Joyful!One of the best parts of visiting the Walt Disney World® Resort during the holiday season is a stop at Epcot® to explore Holidays Around the World. Each year the event celebrates the time-honored traditions of the nations of the World Showcase. Having started last week after Thanksgiving, Holidays Around the World will run through Dec. 30, 2013.

In addition to returning favorites, you’ll find that a few new offerings have been added to this years lineup including special holiday food and beverage opportunities. This year’s offerings include:

Future World:

  • Gingerbread Village – display inside the Land Pavilion
  • Joyful! – A gospel celebration of the season

World Showcase:

  • Promenade Refreshments – enjoy holiday snacks like Savory Seasonal Waffles, Hot Holiday Twinings Teas, and Flavored Hot Chocolates and Teas
  • Canada Pavilion – New for 2013, Canadian Holiday Voyageurs perform a musical tour of the Great White North. Season food offerings include Pecan Maple Bark Popcorn
  • United Kingdom Pavilion – Father Christmas tells stories of Christmas past. Hot Applejack Cider is served from the UK Beer Cart
  • France Pavilion – The magic of Christmas is shared by Père Noël. Seasonal food offerings include Bûche de Noël au chocolat (Chocolate Christmas Log) and Glace au pain d’Epices (Gingerbread Ice Cream) available at Les Halles Boulangerie & Pâtisserie and L’Artisan des Glaces respectively
  • Morocco Pavilion – Taarji celebrates the customs of Ramadan
  • Japan Pavilion – Hear the story of the Daruma doll and the Japanese customs of the New Year
  • The American Adventure – Pay a visit to Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy tonight’s performance of the Candlelight Processional,  learn about the spirit of Kwanzaa and Hanukkah, and hear the amazing Voices of Liberty Dickens Carolers. Seasonal food offerings include fresh baked cookies, hot chocolate, and sparkling wines
  • Italy Pavilion – La Befana, the good Christmas witch, tells of her first Christmas 2,000 years ago
  • Germany Pavilion – Helga tells the story of the first Christmas tree and of her first Nutcracker. Enjoy hot spiced wine, holiday fruit cake, and various Werther’s® Original® drinks
  • China Pavilion – The celebration of Chinese New Year is told by Monkey King
  • Norway Pavilion – Listen closely as Sigrid tells you of Julenissen, the mischievous Christmas Gnome
  • Mexico Pavilion – Los Tres Reyes Magos, the Three Kings, tell of their journey to Posada

For more information on these events, please pick up a Festival Map and Times Guide inside the park. Entertainment subject to change without notice.