Holidays at the Disneyland Resort returns from Nov. 15, 2024, through Jan. 6, 2025, offering a diverse array of festive, family-friendly entertainment including character sightings, nighttime spectaculars, and live bands! Alongside returning classics, this year's lineup introduces some brand-new music and dance performances.
This guide highlights the merry, must-see entertainment across both theme parks, Downtown Disney District, and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort. As an additional planning resource, guests are strongly encouraged to check the Disneyland app* and Disneyland.com for the complete list of entertainment offerings and the latest performance schedules.
Disney Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure Park
NEW! “Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season”Scheduled Mondays through Fridays outside the entrance to Paradise Gardens Park
Mirabel from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” and her friends celebrate the holiday spirit, uniting everyone for their special Fiesta de Navidad event. Families and children of all ages will delight in singing along to the cherished songs from the film in this touching musical performance.
NEW! “A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel!” Scheduled Monday through Friday evenings on Buena Vista Street
This evening show brings together friends and families to enjoy heartfelt stories and classic songs in a magical holiday celebration. Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland, along with elegant dancers, presents intimate, bilingual renditions of beloved Christmas tunes. The event concludes with a special appearance by Miguel from Pixar Animation Studios’ “Coco” for a beautiful version of “Silent Night.” This is an experience guests won’t want to miss this season!
Expanded Variety of New and Returning Live Musical Acts Scheduled daily at various stages across Disney California Adventure park
This year’s festival boasts a wider selection of live bands and cultural performance groups, offering high-energy seasonal entertainment for all ages each day.
The live entertainment at Disney California Adventure spans a diverse array of genres, including mariachi, jazz, klezmer, Latin pop, fusion, reggae, polka, and more. New live bands and cultural performance groups will be featured at the festival, such as Joy, Rangoli Rhythms, Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts, Keali’I O Nālani & Daniel Ho, among others! Guests can also enjoy a season of celebrations with many returning favorites, including Blue13 Dance Company and The Mistletoes!
The entertainment lineup changes throughout the season, so guests are encouraged to check Disneyland.com for a complete list of performers and daily showtimes.
“Mickey’s Happy Holidays” and Holiday Toy Drummers Happening daily at Disney California Adventure park
Families and children will want to dance to festive rhythms as beloved Disney characters parade through the Disney California Adventure park, following the beat of the Holiday Toy Drummers during “Mickey’s Happy Holidays.”
Moreover, the playful and precise drumming of the Holiday Toy Drummers will joyfully spread seasonal cheer for everyone to enjoy in front of the obelisk in Paradise Gardens Park!
Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street PartyTaking place on Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 16 to Jan. 5
Presented by The Three Caballeros, the Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party includes energetic Mexican folklórico dancers, mariachis, vibrant Brazilian samba dancers, percussionists, and more! Additionally, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse join in wearing their festive, colorful outfits.
Encounter Santa Claus and Favorite Characters
NEW! “Holiday Fun with Santa and Friends!” at Fantasyland TheatreHappening daily at Disneyland Park
Santa Claus and a few Disney characters will be available throughout the day for holiday photos at “Holiday Fun with Santa and Friends” at the Fantasyland Theatre. Families can also participate in craft activities, sing holiday classics, and enjoy atmospheric music.
Meet Santa Claus at Disneyland ResortDaily from Nov. 15 through Dec. 24 at Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park. Daily from Nov. 28 through Dec. 24 at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort.
Delight in joyful moments, capture festive photos, and share holiday wishes with Santa Claus, who will also visit Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in Disney California Adventure through Dec. 24. From Dec. 25, 2024, through Jan. 6, 2025, guests may encounter Santa Goofy at this spot!
Santa will also visit Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel, and Pixar Place Hotel from Nov. 28 through Dec. 24 to greet children of all ages, so guests should be sure to say hello before he returns to the North Pole!
Special Character AppearancesDaily at various locations across Disneyland Resort
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and their friends will showcase stunning new outfits in Disneyland park, reminiscent of writing warm letters to loved ones during the holidays. Throughout both parks, guests might spot characters making special appearances for the holidays, including Mirabel and friends from Disney Animation’s “Encanto” on select days at the Paradise Gardens gazebo in Disney California Adventure park.
