The holidays bring an extra touch of magic to the Happiest Place on Earth, with Sleeping Beauty Castle glowing under shimmering lights and “snow” drifting over a sparkling Main Street, U.S.A. From a cherished holiday parade and festive ride overlays to cultural celebrations rich with music, dance, and global flavors, the Disneyland Resort shines brighter than ever during the festive season. Here’s a look at the best new and returning holiday experiences to enjoy, now through Jan. 7, 2026.
Featured Photo: Courtesy of Disneyland
See Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park transformed for the holidays
No place decorates for the holidays like the Disneyland Resort. While both parks are dressed to the nines day and night, you’ll want to make sure you see Disneyland Park after dark. From a sparkling 60-foot Christmas tree and illuminated garland strung across Main Street, U.S.A., to the breathtaking façade of “it’s a small world,” all is merry and bright when the sun goes down.
Over at Disney California Adventure Park, just a minute’s walk across the esplanade from Disneyland Park, Buena Vista Street’s colorful, kitschy 50-foot tree is lit every evening through Jan. 7 and is a great spot to snag that holiday photo.
Cars Land gets the “haul-iday” treatment, Route 66 style, with a holiday overlay complete with plenty of tire wreaths and garland-embellished traffic cones. Try to time your visit to dusk when the land’s neon lights turn on — it’s a magical moment.
Experience festive twists on favorite rides
“It’s a small world” Holiday is a charming seasonal version of the famous ride, which turned 60 this year. In 2022, the holiday overlay celebrated its 25th anniversary with the addition of two new characters — both in wheelchairs, marking the first time in Disneyland’s 69-year history that characters in wheelchairs have been represented on an attraction.
Haunted Mansion Holiday, the “Nightmare Before Christmas”-themed overlay to Haunted Mansion is another must-do at Disneyland Park. Don’t miss the sweet scent of gingerbread as your Doom Buggy passes a giant gingerbread house. An annual tradition, this year’s gingerbread house is 13 feet tall and home to a murder of crows, paying homage to the iconic raven that appears throughout the attraction.
And in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree becomes Mater’s Jingle Jamboree and Luigi’s Rolickin’ Roadsters becomes Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl.
Santa stops and holiday highlights
Be sure to carve out some time to catch one of Disneyland’s most beloved holiday traditions. “A Christmas Fantasy Parade” makes its way down Main Street, U.S.A. twice a day (check the Disneyland app for times). See favorite Disney and Pixar characters like Mickey and Minnie, Chip ‘n Dale, Anna and Elsa, and Woody and Buzz, plus holiday favorite Toy Soldiers (a holiday staple at Disneyland since 1961 when the film “Babes in Toyland” debuted), adorable dancing snowmen, and of course the big finale, Santa Claus in his sleigh. One of our favorite parts of the parade this year was seeing Santa using American Sign Language (ASL) to wish guests happy holidays.
For photos and a chance to drop a few hints for Santa’s list, the big guy will be meeting through Dec. 24 at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in Disney California Adventure Park, at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel, and Pixar Place Hotel.
The Fantasyland Theatre again transforms for “Holiday Fun with Santa and Friends!” — a festive hub for holiday crafts, sing-a-longs, and character meet-and-greets through Dec. 24.
Marvel fans should head to Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure for “The Story Time with Deadpool Holiday Special.” Deadpool regales guests with seasonal stories and his signature snark, with Wolverine occasionally paying a visit too.
A global celebration of holiday traditions
At Disney California Adventure, fan-favorite “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” street party is a must see on Saturdays and Sundays. This isn’t just one of Disneyland’s best holiday offerings, it’s one of the most delightful displays of live entertainment at any Disney park all year. Mexican folklórico dancers and Mariachis, Brazilian samba dancers and percussionists, and giant Santa and Mrs. Clause mojiganga puppets are joined by “The Three Caballeros” and Mickey and Minnie in this exuberant holiday fiesta.
Also at Disney California Adventure, “Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season” features Mirabel from Encanto, alongside her sisters, Bruno, and other singers and dancers, in a festive street performance of songs from the film.
On select evenings, “A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel” celebrates the season with mariachi renditions of holiday classics and a special appearance by Miguel from Coco.
Be sure to check the Disneyland app for dates and showtimes.
In addition to Disney characters and tunes, Disney California Adventure also offers a variety of musical cultural performances by new acts and returning favorites, showcasing musical genres like mariachi, jazz, and klezmer, and dance styles including Bollywood and Spanish flamenco; check the app for schedules.
Feast on festive flavors
Holiday sights and sounds are great, but some of us are in it for the tastes too. Try Mint Chip Funnel Cake Fries and Snickerdoodle Cold Brew at recently reimagined Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree in Bayou Country, Peppermint Mickey-shaped Beignets at Mint Julep Bar, or the Thanks-mas Sandwich at Jolly Holiday Bakery Café.
Sip and snack at Disney Festival of Holidays
Celebrations for Christmas/Navidad, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day are all on the menu at Disney California Adventure Park during Disney Festival of the Holidays. Seasonal food marketplaces, holiday-themed menus, live entertainment, and themed merchandise are available around the park.
Sample holiday dishes from around the world at the festival’s holiday kitchens, where you can try both traditional and inventive takes on classic dishes and drinks, like Beef Brisket Sliders, Holiday Mash Bowl, Sticky Toffee Pudding Macaron, and a Garage Brewing Co. Churro Ale or non-alcoholic Café de Olla Cold Brew.
Snag a Sip and Savor pass to sample four or eight dishes or non-alcoholic drinks at a discount.
See how Disneyland's hotels have decked the halls
In addition to being our top recommended places to stay at the Disneyland Resort, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the Disneyland Hotel, and Pixar Place Hotel are worth a visit even for day guests during the holidays.
Check out the Grand Californian’s elaborate gingerbread house and lobby Christmas Tree and pick up some of the resort’s famed gingerbread and other holiday treats to go from the Holiday Cart — perfect for stocking stuffers.
At the Disneyland Hotel, each of the resort’s towers has a different themed Christmas tree. And at the new Pixar Place Hotel, the lobby has been decorated with 31 themed trees.
The Disneyland Resort hotels are offering seasonal dining experiences to complement the holiday festivities too.
Through Jan 6, 2026, Storytellers Cafe in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa offers Daisy’s Holiday Pajama Party breakfast and brunch, and a new character dinner, Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast, which is garnering rave reviews. At Disneyland Hotel, Goofy’s Kitchen Celebrates the Holidays brings seasonal dishes with appearances by Goofy and friends in holiday attire.
Do some holiday shopping
For souvenir ornaments and holiday gifts in Disneyland Park, stop by Plaza Point Holiday Shoppe, the charming year-round holiday shop on Main Street, U.S.A. Ornament personalization is available.
Beyond the parks, the Downtown Disney District is buzzing with reinvention as new shopping, dining, and entertainment have debuted, and “snow” falls nightly.
If you just want to browse, Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail, a family-friendly scavenger hunt with a keepsake prize, offers a great way to explore the district.
End the night with a bang.
For the perfect end to a holiday visit, watch the “Believe… in Holiday Magic” fireworks at Disneyland Park. Projections light up the buildings along Main Street, U.S.A. and the façade of “it’s a small world,” and snow falls to close out the show.
And for those who prefer to spend their holiday evenings in a galaxy far, far away, try watching fireworks from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Here, an alternate show plays in tandem with Disneyland Park’s fireworks each night, instead synced to John Williams’ classic Star Wars soundtracks.
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