Holidays at Disneyland Resort: What’s New Plus Must-Do Favorites

The holidays have arrived at Disneyland Resort, and this year blends beloved traditions with new entertainment, expanded cultural celebrations, and festive touches from Disneyland’s ongoing 70th Celebration. From shimmering decorations and holiday ride overlays to lively street parties and treats around every corner, here’s what to expect during Holidays at the Disneyland Resort, through Jan. 7, 2026.

Disneyland Park Glows With Classic Holiday Magic

Disneyland Park once again becomes the heart of the holiday celebration, beginning on Main Street, U.S.A. with a sparkling 60-foot Christmas tree and garland-trimmed rooftops. After dark, Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle shimmers with more than 80,000 twinkling lights as “snow” falls along Main Street, U.S.A. and other spots throughout the park.

Fan-favorite holiday traditions return, including “A Christmas Fantasy Parade”, which continues its twice-daily run, and “Believe… in Holiday Magic”, the nighttime fireworks spectacular that pairs projections, pyrotechnics, and snowfall. For an upgraded experience, book the Home for the Holidays Guided Tour, which includes reserved parade viewing.

If you have several nights, or if you’re a big Star Wars fan, for an out-of-this-world perspective of the park’s fireworks, head to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge for “Fire of the Rising Moons,” where the fireworks show is synchronized to the music of Star Wars.

Disneyland Park’s beloved holiday ride overlays return for 2025. “it’s a small world” Holiday returns with its dazzling seasonal overlay. The façade glows with thousands of lights each evening, and the ride’s interior features festive displays celebrating global holiday traditions. The façade also becomes a secondary fireworks viewing location and even gets its own snowfall.   

Meanwhile, in New Orleans Square, Haunted Mansion Holiday, the Nightmare Before Christmas-themed overlay to the classic attraction, returns with a new annual gingerbread house centerpiece.

At Fantasyland Theatre, “Holiday Fun with Santa and Friends!” returns for a second season, offering crafts, entertainment, and meet-and-greets with Santa and pals through Dec. 24.

Disney California Adventure’s Festival of Holidays Expands and Deadpool Dons a Santa Suit

Across the esplanade at Disney California Adventure Park, the holidays take on a lively, multicultural flair.

The resort-wide favorite Disney Festival of Holidays returns with an expanded lineup of multicultural performances, global flavors, and character experiences, celebrating Christmas, Navidad, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day. New foods and drinks join returning favorites, with more than 240 holiday dishes and drinks offered across the resort, including 90 new items.

The entertainment roster expands significantly for 2025. Alongside returning favorites like the “Mickey’s Happy Holidays” cavalcade featuring the Holiday Toy Drummers, rotating cultural performers include Karmagraphy (Bollywood and world dance fusion), Afro-Peruvian Experience, Claudia de la Cruz Flamenco, The Ladies of R&B and Soul, The Mistletoes, Le Ballet Dembaya, and more.

Following successful debuts last year, two shows doubling as street parties are back. “Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season” invites guests to sing along with songs from Encanto, while “A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel” features bilingual renditions of holiday classics with a special appearance by Miguel from Coco.

On Saturdays and Sundays, the exuberant “Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party” brings folklórico dancers, samba performers, mariachis, giant mojiganga puppets, The Three Caballeros, and Mickey and Minnie to Paradise Gardens.

Cars Land also shines in full holiday style, with themed décor along Route 66 and holiday overlays for Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree (Mater’s Jingle Jamboree) and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters (Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl).

Marvel fans should head to Avengers Campus for “The Story Time With Deadpool Holiday Special.” Decked out in his holiday finest, Deadpool puts his signature snarky spin on seasonal storytelling. Check the Disneyland app for showtimes. 

Select entertainment from the Disneyland Resort’s 70th Celebration also continues during the holidays, including nightly showings of World of Color – Happiness! as well as Tapestry of Happiness projections on select evenings.

Holiday Cheer Beyond the Parks: Hotels and Downtown Disney District

At Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, towering lobby décor and the lavish gingerbread house return, along with seasonal performances and the Holiday Cart offering the resort’s famous gingerbread treats and other sweets. Storytellers Café offers Daisy’s Holiday Pajama Party for breakfast and brunch, plus a new character dinner, Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast, through Jan. 6, 2026.

At the Disneyland Hotel, Goofy’s Kitchen Celebrates the Holidays welcomes guests with festive décor and seasonal dishes.

Pixar Place Hotel continues to embrace its new identity with Pixar-themed holiday décor, including 31 themed trees, throughout the lobby and common spaces.

In Downtown Disney, nightly “snow” falls in the west end of the district, which also offers live holiday entertainment and themed treats. Families can participate in Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail, a scavenger hunt with a keepsake prize.

Feast on Festive Flavors

The holidays bring an abundance of seasonal dishes and drinks to both parks. Back this year are guest favorites like the sticky toffee pudding macaron and snickerdoodle cold brew, alongside dozens of new items such as yuletide carnitas torta and Philly cheese potato.

At Disney California Adventure, the Festival of Holidays’ six Festive Food Marketplaces offer a rotating menu of global flavors. For guests who want to taste widely, the Sip and Savor Pass includes six digital coupons redeemable for select dishes and non-alcoholic beverages.