The Christmas holidays at Disney World are truly magical! The parks transform into a winter wonderland filled with festive decorations, seasonal treats, and holiday music that makes everything extra magical.
Of course, Christmas at Disney World is busy. Expect crowds, longer wait times, and packed evenings—especially Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s. But don’t stress. With a few simple planning tips, you can enjoy the magic and stay ahead of the rush.
Whether you’re planning a trip in 2025 or looking ahead, the holidays at Disney World are truly unforgettable and one of those bucket-list experiences that feel straight out of a holiday movie. This post is updated yearly!
The holidays at Disney World are special! Every square inch of the parks, resorts, and Disney Springs is transformed. This year, the celebration begins at the start of November and continues through New Year’s Day. Highlights include the Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios, EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom.
Holidays at Disney World – FAQ
Christmas at Disney is the most popular time of the year. Millions of people visit, and planning your trip can feel overwhelming. We’ll dive into important details and dates below, but here’s a summary of the most frequently asked questions. Be sure to scroll through all of Disney planning posts for our favorite food, ways to save money, and more!
When Does Disney World Decorate For Christmas?
- The festivities kick off this year on November 14th, 2025. Expect Disney World to begin decorating for Christmas on this date, with completion at all four parks and resorts by the end of the month. Magic Kingdom decorations typically start even earlier!
Is Disney World Open On Christmas Day?
- It sure is! Check out the Disney park calendar for updated opening and closing times for each park!
What Time Are The Fireworks at Magic Kingdom
- Disney has confirmed changes to this year’s holiday fireworks schedule. Here’s what we know:
- Now through December 20th: Happily Ever After Fireworks at 9:00 PM (for ALL guests – excluding MVMCP nights)
- November 7th – December 21st: Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks at 10:00 PM (limited to MVMCP guests)
- December 22nd – December 29th: Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks at 8:30 PM (for ALL Magic Kingdom guests)
- December 30th and December 31st: Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks (for ALL Magic Kingdom guests)
- January 1st, 2026: Happily Ever After returns at 9:00 PM for all!
How Busy Is Disney World at Christmas?
- It’s the busiest time of year, but don’t let the crowds deter you! It’s also the most magical and merriest time to go!
If you are curious about the weather, crowd levels, and other logistics this time of year, refer back to our December post.
 | Matching Family Disney Shirts Disney Family Matching Sweatshirts | Long Sleeve | Loose Fit For Mom, Dad, and Kids |
Magic Kingdom Holiday Happenings
There’s nothing quite like Magic Kingdom at Christmas! From the moment you set foot on Main Street USA, you are immersed in the magic of Christmas!
- Jungle Cruise gets a Christmas makeover and is transformed into the Jingle Cruise, decked out in holiday decor!
- Cinderella Castle will display very merry projections with special Frozen guests, Main Street is gussied up with trimmings, and several of the rides get a dash of the Christmas spirit with Yuletide overlays (like the fan-favorite “Jingle Cruise!”)
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (Dates: November 7th to December 21st, 2025 ) – The aptly named “holly, jolly event” is returning this year! Celebrate the most magical time of year at The Most Magical Place on Earth! Enjoy unlimited cookies and hot chocolate, photo opportunities with characters dressed in their finest holiday attire, a festive parade, and a fireworks display.
Christmas at EPCOT
Throughout the World Showcase, enjoy festive performances and storytellers sharing their country’s traditions. There will also be an overlay at EPCOT’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind with holly jolly tunes! Other attractions will also receive holiday makeovers, such as Living with the Land.
- EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays ( Dates: November 28th to December 30th, 2025 ) – Located throughout EPCOT’s World Showcase, guests can get extra festive by learning (and enjoying!) how other cultures celebrate the holidays! Enjoy savory and sweet treats, storytelling from special visitors, and the ever-popular Candlelight Processional.
- Candlelight Processional (Dates: November 28th to December 30th, 2025 ) – Every night, a celebrity narrator, along with a 50-piece live orchestra and choir, visits the World Showcase to retell the biblical story of Christmas. This event is performed at three different times: 5:00 PM, 6:45 PM, and 8:15 PM. As a huge fan favorite, plan to arrive early or consider booking a dining package to secure a prime spot!
 | Disney Loungefly Shoulder Bag Loungefly Disney Minnie Mouse Shoulder Bag Purse | Front Zipper Pocket | Adjustable Shoulder Straps |
Hollywood Studios Holiday Happenings
Holidays happenings start on November 14th and run through December 30, 2025, at Hollywood studios. Characters make an appearance around the park in holiday attire, and there are several shows and events to get you in the Christmas spirit!
