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 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! The Scavenger Hunt Map and stickers is $7.99, and you can grab it at Disney Traders, Mouse Gear, World Traveler and the Port of Entry. Plus it will be available at a few kiosks around the park too. In exchange for finishing the map you’ll be awarded a “prize”! 

Festival of Holidays Cookie Stroll 

If you’re looking to be rewarded for eating around the world, grab this cookie jar and make the rounds. Here are the Official Cookie Stroll Locations for 2020 at the Taste of EPCOT Festival of Holidays. We’ll UPDATE this for 2021 as soon as they’re released!

• Bavaria Holiday Kitchen at the Germany Pavilion
  Linzer Cookie
• American Holiday Table at the America Pavilion
  Chocolate Crinkle Cookie
• Yukon Holiday Kitchen at the Canada Pavilion
  Peppermint Pinwheel Cookie
• Festival Favorites at the World Showplace.
  Gingerbread Cookie
• L’Chaim Holiday Kitchen between the Morocco and France Pavilions
  Black-and-White 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 Santa Mickey Sugar Cookie. You can also grab an adorable Holiday Chip and Dale Cookie Jar for the  Festival of Holidays to collect your cookies in as you go. 

NEW Festival of Holidays Kitchens

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 in all the new kitchens! And the new booths at Festival of Holidays below. 

Citrus Blossom  From The Flower & Garden Festival

This Flower and Garden Festival outdoor kitchen features an Orange Cream shake in a collectible Orange Bird Sipper. If you didn’t grab one at the Flower and Garden Festival, you’ll have a chance this holiday season! 

Festival Favorites  From The Food and Wine Festival

If you’ve been to the recent festivals at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT, you will be familiar with the Festival Favorites booth! Bringing all the favorites of previous festivals to the forefront, we’ll be seeing both Frozen s’mores and Tropical Eggnog on the menu here. 

Holiday Hearth 

This new booth features everything you want to snack and sip while snuggled up next to the fireside. You’ll find sweet desserts, milkshakes and hot cocoas at Holiday Hearth.

Mele Kalikimaka 

If you’re looking for a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day head to this NEW booth featuring drinks and foods from the big Island of Hawaii. Perfect for the holidays! 

America Gardens Theater Presents

Just head to the America Pavilion to hear the sounds of the season from all the groups here! 

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 | American Gardens Theatre

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 | American Gardens Theatre

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 | Canada Pavilion

Hang out to see the percussion players with a whole new set of holiday tunes perfect for the Mill Stage in Canada! 

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!