Complete Guide to Festival of the Holidays 2020
Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays 2020 will take place from November 27, 2020 – December 30, 2020. Just like the rest of 2020, this year’s festival is going to be different so it is actually being called a Taste of the Festival of the Holidays. Of course what Epcot festival would be complete without the food booths! They will still have their holiday kitchen food booths this year to enjoy treats from around the world.
Disney has made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Candlelight Processional. It is a highlight of the holiday season, but unfortunately this year it just isn’t a possibility.
Holiday Kitchens
Food Items:
- Turkey Poutine French Fries with Turkey Gravy, Cranberry Relish, and Crispy Onions
Beverage Items:
- T.G. Lee Eggnog (non-alcoholic)
- T.G. Lee Eggnog with Spiced Rum
Beverage Items:
- Orange Cream Shake in a Souvenir Orange Bird Sipper Cup (non-alcoholic)
- 81Bay Brewing Co. Cinnamon Cranberry Orange Wheat Ale, Tampa, FL (New)
- Florida Orange Groves Winery Selections
Food Items:
- Kālua Pork with Okinawa Purple Sweet Potatoes and Mango Salad (New)
- Lomi Lomi Salmon with Tomatoes, Onions, Salmon Roe, Yuzu Mayonnaise, and Yucca Chips (New)
- Haupia: Hawaiian Coconut Pudding with Candied Macadamia Nuts and Coconut (New)
Beverage Items:
- Kona Brewing Co. Big Wave Golden Ale, Kailua-Kona, HI
- Florida Orange Groves Sparkling Pineapple Wine, St. Petersburg, FL
- Melon Breeze with Spiced Rum (New)
Food Items:
- Peppermint Sundae: Chocolate Ice Cream, Whipped Cream, and Peppermint Candy (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
- Minnie Peppermint Cookie (Cookie Stroll)
Beverage Items:
- Hot Cocoa (non-alcoholic)
- Chocolate Peppermint Shake featuring Twinings® Peppermint Cheer Tea (non-alcoholic)
- Shipyard Eggnog White Porter, Clearwater, FL
- M.I.A. Beer Company Coquito Beer, Doral, FL (New)
- Hot Cocoa with Assorted Alcoholic Cordials (Baileys Irish Cream, Frangelico Liqueur or Fireball Cinnamon Whisky)
- Chocolate Peppermint Shake featuring Twinings® Peppermint Cheer Tea and Whipped Cream Vodka
Food Items:
- Warm Brown Sugar-stuffed Pretzel with Soft-serve Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce
Beverage Items:
- Frozen Slushy Coca-Cola® or Minute Maid® Lemonade in a Souvenir Spike The Bee Sipper Cup (non-alcoholic)
- 3 Daughters Brewing Spicy Apple Cinnamon Hard Cider, St. Petersburg, FL
Food Items:
- Pork Schnitzel with Mushroom Sauce, Spätzle, and Braised Red Cabbage
- Cheese Fondue in a Bread Bowl with Steamed Baby Vegetables and Marble Potatoes
- Linzer Cookie (Cookie Stroll)
Beverage Items:
- Possmann Pure Hard Apple Cider, Frankfurt, Germany
- Ayinger Brewery Celebrator Doppelbock, Bavaria, Germany (New)
- Regional Riesling
- Glühwein: House-made Hot Spiced Wine
Food Items:
- Slow-roasted Turkey with Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, and Cranberry Sauce
- Holiday Pot Pie with Jackfruit, Mushrooms, Carrots, Peas, Onions, and Puff Pastry (Plant-based item) (New)
- Pumpkin Gingerbread Cheesecake with Cranberry Whipped Cream and Candied Pumpkin Seeds (New)
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookie (Cookie Stroll)
Beverages Items:
- Bell’s Bright White Ale, Comstock, MI
- Shipyard Eggnog White Porter, Clearwater, FL
- Playalinda Brewing Co. Peppermint Chocolate Stout, Titusville, FL
