UPDATED December 11, 2024

The holiday season in Disneyland is truly magical! The festive fun kicked off on November 15th, 2024 and will last through January 6th, 2025. 

Here, we are sharing the unique festivities in both Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure, the shared parks tradition of the famous Disneyland Handmade Candy Canes, the scoop on on all the Holiday Treats, and MUCH more! Strap on your Santa hat and check out what’s in store throughout the Holiday Season!

Read on, my merry friends!

Disneyland Park

Guests are greeted by a 60-foot-tall Christmas tree on Main Street, U.S.A. setting the seasonal scene! This glistening beauty boasts almost 1,800 ornaments.

Several beloved traditions add to the magic of the Season in Disneyland park! Among them is “Believe…In Holiday Magic,” a special fireworks presentation over Sleeping Beauty Castle, which even features a dusting of snow!

Speaking of Sleeping Beauty Castle, the park’s signature landmark is all dressed up with sparking icicles for extra evening enchantment as Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle!

“A Christmas Fantasy” Parade delivers beloved Disney characters joined by a very special guest: Santa Claus! Other festive friends included reindeer, Toy Soldiers, dancing gingerbread cookies, and more.

You’ll have several opportunities throughout the day to catch this memorable tradition!

Interested guests may also want to learn more about the Christmas Fantasy Parade Dining Package.

Guests can enjoy an entree, dessert, and drink (with the menu featuring Beef bourguignon, Roasted vegetables, Herbed mashed potatoes with a cabernet demi-glaze, and a Black Forest yule log dessert for Adults — Fried Chicken Tenders, Seasonal Vegetables, Mashed Potatoes, and a Black Forest yule log dessert for Children) inside the Plaza Inn. The package includes a prime viewing spot to watch the second showing of  the Christmas Fantasy Parade! Dining times are open 60 days out for Advance Dining Reservations from 1PM to 3:30PM. Packages are $52 per adult (ages 10+) and $29 per child (ages 3 to 9).

P.S. By the way, when Santa Claus isn’t busy in the Parade, you can say “Hello” to him at Disneyland’s Fantasyland Theatre through December 24th!

Even a few Disneyland attractions receive holiday makeovers! Haunted Mansion Holiday presents nods to The Nightmare Before Christmas thanks to some extra decorations placed by the Pumpkin King himself, Jack Skellington!

Every year, the Haunted Mansion Holiday in Disneyland is complete with a new gingerbread house in the ballroom.  And for 2024, Disney shares that “Jack Skellington, or should we say Santa Jack, has recruited Dr. Finkelstein, Halloween Town’s resident mad scientist, to conjure up some ideas for this year’s creation.”

The themed gingerbread house has been a tradition of Haunted Mansion Holiday for 23 years. Remember, Haunted Mansion Holiday first arrives during Halloween Time, so you can catch this tradition for about 4 months in Disneyland!

Both the outside and inside of “it’s a small world” present festive flair as the Happiest Cruise on Earth dons holiday tunes and glittering lights!

Over 300,000 lights adorn the iconic attraction during the holiday season. The official lighting at dusk each evening is a Disneyland Resort tradition. After that, you can catch a special light projection show every 30 minutes.

Inside, the ride overlay also features the dolls of the attraction all dressed in traditional holiday clothing from each of their respective cultures.

And be on the merry lookout, because Mickey and Minnie will debut ANOTHER NEW LOOK for the 2024 Holiday Season!

Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Clarabelle Cow, Donald Duck, and Daisy Duck are appearing on Main Street in brand-new holiday costumes. According to Disney, these new looks are “reminiscent of writing warm letters to loved ones during the holidays.”

And to cap off the merry day, enjoy a magical “snowfall” and colorful projections on Main Street, U.S.A. AND on the façade of “it’s a small world” during the “Believe in Holiday Magic” fireworks!

Each year, hundreds of members of the local community, alongside the Disneyland Cast Member Choir, the Disneyland Orchestra and more celebrate the meaning of Christmas in a grand (and quite limited time!) display with the Disneyland Candlelight Processional.

For 2024, Disneyland’s Candlelight Processional was held on December 7th and 8th, 2024 at 5:30PM and 7:45PM each evening. The Candlelight Processional features a 600-member choir and a celebrity narrator who tells the story of Christmas. PLEASE NOTE: This event is usually by invitation only, but guests without invitations can also watch from designated areas on Main Street, U.S.A.

The event is presented in front of the Disneyland Main Street Train Station and features an A-list celebrity narrator. (Unlike EPCOT’s Candlelight Processional, Disneyland never reveals the name of the celebrity narrator until the event begins.) For 2024, the Narrator was actress Kathryn Hahn. Past narrators have included Cary Grant, John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Gregory Peck, Charlton Heston, Henry Fonda, Dick Van Dyke, Chris Hemsworth, Viola Davis, Ginnifer Goodwin, Jane Seymour, Brie Larson, and James Earl Jones.

