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Celebrating the Holidays & Christmas at Disneyland Resort (2023)

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year! I’m talking about the Holidays at Disneyland, of course!

There’s something very special about Christmas at the Disneyland Resort. The decor, the music, the lights on the castle, the “snow” fall … for Disney fans it’s simply magical. If you’re planning a trip to Disneyland during the winter holidays, you’re in for a treat! (Figuratively and literally!)

Read on for everything you need to know about the holiday season at Disneyland!

Guide to Christmastime at Disneyland in California

The holidays start early at Disney Parks. In 2023, the holiday season begins on Friday November 10, 2023 and ends on January 7, 2024. The celebration lasts for 8 weeks so there’s plenty of time to experience everything!

No matter where you go at Disneyland park or Disney California Adventure park, you’ll be swept up in holiday cheer. Expect both Main Street, USA and Buena Vista Street to be decked out with Christmas Trees, wreaths, and twinkling lights. Even Downtown Disney and the three Disneyland Resort hotels get into the act.

Holidays at Disneyland Park

As you arrive to the Disneyland park gates, you’ll be greeted by giant snowflakes and snow flurries, and the sound of festive music.

 

Right in Town Square, you’ll find a 60 foot-tall Christmas tree! As you can imagine, this is a popular spot for photos. Look for the PhotoPass photographers and be sure to ask about “magic shots.”

 

Mickey and Minnie and their pals are often out greeting Guests in Town Square, wearing special winter outfits. You may also find the Disneyland Band or the Dapper Dans performing in this area!

Keep going down Main Street and look up! Beautiful garlands and wreaths stretch across Main Street. And of course, everything twinkles at night!

Your reward for walking down main street is Sleeping Beauty Winter Castle, one of the most breathtaking sights of the holiday season! Impressive during the day, she really shines at night, with more than 126,000 twinkling lights.

Side view of Sleeping Beauty Winter Castle at night

Turn left into Frontierland to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos, with colorful and festive decor and visits with Miguel from Coco!

 

Attraction Overlays

Haunted Mansion Holiday

Over in New Orleans Square you won’t want to miss Haunted Mansion Holiday. Haunted Mansion Holiday is a Nightmare Before Christmas overlay added to the Haunted Mansion attraction. It is very impressive how the ride is transformed every year, yet the same Haunted Mansion you’re used to is still peeking through! Guests can enjoy this overlay during both Halloween Time and the holiday season at Disneyland.

Guide to Halloween Time at The Disneyland Resort

 

“it’s a small world” Holiday

Celebrate Christmas on the most merriest cruise around the world! “it’s a small world” gets a holiday makeover both inside and out. After the sun goes down, you won’t want to miss the special light show on the building’s facade, which runs nightly every 30 minutes (check the Disneyland app for exact show times).

A Christmas Fantasy Parade

The fan favorite returns again this year! A Christmas Fantasy parade will go through the park twice a day, from “it’s a small world” to Town Square and back again. This parade is very popular so you’ll want to grab a seat at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the procession. Check the Disneyland app for show times. 

“Believe … in Holiday Magic” Fireworks

The beautiful “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks show is returning in 2023. The best spots to watch are in front of the castle, along Main Street, and at “it’s a small world.” 

The show culminates in a “snowfall” on Main Street USA and near “it’s a small world” while “White Christmas” plays. I get chills just thinking about this magical moment! If you pay close attention you’ll even notice the scent of gingerbread wafting through the air!

Additional Shows

Check the Disneyland app for exact show times on the day of your visit, but keep in mind the following presentations:

  • Main Street USA Christmas Tree lighting around dusk.
  • Sleeping Beauty Winter Castle lighting around dusk.
  • “it’s a small world” Holiday lighting around dusk and every 30 minutes until closing.

Star Wars – Life Day

They don’t celebrate Christmas or Hannukah in the Star Wars universe, but they *do* celebrate Life Day! During the holiday season, visit Docking Bay 7 or Oga’s Cantina for some special limited-time food items, and don’t forget to pick up your Life Day merch at the Marketplace. If you see Chewie walking around, be sure to wish him and his wookie family a Happy Life Day!

