Thursday, November 06, 2025

Disneyland keeps Santa and Mickey busy during Christmas season

Santa Claus and Mickey Mouse will be busy at the Disneyland resort this Christmas season as the famous elf and mouse make the rounds between the theme parks and Disney hotels amid a returning lineup of familiar holiday parades, fireworks and live music.

The winter holiday season returns to Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, Pixar Place Hotel and Downtown Disney from Nov. 14 through Jan. 7.

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A Christmas Fantasy parade and the “Believe in Holiday Magic” fireworks show return to Disneyland for the holiday season while the Viva Navidad Street Party and Disney’s Festival of the Holidays will be back again at Disney California Adventure.

Haunted Mansion and It’s a Small World in Disneyland and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and Luigi’s Rollickin Roadsters in DCA will once again return to holiday overlay mode.

"The Story Time with Deadpool Holiday Special" show returns to Disney California Adventure during the Christmas holiday season. (Courtesy of Disneyland)
“The Story Time with Deadpool Holiday Special” show returns to Disney California Adventure during the Christmas holiday season. (Courtesy of Disneyland)

“The Story Time with Deadpool Holiday Special” in the Hyperion Theater queue area near Avengers Campus will return with appearances by Santa Deadpool and his frenemy Wolverine.

Holiday decor will fill the resort with a 60-foot-tall Christmas tree on Main Street U.S.A., massive gingerbread houses at all three Disney hotels and seasonal decor throughout the parks and Downtown Disney.

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The Storytellers Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel will offer two new character dining experiences: Daisy’s Holiday Pajama Party for breakfast and brunch and Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast at dinner.

DCA’s Festival of the Holidays food festival returns with a new menu lineup. A six-item Sip and Savor Pass will once again be available.

"it's a small world" Holiday inside Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 11, 2022. This is the 25th year the ride has had a holiday overlay. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“it’s a small world” Holiday inside Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 11, 2022. This is the 25th year the ride has had a holiday overlay. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A pair of holiday shows themed to Coco and Encanto that debuted last year will be back again in Disney California Adventure.

“Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season” in DCA’s Paradise Gardens will feature songs and characters from Disney’s 2021 “Encanto” musical comedy animated film.

“A Musical Christmas” starring Miguel from Pixar’s 2017 “Coco” will feature music by Mariachi Alegria on DCA’s Buena Vista Street.

Main Street U.S.A. is lit up for the holidays during Disney Merriest Nites at Disneyland in Anaheim in 2021. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Main Street U.S.A. is lit up for the holidays during Disney Merriest Nites at Disneyland in Anaheim in 2021. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Disneyland’s Fantasyland Theatre will host craft-making, sing-alongs and photo opportunities with characters in seasonal costumes.

Holiday Toy Drummers will march along DCA’s parade route in “Mickey’s Happy Holidays.”

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The Downtown Disney Live stage in the outdoor mall next to the parks will have live music and nightly “snoap” snowfall.

Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail will return to Downtown Disney. Treasure hunt maps and stickers will be sold for $12 at select shops in Downtown Disney and the Disney hotels. Completed maps can be redeemed for a collectible holiday keepsake.

Mickey and Minnie will sport new shimmering red, green and gold outfits at Disneyland during the Christmas holiday season. (Courtesy of Disneyland)
Mickey and Minnie will sport new shimmering red, green and gold outfits at Disneyland during the Christmas holiday season. (Courtesy of Disneyland)

Mickey and Minnie will sport new shimmering red, green and gold outfits in the parks that offer a “holiday spin” on their 70th anniversary attire.

Mickey and Minnie will don Victorian era costumes for the Charles Dickens-inspired feast in the Storytellers Cafe at the Grand Californian. Scrooge McDuck and a ghostly Goofy will also be on hand.

Santa Claus will be a busy elf as he makes the rounds at Disneyland’s Fantasyland Theatre, DCA’s Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, Pixar Place Hotel and Disneyland Hotel. Holiday carolers will also visit Disney’s three hotels.

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The Broken Spell Lounge in the Disneyland Hotel will offer holiday-themed drink specials paired with live jazz music on select nights.

Disneyland’s ongoing 70th anniversary celebration means “World of Color Happiness” will continue to play on DCA’s Paradise Bay this holiday season instead of the traditional “World of Color — Season of Light” water show. The 70th anniversary “Tapestry of Happiness” projection show will also continue to play throughout the holidays on the It’s a Small World facade.

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