Post 50 RX

  • Home
  • About Me
    • Privacy / Cookie Policy
  • Travel
    • DISney
    • Walt Disney World
    • Disneyland
    • Disneyland Paris
    • Disney Cruise Line
  • Food
    • Restaurants
    • Beverages
    • Adult Beverages
    • Lounges
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Giveaways
  • Health
    • DISabilities
  • Fitness
    • Running
    • runDisney
    • Run Walk Run
    • Virtual runDisney
  • Top PT Tips

Top 5 Sights & Sounds From Epcot International Festival of the Holidays

October 4, 2018 By D Marie 11 Comments

‘Tis the season for Epcot International Festival of the Holidays highlights. With this yuletide celebration growing in popularity, you need to add this one to your “Nice List.” This is NOT the Holidays Around the World of olde. Make your Walt Disney World Resort vacation merry with these Top 5 Sights and Sounds From Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. (OK, make that tastes as well!)

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays Highlights

This year, the Festival runs from November 18 to December 30. Epcot’s World Showcase becomes fully alive with the sights of poinsettias, the sounds of gospel singers, the smells of nutmeg, the tastes of Christmas cookies, and the touch of the Festival scavenger hunt in hand.

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays Highlights

Just don those jingle bells and let’s go!

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays

Live Musical Productions

Music fills the park, and not simply with familiar Christmas carols. Yet, it is the sounds from around the world that captivate.

Epcot Holiday Entertainers
Holiday entertainers from China and Mexico

Mostly Kosher performs with fully-entertaining Hanukkah and Klezmer music. (And all in the shadow of the Morocco Pavilion. I loved the international goodwill relations on display!)

JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season

Gospel singers greet you at the entrance of the park. Do NOT miss this high energy, toe-tapping welcome to the Festival! I promise you, this was a popular feature in 2017. Unfortunately, because I streamed it on Facebook My Story all evidence of it is gone. Sob. You’ll have to experience it for yourself!

Holiday Kitchens

Though this Festival follows the incredibly popular Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, the yuletide tastes and holiday “chEAR” stand up to foodie scrutiny.

American Holiday Table’s Slow-Roasted Turkey with Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and Cranberry Sauce

Last year, the Turkey and Sauerbraten dishes had me singing Fa la la la la.

Bavaria Holiday Kitchen’s Sauerbraten, Red Cabbage and Spätzle

Unfortunately full menus have not yet been released. However, the Holiday Kitchens from 2017 included:

Alsace Holiday Kitchen

American Holiday Table

Bavaria Holiday Kitchen

Cookie Nook Holiday Kitchen

Feast of the Three Kings

Hokkaido Holiday Kitchen

Las Posadas Holiday Kitchens

Shanghai Holiday Kitchen

Tuscany Holiday Kitchen

Tarabaki Holiday Kitchen

Yukon Holiday Kitchen

I expect bigger, better, and ho-ho-ho-ier this year. That’s the Disney way, no?

Candlelight Processional

Walt Disney World Candlelight Processional

The Christmas story in song. There is nothing more moving, either in or outside of church, than the Candlelight Processional. Surely this Disney tradition leads the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays highlights. Please note that this event does not begin until Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2018. This year’s Celebrity Narrator schedule includes some new voices.

  • Chita Rivera – November 22 to 23, 2018
  • NEW! Helen Hunt – November 24 to 25, 2018
  • NEW! Alfonso Ribeiro – November 26 to 27, 2018
  • TBD – November 28 to December 2, 2018
  • Neil Patrick Harris – December 3 to 6, 2018
  • Whoopi Goldberg – December 7 to 9, 2018
  • NEW! Bart Millard – December 10 to 12, 2018
  • Blair Underwood – December 13 to 14, 2018
  • Gary Sinise – December 15 to 17, 2018
  • Pat Sajak – December 18 to 20, 2018
  • NEW! Auli’i Cravalho – December 21 to 23, 2018
  • Edward James Olmos – December 24 to 25, 2018
  • Jodi Benson – December 26 to 27, 2018
  • Cal Ripken Jr. – December 28 to 30, 2018

Unfortunately, Disney Legend Kurt Russell is not on the 2018 lineup. He brought goosebumps to the America Gardens Theatre last year!

