Disneyland Resort transforms into an enchanting holiday destination from November 14, 2025, through January 7, 2026. As a San Diego local, I can tell you that this year is particularly special because the festive cheer is fused with the ongoing Disneyland 70th Celebration.
You will find dazzling holiday décor alongside 70th anniversary tributes, beloved spectaculars like the “Believe…in Holiday Magic” fireworks, and the vibrant Disney Festival of Holidays.
So be on the lookout and check the Disneyland Holidays calendar to see what’s happening during your visit. Here is why a Disneyland Christmas celebration should be on your wish list during the holiday season.
See also: How to Buy Discounted Disneyland Tickets
Key Event Takeaways
1. Special Disneyland Holiday Desserts
Walking around the parks all day burns plenty of calories, allowing you to treat yourself to the seasonal menu. This year, there are more than 240 seasonal food and beverage offerings, including 90 new items.
While classic treats like the Peppermint Brownie Sundae return, look for exciting new savory options like the chili cheese baked potato and yuletide carnitas torta. For a festive sip, try the winter citrus whisky sour.
Also, it would be nice to have some Mickey-shaped waffles, celebration churros, and pineapple upside down sundae this holiday season.
Of course, don’t forget about the classic Gingerbread Shingles if you can find them during this holiday time.
Grab the recipe for Disneyland Resort’s gingerbread shingles.
2. Festive Disneyland Decorations
Every year, guests await the thousands upon thousands of holiday lights and festive decorations that make up the Disneyland Christmas decorations and create a wonderfully cozy atmosphere.
The 60-foot-tall Christmas tree at the town square of Main Street, U.S.A., boasts nearly 1,800 Victorian-inspired ornaments and 100 oversized faux candles.
Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle shines brightly each night, illuminated with more than 80,000 twinkling lights, shimmering icicles, and glistening snow-capped turrets. For the 2025 season, the castle features a special holiday wreath with a nod to the 70th Celebration.
Every night, all the lights in Downtown Disney will also dazzle complete with holiday shopping, festive musical performances, and plenty of Insta-worthy photo opportunities.
To say they go big during the Christmas season with holiday decorations is an understatement—holiday spirit and Disney magic is real during the holidays at Disneyland!
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3. Favorite Rides With Holiday Overlays
Several popular attractions receive seasonal makeovers that are absolute must-dos:
- Haunted Mansion Holiday: Inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas, the ballroom scene features a 13-foot gingerbread display that this year hosts a “murder” of black crows with glowing red eyes. This is located in New Orleans Square at Disneyland Park. The Haunted Mansion becomes a world where two holidays collide: Christmas and Halloween.
(Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort)
- “it’s a small world” Holiday: The facade glitters with 50,000 lights, and the ride takes guests on a wintry waterway around the world as dolls representing children enjoy the distinctive holiday traditions of their respective countries. Be sure to gather in front of the attraction’s facade when dusk begins to fall, you’ll be amazed to witness these thousands of twinkling lights come to life.
Located in Fantasyland at Disneyland Park, this ride is normally a feast for the senses. It incorporates holiday embellishment and music in a manner that pleases all ages during the holiday season at Disneyland.
- Toy Story Midway Mania!:This attraction retains its special enhancements from the 70th Celebration, adding an extra layer of fun to the exhilarating 4D midway-style game. Put on your 3D glasses and grab your Spring-Action Launcher to blast away at moving objects with virtual darts, baseballs, and eggs alongside Woody, Buzz, and Jessie.
4. “Believe… In Holiday Magic” Fireworks Spectacular
End a festive evening at Disneyland Park with the spectacular “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks display over Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle. The show runs on select nights (weather permitting) and features a magical snowfall finale that showers Main Street, U.S.A., and other locations in flurries.
For even more seasonal magic, catch the nightly lighting ceremony at “it’s a small world” Holiday where the facade is illuminated with a dazzling projection show called Tapestry of Happiness, which celebrates the 70th Anniversary.
