9 Can’t Miss Offerings at Epcot’s Holidays Around the World

Epcot is a great park filled with many cultural offerings throughout the year, but Holidays Around the World is a great opportunity to enjoy special Holiday customs and traditions from around the globe. Holidays Around the World is presented daily from November 25^th to December 30^th at Epcot. During this time, you will find special entertainment as well as food and beverage offerings you will not want to miss! Here are 9 can’t miss offerings at Epcot’s Holidays Around the World.

9 – Santa and Mrs. Claus

Children and adults alike have the chance to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the American Adventure pavilion. They are available throughout the day at specific times so be sure to check your times guide for when they will be appearing. This is a very popular spot, so be sure to line up early!

8 – Holiday Treats Around the World

New this year, is the addition of more food and drink for the winter celebration at Epcot. New dishes include:

• Probst! In Germany: an artisan cheese plate or sauerbraten with red cabbage and spätzle. Drinks include alcoholic ciders, Williams Punch (hot), Caramel Kiss featuring Werther’s Caramel and glüwein (house-made hot spiced wine).
• American Holiday Table in the American Adventure Pavilion is serving Slow-roasted turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. And seared pork tenderloin with green bean casserole, roasted sweet potato wedges and a Champagne demi-glace. Drinks include Shipyard Eggnog White Porter Aged on Bourbon, Firenog (eggnog with Fireball Whisky), Great American Wine Company Red Blend and Chardonnay, hot chocolate, eggnog and Cocoa Candy Cane (hot chocolate with peppermint Schnapps).

• Alpine Haus between Morocco and France for duck confit, dumplings and roasted Brussels sprouts with a fig reduction; cheese fondue in a bread bowl with fresh steamed vegetables, and sachertorte, a chocolate cake with apricot jam and dark chocolate glaze. Drinks include Frozen Winter Spice Hot Chocolate featuring Twinings of London Tea (alcoholic and non-alcoholic version available) Weingut Stadt Krems Gruner Vetliner White Wine and Heinrich Red Blend.

• Seasonal Southern Delights near World Showcase Plaza is offering hoppin’ john (black-eyed peas, ham hocks and kale with rice and cornbread crumbles); blackened catfish with white cheddar grits with okra, tomato and onion stew, and chocolate pecan tart. Drinks include Frozen S’Mores and Central 28 beers.
• Feast of the Three Kings Feast near World Showcase Plaza pays homage to Three Kings Day, widely celebrated in Spain, Latin America and the Caribbean. Look for a shredded beef tamale with avocado crema; roasted pork with mashed yucca and pickled green bananas, and Three Kings Bread. Drinks will include a Coquito (coconut milk) and Coquito with rum floater.
• Hot and cold drinks will be offered all around World Showcase, as well as holidays sweets such as the Mickey Santa Hat cupcake at Fountain View restaurant, chocolate honey baklava in Morocco, panettone (Italian Christmas cake) in Italy, gingerbread ice cream and buche de Noel au chocolat (Christmas cake shaped like a log) in France, pai cha (Beijing-style fried dough twist with sesame) in China and guava tamales in Mexico.

 7 – World Showcase Holiday Entertainment

Several countries in the World Showcase will be offering Holiday entertainment.  Mexico will present mariachis and dancers to bring the traditions of a Holiday Fiesta to life!  The Chinese Lion Dancers will be appearing in China this year. The Chinese Lion Dance is said to bring good fortune and happiness during Chinese holidays such as the Lantern Festival and Lunar New Year.  If you are looking for some music be sure to head over to Morocco or Canada. Morocco’s entertainment will guide you through the seasons of holidays in Morocco, while The Canadian Holiday Voyageurs will take you on a rockin’ journey of Canadian customs from the different provinces.  Be sure to check show times for each of these experiences on the times guide.

6 – Holiday Storytellers

Epcot’s Holiday Storytellers are a wonderful way to learn about the Holiday customs and stories from around the world. In Norway, you can meet Sigrid as she tells the Christmas story, but is interrupted by Julenlssen, a sneaky and mischievous Christmas gnome. Germany’s storyteller, Helga, shares the customs and importance of the nutcracker and the story of her first one.  Italy presents La Befana a witch who comes on the Eve of epiphany to give gifts to good children.

The American Adventure presents the stories and traditions of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa be sure to check out both! In Japan you will learn the customs of Japanese New Year and the story of the Daruma doll. France’s Storyteller is Père Noël who shares the joy of Christmas with a story from a child. In the United Kingdom you will meet Father Christmas who shares the traditions of the United Kingdom. Storytellers appear throughout the day and performance times can be found on the times guide.

 5 – United States Capitol Building Gingerbread Display

This year’s gingerbread display is located inside the American Adventure pavilion and features the United States Capitol Building and the Washington Monument.  New this year is the addition of the Lincoln Memorial. This year’s display is made out of over 150 lbs of gingerbread, 30 lbs of icing, 16 lbs of moldeling chocolate and features 6 hidden Mickey’s.  Be sure to check out the handcrafted details including a Christmas tree and miniature people made out of chocolate. 

4 – Joyful! A Gospel Celebration of the Season

This performance features a blend of soul, Gospel, Jazz and R&B Music to celebrate the holiday season like no other! Located at the Fountains of Nations Stage between Mouse Gear and Club Cool, there are several show times daily, check your times guide for performance times.

 3 – American Music Machine

You’ll enjoy the sounds of the season with this popular five-person a capella group! They perform some of the holiday’s favorite tunes of yesterday and today in their unique music style. This group also performs on the Fountains of Nations Stage.

2 – Voices of Liberty

The Voices of Liberty is an a cappella group that has been performing at the American Adventure pavilion for decades. Join them as they sing holiday favorites while dressed in their Dickens costumes. Check your times guide for exact performance times.

1 – Candlelight Processional

The Candlelight Processional is a wonderful Holiday tradition at Epcot. Each evening at the American Gardens Theater at 5 pm, 6:45 pm and 8:15 pm listen to the Christmas story narrated by a celebrity narrator as they are accompanied by the Walt Disney World Orchestra and a mass choir. Check the times guide to see what celebrity narrator will be performing during your stay and plan to arrive at least 1 hour early to get into the standby line. You can also book reserved seating by booking a Candlelight Processional Dining Package available at many of the Epcot restaurants.

Whether you are interested in learning about the customs and traditions of another country, or trying out some traditional holiday foods from around the world, Epcot’s Holidays Around the World has something for everyone. With so many great storytellers, entertainment offerings, food, and the Candlelight Processional, you might need to visit more than once to fit in everything you want to see and do!