Holiday Entertainment at Disneyland: A Complete Guide (2024)

Immerse yourself in festive magic at Disneyland with this comprehensive guide to all of the holiday entertainment.

No matter the time of year, Disneyland Park is a magical place. Yet, during the holiday season, an extra touch of whimsical cheer and magic is added to the park. Disneyland truly goes all out, transforming into a winter wonderland with countless twinkling lights, Santa Claus riding a float down Main Street U.S.A., and even snow in Southern California.

Here’s how you can experience the joy and enchantment of this holiday season at Disneyland occurring November 10th, 2023 to January 7th, 2024.

Holiday Parades at Disneyland Park

While there’s only one holiday parade at Disneyland each year, it’s a crowd favorite. In fact, this holiday parade holds the title of being longest-running holiday parade in Disneyland Resort history, as it first debuted in 1995. Throughout the years, there have been some changes to which characters are in this parade and the order of the floats, but its original magic still captivates guests. Check it out this year and see if your favorites are still in it!

A Christmas Fantasy Parade

Watch as some of your favorite characters like Mickey, Minnie, Anna, Elsa, Woody, and Buzz join in on a festive parade that winds its ways from Main Street, U.S.A to “it’s a small world” Holiday. These beloved Disney characters are accompanied by adorable holiday characters such as snowmen, reindeer, and even Santa Claus himself!

Performance Times: Catch this 40-minute jolly parade at 3:30 pm or 6:30 pm daily on Main Street.Additional viewing spots can be found near “it’s a small world” Holiday or the Matterhorn Bobsleds.

Holiday Shows and Entertainment at Disneyland Park

To enhance your holiday experience at Disneyland, you’ll want to take your time to walk around and check out all the decorations, lights, and even festive music offered at the park. The holiday events are thoughtfully staggered, so you can be sure to check out everything if you wish, even if you’re just visiting for one day.

Wintertime Enchantment at Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle

Experience the enchantment of the holidays as the Sleeping Beauty’s castle is magically transformed into a winter palace. Decorated with more than 80,000 lights, icicles, and snow-capped turrets, it can make you forget for a split moment that you’re in sunny California.

Performance Times: Be sure to stop by at 7:30 pm or 8:30 pm to watch the castle light up alongside synchronized music plays and snowfall.

“It’s a small world” Holiday Lighting

The “It’s a small world” ride undergoes a festive transformation inside, showcasing holidays from around the world. While all the merriment goes on inside of the ride, the exterior is also equally adorned to welcome the holiday season.

Performance Times: Make sure to stop by at 5:15 pm! The adorably decorated building lights up. Following the holiday lighting, you can watch a light projection show on the building every 30 minutes.

“Believe…In Holiday Magic” Fireworks Spectacular

During the holidays, Disneyland has a special 15-minute-long firework show that takes place nightly (weather permitting). Immediately following the mesmerizing firework show, you can experience snowfall over “it’s a small world” Holiday and Main Street, U.S.A.

Performance Times: Catch this seasonal fireworks spectacular nightly at 9:30 pm, with the snowfall taking place right after the show wraps.

Main Street, U.S.A. Holiday Tree Lighting

As you walk into park, a beautiful 60-foot-tall Christmas tree welcomes you. While it hasn’t been a real tree since 2008, it still is impressive! With so many lights and ornaments, there’s always something captivating to catch your eye.

Performance Times: If you happen to be on Main Street at 5:00 pm, you will get to witness the enchanting moment the tree lights up!

Disney Holiday Dance Party

Kids can enjoy dancing the night away at Tomorrowland Terrace each night alongside their favorite characters, all of whom happen to be dressed up for the holidays!

Performance Times: The party gets underway from 7 to 11 pm.

The Dickens Yuletide Band

Throughout the day and into the evening, you might come across this brass band performing holiday classics on Main Street. This festive holiday band wanders along the avenue multiple times per day, giving guests the chance to catch a performance any time from 1:30 pm on into the evening.

Performance Times: You can listen to The Dickens Yuletide Band at 1:30, 2:15, 3:00, 5:05, 6:05, 7:05, and 8:05 pm nightly.

Learn more about all of the holiday entertainment and magical seasonal offerings at Disneyland Resort from November to January below:

The Best Ways to Celebrate the Holidays at Disneyland Resort

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