Christmas at Disneyland Guide

Christmas at Disneyland is here!! And it is the most magical times of the year! The holidays at Disneyland run from November 10, 2023-January 7, 2024. There is so much to do and see at Christmas at Disneyland that you can’t possibly do and see it all!  But let me help you be the most efficient you can and decide your top priorities when visiting during Christmas.

Christmas season is one of the most popular times to visit and for good reason!  It is just so magical!  You will find Christmas celebrated throughout the entire resort, including Disneyland, California Adventure, Downtown Disney and even the Resort Hotels!  And the holiday celebrations are included with your regular theme park admission!

*Updated for 2023 season

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Christmas at Disneyland Holiday Celebrations

• Haunted Mansion Holiday

The classic favorite Haunted Mansion is turned into Haunted Mansion Holiday. Featuring all of your favorite characters from Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas. Haunted Mansion Holiday runs from September 1st through January 7. This is an all time favorite and can only be found at Disneyland Resort.  And you can’t miss it!

• “it’s a small world” Holiday

“it’s a small world” is transformed to Christmas time with a special holiday overlay!  Listen for the traditional it’s a small world song and some holiday tunes as well!

• “it’s a small world” Holiday Lighting

You do not want to miss the “it’s a small world” Holiday Lighting!  Every evening at 5:15pm, “it’s a small world” comes to life with thousands of twinkling lights. Then every 30 minutes throughout the night, a projection show will animate the facade with holiday colors and images!

• A Christmas Fantasy Parade

This is such a great parade and will put you right in the Christmas spirit!  This parade happens 2 times a day at 3:30pm and 6:30pm but the nighttime showing is a little more magical!

• Believe…In Holiday Magic Fireworks

This is the holiday firework show that you absolutely have to see!  And make sure you are on Main Street to catch the fireworks because the show ends with snow on Main Street and it’s just so magical!

• Wintertime Enchantment at Sleeping Beauty’s Castle

The Castle lit up at night is so magical and if you want to see the magic happen, catch the lighting each night. There is music, lights and snow! Be sure to check the Disneyland app for exact times

• Disneyland Main Street Tree Lighting

The Christmas tree on Main Street is amazing! And it’s a must see all on its own.  But be sure to catch the Holiday Tree Lighting every evening at 5pm!

• Disney Characters in Holiday Outfits

It is so much fun to see all of the Characters at Disneyland in their special holiday costumes!  Be sure to find them and get a picture!

• Holiday Treats and Merchandise

Seasonal treats and merchandise are so much fun!  So make sure to check out all of the shops for Holiday themed everything from shirts to Minnie Ears and so much more!  And grab some yummy holiday themed food and treats!

To download a free printable Holiday Foodie Guide click button below!

• Visit Santa

Available to all park guests in Disneyland Resort, Halloween Screams is a nightly projection and special effects show and includes fireworks show on select nights only.  Check out entertainment schedule for dates and showtimes.

• Disneyland Candy Canes

Disneyland Candy Canes are very sought after and to get one you have to be strategic. They are only offered on specific days at specific parks so be sure to check out the info below on how to get one!

Disney California Adventure Holiday Celebrations

• Buena Vista Street Tree Lighting

Be sure to catch the Buena Vista Street Holiday Tree Lighting every evening at 4:50pm. Check the Disneyland app for updated times.

• Cars Land

Cars Land is so cute during the “haul-idays”!  Be sure to check out all of the Christmas decor and holiday lights! During Christmas Time, 2 rides in Cars Land have Holiday overlays, Mater’s Jingle Jamboree and Luigi’s Joy to the World

Also, while you’re in Cars Land, be sure to take a look inside the Cozy Cone Motel lobby and see the adorable Cone gingerbread houses!

• Meet Santa

Santa is also available in California Adventure and you can find him at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.  Be sure to go meet and get a picture taken with him! In addition to meeting Santa, there are also some fun things to do in this area as well.  Such as playing elf games, enjoying the Redwood Creek area and purchasing a sugar cookie decorating kit.

• Holiday Toy Drummers

Holiday Toy Drummers will perform in front of The Little Mermaid and perform several times a day. They are so fun to watch!  You don’t want to miss this!  Be sure to check the entertainment schedule for times.