See photos of the Disneyland Candlelight Processional here!

New Year’s Eve in Disneyland

If you’re welcoming the New Year in Disneyland Park, you can catch the New Year’s Eve Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks Spectacular at 9PM on December 31st and, of course, 12AM!

In addition to the fireworks, guests may be able to celebrate the New Year with four Countdown Celebrations at the following locations:

• “it’s a small world” from 7:30PM-1:30AM
• Rivers of America from 8:30PM-1AM
• Sleeping Beauty Castle from 8PM-1:30AM
• Tomorrowland from 8:30PM-1:30AM

Disney California Adventure

The centerpiece of the season at Disney California Adventure park is the Disney Festival of Holidays!

This Festival — with celebrations for Christmas/Navidad, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day — includes live entertainment, themed merchandise, and traditional cuisine from around the globe at Festive Foods Marketplaces.

There is so much Festival fun taking place that we’ve dedicated an entire section of the site to the event, and you can find ALL the information for the Disney California Adventure Festival of Holidays here!

Click here to learn more about Disney California Adventure Festival of Holidays!

“Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” gives guests the chance to enjoy a street party featuring Mexican folklórico dancers and Mariachis, Brazilian samba dancers and percussionists, giant mojiganga puppets, and Mickey, Minnie and friends in their fiesta best!

“Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” is hosted by The Three Caballeros, and Encanto’s Mirabel and more Disney pals also make appearances! Enjoy the celebration at Paradise Gardens Park.

NEW in 2024 is an Encanto-themed show called “Mirabel’s Gifts of the Seasons,” presented Mondays through Fridays outside the entrance to Paradise Gardens Park. 

Mirabel is joined by her friends to enjoy the spirit of the holidays during their very own Fiesta de Navidad celebration! The show includes some of your favorite songs from Encanto.

A new Coco-themed show has come to the festival, too! “A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel” is performed on weekday evenings on Buena Vista Street.

This nighttime shows “gathers friends and families to listen to heartfelt stories and timeless songs in an enchanting celebration of the holidays.” The bilingual show includes a special appearance by Miguel for a rendition of “Silent Night.”

Click here to learn more about Disney California Adventure Festival of Holidays!

In Cars Land, guests can enjoy yuletide makeovers of two attractions: Mater’s Jingle Jamboree and Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl!

Look for touches like a snow-covered billboard at the entrance of Cars Land and a hubcap-studded tree in front of the courthouse. Festive automotive decorations can be found all along Route 66!

Santa Claus spends time in his rustic home at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail for Santa’s Holiday Visit!

Guests can share their holiday wishes with Ol’ Saint Nick and take souvenir pictures at this location.

The Redwood Creek Challenge Trail is also transformed into a holiday-themed playground, with seasonal games and more.

Be sure to check out the posted trail activity map to locate the elfish games. You’ll also want to explore the trail to see how many toys and decorations have been hidden there!

Don’t miss the party, because Mickey Mouse and pals celebrate the season as they dance along to the Holiday Toy Drummers several times a day!

And, of course, taking center stage is the Holiday Tree on Buena Vista Street, which twinkles and glows with a nightly Christmas Tree Lighting. 

Guests can cap off a festive day with a viewing of the World of Color – Season of Light evening spectacular in Paradise Bay!

It’s a blend of holiday tunes with classic moments from Disney and Pixar films, all highlighted by dancing fountains and lighting effects.

Also, in January, guests can stop by Disney California Adventure Park to celebrate Three Kings’ Day. Paradise Gardens is home to this special celebration, which typically features traditional decor and a photo opportunity.

Meet Santa Claus!

Kids and adults alike will be delighted to know that Santa Claus will be appearing at several locations around the Disneyland Resort. These include Disneyland’s Fantasyland Theatre, where Santa and certain Disney characters will meet with guests. In addition, the theatre will also feature “cookie decorating, craft making, storytelling, and atmospheric music throughout the day.”

Santa also appears at California Adventure’s Redwood Creek Challenge, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the Disneyland Hotel, and the Pixar Place Hotel through December 24th.

New Year’s Eve in Disney California Adventure

Guests welcoming the New Year in Disney California Adventure can typically do so with New Year’s Eve Countdown Celebrations at Paradise Gardens Park and in Hollywood Land.

But we’re not done with all the festive fun just yet…

Disneyland Candy Canes

A wonderful Disneyland tradition that takes place in BOTH parks is the creation of the famous Disneyland Hand-made Candy Canes!

