Complete Guide to Holidays at Disneyland 2024

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The Halloween decorations are packed away and the holiday decor was just unveiled at the Happiest Place on Earth. As much as I adore Halloween Time at Disneyland, the Christmas and winter holiday season is perhaps even more magical. My family has been able to make many trips to experience the Disneyland Holidays over the years, and I just go back from Disneyland again to experience the launch of the 2024 celebration.

So, what does Disneyland have in store to close out 2024? There are a ton of returning holiday favorites along with new food offerings, merchandise, and entertainment. This year is the first time in a very long time (ever?) that Disneyland has launched a new attraction the same time the holiday season kicked off (welcome, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure!).

Keep reading to find out what you need to know before you go to Disneyland during the holiday season in November and December 2024 and during the first week of January 2025.

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When are the Holidays at Disneyland in 2024?

The Disneyland holiday season in 2024 officially runs from November 15, 2025 to January 6, 2025. 

Note that in previous years, the season tended to kick off in time for the Veterans Day holiday weekend in early November. That was not the case this year, but it’s possible Disney will return to the earlier launch date in 2025. That said, guests who visited in early November got to experience plenty of holiday fun, as many of the decorations always go up even before the official opening date of the holidays at Disneyland. In fact, the snow on the castle always shows up before Halloween!

While many of the offerings in 2024 during the holiday season are familiar favorites from previous years, remember that Disneyland has made a lot of major permanent changes since its reopening. See my guide and tips for how to do Disneyland differently in 2024-2025 so you are prepared for the logistics of the parks more generally.

Holiday Ride Overlays in Disneyland & California Adventure

If you are all about the rides when you go to Disney parks (like me!), Disneyland has four special ride overlays for the holiday season. The two in Disneyland park are more epic and immersive, but don’t overlook the cuteness of the other two in California Adventure.

The holiday attraction offerings are:

Haunted Mansion Holiday

Jack Skellington and his Nightmare Before Christmas pals take over the Mansion with their version of Halloween and Christmas mixed together. Haunted Mansion Holiday is a continuation of the overlay already in place from the Halloween season, so it’s already ready for early November visitors with no interruption between seasons. In 2024, it got an even earlier opening in the summer thanks to construction in New Orleans Square.

If you want to ride this attraction in 2024, you need to do a little something different this year. While Haunted Mansion Holiday is usually a ride that has a standby line and a Lightning Lane, neither are operational right now. Instead, the ride is using a virtual queue only.

The virtual queue has two “drops” daily when guests can request a spot in the queue to ride – at 7:00am and noon daily. Spots are usually gone pretty instantaneously so it’s vital to be on the app at the second the queue opens and click quickly. Guests are given a boarding group and notified in the app when that boarding group is called (with a 1 hour window to return to the ride). Note also that Disneyland won’t allow guests to hold more than one virtual queue spot at a time. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is also using a virtual queue, so you’ll need to prioritize and time things carefully!

“it’s a small world” Holiday

Outside, the facade of this classic Disney ride is decorated with thousands of twinkling lights that are breathtaking at night. Inside, Christmas lights and decorations adorn every room and the children sing Christmas carols in a medley with the traditional “it’s a small world” song. In my opinion, the holiday version is better than the original! Be sure not to miss the projections and musical shows that run about every half hour on the facade at night (check the showtimes guides in the Disneyland app for exact times).

“it’s a small world” Holiday is one of the attractions available with Lightning Lane Multi Pass (formerly known as Disney Genie+). This service is an excellent option to cut the line which is very necessary during the middle of the day and on busier park days. Early morning visitors on lower crowd days, however, should be able to get on with minimal waits. But this ride is definitely much more popular during the holidays with the overlay (especially after dark!), so expect crowd patterns to be very different than they are for the standard version of the ride the rest of the year.

Mater’s Jingle Jamboree & Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl

Over in California Adventure, there are a few more ride overlays as well. In Cars Land, two rides have gotten holiday transformations. Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree is now Mater’s Jingle Jamboree and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters turns into Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl.

These overlays are nowhere near as extensive as the ones in Disneyland and mostly just feature some decor and holiday music to help set the seasonal mood. But these are especially great attractions for toddlers and preschoolers at Disneyland with often very reasonable lines in the always amazing setting of a decorated Cars Land. So I highly recommend them!

Related: Best Rides in Disney California Adventure Park for Toddlers & Preschoolers

Holiday Shows, Parades, & Fireworks

Disneyland’s holiday entertainment offerings include several of the classics that have been going strong at Disneyland for years, as well as several new offerings in 2024.

