Disney Celebrates the Magic of the Holiday Season with Special Offerings

The holidays are officially here at Disney! Now through January 9, guests thrill in festive fun for children of all ages.

Disneyland Decks the Halls

Disneyland park, Disney California Adventure park, the Downtown Disney District and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort celebrate with festive fun for everyone!

Family holiday traditions and diverse cultural festivities return this year! In addition, new celebrations have been added, too! Read on and get ready to experience the most magical time of the year!

Disneyland Park

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse sporting their all-new holiday attire this season. Be on the lookout for your favorite pals too: Goofy, Chip and Dale, Pluto, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Clarabelle Cow.

Main Street in Disneyland Park

As you enter Main Street, U.S.A., take in the amazing 60-foot-tall Christmas tree. This year, it’s decorated with nearly 1,800 ornaments. Before you make your way to the enchanting Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, stop in the all-new, year-round holiday store, Plaza Point!

“it’s a small world” Holiday Lighting

As you get close, listen for the beloved “It’s a Small World (After All)” song playing along with traditional holiday tunes. At night, check out the thousands of twinkling lights on the outside.

Then, every 30 minutes throughout the night, a festive light projection show animates the facade with a kaleidoscope of charming holiday colors and images.

Unfortunately, the holiday overlay’s reopening has been delayed. Read more about that HERE.

A Christmas Fantasy Parade

Disneyland welcome backs back its first parade for all guests since reopening. “A Christmas Fantasy” parade is filled with beloved Disney characters, prancing reindeer, marching toy soldiers, dancing gingerbread cookies, Anna, Elsa and Olaf from “Frozen.”

In the grand finale, wave hello to Santa Claus himself.

Holiday Mansion Holiday

It’s the 20th Season Skellebration of Christmas and Halloween colliding. From Nightmare Before Christmas, Pumpkin King Jack Skellington decked out the  Haunted Mansion with frightfully festive touches.

Experience thrilling sights and seasonal surprises hosted by Halloweentown. Sally, Oogie Boogie and other Nightmare nasties will be on hand to wish you “Season’s Screamings!”

Christmas Fireworks

Additionally, “Believe… In Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular returns this year! This colorful show features magical “snowfall,” colorful projections on Main Street, U.S.A. Check out the stunning pyrotechnical spectacle.

As the sky overhead lights up with dazzling color, more than 80,000 twinkling lights illuminate Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle.

Disney California Adventure Park

At Disney California Adventure park, Disney Festival of Holidays returns. A fan favorite, guests discover the sights, sounds and tastes of a diverse season of celebrations. These include Christmas/Navidad, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day.

Here, guests enjoy live entertainment, holiday-themed shopping and tasting culinary delights at eight Festive Food Marketplaces.

“Disney ¡Viva Navidad!”

The celebration comes alive with “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” as Disney characters host a fun street party along with Mexican folklórico dancers and Mariachis, Brazilian samba dancers and percussionists, giant mojiganga puppets and Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in their fiesta best.

In addition, there are new holiday celebrations this year! These include special appearances by Mirabel from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ all-new musical comedy, “Encanto,” inspired by the people and cultures of Colombia.

Head to Paradise Gardens to celebrate Three Kings Day—El Día de los Reyes Magos. Celebrated around the world in many ways, the holiday is known as El Día de los Reyes Magos in Central America, South America and Mexico.

Festival of Holidays

There’s even more festive entertainment at Disney Festival of Holidays. New this year are The Mistletoes. They’re an acappella ensemble celebrating a Rhythm and Blues Christmas and the spirit of Kwanzaa.

Other favorites include Mostly Kosher, Blue13 Dance Company, Mariachi Divas, The Suffragettes, and Phat Cat Swinger.

Mickey’s Happy Holidays

“Mickey’s Happy Holidays” presents a cheerful seasonal celebration with Mickey Mouse and friends as they greet friends in Disney California Adventure park.

Look for Disney and Pixar characters dancing and marching along to the high-energy music and merry rhythms of the Holiday Toy Drummers, twice daily.

Cars Land

Cars Land is decked out for the holidays, too! The four-wheeled residents of Radiator Springs pull out all the stops with their holiday décor. The yuletide spirit shifts into high gear with lots of cleverly themed automotive ornamentation all along Route 66.

Also, two popular attractions receive a holiday makeover: Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree.

Downtown Disney District

Even in the Downtown Disney District, you’ll find festive décor, unique holiday shopping, dining and entertainment. Plus, the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort also join in the yuletide celebration with towering trees with twinkling lights, holiday displays, carolers and seasonal eats and treats.

Disneyland After-Hours Merriest Nites

Holiday Experiences Join the fun at 6 uniquely themed parties with some favorite Disney Characters—including Mickey Mouse, Miguel, Tiana, Elsa, Lilo, Stitch, Buzz Lightyear—plus snow moments on Main Street, U.S.A. and even an appearance from Santa Claus himself!

Early Admission to Disneyland Park Arrive ahead beginning at 5:00 PM and explore the park before the party, no theme park reservation required.

Merry Entertainment Get into the festive spirit with a special performance of A Christmas Fantasy Parade.

After-Hours Access to Attractions Ride some of the park’s classic attractions—including Haunted Mansion Holiday and Matterhorn Bobsleds—throughout the event, usually with shorter wait times. (Access to Mickey’s Toontown, Critter Country and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will not be available during event hours.)

Character Appearances Be on the lookout! You may see both rare and classic Disney Characters dressed in their holiday best who will stop by to join the festivities.

Festive Photo Ops with Themed Backdrops Let Disney PhotoPass photographers capture shots—with unlimited downloads of photos taken during the event—against memorable event-themed backdrops.

Holiday and Event Merchandise You’ll have the opportunity to purchase holiday merchandise, including special Disney Merriest Nites-themed merchandise available during the event.

Specialty Holiday Treats and Eats
Feast on holiday treats with a twist! Enjoy event-inspired menu options like hot chocolate and cookies at select Disneyland Park locations.

Read more about this event HERE.

Will you attend the Disneyland After Hours holiday event? Also, what do you think about this event versus the Disney World’s holiday After Hours? Please let us know in the comments below or on Facebook.