What we love about the holiday season is that no matter which traditions you celebrate, it's a time for family and friends to gather and spread love, gratitude and goodwill to all. We frogs also enjoy learning about different traditions than our own and believe representation is important for all frogs in the pond. That's the main reason why we love the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays and the Disney Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure Park. These festivals highlight seasonal celebrations from all over the world!
In recent years, we've also seen more of these celebrations, including Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali and Navidad, spread to even more theme parks during the holiday season. We've compiled this full list of where you can find touches of these holiday traditions throughout the theme parks on both coasts.
Celebrating Hanukkah at the Theme Parks
Walt Disney World Resort
- EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Storyteller: Storyteller Zachary shares the legends and songs of Hanukkah celebrations worldwide between the Morocco and France pavilions.
- L'Chaim Holiday Kitchen (EPCOT): The L'Chaim Holiday Kitchen serves up Pastrami on Rye, potato latkes, black & white cookies, and rugalach (pastries filled with raspberry jam, walnuts and cinnamon) — all traditional Jewish foods.
- Voices of Liberty (EPCOT): The Voices of Liberty perform as Charles Dickens carolers in the American Adventure rotunda, and they sing a special Hanukkah medley.
- Hanukkah Merchandise Collection: There are a lot of Hanukkah merchandise items this year — including a light-up Minnie Mouse Ear Headband and a light-up Hanukkah Loungefly Mini Backpack — that you can find at the theme parks, Disney Springs and ShopDisney.
Universal Orlando Resort
- Menorah Lighting Ceremonies: Each of the Universal Orlando Resort hotels has a menorah lighting ceremony in its lobby for every night of Hanukkah. The ceremonies begin at sundown nightly — though for exact times, confirm at the front desk.
- The Holiday Tribute Store (Universal Studios Florida): Stop by the Holiday Tribute Store, where you can find a small selection of Hanukkah merchandise.
SeaWorld Orlando
- Menorah Lighting at Sesame Street Land: Celebrate Hanukkah Dec. 25, 2024 through Jan. 2, 2025. The Menorah lights are shining at SeaWorld Orlando this holiday season. Come gather with your family and friends to view the lighting of the menorah in Sesame Street Land.
SeaWorld Orlando
- Hanukkah Celebration: From Dec. 7-15, guests can view the traditional lighting of the menorah during Hanukkah in Sesame Street Land.
Disneyland Resort
- Klezmer Music (Disney California Adventure): The lively Yiddish band, Mostly Kosher, celebrates Hanukkah with a contemporary spin on klezmer, jazz, Latin and rock music in at the Hollywood Lounge Stage during the Disney Festival of Holidays. In 2024, Disneyland adds several other klezmer bands, such as Yale Strom and Hot Pstromi, Klezmer Juice Band and 8th Day, throughout the season. You can see all the bands and their dates on the Festival of Holidays band page.
- Festival Food Booths (Disney California Adventure): Try Savory Kugel Mac & Cheese (a favorite returning Twist on Tradition booth item), or a Beef Brisket Slider (Winter Sliderland booth).
- Hanukkah Merchandise Collection: Find Hanukkah Merchandise in both parks in multiple shops, such as The Emporium in Disneyland and Elias & Co. in Disney California Adventure.
- Decor: Locate menorahs in each park. You can find Hanukkah decor in the shop windows of Julius Katz & Sons in Disney California Adventure and Disney Clothiers in Disneyland. During Hanukkah, there is a menorah in an upper window on Main Street, U.S.A. (above Dr. Silverstein's office).
- Jewish Music: Keep an ear out for Hanukkah songs on the Festival of Holidays playlist in Disney California Adventure and The Dreidel Song during Believe ... in Holiday Magic fireworks at Disneyland Park.
Sesame Place San Diego
- Hanukkah Celebration: Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, guests can celebrate Hanukkah with Sesame Street friends. Spin the dreidel with Elmo to see who can win the most gelt, dance along to festive Hanukkah music, listen to Hanukkah story time and watch a menorah lighting ceremony. You can also go on a Hanukkah scavenger hunt for an additional cost.
Celebrating Kwanzaa at the Theme Parks
Walt Disney World Resort
- Joyful! A Celebration of the Season (EPCOT): This jubilant, a cappella group celebrates the spirit of Christmas and Kwanzaa with uplifting gospel, R&B and jazz songs at the World Showcase Plaza Stage.
- Olaf's Holiday Tradition Expedition (EPCOT): Purchase a map and sticker to participate in this activity. Olaf went sledding around World Showcase, collecting new and interesting holiday traditions to share with Anna and Elsa. Can your tadpoles help Olaf find his misplaced traditions in each World Showcase pavilion? When they spot Olaf, they have to match the tradition on his sleigh to the corresponding sticker on their maps. Once completed, return the map to Creations Shop or World Traveler in exchange for a gift worth melting for.
SeaWorld Orlando
- Kwanzaa Festivities: From Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, reflect and celebrate African heritage with the nightly lighting of the Kinara in Sesame Street Land.
Sesame Place San Diego
- Kwanzaa Celebration: From Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, join Sesame Street friends each night to learn about the celebrations and principles of Kwanzaa. Watch a Kinara lighting ceremony, list to Kwanzaa stories and dance with your furry friends.
