It was a HAPPY DAY when it was announced that the Disney California Food & Wine Festival would return to the Disneyland Resort for 2016 after a four year hiatus. Running on weekends throughout April 2016, it was a much-welcome celebration of food, wine, and the culinary scene in California.
Well, what if I were to tell you that a new Festival is making its debut THIS YEAR… but this time, the HOLIDAY SEASON will be the focus? Because IT IS!!!
Disney California Adventure is hosting the Festival of Holidays from November 10, 2016, through January 8, 2017!
No matter where you live or what you celebrate, the holidays go hand in hand with food for almost everyone. (That’s one of the reasons we love Holidays Around the World at Epcot, which offers special snacks among the holiday festivities in addition to the regular offerings around World Showcase — almost like its own mini-version of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival.) So we are REALLY looking forward to experiencing the ways the Festival of Holidays is going to incorporate the tastes of the season at its 14 Festival Marketplaces! So basically it’ll be a holiday FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL!!
Disney announced that the food and drinks at the Marketplaces will be “internationally inspired,” which will help it fit right in with the already beloved Disney ¡Viva Navidad! celebration — which includes El Día de los Reyes Magos in January — and live global music to accompany the event. (Oh, and Princess Elena of Avalor will make her Disneyland Resort debut during the Festival, too!)
But that’s not the end of things for the Holiday Season at Disneyland! Staying in Disney California Adventure, World of Color — Season of Light will bring a merry twist to the nighttime spectacular.
And in Disneyland, Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, the Believe… in Holiday Magic fireworks show, and A Christmas Fantasy Parade will all make their returns, along with special holiday versions of the it’s a small world and Haunted Mansion attractions.
Busy though he may be, even Santa Claus can’t resist all of this fun! When he pays a visit to Disney California Adventure, he and his elves will be hitting the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. When he makes his stops in Disneyland, he will be found in Critter Country.
So, mark your calendars for November 10 – January 8, Disneylanders! Because The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is going to get even better… and better-tasting!
Are you as excited as we are to hear about the Festival of Holidays? Please let us know with a comment!
I am excited for the concept of a holiday-themed food and wine festival of sorts so thanks for reporting this here. I am looking forward to seeing how this pans out, though a little nervous given the Spring Food & Wine festival was disorganized and ran out of food during the day. Hopefully CA Adventure figured out how to ease the line flow and will be prepared with the right number of portions this time!