 

Limited Time Food and Treats

Every year, the Disneyland Resort offers a bunch of limited time foods, snacks, drinks, and treats especially for the holiday season.

The main stops for winter holiday treats are Candy Palace and Pooh Corner, but pretty much every sit-down and quick-serve restaurant will have special holiday offerings.

Here are just a few of the treats you can find at Candy Palace and Pooh Corner in 2023!

  • Mickey Christmas Lights Apple: Green apple dipped in caramel with two marshmallows ears enrobed in green, white chocolate and decorated with black dark chocolate and M&M’S chocolate candies lights (New)
  • Holiday Mickey Cake Pop: Chocolate cake pop dipped in milk chocolate and decorated with red sanding sugar and green M&M’S chocolate candies (New)
  • Holiday Tree Cereal Treat: Tree-shaped cereal treat dipped in green, white chocolate and decorated with white chocolate, white sanding sugar, and a yellow, chocolate Mickey star (New)
  • Peppermint Patties: Mixture of fondant sugar, powder sugar, and peppermint flavoring dipped in dark chocolate (New) (Only available at Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen)
  • Peppermint Bark: Peppermint-flavored dark chocolate and white chocolate sprinkled with Christmas sprinkles and marshmallows (New) (Only available at Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen)
  • Minnie Santa Hat Apple: Green apple dipped in caramel with two marshmallows ears enrobed in milk chocolate, rolled in red sanding sugar, and embellished with white M&M’S chocolate candies and a white chocolate Santa hat with a bow
  • Snowflake Apple: Green apple dipped in caramel with two marshmallow ears enrobed blue, white chocolate and decorated with a white chocolate snowflake and white sanding sugar (Only available at Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen)
  • Minnie Santa Hat Cereal Treat: Mickey-shaped cereal treat dipped in milk chocolate and decorated with red sanding sugar, green M&M’S chocolate candies, and a Santa hat (New)
  • Snowman Cake Pop: Vanilla cake pop dipped in white chocolate and decorated with dark chocolate face, M&M’S chocolate candies, a sour belt, and orange jellybean (Only available at Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen)
  • Holiday Minnie Cake Pop: Vanilla cake pop with two marshmallow ears dipped in red, white chocolate, drizzled with green, white chocolate, and embellished with a red, polka dot Minnie bow
  • Holiday Milk Marshmallow Wand: Marshmallows dipped in caramel and then milk chocolate drizzled with green and red chocolate
  • Mickey Gingerbread Cereal Treat: Mickey-shaped cereal treat dipped in milk chocolate and decorated with red and green colored chocolate and a dark chocolate Mickey
  • Peppermint Marshmallow Wand: Marshmallows dipped in caramel and then dark chocolate covered in crushed peppermint  

 

Holidays at Disney California Adventure

Across the Esplanade, Disney California Adventure is celebrating the holidays too!

 

Stop inside Elias & Co to shop winter holiday merchandise and hop on over to Trolley Treats for specialty food items (similar to what you can find at Candy Palace). You also won’t want to miss the huge Christmas tree across from Carthay Circle Restaurant.

 

Cars Land

Aside from winter decorations, the residents of Cars Land have their own holiday celebration with special attraction overlays for “Mater’s Jingle Jamboree” and “Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl.” 

 

Festival of Holidays

There is truly so much to see and experience at the Festival of Holidays! The festival pays tribute to the many culturally diverse holiday celebrations around the world, including Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, and Kwanzaa.

Some of the entertainment offerings at Festival of Holidays include: 

  • Mickey’s Happy Holidays – dance along with Mickey Mouse and pals to the magically merry rhythms of the Holiday Toy Drummers
  • Mariachi Divas put their own festive spin on classic holiday tunes
  • Mostly Kosher honors Hanukkah with an eclectic blend of musical styles from klezmer and jazz to Latin and rock
  • The spirited Blue13 Dance Company salutes Diwali with traditional dances during an unforgettable Bollywood party
  • Phat Cat Swinger presents brassy, classy, swinging holiday music selections with a fresh new twist
  • The Suffragettes, an exciting festival cover band, rock our holidays with chart-topping hits from favorite musical artists
  • Holiday Toy Drummers march to their own beat while drumming up smiles wherever they go

First Look at the Food and Drinks Available at Festival of Holidays at Disneyland

Food & Drink Marketplaces

Visit eight different Festival Marketplaces to try snack-size food and drinks related to the holiday celebrations around the world. For full menus and detailed information about the food festival, visit my Festival of Holidays guide.

