Say Buon Natale To Italy’s Offerings For Epcot International Festival of the Holidays

The world is full of beautiful traditions during the winter holidays, with rich stories and traditions that weave a tapestry of holiday delights. Where else but Epcot can you experience the world's holiday traditions in one place than at the 11 World Showcase pavilions. The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays surrounds guests with vivid experiences in sights, sounds, and taste that create special and magical holiday memories. Buon Natale is how they say Merry Christmas in Italy, and the World Showcase pavilion has delightful treats in store for you.


Say Buon Natale To La Befana


Center stage in the Italy pavilion you will find one of my favorite of the festival story tellers - La Befana, the Christmas witch! La Befana brings more than 2000 years of magical history to the Feast of Epiphany which celebrates the visit of the Magi to the Christ child.

The traditional date for the feast is January 6, which means La Befana visits homes across Italy by flying through the air on her broom in the middle of the night of January 5th. Stopping at each home, she looks into the faces of the children to see if they might be the Christ child. If the children were good during the year, Befana leaves toys, but if they were bad they are sure to find a lump of coal. Sound a little familiar?


2000 Years Of Italian Magic


New in 2017 a delicious new stop for your holiday tour opened its shutters in the Italy pavilion - the Tuscany Holiday Kitchen. Just the thought of those words together sets my mouth watering. My must try pick, Crespelle di Mele. These light little Apple Fritters take a dip in yummy Vanilla Sauce and are drizzled with Chocolate Caramel.


Tuscany Holiday Kitchen


Check out the full Tuscany Holiday Kitchen Menu:

• Fusilli di Gragnano alla Carbonara: Fusilli Pasta in a Creamy Parmesan Sauce with Pancetta and Onions
• Cotechino con Lenticchie: Fresh Italian Salami sliced with Lentils
• Crespelle di Mele: Cinnamon Apple Fritters and a Vanilla Sauce Drizzled with Chocolate Caramel Sauce
• Panettone alla Milanese: Warm Italian Fruit Cake with Vanilla Sauce and Cherry Syrup
• Panettone Mignon: Miniature traditional Italian Christmas Fruit Cake

Also on the menu are selections of Italian wines, beers, and of course... Italian coffee. And because pictures from the Disney Food Blog are always drool worthy, they said we could give you a peek at the eats.


Tuscany Holiday Kitchen Foods


If you would like to bring a little bit of Italian Christmas magic home this year, why not order your very own Christmas Witch! The De Carlini Glass La Befana Ornament is an adorable addition to any Christmas Tree handcrafted and imported from Italy.


Bring Home Your Very Own Christmas Witch


Buon Natale!