The Candy Canes are created on alternating days in the two parks throughout the season. For 2024, the locations and dates are as follows:

• Candy Palace at Disneyland Park:  November 29th, December 1st, 3rd, 8th, 10th, 15th, 17th, 22nd, and 24th
• Trolley Treats at Disney California Adventure Park: November 30th, December 2nd, 4th, 9th, 11th, 16th, 18th, 23rd, and 25th

These are not your typical candy canes. Each one is hand-pulled and measures eighteen inches long.

And they sell out QUICKLY, which is why you need to have a strategy…AND know exactly WHERE AND WHEN to find them!

This year’s distribution utilizes a wristband or mobile waitlist system*. According to Disney, “For a chance to purchase one of the candy canes this year, wristbands or a mobile waitlist system will be used, as quantities are very limited. If the waitlist is activated, you can add your name and phone number at the location to receive a text back with a time to return to the location for the opportunity to purchase your candy cane while supplies last.”

PLEASE NOTE: Even though Disney had announced they’d be using a wristband system for distribution, we just waited in a standard standby queue for our Candy Cane in 2024. You may have a different experience if you visit on one of the other dates. Be prepared for either scenario. 

There is no guarantee that the candy canes won’t sell out before you’re able to purchase one, so the earlier you get on the mobile waitlist, the better.

You must have a Park Pass Reservation (and valid park admission) to enter the park on the date of your choosing, so make sure you review those dates and get yours reserved as soon as possible. The candy canes cost $21.99 ($23.69 after tax).

The Candy Canes have been a Disneyland tradition since 1968.

Learn about the history of the famous Disneyland Candy Canes here!

Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort Tour

Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort is an extra-ticket guided tour.  This 2.5-hour walking tour includes a look at Disneyland holiday traditions from around the world, special viewing area for A Christmas Fantasy Parade, delicious holiday treats, a ride on “it’s a small world” Holiday and more.

When available, interested guests may book the Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort tour via the Disneyland website or Disneyland App.

Downtown Disney District

And, of course, you’ll spy plenty of merry decorations in Downtown Disney, along with live entertainment!

NEW this year is Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail at the Downtown Disney District. Guests will be able to search for ornaments hidden among the holiday trees throughout Downtown Disney. You’ll also be able to purchase an activity map at select shopping locations in Downtown Disney and Disneyland’s hotels, which you can redeem for a collectible holiday souvenir at World of Disney or Disney’s Pin Traders.

Live entertainment includes a cappella carolers like Holiday Harmony and The Sugarplums.

The Hotels of Disneyland Resort

The Hotels of Disneyland Resort also present plenty of traditional (and not-so-traditional) decorations and more for the celebration!

All three Disneyland Resort Hotels get decked out with Christmas trees, and carolers and visits from Santa add to the festive atmosphere!

For instance, at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, you can stop to take a look at their beautiful Christmas display in the lobby. Starting on On November 22nd, you can visit the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa’s Gingerbread Display.

Standing at 7 feet tall and 12 feet wide, this creation is a modern marvel. It was created with over 600 pounds of gingerbread, 600 pounds of powdered sugar, 250 founds of fondant, one pound of pixie dust (which is A LOT in the pixie world), and even has 25 hidden Mickeys for you and your family to find! You can take a full photo tour here!

The special creation (located in the lobby) will be a gingerbread replica of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa with Chip ‘n’ Dale in their pajamas! It’s just like what you’ll see at Mickey’s Holiday Pajama Party Breakfast and Brunch at Storytellers Cafe.

Time for a snack! Here’s what’s on the menu from November 15th through January 5th:

• Gingerbread Cookie
• Christmas Cookie
• Mickey-shaped Poinsettia Cookie
• Holiday Crisped Rice Treat
• Sweet Potato Loaf Treat
• Holiday Cinnamon Bun
• Macaron Box
• Cookie Box
• Eggnog (Also available with Bailey’s Original Irish Cream Liqueur)

You may also find the times for meeting SANTA CLAUS at the Grand Californian posted in the lobby! Check with the front desk to confirm appearance dates.

As of November 19th, you can enjoy Mickey’s Holiday Pajama Party breakfast and brunch at Storytellers Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. This event features holiday-themed meals, seasonal décor, and special characters donning new pajamas!

And Goofy’s Kitchen Celebrates the Holidays! is back at the Disneyland Hotel. 

Disneyland Resort Holiday Treats

Of course, there’s more than just Candy Canes in store… from cookies to cupcakes to cocktails to those famous Disneyland Churros and MORE, we enjoy tasting all of the Season’s Eatings and bringing them to YOU.

You can check out ALL of our reviews from the yuletide season HERE!

We hope you’ll join us here on the DFB as we bring you ALL of the Holiday Cheer that the parks can hold (Hint: It’s A LOT!) throughout the Holiday Season in Disneyland Resort!