Returning is “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade which runs in the daytime in Disneyland park – usually twice daily. Characters like Goofy, Pluto, Anna & Elsa, Buzz & Woody, and several Disney princesses and princes ride on the holiday-themed floats, capped off with Santa himself closing the parade. The parade is always popular, so plan to camp out at least a half hour or more for prime seating on its route from it’s a small world to Town Square at the end of Main Street U.S.A. The reverse route is used for the second showing – ask cast members for details on the route for the showing you plan to see.

(If you really want to make sure you snag a prime parade viewing spot, guests can splurge on a Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort Guided Tour for reserved viewing. This 2 hour tour also includes holiday treats, a cut-the-line ride on it’s a small world Holiday, and inside information about the holidays all over the resort for $120 extra per person.)

After the sun goes down, the Believe… in Holiday Magic fireworks show is another can’t-miss. Projections appear on the castle and Main Street U.S.A. set to nostalgic holiday tunes, and it all ends with a magical snowfall. Who said there’s no such thing as winter weather to California? The fireworks are currently scheduled to be offered daily during the 2024 holiday season instead of only on weekends as is sometimes the case with Disneyland’s fireworks shows.

Over in California Adventure is ¡Viva Navidad! – part parade and part street festival that is part of an DCA’s Festival of the Holidays (more on that below). I have now gotten to see ¡Viva Navidad! many times the last few years and it always exceeds my every expectation. The show is led by the Three Caballeros and features Mexican and Brazilian dancers and music. Unfortunately in 2024, this performance is only scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays instead of daily.

Disneyland has, however, added two new performances to the lineup in 2024 in California Adventure to fill the gap. On Mondays through Fridays in the evening, look for “A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel!” The bilingual show features mariachi performers and dancers as well as Miguel from Coco. Also available on weekdays during the daytime is “Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season.” Held over by Goofy’s Sky School, this show features the characters from Encanto. I was able to see both shows on their first operational day and I personally would prioritize seeing the first show which had a more infectious and authentic vibe and generally better viewability.

The other nighttime spectacular – World of Color – Season of Light is back again in 2024 in California Adventure. This evening show uses water and projections to light up Pixar Pier and features holiday music and favorite Disney animated classics. Disneyland has a virtual queue for many of the viewing areas of this show (that does not affect eligibility for other virtual queues), so be sure to request that in the app at noon daily.

Finally, California Adventure also hosts “Mickey’s Happy Holidays.” This show is a procession of dancing Disney and Pixar characters marching with the Holiday Toy Drummers. Check the app for showtimes.

Festival of Holidays

The debut of Festival of Holidays in 2016 was a resounding success, resulting in a major expansion the past few years. It’s back in 2024 and just as big as ever over in Disney California Adventure park.

Festival of Holidays celebrates diverse cultures from around the world, with musical performances, crafts, dancing, and FOOD – lots of it. Expect to see nods to Christmas, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day. The concert schedule is robust so be sure to check the times guide or the Disneyland app to see when shows will take place.

The other the big draw for this festival is the food. Fans of food festivals like Disneyland’s Food and Wine Festival or the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival will enjoy a holiday spin on that same tradition: the Festival Foods Marketplace.

The marketplace features about a dozen booths with holiday treats and drinks. During the winter months, Disney usually experiments with a lot of comfort foods in addition to treats, making for a lot of good eating!

Disney mixes up the menu a bit every year, so look out for the 2024 foodie guide to the Festival of Holidays on the Disney Parks Blog for the complete offerings. I tried six dishes when I visited at the start of the holiday season and my favorites were the Holiday Mash Bowl at Merry Mashups (across from Avengers Campus entrance) and the Mickey shaped Sticky Toffee Pudding Macaron at Favorite Things (by Monsters Inc.).

While visitors can certainly order the food items a la carte, I am a big fan of the “Sip and Savor” pass. Historically, this offering was only available to Magic Keyholders, but it expanded to all guests a few years ago.

The Sip and Savor pass comes with either 4 or 8 tickets for any of the food, dessert, or non-alcoholic drink options at the Festival Food Marketplaces. It’s a great way to taste a wide variety of foods while saving money. (Pricing for 2024 is $61 for all guests or $56 for Magic Keyholders for the 8-item pass or $31 for a 4-item pass).

Photos with Santa

What holiday outing is complete without a chance to see the big man himself?

