Last updated on February 2nd, 2024 at 11:32 pm
Looking for details on the holidays at Disneyland 2024?
The holiday season kicks off on November 10, transforming Disneyland into the Merriest Place on Earth. This guide to Disneyland Christmas 2023 provides a rundown of everything happening at the Disneyland Resort, along with some tips and tricks for making the most of your visit.
Disneyland Christmas 2023
The holiday festivities will run this year from November 10, 2023 through January 7, 2024. These two months are filled with Disneyland Christmas decorations, celebrations, parades, fireworks, festive ride overlays and delicious seasonal treats.
I love Christmas time at the parks almost as much as Disneyland Halloween Time! In fact, one of the most magical things about this time of year is how quickly Disney is able to flip the switch from Halloween to the holidays. Visiting the Disneyland Resort during the fall season is something we do a lot, so I am excited to share everything you need to know about Christmas at Disneyland.
To best help you discover everything Disney has to offer during the holiday season, I have organized this article into several different sections based on areas of the Disneyland Resort, and then added sections on food and additional helpful tips. So let’s jump in!
Holidays at Disneyland Park
What can you expect at Disneyland Christmas 2023?
From the moment you pass through the gates and approach Main Street U.S.A., youāll be immersed in Disney holiday magic.
The first thing youāll see is Disneylandās magnificent, 60-foot Christmas tree, decorated with nearly 1,800 ornaments. The building facades along the street are decked out in Disneyland Christmas decorations – poinsettias, ornaments, wreaths and garland. It is truly a beautiful sight!
On the other end of Main Street, Sleeping Beauty Castle glows each evening during the holiday season with shimmering icicles and twinkling lights.
The Plaza Point holiday shop, which offers holiday treasures year-round, will be decorated with garlands, nutcrackers and more. Sleeping Beautyās Winter Castle will enchant guests from day to night with shimmering icicles and twinkling lights.
If you have the budget to splurge, the Holiday Time at Disneyland Park guided tour will be available again this year. This special tour is a hosted experience of select seasonal offerings and includes reserved viewing for āA Christmas Fantasyā Parade.
Haunted Mansion Holiday
First up is the Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square, which actually undergoes its holiday transformation in late August to be a part of Halloween Time at Disneyland.
Jack Skellington and his friends from The Nightmare Before Christmas take over this classic ride, causing Halloween and Christmas to collide!
If you smell something fabulous while on the ride, it is likely gingerbread! Each year, a new gingerbread house is featured in the Haunted Mansion Holiday. Youāll see it as you pass the ballroom scene.
āitās a small worldā Holiday
The second attraction to receive a seasonal overlay during Disneyland Christmas is āitās a small world.ā Reimagined as āitās a small worldā Holiday, the ride replaces its standard catchy tune with āJingle Bells.ā Donāt worry; theyāre equally guaranteed to get stuck in your head for the rest of the day!
Inside the boat ride attraction, the animated children are enjoying the distinctive holiday traditions of their cultures. Every setting is adorned with traditional lights and decorations. Outside, more than 50,000 colorful lights, music and video projections add to the holiday magic. The clock that chimes every quarter of an hour wears a giant Santa hat.
One of the best things about the holidays at Disneyland is the entertainment. Disneyland offers a number of special entertainment options.
Disneyland Christmas Fireworks
The classic Believeā¦in Holiday Magic fireworks spectacular should not be missed! Set to festive holiday music, the 15-minute fireworks spectacular features magical āsnowfallā and colorful projections on Main Street, U.S.A., and the faƧade of āitās a small world.ā
Although the fireworks can be seen from multiple spots throughout the park, for the best view plan to stake out a spot on Main Street in front of the castle, or up by it’s a small world.
Youāll have to get there early to secure a good spot for the parade! Send a runner for snacks or coffee while the rest of your family holds down the fort waiting for the show to begin.
Families can also dance along with characters such as Goofy, Pluto, Chip ānā Dale and others during nightly holiday dance parties at the Tomorrowland Terrace.
A Christmas Fantasy Parade
A Christmas Fantasy Parade is Disneyland’s merry musical celebration. Anna, Elsa and Olaf from Walt Disney Animation Studiosā āFrozen,ā along with Mickey, Minnie, Santa and many other friends will celebrate the season in this daily musical procession of floats, marching toy soldiers, dancing gingerbread cookies and more.
Disney characters will greet guests in their finest holiday attire, with some debuting new outfits!
A Christmas Fantasy Parade typically runs twice a day ā at 3:30 and 6:00 ā but be sure to the check the Disneyland app or your Entertainment Guide.
The parade travels in both directions ā from itās a small world Holiday in the back of the park to Main Street U.S.A. in the front for the early show, and then vice versa for the later show.
We like catch the earlier parade and sit by itās a small world. Not only is it usually less crowded, but the parade passes through this area first, meaning youāll be done watching and back on the rides long before all the people lining Main Street!
