If you’re looking for the spot to get the most holiday bang for your buck, may I suggest that Disneyland at Christmas is where it’s at! Disneyland’s Festival of Holidays is absolutely packed with the most delicious food, joyous music and entertainment, nostalgic touches, immersive decorations, and new surprises. If you are planning a Disneyland holiday trip, we’ve got all the details and some extra super secret tips!
When Disneyland Becomes a Holiday Wonderland
The shift to the holiday season at Disneyland begins the day after Halloween but kicks off officially in mid-November and runs through early January—that’s when you can expect to see Disneyland’s Christmas decorations at FULL POWER.
This year, the dates for the Festival of Holidays are November 15, 2024-January 6, 2025. And while you can certainly enjoy the holiday vibe before the official kickoff, there is something truly magical about seeing Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle in all its glory, The Haunted Mansion decked out for Christmas, and It’s a Small World holiday, not to mention the biggest, most Mickey-festooned Christmas tree I’ve ever seen.
The Festival of Holidays: Disneyland Christmas to the MAX
The Festival of Holidays at Disneyland is an immersive, multicultural event that includes musical celebrations, interactive entertainment, and delicious foods inspired from across the globe! Disneyland has gone above and beyond this year to create new experiences and entertainment with characters from Coco and Encanto while keeping traditional family favorites like the Believe in Holiday Magic Fireworks Spectacular and the Christmas Fantasy Parade that have been beloved for generations.
The Festival of Holidays Offers New Holiday Entertainment
There are two new holiday shows in Disney California Adventure Park: A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegra de Disneyland and Miguel (happening Monday-Friday at Carthay Circle) and Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season (happening Monday-Friday at Paradise Gardens.) Both of these performances are packed with singing, dancing, and holiday magic!
You can still count on seeing the Disney Viva Navidad Street Party on the weekends in DCA but every day, the park is PACKED with performers from a HUGE variety of cultures sharing their holiday music and storytelling gifts. A quick peek at the Disneyland app offers showtimes and details. Annual Pass holders have the unique opportunity to see and hear something new every day during The Festival of Holidays.
What would Christmas at Disneyland be without a visit from Santa? You can catch up with Santa Claus in Disney California Adventure at the Nature Trail and in Disneyland at the Fantasyland Theater—just be sure to check the app for meet-and-greet times.
Disneyland Holiday Food and Treats
Entertainment isn’t the only part of Christmas at Disneyland that has a multicultural flare! With the Sip and Savor Pass, you can taste your way through the Disney Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure. Each pass includes 4 or 8 digital coupons that you can redeem for a variety of delicious food and non-alcoholic beverages in DCA. This is a great way to sample festive bites and snacks, but let me assure you…the sizes are ample. Take, for example, this Sticky Toffee Pudding Macaron!
You’re going to have to make a beeline to Hollywood Land and proceed to the area outside of the Monsters, Inc. ride. That’s where you’ll find the “Favorite Things” cart offering this Sticky Toffee Pudding Macaron. This was easily big enough to share, but I took one for the team and ate it all myself. 😉
Some of the other Disneyland foodie highlights include the Barbecue Pulled Pork Cornbread Bake at “Twist on Tradition” and the Cafe de Olla Cold Brew and Pan Dulce at “Grandma’s Recipes.”
The Chorizo Queso Fundido Mac & Cheese is NOT to be missed at the “Holiday Duets” cart.
When I had a chance to ask the head Chef which Disneyland holiday treat was his favorite, he proudly pointed to the Elf Mickey Shake at Schmoozies in DCA.
A close second was the gingerbread cookies that you can find throughout the Disneyland Parks, but for sure, at Harbour Galley in Disneyland.
As always, Disneyland goes ALL OUT for their special holiday goodies, with each park offering unique and limited-time-only treats—if you’re interested in tracking down the best of the best, I suggest checking out the Disneyland Foodie Guide or the Disney Eats Guide to Holidays at Disneyland and then using your app in the park to locate each dining spot.
Tips for Planning a Disneyland Holiday Trip
The best time to visit Disneyland during the holiday season is mid-November, when the holiday festivities kick off, or the week right after Thanksgiving, when everyone is usually back to school and work after the long holiday weekend. If you can plan your visit over weekdays, that’s going to help you avoid the crowds. Here are a few more tips for planning your Disneyland holiday trip.
