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 International Festival of the Holidays – 2020 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.

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! For the last several years, the Festival of the Holidays’ predecessor Holidays Around the World featured snacks and treats inspired by the flavors of the season.

Check out all of the 2019 Epcot Festival of the Holidays menus here!

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

Epcot Festival of the Arts — 2021 DATES TBA

The Epcot Festival of the Arts celebrated its inaugural year in 2017, and by all accounts, the event was a tremendous success.

In 2019, the Festival took place from January 18 to February 25. The event focuses on three artistic disciplines: Visual, Culinary, and Performing Arts. Guests can observe Disney artists creating artwork right before their eyes in a number of different exhibits. Food Studios (aka booths) offer up dishes and drinks that are as beautiful as they are delicious. And The Disney on Broadway Concert Series showcases tremendously talented artists, straight from the Broadway stage in live performances.

Click HERE to See the FULL Menus and Food Photos for the 2020 Epcot Festival of the Arts!

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

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival — 2021 DATES TBA

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.

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 – 2020 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.