This year, Santa is in more places than ever all over Disneyland Resort. New in 2024 is “Holiday Fun with Santa and Friends!” at the Fantasyland Theatre, a larger-scale celebration featuring Santa that is reminiscent of the celebrations that used to take place in the now-closed Big Thunder Ranch many years ago.

Santa will also be available in DCA for his usual photo opps in Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in Disney California Adventure park this year through December 24 (and Santa Goofy will take over after Christmas until the end of the season). You can be sure to find Photopass photographers at this location to get everyone in the holiday shot.

He’s also available in at the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel, and Pixar Place Hotel, so there are multiple options depending on your touring plans.

Holiday Decorations

A huge part of the magic of the holidays at Disneyland is the decor. In Disneyland park, the most unique decor and my personal favorite undoubtedly goes to the Mardi Gras colors and themed Christmas decor in New Orleans Square.

Always a favorite is the giant tree near the park entrance on Main Street, U.S.A. and the hub decorated in holiday colors. Finally, Sleeping Beauty castle decorated with a winter snow overlay that lights up at night is a spectacle to behold.

Over in Disney California Adventure, Buena Vista Street and Carthay Circle get festive. But the crown jewel is in California Adventure in Cars Land. Neon and holiday lights combine for true holiday awe at night. Plus, the tire themed wreaths and decorations add a whimsical flair in keeping with the movie’s endearing and pun-tastic sense of humor.

Tips & Tricks for the Holidays at Disneyland

If you are planning a visit to Disneyland during the holiday season, here are a few additional tips to make the most of your visit.

1. Prepare for crowds: The Holiday season at Disneyland is always popular, so plan accordingly. If you are expecting to go on a crowded day (which will be most days other than a few days in early December), read up on my best line Disneyland avoidance tips and on things to do on a crowded Disneyland day. And seriously consider budgeting extra for Lightning Lane Multi Pass which will surely help with lines (see my advanced Lightning Lane tips). Indeed, I think it’s essential if you plan to visit the week between Christmas and New Year’s, along with a smart strategy for using it.

2. Don’t pay full price for your tickets: This tip is true all year round, but who couldn’t particularly use a little extra cash in your pocket around the holidays? The bottom line is that I don’t recommend buying your tickets from Disney. Why? You’ll pay full price! I have a partnership with the largest seller of Disneyland vacations, Get Away Today, where you can buy any multi-day tickets or Disneyland vacation packages at a discount – and usually there are some pretty good discounts around the end of the year, especially on Black Friday (and in 2024, there is also a buy 2 days, get 1 free ticket for Disney+ subscribers for visits November 18 – December 27, 2024). Use promo code TYKES10 for an extra $10 off all package stays of 2 nights or more.

3. Maximize Photopass: There are so many photo opportunities during the holidays. If there is ever a time to spring for Photopass, this is it! (Photopass is included in the cost of Lightning Lane Multi Pass) Some of the best spots for photos include: Cars Land sign, in front of Sleeping Beauty Winter Castle, in front of its a small world holiday, by the tree on Main Street USA in Disneyland, and anywhere you see a holiday costumed character.

4. Make time for shopping: The merchandise at Disney is always pretty amazing, but Disney goes all out for holidays and special events. You can always find some special holiday gifts for Disney fans on your list. World of Disney in Downtown Disney is always one of the best places to go to shop. I recommend doing this on your arrival or departure day when you don’t have a park ticket to maximize your time in the parks. And when you are in Disneyland park, be sure to check out the Plaza Point Holiday Shoppe at the end of Main Street USA that features holiday items year round.

5. Treat yourself: And it goes without saying that you’ll be tempted by at least a few of the holiday treats. The Festival of Holidays Festive Food Marketplaces are teeming with options, but there are more choices all over the parks in nearly every restaurant. It’s so much there is no way to even sample a fraction of it, so scope out the menus in advance and a pick a few favorites to target.

6. Don’t forget the hotels and Downtown Disney: Last but certainly not least, it’s not only the parks that get a holiday makeover during the holiday season. Downtown Disney has festive decor and the hotels really go all out too. The tree and gingerbread house in the lobby of the Grand Californian are always a sight to behold. The hotel also has a pop up sweet shop with additional holiday goodies. Both the Disneyland Hotel and the Pixar Place Hotel have special decor as well.

Editor’s Note: Disneyland hosted an after hours event, Disney Merriest Nights, in 2021 for a few select evenings in November and December. Note that this event has been permanently retired.

Headed to Walt Disney World for the holiday season? Check out this guide to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party for all the Florida holiday fun.

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