- Chalk Hill Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
- Martin Bay Vineyards & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Food Items:
- Pastrami on Rye with House-made Pickles and Deli Mustard
- Smoked Salmon Potato Latke
- Potato Latkes (Plant-based item)
- Sufganiyot: Mini Jelly-filled Donuts
- Black and White Cookie (Plant-based item) (Cookie Stroll)
Beverages Items:
- Shmaltz Brewing Company Hanukkah Beer: Golden Jelly Doughnut Pastry Ale, Clifton Park, NY
- Blue Cosmo Cocktail
Food Items:
- Blackened Bass, White Cheddar Grits, and Okra with Tomato and Onion Stew, Seasonal Southern Delights
- Duck Confit and Dumplings with Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Fig Reduction, Alpine Haus
- Gingerbread Cookie (Cookie Stroll)
Beverages Items:
- Coquito: Tropical Eggnog (non-alcoholic)
- Frozen S’mores (non-alcoholic)
- Coquito: Tropical Eggnog with Bacardi Gold Dark Rum
- Frozen S’mores with Whipped Cream Vodka
Food Items:
- Red Velvet Mini Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Icing (New)
- Salted Caramel Spaceship Earth® Cookie (New)
- Snowball Cookies (New)
- Peppermint Bark
- Stollen: Holiday Fruit Cake
- Mouse Crunch (New)
Beverages Items:
- Gingerbread Milkshake (non-alcoholic) (New)
- Hot Cocoa (non-alcoholic)
- Gingerbread Milkshake with Whipped Cream Vodka (New)
- Cocoa Candy Cane: Hot Cocoa with Peppermint Schnapps
Food Items:
- Charcuterie and Cheese Plate
Beverages Items:
- M.I.A. Beer Company White Christmas IPA, Doral, FL
- 3 Daughters Brewing 70 Degree Winter Weizen, St. Petersburg, FL
- Playlalinda Brewing Co. Gingerblonde House Ale, Titusville, FL (New)
- Ciderboys Mad Bark Apple Cinnamon Hard Cider, Stevens Point, WI (New)
- 3 Daughters Brewing Blueberry Peppercorn Hard Cider, St. Petersburg, FL (New)
- Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards 1911 Honey Crisp Hard Cider, Lafayette, NY (New)
Food Items:
- Seared Scallops with Parsnip Silk, Apple Chutney, and Hazelnut Croquant (New)
- Beef Bourguignon with Crushed Potatoes (New)
- Maple Bûche de Noël: Maple Mousse and Cranberry rolled in Gingerbread Chiffon Cake
- Peppermint Pinwheel Cookie (Cookie Stroll)
Beverages items:
- Frozen Coffee (non-alcoholic)
- 81Bay Brewing Co. Maple Cinnamon Coffee Beer, Tampa, FL (New)
- Regional Icewine
- Regional Red Wine
- Frozen Coffee with Tap 357 Whisky
- Twinings® Christmas Tea Toddy served with a Cinnamon Stick (non-alcoholic)
- Twinings® Christmas Tea Toddy and Drambui served with a Cinnamon Stick
Food Items:
- Rillette de Saumon: Salmon Spread with House-made Bread
- Dinde Forestière, Pommes Dauphines: Turkey with Bacon, Mushrooms, and Onions in a Mustard Cream Sauce with Puffed Potatoes (New)
- Bûche de Noël au Caramel: Christmas Log with Chocolate Cake and Dark Chocolate Caramel Ganache
Beverage Items:
- Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc Fruits Rouges Draft
- Rosé Pétillant Méthode Traditionnelle Champenoise: Rosé Sparkling Wine, Pink Flamingo
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Village de France
- Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini: Grey Goose Vanilla, Vodka, and Chocolate Milk
Food Items:
- Grilled Lamb Kefta Kebab and Grapes with Euro Cucumber, Red Pepper, Pickled Pearl Onions, and Harissa-Cilantro Dressing
- Confit of Chermoula Chicken Drum with Cinnamon Granny Smith Apple, Toasted Almonds, Brussels Sprouts, and Pinot Noir Glaze