Disney ¡Viva Navidad!

Visit Paradise Gardens to celebrate Navidad with Donald Duck and the Three Caballeros! There’s a street performance with folklórico dancers, character appearances, and specialty foods at Paradise Garden Grill.

And visit Paradise Gardens from January 2 to January 8, 2024 to celebrate Three Kings Day!

What's It Like to Attend a Disney Parks Blog Meet Up?

Santa’s Holiday Visit

Find Santa and his elves at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail between November 10, 2023 and December 24, 2023. 

World of Color – Season of Light

You don’t want to miss this beautiful holiday nighttime show taking place in Paradise Gardens after dark! I recommend joining the virtual queue for a reserved viewing spot when they become available at 12 noon. 

Buena Vista Street Tree Lighting

The beautiful Christmas tree on Buena Vista Street sits right outside Elias & Company, across from Carthay Circle Restaurant. Visit the plaza at 5:30pm to watch the towering tree twinkle to life (check the app for exact time)!

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Festive Foods

Aside from Festival of Holidays, there are plenty of other festive food and drink options around the park. Here are just a few of the treats you can find around Disney California Adventure in 2023!

Aunt Cass Café (Available Nov. 10 through Jan. 7; mobile order available)

  • Christmas Tree Pull-apart Sourdough Bread (Plant-based)
  • Snowman Sourdough Bread (Plant-based)
  • Candy Cane Sourdough Bread (Plant-based)
  • Mickey-shaped Gingerbread: Soft gingerbread Mickey-shaped cookie with sprinkles

Award Wieners (Available Nov. 10 through Jan. 9; mobile order available)

  • Hollywood Beef Dip: Sliced roast beef on toasted hoagie roll with fried pickles, provolone, avocado spread, caramelized onion, and jalapeño-spiced au jus served with choice of Cuties Mandarin Oranges or filmstrip fries (New)
  • Milk and Cookies Funnel Cake Fries: Funnel cake fries topped with cookie dough ice cream, caramel sauce, and mini cookies (New)
  • Brewery X Purple Dusk Hard Seltzer (New)

Hollywood Lounge (Available Nov. 10 through Jan. 9; mobile order available)

  • Cran-Raspberry Refresher: Cranberry and raspberry lemonade with a splash of Sprite topped with mint and a cherry (Non-alcoholic beverage) (New)
  • Rök House Brewing Co. Winter Nights Imperial Black Ale (New)
  • Seaborn Merry Cranberry Margarita (New)
  • Gin Lavender Lemonade: Lavender lemonade with gin and a lavender sprig (New)
  • Smoky Hibiscus Orange Cocktail (New)
  • Shimmering Apple Pie Cocktail: Cinnamon whiskey with pineapple juice, sour mix, green apple liquor and edible gold glitter (New)

Paradise Garden Grill (Available Nov. 10 through Jan. 7)

  • Tacos Gobernador: Chipotle-marinated shrimp tacos with pepper Jack cheese served with Spanish rice and refried beans (New)
  • IMPOSSIBLE Albondigas Soup: IMPOSSIBLE meatballs in a vegetable soup (Plant-based)
  • Achiote-marinated Half Chicken with Spanish rice and refried beans topped with a nopal salad (New)
  • Shareable Loaded Torta with chicken milanesa, carnitas, sliced ham, chorizo beans, panela cheese, onions, avocado spread, and tomatoes on telera bread served with chips, chorizo beans, and a wedge of street-style watermelon (Serves two to four guests) (New)
  • Street-style Watermelon with lime juice, chile-lime seasoning, and chamoy (New)

Smokejumpers Grill (Available Nov. 10 through Jan. 9; mobile order available)