Kurt Russell Candlelight Processional
Disney Legend Kurt Russell

Holiday Storytellers

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays Storytellers from around the world
Santa Claus, gnome Julenissen, Father Christmas, and Père Noël

All 11 countries around World Showcase take part in sharing their cultural winter celebrations with Guests. Listen to Japanese New Year customs. Learn of the French tradition of children leaving out their shoes for to fill by Père Noël. The story of the Epiphany is re-told by Italy’s La Benafa. And the original history of the German nutcracker will delight you. You’ll certainly come away with a deeper appreciation for our glorious global differences. Unforgettable.

Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree

As with most Epcot Festivals, big and little kids need their scavenger hunts to burn off the hot cocoa. This Christmas wreath version is adorable. And with or without the Holiday Kir, not easy to complete! More than once we may have asked a Cast Member for a clue. (Which they are happy to do. But don’t expect too much information. You still have to earn it!) Chip and Dale end up in the darndest of places. And yes, there is a treat in the end!

Jiminy, reviewing these Epcot International Festival of the Holidays highlights has me dreaming of a white Christmas. AND a return to sunny Walt Disney World this holiday season.

Related Posts:

  • A Very Merry 12 Blogs of Disney Christmas Gift Card GiveawayA Very Merry 12 Blogs of Disney Christmas Gift Card Giveaway
  • Wine Bar George Serves Frosé and Other Magic at Disney SpringsWine Bar George Serves Frosé and Other Magic at…
  • Worldwide The #CashIsGreener $500 Cash #GiveawayWorldwide The #CashIsGreener $500 Cash #Giveaway
  • Disney Easter Basket Essentials Fit for a Princess or QueenDisney Easter Basket Essentials Fit for a Princess or Queen
  • How to Use the Disney Minnie Van Airport ShuttleHow to Use the Disney Minnie Van Airport Shuttle
  • The Best of Pixar Fest in DisneylandThe Best of Pixar Fest in Disneyland

Filed Under: Blog, Walt Disney World Tagged With: beverage, Epcot, Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, food, music, Walt Disney World

Comments

  1. shannon fowler says

    November 26, 2018 at 6:48 pm

    Im so looking forward to exploring this! We managed to miss it last year even though we had season passes.

    Reply
    • D Marie says

      November 26, 2018 at 7:27 pm

      Try to leave more than one day- so much magic to see! 😀

      Reply
  2. Ellen Cusack says

    November 26, 2018 at 7:00 pm

    Love this blog! Your writing is awesome and I always get the full story and look forward to experiencing your adventures!

    Reply
    • D Marie says

      November 26, 2018 at 7:10 pm

      I love you, my friend!! <3

      Reply
  3. Anati @ Disney Adulting says

    November 26, 2018 at 7:44 pm

    Oh my, I’m so inspired! Can Disney come decorate my house? Haha!

    Reply
    • D Marie says

      November 27, 2018 at 10:26 pm

      Right after mine. 😀

      Reply
  4. Kelsey Brown says

    November 27, 2018 at 10:04 pm

    Would love to see this in person someday!

    Reply
    • D Marie says

      November 27, 2018 at 10:25 pm

      I WISH that for you! 😉

      Reply
  5. Ashley says

    December 6, 2018 at 8:38 am

    Omg we’re going next Friday and I’m losing my mind with excitement! I’ve never seen Disney for Christmas!

    Reply
  6. kate andrews says

    December 7, 2018 at 3:04 pm

    we love Disney, just got back from a trip

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

about me

"Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. And dreams are forever.” ~ Walt Disney

Join me as I discover the prescriptions for a happy and full lifestyle across the decades.
Physical therapist, doctoral candidate, special needs mom and advocate, late-in-life runner, married to a restaurateur. Wanderer, 29 countries and counting.

I’m a Jeff Galloway Blogger!

about me

DISneyland Paris

about me

Discovery

about me

Search This Blog

Minnie Van Airport Pickup

How to Use the Disney Minnie Van Airport Shuttle

Chomping at Major's bit to get to your Happy Place? Do you find Disney's Magical Express not quite express (or magical) enough? We … [Read More...]

Disney Christmas

A Very Merry 12 Blogs of Disney Christmas Gift Card Giveaway

Dreaming of snow on Main Street, U.S.A.? Us too! We thought we'd share some other holiday magic with our readers. How does a $300 Disney … [Read More...]

Use TENS for lower back pain relief

3 Key Benefits of Using TENS for Lower Back Pain Relief

Acute or chronic, lower back pain is one of the most common symptoms prompting a doctor's visit. In fact, globally the burden of this … [Read More...]


DISciple

about me

Privacy / Cookie Policy

Copyright © 2019 · The Tiffany Theme by Blogelina · Built on the Genesis Framework

Copyright © 2019 · The Tiffany Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in