The holidays are officially here! Starting today, the joyous holiday season is back at the Disneyland Resort. Now through Jan. 9, 2022, enjoy a holiday experience like only Disney can do. Disneyland park, Disney California Adventure park, the Downtown Disney District and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort are full of festive fun for everyone! Beloved family holiday traditions and diverse cultural festivities return, and there are plenty of exciting new elements to enjoy, too!
Read on and get ready to experience the most magical time of the year!
Disneyland Park
A few weeks ago, we gave you a first look at Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, in their all-new holiday attire they are wearing in Disneyland park this season. But they’re not the only ones who are sporting new, festive styles! Goofy, Chip and Dale, Pluto, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Clarabelle Cow are also dressed for wintertime fun! You may catch a glimpse of them all cozy and warm in these stylish new looks around Town Square in Disneyland Park.
As you head towards the picture-perfect, holiday-filled Main Street, U.S.A., you’ll be in awe by the stunning 60-foot-tall Christmas tree, which is decorated with nearly 1,800 ornaments. Before you make your way to the enchanting Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, which is decked out in lights, icicles, wreaths and festive décor, be sure to stop in the all-new, year-round holiday store, Plaza Point!
We’re thrilled to be able to welcome back our first parade for all guests since reopening, as “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade steps onto the parade route once again! This merry musical celebration is filled with beloved Disney characters, prancing reindeer, marching toy soldiers, dancing gingerbread cookies, Anna, Elsa and Olaf from “Frozen,” Santa Claus waving from his sleigh and so much more holiday merriment.
Additionally, “Believe… In Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular also returns this year! This heartwarming show is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit, which features magical “snowfall,” colorful projections on Main Street, U.S.A. and on the façade of “it’s a small world” Holiday.
Plus, popular seasonal transformations once again take over beloved attractions, resonating holiday cheer at Disneyland park.
Disney California Adventure Park
Over at Disney California Adventure park, Disney Festival of Holidays is back! You’ll once again discover the sights, sounds and tastes of a diverse season of celebrations, including Christmas/Navidad, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day.
The festivities include tons of live entertainment, shopping for themed merchandise and feasting on culinary delights at eight Festive Food Marketplaces. Check out the Foodie Guide to Disney Festival of Holidays to discover all the delicious offerings you’ll want to try!
The celebration comes alive with “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” as Disney characters host a fun street party along with Mexican folklórico dancers and Mariachis, Brazilian samba dancers and percussionists, giant mojiganga puppets and Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in their fiesta best.
And we’re excited to add new fun to the holiday celebration this year, with special appearances by Mirabel from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ all-new musical comedy, “Encanto,” inspired by the people and cultures of Colombia. This joyful, limited-time experience brings a new cultural perspective to the immersive “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” festivities at Disney Festival of Holidays, with live entertainment, interactive photo opportunities, and the young hero from the film, which opens only in theaters Nov. 24.
But that’s not all – there’s even more festive entertainment to discover at Disney Festival of Holidays. New to the lineup this year are The Mistletoes – an a cappella ensemble celebrating an R&B Christmas and the spirit of Kwanzaa, who perform classic holiday songs with rhythm and soul at the Pacific Wharf Stage and the Palisades Stage.
The Mistletoes join additional returning favorite entertainment, including Mostly Kosher, Blue13 Dance Company, Mariachi Divas, The Suffragettes, Phat Cat Swinger, and more!
“Mickey’s Happy Holidays” presents a cheerful seasonal celebration with Mickey Mouse and friends as they travel through the heart of Disney California Adventure park. Join in the fun with Disney and Pixar characters dancing and marching along to the high-energy music and merry rhythms of the Holiday Toy Drummers, twice daily.
Cars Land is decked out for the holidays, too! The four-wheeled residents of Radiator Springs pull out all the stops with their holiday décor. The yuletide spirit shifts into high gear with lots of cleverly themed automotive ornamentation all along Route 66. Plus, two favorite attractions transform for the holidays: Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree.
Believe it or not, this is just some of what you can experience during the holidays at the theme parks. There’s also tons of great holiday merchandise, festive foods galore (also check out this Foodie Guide to the Holidays at Disneyland Resort), and additional magic to discover around every corner.
Even in the Downtown Disney District, you’ll find festive décor, unique holiday shopping, dining and entertainment. Plus, the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort also join in the yuletide celebration with towering trees with twinkling lights, holiday displays, carolers and seasonal eats and treats.
Now who’s ready to dive right into the holiday spirit with me? Let the seasonal fun begin at the Merriest Place on Earth!
Are you ready to plan your holiday season at Disneyland? Here at the Kingdom Insider we have plenty of resources for you just a click away! We have an incredible team of dedicated Disney experts and Travel Planners at Academy Travel who are ready to help you plan out every detail of your vacation so you don’t have to worry!
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