• Viva Navidad! Street Party

This is a fun and lively street party that features exuberant performances and includes authentic folklórico dancers, mariachis, Brazilian samba dancers, drummers and 12-foot-tall mojiganga puppets of Santa and Mrs. Claus. Also look for The Three Caballeros, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Jose Carioca and more!  You will find this show near Goofy’s Sky School every day. Again, check the entertainment schedule for times!

• Mickey’s Happy Holidays Cavalcade

Mickey’s Happy Holidays is a Cavalcade that takes place from Paradise Gardens Park, to Carthay Circle and around to Guardians of the Galaxy.  It’s a short parade and happens several times a day at 12:45pm, 2:30pm and 4:30pm

• Festival of the Holidays

Festival of the Holidays is a must do in DCA!  Check out these Festival Foods Marketplaces around California Adventure and try food from different countries and traditions around the world. If you want to try multiple items, be sure to pick up a Sip and Savor Pass which will give you 8 different tabs that you can redeem for eligible food or beverage items.  The pass is $61 for guests and $56 for Magic Key Holders

Click here to download a FREE printable Festival of the Holidays Foodie Guide!

• Characters in Holiday Outfits

The characters are in different holiday outfits in each park so be sure to find them in both parks to check out their cute holiday fits!

• World of Color- Season of Light

World of Color is transformed into World of Color-Season of Light for the Holidays! This show takes place every night at 9pm and you can catch a second show at 10:15pm most nights

Be sure to check the entertainment schedule here.

• Seasonal Menu Items

Seasonal menu items are available at California Adventure including cocktails during Christmas Time. You will also find lots of peppermint and gingerbread flavored treats and special menu items at the most popular restaurants throughout both parks and Downtown Disney. Disneyland releases a “Foodie Guide” for each year to highlight the seasonal menu items and locations.

To download the printable Christmas Time Foodie Guide click button below!

Downtown Disney Holiday Celebrations

• Visit Santa at all 3 resort hotels

Did you know you can visit Santa at all 3 resort hotel lobbies? You don’t even have to have a park ticket to do so!  You can usually meet him from 4:30pm-8:30pm but his schedule can change so make sure to ask a cast member for specific times.

• Grand Californian Lobby

The Grand Californian Lobby is just gorgeous at Christmas time!  Be sure to check it out on your visit. You can listen to a pianist playing Christmas music, see the gorgeous tree and check out the huge real gingerbread house that is unique every year!

• Snow in Downtown Disney

New this year, it will snow in Downtown Disney!  Every night from November 24- December 31st, it will snow every 30 minutes by Jazz Coastal Kitchen and Black Tap. Be sure to check that out on your non-park day or when you’re taking a break from the parks!

Tips for you Disneyland Trip

• Christmas time is a great time to purchase a Park Hopper ticket. There is so much to do in each park every day, you don’t want to miss out!  Plus, if there is a special event happening in one park, you can easily hop over to the other park.
• I highly recommend purchasing Genie+ at this time of year.  Crowds will be higher and you want to maximize your time you have in the parks.  Disney Genie+ is an upgraded feature that allows anyone who purchases it to receive access to the Lightning Lane (what used to be a Fastpass) to specific rides. So think of it as a Fastpass that is an upgrade to your park tickets.
• If you’re planning to visit Disneyland during Christmas Time, I highly suggest purchasing a 3 day or more Park Hopper ticket. Then you can really take advantage of all there is to do at the resort during this exciting time of year!
• November, specifically before Thanksgiving, is a great time to visit for lower crowd sizes!

Book Your Disneyland Holiday Vacation

Get an Extra Day and Night Free to experience all of the magic at the Disneyland® Resort when you purchase your tickets with Get Away Today. So when you buy a 5-Day Disneyland® Resort 1-Park per Day or Park Hopper® Ticket, you’ll just pay the 4-Day gate price. But don’t wait! Click here to book now! 

Advance reservations are required for Disneyland and California Adventure. You will need a park ticket and a reservation for each day you visit.

And use code MMSA10 to save an extra $10 on all vacation packages!

If you have any questions or information about Christmas Time at Disneyland Resort, feel free to reach out and let me know!