Make your holiday treat plan before you go!
Listen, there are only so many treats one can consume. (And you’re talking to someone who had ice cream TWICE in one day during one of my trips. My daughter STILL talks about it!) Let all of your trip companions pick their “must have” and then map it out. I speak of what I know…It took me a hot minute to figure out where to find that Mickey Toffee Pudding Macaron and my run across DCA was worth it. So make your treat plan ahead of time.
Make time for entertainment and parades
Confession time. I usually don’t stop for daytime entertainment. I’m usually much more focused on rides and treats, but the holidays are the time to gather around and watch the lights turn on at It’s a Small World, enjoy a live mariachi band singing Christmas songs, and get a good spot for the parade. Trust me.
INSIDER TIP for Disneyland Fireworks Viewing
The BEST place to view the Disneyland fireworks is the third-floor pool deck at Pixar Place Hotel. It’s open to all, not just hotel guests, so make your way over there for a next-level fireworks experience.
Get the Lightning Lane Pass
We did this on our last family trip to Disneyland and it made a HUGE difference in our experience. We spent much less time in line and a lot more time riding rides. And over the course of our trip, we got to ride our favorite popular rides more than once!
I think getting Lightning Lane Passes for everyone in your party would allow you to trim your trip down by a day. We planned a three-day trip last spring, but with the Lightning Lane passes, the third day was a total bonus because we were able to pack in so much during the first two days. We did have mostly older kids on our trip (ages 10, 13, 15, and 16), so they could handle a busy, long day more than when they were younger, so that was a factor in how much we could pack in.
Consider Staying at a Disneyland Hotel for Extra Perks
The holidays at Disneyland are super popular, so staying at a Disneyland Hotel is going to get you some extra perks that are worth it during the holiday season, including:
- Early entry for park hotel guests—enter an hour early and beat the lines!
- Santa Meet n’ Greets in the hotels between 4-7 pm every day during the holiday season.
- SECRET TIP: Disneyland Hotel usually gets a surprise visit from characters after Goofy’s Kitchen closes for breakfast, around 11:00 am.
- Unique holiday decorations, character costumes, and Christmas trees in each hotel.
Pack an Extra Bag for Holiday Souvenirs
During the holidays, Disneyland is packed with holiday merchandise! I have a special place in my heart for Disney ornaments and have always picked up one as a souvenir from each trip I’ve taken with my family. You can get ornaments year-round in the park, but during the holidays, the selection is HUGE! Make sure you have extra space in your suitcase.
FAQ: Your Disneyland Holiday Questions Answered
Want to know before you go? We’ve got insider tips for planning your Disneyland holiday trip.
When does Disneyland put up Christmas decorations?
The day after Halloween, but Christmas doesn’t officially start until mid-November and runs through early January, is when you can expect to see Disneyland’s Christmas decorations at FULL POWER and get the holiday treats.
What is the Festival of Holidays at Disneyland?
It’s a multicultural event that celebrates holiday food, music, and traditions from cultures across the globe blended with the traditional Disneyland Christmas festivities you know and love.
How does the Sip and Savor Pass work?
The scannable pass, available in four or eight digital coupon versions, can be redeemed for select bites and nonalcoholic beverages from the Festive Food Marketplace and participating dining spots in Disney California Adventure Park. You can use and share it with your friends and family throughout the festival.
What are the best Disneyland holiday treats to try?
The Sticky Toffee Pudding Macaron at Favorite Things, Cookie Dough Yule Log at Grandma’s Recipes, Gingerbread Cookies at assorted locations, Elf Mickey Shake at Schmoozies, and the Holiday Confetti Cake with Häagen-Dazs Peppermint Bark Ice Cream at Clarabelle’s.
Are there special activities at Disneyland hotels during the holidays?
Yes! Each hotel boasts an EPIC Christmas tree, daily Santa meet n’ greets between 4-7 pm, and special character costumes and visits.
When is the best time to visit Disneyland during the holiday season?
Weekdays, mid-November, and the week after Thanksgiving are the best times to avoid the crowds.
Make Your Disneyland Holiday Dreams Come True
Disneyland is packed with jaw-dropping magic all year, but there is something really special about seeing and experiencing it during the holiday season. If you can, pack your bags and enjoy the California sunshine this holiday season!
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