The Holiday Magic is just around the corner for 2023, and the “Happiest Place on Earth” has you covered with the best holiday entertainment, decorations, & attraction-overlays anywhere in the world! A visit to the Disneyland Resort during the November & December months is becoming an annual tradition for families across the country, & Walt’s original Magic Kingdom is back in 2023 with more holiday magic than ever!
This year, the holiday season will officially begin on November 10th, 2023 & run all the way through January 7th, 2024. Read ahead to see all the enchanting festivities coming to the Disneyland Resort in just a few months.
Disneyland Park
Feel the magic of the holiday season the second you step foot onto Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland Park as the famous & magnificent 60-foot-tall Christmas tree greets you from the front of Town Square. The tree has become an iconic photo spot for Disneyland guests all throughout the holidays & will make it’s triumphant appearance on November 10th, 2023.
While taking in the breathtaking tree in Town Square, be sure you are on the lookout for some of your favorite Disney characters, too. Mickey & Friends are known to gather around Town Square during the holidays to greet & take photos with guests in their most festive holiday outfits. Pus, Mickey & Minnie can be found in their BRAND NEW holiday attire, just in time for the 2023 season!
Attractions
During the holiday season, two beloved attractions at Disneyland Park experience epic festive transformations.
Haunted Mansion Holiday
Quickly becoming an instant Disney classic, this Walt original attraction gets the holiday makeover treatment as Haunted Mansion transforms into the beloved Haunted Mansion Holiday. Inspired by “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas,” Jack, Sally, Oogie Boogie, & more await you inside the Haunted Mansion. The best feature of all is the unique & massive Gingerbread House displayed in the Ballroom scene, which is made fresh by Disney Imagineers & Chefs each year!
“it’s a Small World” Holiday
Another Walt original attraction receives the magic of the season as “it’s a Small World” transforms into a glorious holiday haven featuring thousands of dazzling lights & a melodic makeover as the children of the world sing classic holiday favorites in their own language. The best part of all is the nightly holiday lightning show on the facade of the attraction, as “it’s a Small World” holiday lights up the entire park! Specific times can be found on the Disneyland App.
A Christmas Fantasy Parade
Join Santa Claus, the life-size Toy Soldiers, and many beloved Disney characters on a merry jaunt down Main Street, U.S.A. The fan-favorite parade features gingerbread friends, incredibly impressive holiday floats, and, of course, Mickey and Minnie Mouse! You & your family will certainly want to prioritize this festive parade celebrating the most magical time of the year! Showtimes are subject to change & can be found on the Disneyland App.
“Believe…In Holiday Magic”
Each night as daytime turns to night, look up to the skies and witness the true magic of the holidays, as the Disneyland night-sky turns into a DAZZLING holiday spectacular! This incredible show features impressive pyrotechnics, beloved holiday music, and SNOW in Southern California!
Fireworks fill the skies during the show as Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle sparkles with over 80,000 twinkling lights and “icicles”. Then, enjoy a wintry snowfall as you walk down Main Street, U.S.A. after the show. It truly is a holiday miracle.
Please note that this show is subject to cancellation without notice due to weather or other conditions. Specific times can be found on the Disneyland App.
Disney California Adventure Park
Attractions
Mater’s Jingle Jamboree
Mater junkyard gets a festive makeover. As you twirl around in your holiday-themed tractor, listen to him singing some classic holiday tunes!
Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl
Luigi and his family are ready for the holidays! Head over for a merry spin in an Italian classic car in his festive backyard as Luigi sings and the cars dance along to the songs!
World of Color – Season of Light
A recent fan-favorite show, World of Color – Season of Light has quickly become a must-watch holiday spectacular. The wonder of water, light, Disney stories, and songs are brought to life with holiday magic during this seasonal show. Blending Disney classics such as Cinderella with contemporary favorites like Frozen, all of your favorite Disney moments are brought to life into colorful wonder! This delightful show is the perfect way to end your evening in the park.
Please note that this show is subject to cancellation without notice due to weather or other conditions. Specific times can be found on the Disneyland App.
Disney Festival of the Holidays
This festival celebrates the holidays around the world with diverse cultural festivities including music, food, entertainment, & decorations. Disney Festival of the Holidays features dozens of different cultural celebrations, & new surprises are brought into the park each year.
Highlights of 2023’s festival are sett to include:
- Mickey’s Happy Holidays: a dance party featuring Mickey and his pals, along with Holiday Toy Drummers
- Disney Characters: Meet beloved Disney friends including Mirabel from the Disney animated film Encanto
- Live Music: Live performances celebrating the diversity of Southern California, typically found in Paradise Gardens Park
- Festive Foods Marketplace: Enjoy sips and bites inspired by cultures and holidays around the world. Stay tuned for more details and full menus.
Photo Courtesy Disney
Disney ¡Viva Navidad!
Enjoy authentic holiday music, dance, and décor at this lively celebration of Hispanic culture combined with a little bit of Disney magic. From a street party featuring cultural traditions from Mexico and Brazil with live performers to a special event celebrating Three Kings’ Day, you won’t want to miss this celebration taking place in Paradise Gardens.
Of course, besides just the attractions & entertainment inside Disneyland Park & Disney California Adventure Park, be on the lookout for breath-taking holiday decorations, as well! Lands throughout both parks will light up with unique & special festive displays all season long! There may even be a hidden Christmas Mickey, or two;)
Downtown Disney District and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort
Head to the Downtown Disney District to enjoy beautiful décor and fun photo opportunities. There will be musical entertainment and special offerings from various shops and restaurants, including the always-popular Downtown Disney Stage in front of the Disneyland Hotel. You are sure to find holiday gifts for the whole family when you browse the full range of boutiques and shops.
Then, you won’t want to miss an opportunity to check out the three hotels of the Disneyland Resort. Each resort hotel will feature beautiful Christmas tree displays, carolers, and visits from Santa Claus.
In addition, the culinary team at the Disneyland Resort will once again bring to life its annual gingerbread house display at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa.
Are you ready for a magical holiday vacation? Be sure to plan your visit to “The Happiest Place on Earth” in time for the best season of the year, as the festivities are sure to be bigger & more magical than ever before!
Be sure to stay tuned to Theme Park Professor (both at ThemeParkProfessor.com & on IG at ThemeParkProfessor!) for all the up-to-date information & foodie guides for the holiday season.
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