  • Caramel Crispy Churro Shake: Caramel-flavored shake, dulce de leche, crispy churro cereal, whipped cream, and chocolate garnish (New)
  • Hibiscus Blueberry Agua Fresca: Hibiscus syrup, blueberry purée, and lime juice served over ice (Non-alcoholic beverage) (New)
  • Golden Road Brewing Christmas Cart Wheat Ale (New)
  • Peach Passion Fruit Hard Lemonade: Tequila, lemonade, passion fruit nectar, and peach syrup served over ice (New)

 

Holidays at Downtown Disney

Guess what … you don’t even need a park ticket to celebrate the holidays at the Disneyland Resort! Downtown Disney and the Disneyland Resort Hotels have their own decorations and special treats.

Celebrating Christmas at The Disneyland Resort Hotels and Downtown Disney

No winter holiday visit is complete without merch! World of Disney has a huge display of shirts, mugs, and ornaments right at the front of the shop. You’ll also find plenty of merch at the Emporium and Plaza Point Holiday Shoppe inside Disneyland and on Buena Vista Street inside Disney California Adventure.  To shop holiday merchandise online, click on this link to go to Disney Store. (PS – You can shop for ornaments year round!)

 

Don’t forget to stop in Marceline’s for some of the same winter treats you can get inside Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

A few of the Downtown Disney restaurants have holiday food and drink specials, so be sure to ask!

 

Holidays at the Disneyland Resort Hotels

All three Disneyland hotels have their own Holiday decorations, too!

Visit Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel to see their amazing hotel gingerbread house, created by the Disney Bakery staff using real ingredients. Yep, it’s incredible AND edible!

Celebrating Christmas at The Disneyland Resort Hotels and Downtown Disney

Right next to the gingerbread hotel you’ll find the seasonal cart, serving yummy holiday treats and my personal favorite: cookie shots!

Celebrating Christmas at The Disneyland Resort Hotels and Downtown Disney

Grand Californian Great Hall Cart (Available Nov. 10 through Jan. 7)

  • Mickey Mouse-shaped Poinsettia Cookie
  • Mickey-shaped Gingerbread Cookie
  • Christmas Cookie
  • Holiday Cookie Box: will include two milk chocolate-dipped Mickey-shaped cookies, two raspberry-filled cookies and two sugar cookies with festive sprinkles
  • Assorted Macarons: Assorted macaron box will include two gingerbread, two peppermint and two Mexican hot chocolate
  • Kwanzaa Sweet Potato Loaf
  • Crisped Rice Treat
  • Holiday Cinnamon Buns (New)
  • Hot Cocoa Cookies (New)
  • Coffee with Liqueur (Available with Amaretto, Butterscotch, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal Apple, Godiva Chocolate, Grand Marnier, Jameson Whiskey, Peppermint Schnapps, Rumchata, Rumple Minz, Skrewball Whiskey) (New)
  • Eggnog with Baileys
  • Chocolate Chip Cookie Shot with Milk
  • Gingerbread Cookie Shot with Milk (New)
  • Red Velvet Cookie Shot with Milk (New)
  • Chocolate Chip Cookie Shot with Liqueur (Available with Amaretto, Butterscotch, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal Apple, Godiva Chocolate, Grand Marnier, Jameson Whiskey, Peppermint Schnapps, Rumchata, Rumple Minz, Skrewball Whiskey)
  • Cookie shot with Louis XIII Cognac
  • Cookie shot with Clase Azul Ultra Anejo

 

And over at the Disneyland Hotel you’ll find lots of Christmas trees and pretty decorations. Stop by Trader Sam’s to ask about their holiday libations!

Celebrating Christmas at The Disneyland Resort Hotels and Downtown Disney

Have you experienced the Holiday Season at Disneyland?  What’s your favorite part?

 

About Mindy

Mindy Marzec is a life-long Disney fan who grew up in Los Angeles. She started This Fairy Tale Life to share Disneyland travel tips for adults. When not at Disneyland, you can find Mindy at home snuggling with her cats and re-watching Thor: Ragnarok for the billionth time.