- Sfenj: Warm Beignets with Cream, Cinnamon-Sugar, and Chocolate Sauce
Beverage Items:
- Mediterranean Beer
- Kasbah Prestige Red Wine
- The Andalusian “Poinsettia” Cocktail: Sparking Wine, Orange Liqueur, and Cranberry Juice topped with Orange Blossom Water
Food Items:
- Biancaneve Italian Flatbread with Mozzarella, Asiago, and Parmesan
- Sacchetti alla Boscaiola: Four-cheese Mini Beggar’s Purses filled with Sweet Sausage, Caramelized Onions, Pancetta, and Cremini Mushrooms with a Creamy Sauce (New)
- Cannoli Siciliani: Crisp Pastry filled with Sweet Ricotta, Chocolate, and Candied Orange
Beverage Items:
- Peroni Nastro Azzurro Pilsner
- Pinot Grigio
- Chianti
- Prosecco
- Rosa Regale
- Moscato
- Italian White Sangria with Prosecco
- Italian Red Sangria with Cabernet Sauvignon
- Italian Margarita with Limoncello and Tequila
Food Items:
- Red-stewed Beef Rice Bowl (New)
- Curry Chicken Rice Bowl (New)
- House-made Crab and Cheese Wontons
Beverage Items:
- “Panda” Bubble Tea: Classic Milk Tea with Black and White Bobas (non-alcoholic)
- Tsigntao Lager
- Jasmine Draft Beer
- Dragonfly: Jose Cuervo Tequila Gold, Vodka, Mango Syrup, and Orange Juice
- Marco Boba: Amaretto, Iced Coffee, Milk, and Boba
- The Lucky Mo: Peach Schnapps, Peach Syrup, Orange Juice, and Piña Colada Mix
Food Items:
- New Year Celebration Soba: Buckwheat Soba Noodles in Hot Dashi Soup with Shrimp Tempura, Fish Cake, and Chopped Green Onion
- Chirashi Sushi Tree: Sashimi-grade Tuna, Salmon, Ikura, and Yellowtail with Vegetables decorated on a bed of Rice
- Ichigo Mont Blanc Tart: Strawberry and Bavarian Cream-filled Tart sprinkled with Konpeito (New)
Beverages items:
- Ichigo Milk Boba: Cranberry and Yuzu Cream Drink with Japanese Calpico and popping Strawberry Boba Pearls (non-alcoholic)
- Sapporo Draft Beer
- Tsubaki Whiskey Sour: Plum Wine with Whiskey, Cranberry Juice, Sugar, and Lemon
Food Items:
- Giant Tostada de Chorizo: Chorizo served on a Giant Tostada with Chipotle Black Bean Purée, Salsa Verde, Queso Cotija, Crema Mexicana, and Pickled Onion (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) (New)
- Tamal de Pollo: Braised Chipotle Chicken served in a Corn Masa topped with Mole Verde, Queso Cotija, Crema Mexicana, and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
- Dulce de Leche Churros: Dulce de Leche filled Churros sprinkled with Cinnamon-Sugar (New)
Beverages Items:
- Tulum Mexican Craft Beer with a Blackcurrant and Ginger Liqueur Floater
- Pumpkin Spice Margarita: Tomba Blanco Tequila, Ojo de Tigre Mezcal, Nixta Corn Liqueur, Pumpkin Spice Purée, and Lime-Agave Juice with Cinnamon-Sugar Rim (New)
- Horchata Margarita: Casa Noble Blanco Tequila, Abasolo Corn Whiskey, Horchata Rum, Agua de Horchata, and a hint of Cinnamon-infused Mezcal Liqueur
- Sweet Potato Casserole Funnel Cake topped with Marshmallow Topping, Cinnamon-Sugar, Honey-roasted Pecans, and a Caramel Drizzle (New)
- Caramel Tinsel Latte: A cheerful Chocolatey Latte drizzled with Caramel Sauce and crumbled TWIX® Original, available hot or iced (New)
- Caramel Tinsel Donut topped with crumbled TWIX® Original
Candlelight Processional
Unfortunately, there will be no Candlelight Processional this year. If you are missing some of the magic there are quite a few videos on YouTube of your favorite narrators such as Gary Sinise or Neil Patrick Harris.