Holidays at Disney California Adventure Park
Like Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure will sparkle with tons of holiday dĆ©cor throughout the season. Multiple times per day, Disney and Pixar characters will march to the festive beat of the Holiday Toy Drummers in āMickeyās Happy Holidays.ā
There will also be two cultural celebrations happening with Disney Festival of Holidays and Disney Ā”Viva Navidad!
Holiday Ride Overlays in Cars Land
While the entire park will see holiday decorations and seasonal offerings in the shops and restaurants, Cars Land is the one land totally transformed for the Christmas season.
Two attractions receive special ride overlays. Materās Junkyard Jamboree becomes Materās Jingle Jamboree and Luigiās Rollickinā Roadsters turns into Luigiās Joy to the Whirl.
The decorations in Cars Land are as clever as they are cute! Youāll find a Christmas tree made with hub caps and white-wall tire garland that drapes overhead across Route 66.
The whimsical āSnowcarā greets guests at the entrance to Radiator Springs, and each character also gets a holiday makeover. The shops and restaurants along Route 66 in Cars Land are decorated for the holidays, as well.
World of Color ā Season of Light
Returning this year is the nighttime spectacular āWorld of Color ā Season of Light.ā The show takes place over the water with the Pixar Pal-A-Round ferris wheel in the background.
This spectacular winter fantasy blends classic holiday songs with memorable moments from treasured Disney and Pixar films that illuminate a wall of mist, as fountains dance in this mesmerizing spectacle with stories of friendship, family and love.
Festival of Holidays
The Festival of Holidays celebrates holidays from around the world at Disney California Adventure.
Much like the popular International Food & Wine Festival at Epcot in Walt Disney World, the Festive Foods Marketplace features food and beverages from across the globe. Youāll find multiple cultures and holidays represented ā including Christmas, Chanukah, Navidad, Diwali and Kwanzaa.
You can purchase a Sip and Savor Pass, which offers eight entitlement tabs that can be shared and are valid for the entirety of Disney Festival of Holidays (meaning you can sample the eight offerings over any number of days between November 10 and January 7).
Here are the holiday favorites that appeared in 2022 to celebrate traditions from around the globe you’ll find at the Festive Foods Marketplace.
- A Twist on Tradition
Indulge in favorite holiday foods with a twist from this seasonal marketplace. - Brews & Bites
Imbibe tasty brews and delight in savory snacks. - Favorite Things
Try holiday classics infused with a festive kick. - Grandmaās Recipes
Head home for the holidays with time-honored dishes. - Holiday Duets
Harmonize with perfectly paired savory foods. - Making Spirits Bright
Deliver the perfect toast with heartwarming holiday beverages. - Merry Mashups
Savor flavorful cuisine with hearty flair. - Winter Sliderland
Sink your teeth into a savory slider. - Visions of Sugarplums
Make dreams come true with delicious sweets and savory treats.
The food is served in small, shareable portions. You can purchase items a la carte or purchase a Sip and Savor Pass, which allows you to choose eight dishes, desserts or non-alcoholic drinks from any of the festival kiosks.
The Festival of Holidays made its debut at Disney California Adventure Park in 2016 and continues to grow in popularity. Weāve attended a few times and always have fun wandering from booth to booth and sharing bites!
āŗ Travel Insight
The cost of the Sip and Savor Pass in 2022 was $57, or $52 for Magic Key holders. (Update to follow!)
Lines get longer as the day goes on, especially at night when people are more apt to want to try the beers and alcoholic drinks available during Disney Festival of Holidays. If you want to sample lots of different foods and maximize your time, I recommend visiting earlier in the day, perhaps even planning on calling this lunch.
There are live performances daily at several venues throughout the Festival of Holidays. Be sure to download the Disneyland app and check for show time and locations when planning your visit!
!Viva Navidad!
For the 10th year, āDisney Ā”Viva Navidad!ā returns to DCA with Disney characters hosting a fun street party. You’ll see Mexican folklĆ³rico dancers and Mariachis, Brazilian samba dancers and percussionists, giant mojiganga puppets and Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dressed in their fiesta best.
Part parade and part fiesta, it is fun to listen to the music and see little kids dancing with the Three Caballeros and others in the street!
In the Paradise Gardens park area, you can enjoy an all new menu for 2023, featuring festively themed food and beverages, and Mirabel from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film āEncanto.ā
Mickeyās Happy Holidays
DCA does not typically have big parades, but you can catch āMickeyās Happy Holidaysā during the holiday season – a procession of Disney and Pixar characters dancing and marching along to the upbeat rhythms of the Holiday Toy Drummers.
Pictures with Santa at The Disneyland Resort
No Disneyland Christmas time visit is complete without the chance to take a photo with Santa!
This year, through December 24, Santa Claus will pose for photos in Critter Country at Disneyland Park, Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in Disney California Adventure Park, at Disneyās Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and the Disneyland Hotel.
Downtown Disney District and Disneyland Resort Hotels
The holiday magic extends beyond the parks at Disneyland during Christmas. Be sure to visit the Downtown Disney District where the decorations are amazing – and you don’t even need to purchase a park ticket to enjoy them!
