By Zach Johnson
There’s snow place like Disneyland Resort during the holiday season! And from November 11, 2022, through January 8, 2023, The Happiest Place on Earth will once again transform into The Merriest Place on Earth, helping to spread joy all season long!
In Disney California Adventure park, holiday décor will shine bright, with a 50-foot-tall Christmas tree on Buena Vista Street and automotive holiday embellishment in Cars Land. Plus, the nighttime spectacular “World of Color – Season of Light” will fuse nostalgic holiday music with memorable moments from beloved Disney animated films.
Disney Festival of Holidays will once again highlight a diverse season of celebrations, including Christmas/Navidad, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day. Festival marketplaces across the park will serve a hand-crafted menu. The Sip and Savor Pass* will also be available for select food and non-alcoholic beverages at participating marketplaces and dining locations. Throughout the festival, guests can also enjoy nightly holiday concerts at the Palisades Stage in Paradise Gardens Park. Speaking of Paradise Gardens Park, Mirabel from Encanto will greet guests in the area!
This year’s entertainment lineup will include “Mickey’s Happy Holidays,” a procession of Disney and Pixar characters dancing and marching along to the rhythms of the Holiday Toy Drummers. The “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” street party will feature Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in festive attire, accompanied by Mexican folklórico dancers and Mariachis, Brazilian samba dancers, percussionists, and giant mojiganga puppets.
The yuletide spirit will shift into high gear in Cars Land with two fan-favorite seasonal attraction transformations: Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree. And for guests tracking Santa Claus, he’ll greet them at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail!
The holiday fun doesn’t end there. Disneyland park will once again be adorned with festive holiday décor, including the iconic 60-foot-tall Christmas tree on Main Street, U.S.A. In Town Square, guests should look out for Disney characters wearing their holiday finest—including a few brand-new outfits! And, of course, Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle will enchant from day to night with sparkling icicles and twinkling lights.
Anna, Elsa, and Olaf from Frozen—along with Mickey, Minnie, Santa, and many other friends—will celebrate the season in “A Christmas Fantasy” parade, a daily musical procession of floats, marching toy soldiers, dancing gingerbread cookies, and more.
In the evenings, the festivities will continue with the “Believe… in Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular, which features magical “snowfall” and colorful projections on Main Street, U.S.A., and the façade of “it’s a small world.” Goofy, Pluto, Chip ‘n’ Dale, and other characters will appear during nightly holiday dance parties at the Tomorrowland Terrace.
Two Disneyland attractions will bring back fan-favorite seasonal transformations. “it’s a small world” Holiday will take guests around the world as dolls and toys representing children enjoy the distinctive holiday traditions of their respective countries. Over in New Orleans Square, Jack Skellington and his friends will cause a collision between Christmas and Halloween when Haunted Mansion becomes Haunted Mansion Holiday!
In the Downtown Disney District, discover dazzling décor, photo opportunities, festive musical entertainment, and special offerings from shops and restaurants. With a breadth of boutiques to explore, Downtown Disney District will be an ideal destination for guests to find holiday gifts for the whole family! Plus, all three Disneyland Resort hotels will showcase themed Christmas trees and feature performances from convivial carolers and visits from Santa Claus. The Disneyland Resort culinary team will also display its annual gingerbread house display at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
Of course, guests can make their holiday visits even more magical this year with convenient and time-saving tools in the Disneyland app.* The Disney Genie and Disney Genie+ services can help plan and maximize guests’ days. Food and beverage items from select quick-service dining locations can be ordered ahead of time with Mobile Order, and guests can save time at select shops with Merchandise Mobile Checkout.
*The Disney Festival of Holidays Sip and Savor Pass will expire on January 8, 2023. It will not be valid at any other event or at any other time. Passes are nonrefundable, subject to restrictions, and not valid for theme park admission. Both valid theme park admission and park reservation required for park entry.
**Message, data, and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations, and features may vary by handset or service provider. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.