Holiday Cookie Stroll
Something that does get to return for 2020, a Taste of the Festival of the Holidays is the cookie stroll. When you purchase one of the five select holiday cookies you will receive a unique sticker for your Festival Passport. If you fill up your passport, you get a special complimentary sixth cookie, which is a Peppermint Minnie Cookie located at Sweets & Treats Holiday Kitchen! The cookies are:
- 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
They are also selling an adorable cookie jar this year for the cookie stroll. It will be available at the Holidays Markets while supplies last.
Holiday Storytellers
Holiday storytellers bring the holiday magic from around the world right to you. Learn about the holiday traditions for each country represented in Epcot. You will learn about how the holidays are celebrated and hear stories about their heritage as well.
Between the Morocco and France pavilions, you will find the Hanukkah Storyteller. Hear stories and listen to songs about what Hanukkah means!
There is no word if this will or will not be returning for 2020.
Festive Activities and Entertainment
Activities made for kids and adults alike! While they tend to be targeted more towards children, I definitely will be picking up a scavenger hunt again.
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition
Similar to the Remy scavenger hunt during the Food and Wine Festival or searching for Figment at the Festival of the Arts, this is a festival scavenger hunt. New this year, Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition follows Olaf as he finds and loses traditions found throughout the World Showcase. Help Olaf find the traditions he misplaced on his bumpy journey around the world.
To participate head over to Disney Traders, Mouse Gear, World Traveler, and Port of Entry to buy a map and play along! The map costs $7.99. You can also find them at Stroller Rental locations at the Main Entrance and at International Gateway, and the merchandise cart in the Canada Pavilion.
To play, keep an eye out throughout the World Showcase for Olaf and his sleighs with the lost traditions. When you find one, simply match the sticker and tradition to the location on your map. Once you have completed your map visit Disney Traders, Mouse Gear, or World Traveler to receive a prize!
I’m going to be honest, on the scavenger hunts I’ve done, they’ll give you the prize before you complete the map or even if you can’t find them all. They just stamp the back of your map saying you redeemed your prize. If you are in a hurry you can collect that first and then keep an eye out as you explore the World Showcase. This way you don’t have to worry about making it back before the park closes.
Gingerbread Capital City
We might be getting the gingerbread houses at the monorail resorts, but they are bringing one to Epcot. You can find a United States Capitol Building, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and a 5-foot tall Washington Monument throughout the World Showcase.
JOYFUL!
JOYFUL! helps put you into the holiday spirit by experiencing the joy through Gospel, R&B, and holiday songs. They perform daily at the Future World Fountain Stage. Be sure to check for daily showtimes!
Voices of Liberty – Voices of the Season
The Voices of Liberty will still be a part of your holiday celebrations at Epcot! They will be dressed as Dickens Carolers singing your holiday acapella favorites. This will take place at the American Gardens Theater.
Las Posadas with Mariachi Cobre
This will take place in the American Gardens Theater. This year dancers will join the band to celebrate Las Posadas, a Mexican holiday celebration.
JAMMitors
They’re back! The JAMMitors will be located in the Canada pavilion on the Mill Stage.
Holiday Promenades
Santa Claus Promenade
Santa Claus? Check. Horse-drawn carriage? Check. Holiday happiness? Check.
Mickey and Friends Holiday World Tour
Mickey Mouse and friends travel the World Showcase in their holiday finest to wish everyone happy holidays.
Frozen Holiday Promenade
Anna and Elsa travel from country to country in the World Showcase spreading some holiday cheer!
Ready to go?
One of the reasons I am excited to be an annual passholder this year is because I intend to use it to visit every festival and party this year. I cannot wait to see all of the exciting activities Disney has in store!
If you are thinking about heading to Disney World for the festival, check out these other posts to help with your planning and decision process:
- Renting Disney Vacation Club Points
- How to Use Swagbucks to Save for a Disney Vacation
- What Is Always In My Disney Bag