Epcot's "Holidays Around the World"

 
Christmas is my favorite time of year to visit the theme parks. At Epcot, through December 30th, you can experience "Holidays Around the World".  The park is decorated with Christmas trees and lights, a Candlelight Processional performs every day, and stories are shared about holiday traditions from all over the world. You can also find tons of adorable holiday merchandise to bring the magic of Disney home with you every Christmas.

The Candlelight Processional is one of the most popular events at Epcot during Christmastime. Three times a day, the story of Christmas is told by a celebrity narrator accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a visiting high school choir.

I really like the storytellers around World Showcase. I was able to catch three performances while strolling around the park with my husband one day. The first was in Japan, where the story is told of the Daruma doll and the Japanese customs of the New Year. The second story we heard was in China, of the Monkey King and Chinese New Year. Lastly, in Norway, the storyteller Sigrid told the story of the mischievous Christmas Gnome, Julenissen.

Each of the countries in the World Showcase has its own holiday story to tell. You can hear from Los Tres Reyes Magos in Mexico, listen to the tale of the first Nutcracker in Germany, or hear from Italy's good Christmas witch La Befana. In the American Adventure, you can visit with Santa Claus, experience the spirit of Kwanzaa, or hear the story of Hanukkah. The Morocco storyteller explains the customs of Ramadan and Ashura, while Father Christmas tells of Christmas traditions in the United Kingdom and Nowell the Canadian lumber jack tells his tale in the Canada pavilion.

Back at Future World, you can catch a gospel performance by D'Vine Voices. And of course, the fireworks show continues each and every night on the World Showcase Lagoon. Each of the Disney theme parks has something different to offer for Christmas, and I had a great time enjoying the festivities at Epcot.