At the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort, guests can also meet characters during specially themed dining experiences at Goofy’s Kitchen and Storytellers Cafe.
“Disney Holiday Dance Party” at Tomorrowland TerraceScheduled nightly at Disneyland park from Nov. 16 through Jan. 6
Kids and those young at heart can dance the night away at Tomorrowland Terrace in Disneyland! Nightly fun at this location will feature holiday music and appearances by favorite Disney characters on a stage decorated for the season!
“A Christmas Fantasy Parade”Held daily at Disneyland park
“A Christmas Fantasy Parade” returns for another festive musical celebration, featuring cheerful elves, dancing gingerbread cookies, and lively reindeer. Disney characters like Anna and Elsa from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen,” Disney Princesses, Buzz Lightyear from Pixar Animation Studios’ “Toy Story,” and others join in, with Santa Claus making an appearance in the grand finale. Viewing areas are available around “it’s a small world” Holiday, near Matterhorn Bobsleds, and Main Street, U.S.A. Additionally, reserved viewing for the parade is included with the Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort Guided Tour.
Nighttime Entertainment and Snowfall
“Believe...In Holiday Magic”Held nightly at Disneyland park
The “Believe...In Holiday Magic” fireworks show illuminates the night sky at Disneyland while Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle dazzles with over 80,000 shimmering lights, sparkling “icicles,” and glistening snow-covered turrets. Visitors can also enjoy a magical “snowfall” along sections of Main Street, U.S.A., near “it’s a small world” Holiday, and along the Rivers of America during the Wintertime Enchantment at Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle each evening.
“World of Color – Season of Light”Happening nightly at Disney California Adventure park
With breathtaking views around Paradise Bay, visitors can immerse themselves in holiday magic during “World of Color – Season of Light” at Disney California Adventure. This captivating nighttime show includes scenes from films like Pixar Animation Studios’ “Inside Out” and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen,” accompanied by festive holiday music.
Starting Nov. 15 for a limited period, a brand-new water short featuring Walt Disney Animation Studios’ latest film “Moana 2” will be shown before the main event. “Moana 2” hits theaters on Nov. 27.
It is highly recommended to join the complimentary virtual queue to experience “World of Color – Season of Light.”
Holiday Lighting MomentsScheduled nightly at Disney California Adventure park and Disneyland park
At Disney California Adventure, visitors can enjoy the spectacle of a stunning 50-foot tree lighting up in dazzling glory during the Buena Vista Street Tree Lighting!
Each evening at Disneyland, as the sun sets, guests can gather in front of “it’s a small world” Holiday to see thousands of twinkling lights illuminate! Additionally, at select times throughout the night, a joyful light projection show transforms the attraction's façade with a vibrant display of holiday colors and images!
Live Music and Nightly Snow at Downtown Disney DistrictAvailable nightly throughout Downtown Disney
The holiday celebrations continue in the Downtown Disney District with festive décor, shopping, and entertainment. The Downtown Disney LIVE! stage and lawn will feature seasonal live music every night, with performances spanning genres like rock, jazz, and classic caroling.
“Snow” will also fall near the Downtown Disney District LIVE! stage and lawn during special moments each night from Nov. 29 through Jan. 6.
Entertainment at the Hotels of the Disneyland ResortScheduled on select days from Nov. 21 through Dec. 31, 2024
All three Hotels of the Disneyland Resort will feature holiday carolers on select days, in addition to elaborate and themed holiday decorations.
On Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings starting Nov. 22, the refined ambiance of the Great Hall lobby at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will be complemented by live holiday jazz.
Performances occur at select times and locations through Dec. 31.
Prolong Your Holiday Festivities
From morning until evening, there's a wealth of holiday entertainment for families and friends to experience! To take in as much as possible, visitors should think about extending their stay at the Disneyland Resort over several days and booking a room at one of the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort.
During their stay, guests can save up to 15 percent on select accommodations at Disneyland Hotel, The Villas at Disneyland Hotel, and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. This offer may be available now through Dec. 19, 2024.
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