Disneyland Resort
- The Mistletoes (Disney California Adventure): Performing at Sonoma Terrace, this a cappella vocal ensemble celebrates the spirit of Christmas and Kwanzaa with rhythm and soul. Disney added a variety of other performers on various dates, including The Ladies of R&B and Soul, Baba the Storyteller, Blessed with Voice, Ronobir Lahiri and Joy. At the Hollywood Backlot Stage, enjoy African Soul International and Le Ballet Dembaya.
- Decor: Look for the kinara in a window across from The Little Mermaid.
- Festival Food Booths (Disney California Adventure): Enjoy Barbecue Pulled Pork Cornbread Bake with creamy slaw (At A Twist on Tradition booth).
Celebrating Diwali at the Theme Parks
Walt Disney World Resort
- Diwali Lanterns (Animal Kingdom): To celebrate Diwali (the festival of lights observed by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs), you'll find strings of beautiful and colorful lanterns in the Asia section of the park.
Disneyland Resort
- Blue13 Dance Company (Disney California Adventure): This high-energy dance troupe performs traditional Indian dances that build up to a Bollywood-style dance party for all. Disney added even more musicians and dance groups to various dates in 2024, including Rangoli Rhythms, Nazara and The Light Within.
- Festival Food Booths (Disney California Adventure): At select festival food booths, you can try new dishes and drinks, including a Passion Fruit Rose Lassi (Brews & Bites booth).
- Free Diwali Craft (Disney California Adventure): Make your own Akash Kandilt (lantern).
Celebrating Latin American Holiday Traditions at the Theme Parks
Walt Disney World Resort
- Las Posadas Celebration (EPCOT): From Sundays through Thursdays in the Mexico pavilion, celebrate Las Posadas with dancers, piñatas and Mariachi music performed by Mariachi Cobre.
- Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen (EPCOT): This year, you can try the new Giant Tostada de Chorizo or the new Tamale de Barbacoa. If you have a sweet tooth, then the Dulce de Leche Churro is calling your name! For adult frogs 21 and up, there's a variety of margarita flavors to enjoy, including apple and horchata.
SeaWorld Orlando
- Three Kings Celebration: On Jan. 4 through 6, 2025, commemorate the arrival of the Three Wise Men through Latin American traditions. Enjoy festive cuisine and extended opportunities to enjoy special performances in Nautilus Theater, Sea of Trees and the park's festive holiday lights!
Disneyland Resort
- ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party (Disney California Adventure): Join the Three Caballeros for the ultimate fiesta for Navidad! on weekends. The street party celebrates holiday traditions from Mexico to Brazil, complete with Folklorico dancers, mariachi musicians, Brazilian samba dancers and giant mojiganga puppets of Santa and Mrs. Claus. Mickey and Minnie even make a special appearance in their fiesta best!
- (New!) Mirabel's Gifts of the Season (Disney California Adventure): On weekday afternoons, sing along to songs from "Encanto" during a special Fiesta de Navidad celebration in front of Paradise Gardens Park.
- (New!) A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel! (Disney California Adventure): On weekday evenings, head to Carthay Circle for a musical celebration with bilingual renditions of favorite holiday songs. Miguel "Coco" makes an appearance!
- Three Kings Day (Disney California Adventure): Known as El Dia de Los Reyes Magos in Mexico and Central and South America, this unique event honors the Ephinany, or the twelfth day of Christmas, during which the Three Wise Men visited the nativity. There is traditional decor and a photo opportunity on Jan. 6, 2025.
- Free Navidad Craft (Disney California Adventure): Color and create your own papel picado lantern.
- Food at Paradise Garden Grill (Disney California Adventure): Enjoy Mexican foods such as a Chilaquiles Carnitas Torta, Esquite Loaded Chips, Flautas, Tacos and more. For dessert, get the Chocolate Cake Flan.
- Food at Rancho del Zocalo) (Disneyland Park): Try the Chicken Enchilada Soup, Tinga Enchiladas, Chocolate Cake Flan or Iced Mexican Peppermint Hot Chocolate
- Festival Food Booths (Disney California Adventure): Try the Chorizo Queso Fundido Mac and Cheese (Holiday Duets booth), Al Pastor Pork & Pineapple Slider on corn brioche (Winter Sliderland booth), Barbacoa Tamal de Res (Grandma's Recipes booth), Glacier Margarita (Merry Mashups booth) and many more festive sips, sweets and treats!
- Food at Carts and Other Stands: Try the new Horchata Cotton Candy
- Characters: Meet Mirabel and friends, the Three Caballeros or Mickey and Minnie and pals dressed in their Navidad best.
- Music (Disney California Adventure): Enjoy a variety of musicians and dancers at the Hollywood Backlot Stage, including Maqueos Music Academy & The Ballet Folklórico Nueva Antequera, In Tlanextli Tlacopan Aztec Dancers,
The holiday season encompasses lots of traditions from many different cultures and religions around the world, but all share a similar message — peace, joy and love to all. We love learning about and experiencing all of the global celebrations through food, dance, storytelling and more at the theme parks!
Related: The Best Central Florida Theme Park by Holiday Tradition
Hoppy Holidays!