Don’t Miss: “Tapestry of Happiness” After the fireworks, catch this special 70th Anniversary projection show on the facade of “it’s a small world” Holiday. Showtimes are typically in the evening, starting at 6:30 p.m., so always check the app.
5. Cars Land Holiday Transformation
Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park gets into the holiday spirit with a whimsical “Snowcar” greeting guests at the entrance. Route 66 is decked out with automotive-themed décor, and two attractions get holiday updates: Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree, both of which feature catchy holiday songs sung by the characters.
6. Disney Festival of Holidays
Disney Festival of the Holidays at Disney California Adventure Park involves Christmas music, food, a 50-foot-tall holiday tree, and fun that celebrates meaningful traditions of Christmas, Navidad, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings’ Day.
Favorite Disney and Pixar characters join Mickey Mouse and other Disney friends to dance to the beats of holiday toy drummers. Of course, they’re all decked out in their holiday best of classic red and green for the Christmas festivities and ready to spread holiday cheer.
Festive Food Marketplaces: Six marketplaces offer delectable dishes that span cultures. Look for new 2025 menu items like the spicy Cajun loaded fries, tacos dorados de camarón, and the al pastor mac and cheese. Returning favorites include the holiday mash bowl and chocolate peppermint lava cake.
Sip and Savor Pass: To sample your way through the festival, purchase a Sip and Savor Pass. This year, it includes six digital coupons redeemable for select food and nonalcoholic beverages at participating marketplaces and dining locations.
Mickey’s Happy Holidays: Dance along with Mickey Mouse and pals to the magically merry rhythms of the Holiday Toy Drummers. This high-energy cavalcade features characters decked out in their holiday best.
Disney ¡Viva Navidad!: This vibrant street party at Paradise Gardens honors Latin American traditions. Hosted by The Three Caballeros, it features Mexican folklórico dancers, mariachis, Brazilian samba dancers, and giant mojiganga puppets.
- “Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season”: Join Mirabel from Encanto for a heartwarming presentation of stories and songs from the film.
- “A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel”: Miguel from Coco joins the mariachis for a celebration of heartfelt stories and timeless songs.
7. World of Color Happiness!
The nighttime spectacular at Disney California Adventure Park is “World of Color Happiness!” Running as part of the 70th Celebration, this show lights up Paradise Bay with more than 1,200 fountains, lasers, and projections illustrating heartwarming Disney moments set to holiday music.
It is an amazing spectacle to witness that brings warmth and awe as you watch the stunning visuals, you shouldn’t miss this one.
Sean Teegarden/Disneyland Resort)
8. Holidays Guided Tour
If you want an elevated experience, book the Disneyland Resort Home for the Holidays Guided Tour. This hosted tour includes an exclusive look at the Disneyland Christmas decorations and reserved seating for prime viewing of the A Christmas Fantasy Parade.
9. A Christmas Fantasy Parade
(Richard Harbaugh/Disneyland Resort)
The holiday season isn’t complete without a street parade. “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade returns to Disneyland Park this year. This joyful procession features a flurry of characters, including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Disney Princesses, and marching “tin soldiers,” bringing seasonal magic to The Happiest Place on Earth.
Note: The “Paint the Night” parade is temporarily paused during the winter season and will resume at a later date.
10 . Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: A Must-Ride Attraction
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure debuted last year. This musical log flume attraction takes guests through the bayou as Princess Tiana’s story unfolds, featuring Audio-Animatronics figures and a thrilling 50-foot drop. It is an essential addition to your winter itinerary.
11. Holiday Fun at Avengers Campus
For the first time, Deadpool (aka “Santapool”) joins the holiday lineup at Avengers Campus. He brings holiday laughter to “The Story Time with Deadpool Holiday Special.” At select times, Wolverine may also stop by, making this a fun diversion for teens and adults.
12. Santa’s Holiday Visit
For the 2025 holiday season, Santa and a few select Disney friends will visit the Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland Park to create some very special memories with guests. There will be plenty of photo ops, storytelling time, and also a chance to sign up for cookie decorating and crafts.
Santa will also make appearances at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in Disney California Adventure Park, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel and Pixar Place Hotel through Christmas Eve day.
Check the Disneyland app for all the details on these special appearances.
13. Buena Vista Street Tree Lighting
Visitors of Disney California Adventure can experience the magical Buena Vista Street Holiday Tree lighting every day from November 14, 2025, to January 7, 2026.
Head over to Elias & Co. on Buena Vista Street to watch as the monumental tree twinkles to life with hundreds of ornaments, glistening garlands, Christmas decorations, festive music, and colored lights. The holiday tree lighting will occur every day. Time TBD. It’s one of our favorite classical Disney moments.
14. Holiday Gifts
While Disney parks are always good places to buy gifts for the Disney fan in your life, the holiday season is particularly remarkable should you want a holiday keepsake when you visit Disneyland, California Adventure, and Downtown Disney during the holiday time.
Thousands of 2025 Christmas ornaments, holiday-themed Mickey and Minnie Mouse ears, and other options that can only be purchased during the holiday time stock the shelves (though they seem to have some ornaments year-round).
You can also check out their online store, which features many holiday goodies. But there’s a great holiday store on Main Street U.S.A. called Plaza Point. Its merchandise will change seasonally to showcase other holidays like Chinese New Year, Easter, and Halloween, to name a few.
15. The Disneyland Hotels Are Decked Out, Too
Book a Disneyland Resort hotel during the holiday season. Our top pick is Disney’s Grand Californian Resort and Spa, which has the most beautiful Christmas tree and a 7-foot-tall gingerbread house in the lobby, usually made from 600 lbs of powdered sugar, 250 lbs of fondant, and one pound of pixie dust!
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa was created in a beautiful craftsman style and has its own entrance to Disney California Adventure Park and Downtown Disney. It takes about 5 minutes to walk to Disneyland Park.
Pixar Place Hotel, formerly Paradise Pier, features 31 uniquely decorated trees celebrating Pixar films and artwork.
Also, don’t miss the new Daisy’s Holiday Pajama Party (breakfast) or Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast (dinner) at Storytellers Cafe.
Plus, staying at the Disneyland resort hotels means it’s nice to have a nearby place to rest in the late afternoon when kids get tired.
16. You Can Buy Discount Disneyland Tickets
With the Christmas Fantasy Parade, Sleeping Beauty’s winter castle all decked out in a 70th-anniversary wreath, holiday shows, towering Christmas trees, a haunted mansion, “it’s a small world holiday,” and more, Christmas at Disneyland will have you believe Christmas magic is alive in southern California—it is the happiest place on earth, after all!
While a 1-Day Disneyland theme park ticket during this season is best bought through Disneyland (don’t forget your park reservations!), those considering longer visits to Disneyland at Christmas can save money through authorized ticket sellers like aRes Travel, which always has discounted pricing on Park Hopper and 1-Park tickets.
Final Thoughts
As a local, I have visited Disneyland during the holidays more times than I can count, but this season is shaping up to be truly unique. While the crowds are real, so is the magic. The unique blend of the 70th Celebration with traditional holiday warmth makes the 2025 season a standout year for visiting that you won’t want to miss.
My biggest piece of advice for this year? Slow down.
With over 240 seasonal food items and countless visual details, from the vintage ornaments on Buena Vista Street to the 70th-anniversary wreath on the castle, the real joy this season is found in the details, not just the ride counts. Grab a warm drink, find a spot for the fireworks, and soak in the history and the holiday spirit combined.
What is your favorite thing about Disneyland Resort during the holidays
Top photo credit: Richard Harbaugh/Sean Teegarden/Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort
Katie Dillon
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