Everything You Need to Know About Celebrating the Holidays at Disneyland

Although Disneyland is magical any time of the year, there’s something extra special about visiting during the holidays. The decorations, shows, themed attractions, food, and just the general seasonal cheer in the air make it a truly memorable experience. From now until January 6, 2025, visitors can take part in all the holiday festivities at the Disneyland Resort.

There are a lot of things to look forward to, like a fireworks spectacular, seasonal overlays of beloved rides like “It’s a Small World” and Haunted Mansion, and the Christmas Fantasy Parade. Plus, the long-awaited water-based attraction, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, just opened on November 15 at Disneyland Park (at the site of the old Splash Mountain ride).

And Disney is making it even easier to visit with a special deal for Disney+ subscribers in the U.S. and Canada. With a specially priced 3-Day, 1-Park per day ticket for visits between November 18 and December 27, you can purchase two days and get one day free.

To help you plan your itinerary, we’ve mapped out all the noteworthy things to check out both at Disneyland and California Adventure.

Disneyland Resort/Christian Thompson

Disneyland

Meet Santa Claus: Take a picture with Santa and meet select characters at Fantasyland Theatre, plus take part in arts and crafts, sing-a-longs, and storytime. You can also buy special holiday treats and curated holiday gifts.

A Christmas Fantasy Parade: Enjoy Disneyland’s annual Christmas parade—this year you can spot Mickey and Minnie; Anna, Elsa, and Olaf from Frozen; Buzz Lightyear; Disney Princesses, and Santa himself.

Disney Holiday Dance Party: At Tomorrowland Terrace, expect a nightly dance party that will include holiday tunes and Disney characters dressed up for the season.

Disneyland Resort/Christian Thompson

Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort Guided Tour: Take a two-hour guided walking tour through both parks where you can hear holiday stories about Walt Disney and his family, plus other holiday traditions throughout the world. You also get to enjoy reserved viewing of A Christmas Fantasy Parade, holiday treats, and a ride on “It’s a Small World” Holiday. Tickets cost $120 per person; reservations are required.

“Believe… in Holiday Magic” Fireworks Spectacular: With Sleeping Beauty Castle illuminated with 80,000 twinkling lights in the background, you can enjoy a spirited fireworks show. And in some parts of the park you can experience “snowfall” during the show.

Seasonal Overlays: Two popular attractions, “It’s a Small World” and Haunted Mansion get a holiday twist this time of year. Plus, as dusk begins to fall every night, there’s a light projection show in front of “It’s a Small World” Holiday.

Richard Harbaugh

Disney California Adventure Park

Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season: Fans of Encanto will enjoy this festive celebration, where Mirabel and friends will sing songs rom the film. Catch it on Mondays through Fridays outside the entrance to Paradise Gardens Park.

“A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel!:” Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland, along with dancers, will perform beloved Christmas songs in both English and Spanish during this nighttime show on Monday through Friday evenings on Buena Vista Street. At the end of the show, Miguel from Coco will make an appearance and sing “Silent Night.”

Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party: On select dates, this vibrant street party hosted by the Three Caballeros takes place, featuring Disney characters, folklórico dancers, mariachis, Brazilian samba dancers, drummers, and incredible 12-foot-tall mojiganga puppets of Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Disneyland Resort/Christian Thompson

“Mickey’s Happy Holidays:” Disney characters will march along the parade route to the beat of Holiday Toy Drummers—visitors are welcome to dance along to the holiday rhythms.

“World of Color – Season of Light:” The nighttime spectacular show weaves classic films like Cinderella, Lady and the Tramp, Beauty and the Beast, and Fantasia with newer films like Inside Out and Frozen—all accompanied by a score that features favorite movie tunes and holiday songs.

Buena Vista Street Holiday Tree Lighting: Watch the dazzling tree on Buena Vista Street come to life every night.

Meet Santa: In addition to the Fantasyland Theatre, you can also catch Santa at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail at Disney California Adventure Park, plus the three hotels in the resort: Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel, and Pixar Place Hotel.

Seasonal Overlays: Check out the holiday decorations on two Cars Land attractions: Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree.