The Happiest Place on Earth will soon be brimming with festive fun and joyful décor, when Holidays at the Disneyland Resort returns Nov. 11, 2022, through Jan. 8, 2023. During this magical time of year, friends and family will make merry memories together with treasured traditions and distinctly Disney experiences, such as seasonal nighttime spectaculars, transformations of favorite attractions, special food and beverages and more.
At Disney California Adventure Park
Returning this year, the nighttime spectacular “World of Color – Season of Light” wraps guests in holiday magic by fusing cherished holiday music with memorable moments from treasured Disney animated films.
Through energetic live entertainment, culinary delights and special traditions, Disney Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure will 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 of delectable foods and beverages. Guests may choose to purchase a Sip and Savor Pass*, which can be shared or used over multiple visits, to taste their way through eight food or non-alcoholic beverage selections from participating marketplaces and dining locations. As part of the festival, guests will also enjoy nightly holiday concerts at the Palisades Stage in Paradise Gardens Park.
The jolly lineup of holiday entertainment continues with “Mickey’s Happy Holidays,” a procession of Disney and Pixar characters dancing and marching along to the upbeat rhythms of the Holiday Toy Drummers. The “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” street party also returns, featuring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse donning festive fiesta attire and accompanied by Mexican folklórico dancers and Mariachis, Brazilian samba dancers and percussionists, and giant mojiganga puppets. Guests can encounter Disney characters in holiday attire and, at Paradise Gardens Park, visit with Mirabel from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto.” Santa Claus will once again take residence at his rustic home in the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.
Disney California Adventure will sparkle with holiday décor throughout, highlighted by a 50-foot-tall Christmas tree in Buena Vista Street and automotive embellishment in Cars Land. The yuletide spirit will shift into high gear with two seasonal attraction transformations: Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree.
At Disneyland Park
Guests will once again share in the merriment of holiday entertainment at Disneyland. Anna, Elsa and Olaf from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “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. Disney characters will greet guests in their finest holiday attire, with some debuting new outfits!
In the evenings, the festivities 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.” Families can also dance along with characters such as Goofy, Pluto, Chip ‘n’ Dale and others during nightly holiday dance parties at the Tomorrowland Terrace.
Two beloved Disneyland attractions return with fan-favorite seasonal transformations. “it’s a small world” Holiday takes guests around the world as dolls and toys representing children enjoy the distinctive holiday traditions of their respective countries. In New Orleans Square, Jack Skellington and his friends cause a collision between Christmas and Halloween to transform the Haunted Mansion into Haunted Mansion Holiday.**
Disneyland will be adorned with festive décor, presenting an array of beautiful locations for holiday photos. As they enter the park, guests will be greeted by the iconic 60-foot-tall Christmas tree. The Plaza Point holiday shop, which offers holiday treasures year-round, will be decorated with garlands, nutcrackers and more. Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle will enchant guests from day to night with shimmering icicles and twinkling lights. The Holiday Time at Disneyland Park guided tour will return, offering a hosted experience of select seasonal offerings and reserved viewing for “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade.***
Holiday magic throughout the Disneyland Resort
All three Hotels of the Disneyland Resort will display beautifully themed Christmas trees, feature performances from convivial carolers and visits from Santa Claus. The Disneyland Resort culinary team is also continuing its annual gingerbread house display at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
At Downtown Disney District, guests will discover dazzling décor and 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.
Guests can make their holiday visits more magical with convenient and time-saving tools in the Disneyland app.**** The Disney Genie and Disney Genie+ services can help guests plan and maximize their day, plus food and beverages from select quick-service dining locations can be ordered ahead of time using mobile order. Guests can also save time at select shops with Merchandise Mobile Checkout.
Clint Gamache is the owner of ThrillGeek. He started ThrillGeek to share his love of theme/amusement parks and pop culture with the world. You can find him at Halloween Horror Nights. Also, be sure to follow him on Twitter @iamcg83