The 2022 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is underway, and guests can have fun learning about holiday traditions around the world through a variety of Storytellers!
The Storytellers can be found around World Showcase, showing off their traditions through unique performances of comedy, dance, and music. Their locations are mostly marked with scroll signs like the Norway one above. Let’s get ready for a festive world tour!
Mexico Pavilion: Las Posadas Celebration
Mariachi Cobre leads the way in the celebration of Las Posadas.
They play traditional Mexican tunes, accompanied by dancers.
The dancers act out the story of Mary and Joseph searching for a place to stay.
They also play with a piñata.
The 25-minute performances are held Sundays through Thursdays at 11:05 AM, 12:05 PM, 1:05 PM, 2:45 PM, 3:50 PM, and 5:15 PM.
Norway Pavilion: A Mischievous Magical Barn Santa
Over at the Norway Pavilion, Sigrid tells about her holiday traditions growing up on a farm.
Of course, the Barn Santa is mentioned, even though Sigrid is skeptical that such a figure even exists, not knowing that he’s shown up to the performance. Mischief ensues as Barn Santa works his magic to help her with her presentation.
The 15-minute performances are held daily at 11:35 AM, 12:35 PM, 1:35 PM, 2:35PM, 4:35PM, 5:35 PM, 6:35 PM, and 7:10 PM.
China Pavilion: Chinese Lion Dancer
Welcome the Lunar New Year with a traditional lion dance as a narrator tells the story of the lion. Appropriately, the lion is red, which symbolizes good fortune in Chinese culture.
The 15-minute performances are held daily at 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 4:00 PM.
Italy Pavilion: La Befana
Visitors to the Italy Pavilion can encounter La Befana, a good witch who brings gifts on the Eve of the Epiphany in January.
She energetically tells her story of how she came to deliver gifts, and her own small role in the Nativity.
The 15-minute performances are held daily at 11:30 AM, 12:15 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:40 PM, 3:35 PM, 4:20 PM, 5:05 PM, and 5:45 PM.
Japan Pavilion: Daruma Storyteller
The Japan Pavilion plays host to a presentation about the Daruma doll and how the nation traditionally welcomes the new year.
The 15-minute performances are held daily at 11:20 AM, 12:40 PM, 1:40 PM, 3:20 PM, 4:20 PM, 5:05 PM, 5:50 PM, and 6:35 PM.
Between Morocco and France Pavilions: Hanukkah Storyteller
Get ready for the Jewish festival of lights by hearing about Hanukkah from a musical Storyteller, who explains the story and symbols of the holiday, including the hanukiah, or menorah, and the game of dreidel, punctuated by several songs.
The 15-minute performances are held daily at 10:15 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:40 PM, 1:15 PM, 2:45 PM, 3:45 PM, 5:00 PM, and 6:00 PM.
France Pavilion: Père Noël
Père Noël visits the France Pavilion to explain some French traditions through a letter from a young child, and how she celebrates Christmas Eve with her family.
The 15-minute performances are held daily at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:10 PM, 12:50 PM, 2:15 PM, 3:15 PM, 4:30 PM, and 5:15 PM.
United Kingdom Pavilion: Father Christmas
Clad in a green suit and a wreath of holly on his head, Father Christmas gives a spirited lecture, highlighting many of the holiday traditions we celebrate today that originated in the United Kingdom, like Christmas cards, mistletoe, and the song “Deck the Halls.”
The 15-minute performances are held daily at 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:40 PM, 1:30 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM, and 6:45 PM.
Canada Pavilion: Canadian Holiday Voyageurs
Finally, head over to The Mill Stage to take a jolly musical tour of Canada with the Canadian Holiday Voyageurs, who sing holiday songs from across the country, including a few you might know!
The 20-minute performances are held daily at 11:45 AM, 12:45 PM, 1:40 PM, 3:05 PM, 4:10 PM, 4:55 PM, and 6:10 PM.
Of course, the Storytellers are just one part of how EPCOT celebrates the holidays. Guests can also visit Santa Claus, take in the annual gingerbread display at The American Adventure, and sample yuletide food and beverages at various Holiday Kitchens!
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