 5 through December 7
• Lisa Ling
  December 11 through December 13
• Steven Curtis Chapman
  December 23 through December 25
• Blair Underwood
  December 26 through December 28
• Pat Sajak
  December 29 through December 30

Additional celebrities will be shared on Disney’s website as they sign on. Check out the lineup of celebrity readers for Disney’s Candlelight Processional in 2021.  Candlelight Processional Dining Packages are also returning and are available to be booked on Oct. 26.

Festival of Holidays Performances 2021

• Canadian Holiday Voyageurs | Canada: Head to Canada’s Mill Stage for musical stylings and festive songs from the Canadian Holiday Voyageurs!
• Chinese Lion Dance New Year Celebration | China: Head to China for an acrobatic celebration to ring in the Chinese New Year. Throughout the Festival of Holidays, you can see these performances throughout the day. 
• JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season | World Showplace: A celebration of music to bring the songs of Christmas and Kwanzaa to Disney includes Gospel, R&B, and holiday songs performed by the ‘Joyful!’ vocal ensemble.
• Voices of Liberty – Voices of the Season: A cappella holiday music sets the tone for the season at the America pavilion. Dressed as Dicken’s Carolers this is a great way to get into the classic feeling of Christmas.
• Las Posadas with Mariachi Cobre | Mexico Pavilion: Grab a seat at American Gardens theater to watch the colorful dancers and the band, Las Posadas, celebrating Mexican Christmas traditions to kick off the season. 
• JAMMitors: Hang out to see the percussion players with a whole new set of holiday tunes throughout EPCOT.

Everything New at Festival of Holidays EPCOT 

There it is! Everything we know ( so far) coming to the Walt Disney World Festival of Holidays. While Disney World is always fun during the holidays, the Festival of Holidays is by far one of our favorite events! What’s not to like about Christmas around the World? Festive Treats and Disney Snacks, Sounds of the season, and decorations galore make this a seasonal activity worth fitting into your plans!