In addition to holiday shopping and dining in the Downtown Disney District, you can enjoy a variety of āmistle-toe-tappingā live musical performances on select evenings at the Downtown Disney LIVE! stage. On some evenings, Disneyās Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disneyland Hotel will also host live entertainment.
The on-property Disney hotels will also display beautifully themed Christmas trees and other holiday decor. At Disneyās Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the Disneyland Resort culinary team continues its annual gingerbread house display in the hotel’s lobby. This, combined with a roaring fireplace, comfy seating and easy access via a direct entrance from Disney California Adventure Park, makes this hotel the perfect place to stay when you visit Disneyland during Christmas!
And even if you are not staying at the hotel, take a few minutes to pop in and enjoy the ambience. It actually makes the perfect setting to take a break from the parks and warm up by the fire.
Disneyland Christmas 2023 Food and Treats
Food and beverage make the season merry and bright, with classic holiday favorites as well as unique creations that taste as good as they look.
Special Disneyland Resort Christmas food items include peppermint-mocha frappe, a roasted turkey and stuffing sandwich, holiday brownies, Mickey gingerbread cookies, chocolate-marshmallow funnel cake fries, Mickey poinsettia cookies and holiday Minnie donuts.
My absolute favorite was the Holiday Brownies, available at Jolly Holiday on Main Street U.S.A. So rich and chocolatey, with a white mousse frosting and sweet holiday decorations. A chocolate lovers dream!
More Disneyland Christmas Tips
While Disneyland at Christmas is spectacular, big crowds are often a major downside, even with the required park reservations. Here are some tips for managing the crowds and getting the most out of your time during the holiday season.
1. Make Your Park Reservations Early
In addition to purchasing Disneyland tickets, you’ll need to make reservations to enter the parks. Be sure to choose your dates as early as possible to ensure you get your chosen dates.
2. Arrive Early to the Theme Parks
The best advice you can get to beat the rush at Disneyland Christmas is to arrive early. The crowds are lightest at opening time. Arrive 15-30 minutes before the parks open to take advantage of lighter crowds.
3. Take Advantage of Disney PhotoPass
Between the Christmas tree, beautiful decorations, and opportunities to meet Santa, you’ll want to get some great family photos.
PhotoPass is a service Disney offers that allows you to have high-quality pictures taken by Disney photographers throughout the parks. It is included in the cost of Genie+ if you purchase that add-on, or you buy PhotoPass on its own.
4. Splurge on Disneyland Christmas Treats
Disneyland is known for its delicious and beautiful treats year-round, but during the holidays there are some extra special offerings. You can save time at many restaurants by using mobile food ordering on the Disneyland app. This feature allows you to view a restaurantās menu and pricing, place your order, pay, and pick up your meal or snack without ever having to wait in line.
5. Download the App to Check Wait Times
Download the Disneyland app so youāll be able to check wait times in real time. The app will give you an overview of posted and predicted wait times for all the rides at both Disneyland Park and Disneyās California Adventure. Otherwise, you have to do it old school ā checking the Tip Board on Main Street or just showing up only to find long wait times.
6. Make Dining Reservations Early
If you are planning to dine at a sit-down restaurant during Christmastime at Disneyland ā especially on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or New Yearās Eve ā make a reservation as soon as you can! Reservations will fill up early on these holiday dates and really throughout the whole busy season. You donāt want to miss out on a special dining experience this time of year!
7. Donāt Forget to Stop and Shop
The Disneyland Resort unveils some amazing merchandise during the holidays! Even though your kids will resist (if they are anything like mine) leave time to poke through some stores. Whether you are buying souvenirs, gifts or a special commemorative ornament, the stores in the theme parks and at Downtown Disney are an attraction in themselves.
Discount Disneyland Tickets
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Get Away Today sells discount theme park tickets as well as vacation packages for both on-property and off-property hotels. They will even assist with all your Disneyland vacation plans with their free concierge service!
Pin This Disneyland Christmas Guide for Later!
Planning a trip during Christmastime at Disneyland? Pin the image below for future reference!
janvi says
I visited Anaheim several years ago and would like to go back again sometime soon! Iām sure quite a few things have changed since then. I too would love to explore an organic farm, take cooking classes, walk on beautiful sunny hikes, enjoy delicious food and bask in the sun. I cannot wait for summer vacation to start already. I visited Anaheim several years ago and would like to go back again sometime soon! Iām sure quite a few things have changed since then.
Occupation Ornaments
admin says
Anaheim is wonderful! I hope you make it back soon š
ornaments says
The list is definitely one of the best home cleaning checklists for maintaining your home clean and clutter-free. I quickly realize there are so many little things we missed. Iāve decided weāre doing a declutter part two so we can catch all those little things taking up space in our house. Thanks for such a comprehensive list
disha says
Disneyland California park: practical information and tips
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Gwen Kleist says
Disney California Adventure is amazing during the holidays! Hope you had a great time.