In Walt Disney World, Epcot has become the park known as Festival Central, whereas that title belongs to Disney California Adventure in Disneyland. Whether you favor East or West Coast, you have plenty to choose from when it comes to these special Disney experiences.

Let’s take a closer look at the Big Festivals that regularly taking place on a regular basis at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

UPCOMING FESTIVALS:

EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival — March 3, 2021 – July 5, 2021

In Walt Disney World, Spring can mean only one thing — the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival!

See the Full 2020 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Menus HERE with Tons of Food Photos!

The beloved event is one of Disney’s longest running Festivals, with its beginning way back in 1994. While it began as a celebration of gardening, to celebrate its twentieth anniversary in 2013, the festival began offering Outdoor Kitchens. The kiosks are very similar to what you’ll find at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival; in fact, the structures are the same for both events. Look for dishes here to celebrate flavors of the “host” country, with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients.

For more information, be sure to visit our current Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Main Page.

EPCOT Food and Wine Festival – 2021 DATES TBA

Recognized as the Original Disney Food Festival, the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival began in 1996 with 25 Marketplaces situated around World Showcase.

The success of the event is undeniable. Now a destination for food lovers from all over the world, the 2020 Festival was a Taste of the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival.

Note: These special events did not return in 2020. In addition to the Marketplace Booths situated around World Showcase (and now stretching into Future World), the Festival also includes many special events at all different price points — some are even free! Enjoy the Eat to the Beat Concert Series nightly, featuring musical acts from the 70s, 80s, 90s, and beyond. Culinary Demonstrations and Wine and Beverage Seminars are some of the Festival’s most popular events, and are an affordable and enjoyable way to learn in a hands-on environment. Grand tasting events such as Party for the Senses turn the Food and Wine Festival into an indulgent experience.

Click HERE to check out the FULL booth and menu index and FOOD PHOTOS for the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival!

Owing to the popularity of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, other hotels on Disney property have also joined in the fun. Guests can partake in the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort Food and Wine Classic, held annually during one weekend of the Festival.

For more information, be sure to visit our current Epcot Food and Wine Festival Main Page.

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays – 2021 Dates TBA

During the Winter Holiday season, EPCOT transforms into a wonderland of international celebration. The Pavilions in World Showcase come alive as they celebrate holidays and festivals from all over, and EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays brings all of the festivities together.

NOTE: The Candlelight Processional was not be performed in 2020.

The centerpiece of EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays is the Candlelight Processional. Taking place most nights from late November through the end of December, this traditional retelling of the Christmas Story features a celebrity narrator accompanied by a choir and orchestra. Many guests feel that the Candlelight Processional is the perfect way to celebrate the message of hope and love the season brings.

Throughout World Showcase, guests can also take in stories and performances that celebrate traditions from every culture during this important time of year.

But that’s not all — there’s food too!

Check out all of the 2020 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays menus here!

For more information, be sure to visit our current EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Main Page.

Headed to Disney World Soon? Learn More With a Free Vacation Planning Video from Disney!

We highly recommend checking out the Free Vacation Planning Video that Disney creates every year. It’s SO much fun to watch. There’s tons of info on every park and resort, and it’s the perfect way to start getting excited about your trip…and maybe even see a few must-dos that you don’t have on your agenda yet! You can order it or live stream it right now. (I do it every year :-D) You can find out more about the free planning video here!

Disney California Adventure Festivals

DCA Festival of Holidays – 2021 Dates TBA

The Festival of Holidays takes place during the Winter Holiday season and is inspired by diverse cultural traditions of Disney California Adventure.

During this beautiful time of the year, guests can enjoy Season of Light, a special holiday-themed version of the popular World of Color Nighttime Spectacular. In addition, the park takes on a decidedly Latin flavor with Disney ¡Viva Navidad! The celebration showcases the sights, sounds, and flavors of Latin-American holiday celebrations. Look for special character, dressed in their holiday finest! Artists, including musicians and storytellers, bring the traditions alive with live performances.

But of course — we love the food! In addition to all of the other Festival of Holidays fun, we look forward to sampling holiday far at Festive Foods Marketplace, booths that offer a “culinary celebration of different cuisines and traditions.”

Click here to see the menus for the 2019 Disneyland Festival of Holidays!

For more information, be sure to visit our current Disneyland/DCA Festival of Holidays Main Page.

DCA Food and Wine Festival – 2021 DATES TBA

With the success of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, Disney California Adventure in Disneyland Resort began offering its own Food and Wine Festival in the Spring 2006.

See the Full Menus for 2020 DCA Food and Wine Festival plus All the Food Photos Here!

The event continued to run through 2010, experiencing growth each year. In the 2011, the Festival was put on hiatus during a period of extensive construction in the park, and resumed in 2016 for a period of four weekends. In 2017, the event stretched to a daily Festival, spanning six weeks in the Spring.

Rather than an emphasis on international flavors however, the DCA Food and Wine Festival celebrates both the bounty of California as well as its diverse culinary offerings. Festival Marketplace booths line the Performance Corridor (the parade route), and serve appetizer-sized portions of dishes as well as wine, beer, cocktails, and other drinks. Attendees can experience California crops like olives and lemons in a myriad of dishes and drinks at the Booths.

Much like the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, there are also a number of culinary demonstrations, wine and beverage seminars, and special events featuring celebrity chefs.

For more information, be sure to visit our current DCA Food and Wine Festival Main Page.

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