- Sunset Seasons Greetings returns as The Hollywood Tower Hotel is transformed nightly with holiday projections. It’s AMAZING! , and turns the spooky hotel into a merry image!
- Keep your eye out for Santa Claus, as he is often spotted riding down Hollywood Boulevard in his red convertible. Disney characters will also get into the holiday spirit, like Andy’s toys in Toy Story Land and everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf, who gives a special cheery finale at the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration.
- If you want to have a merriful meal, try Minnie’s Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine! Characters don their Christmas outfits, seasonal tunes are played, and the restaurant features a special Yuletide menu. As always, we recommend making a reservation, as this is a popular dining location during the holidays.
Holiday Happenings at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom parks transform during the holiday season, which runs from November 14th through December 30, 2025. With festive Tree of Life awakenings at night and Merry Menagerie appearance on Discovery Island, the holiday spirit is all around the park!
- Animal Kingdom brings the merriness with winter white decorations and glowing luminaries throughout the park. Guests can also meet Santa Claus at the 75th Annual Dino Institute Holiday Party located on the patio at Restaurantosaurus! At night, The Tree of Life’s Awakenings projection show gets a makeover with a shimmering holiday edition.
- Be sure to include the Merry Menagerie in your itinerary! This charming event features beautiful artisan puppets of arctic critters strolling throughout Discovery Island. Check the My Disney Experience app, pick up a Times Guide, or ask a Cast Member for the exact times.
Christmas at Disney Springs
It is a holiday party at Disney Springs during Christmastime! Festivities include live performances, DJs spinning merry tracks, toy soldiers on slits, and snowflake skaters. It even SNOWS in the evenings! Plus, guests can meet Santa at Pin Trader’s and send letters to Santa at Once Upon a Toy.
- The ever-popular Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll is returning this year from November 13th, 2025, through January 4th, 2026! Pick up a map and look for the incredibly themed Christmas trees throughout the different areas of Disney Springs. Once you spot one, be sure to mark it on your map with a coordinating sticker. Once completed, head to the redemption location for your free reward! Click here for updates on map locations.
- The overlays don’t stop at the parks! Head to Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar to see its transformation and indulge in the holiday menu. Other Disney Springs restaurants will also feature specialty items and decor.
Holidays at Disney World Resorts
One of our favorite (and free!) holiday traditions is strolling the Walt Disney World Resort hotels to marvel at their impressive decorations. You’ll find grand holiday trimmings, incredible Christmas trees, gingerbread creations, ornaments, bows, ribbons—you name it!
- Don’t forget about Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin! Santa claimed it as his “favorite resort” last year, and they even had the world’s LARGEST chocolate Santa!
- Head off the beaten path to Fort Wilderness Campgrounds to find incredible Disney World Christmas decorations designed by GUESTS! Campers put on quite the holiday spectacle with decorated golf carts, RVs, and campsites. While you are there, stop by Tri-Circle-D Ranch and visit the horse stables!
Important! As Disney World continues to crack down on parking at Disney resorts, you may experience issues getting in. We have a dedicated post to parking around Disney property, which we keep updated as Disney changes its rules.
 | Disney Must Have | Portable Charger Portable Charger | Small Power Bank | Fast Charging Battery Pack | Compatible with iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Android |
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
The holiday spirit reaches its climax at Disney World on Christmas Eve and Day! Anticipate longer park hours at all four theme parks, along with longer wait times and, of course, elevated crowds. In my experience, though, everyone is in such a cheerful spirit that the crowds won’t dampen your mood.
- Because these are such popular days, it isn’t uncommon for parks to reach their capacity early in the day. Remember this as you plan your daily itinerary, especially if you’re hopping to other parks. When I was a Cast Member, I always directed guests to EPCOT on these days as it has the highest capacity threshold. Please note that the Magic Kingdom will be the most crowded at this time.
- If you are not attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, visitors can often see Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade during the last week of December, including Christmas Day. In years past, the parade would perform at noon and 3:00 PM.
- Look for specialty food items at both the theme parks and resorts that will only be served on Christmas!
Remember back in our November post, when we discussed how Disney films the Disney Parks’ Magical Christmas Day Parade during that month? Viewers can watch the parade on ABC, which will air on Christmas Day. This is a yearly tradition in our household, and it’s a fun way to celebrate Christmas!
| Disney Must Have | Portable Charger Portable Charger | Small Power Bank | Fast Charging Battery Pack | Compatible with iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Android |
New Year’s Eve at Disney World
No doubt about it, the holidays at Disney World are crowded! The busiest time of the month, hands down, is New Year’s. However, this is one of my all-time favorite holidays to celebrate at Walt Disney World! Yes, it is crowded, and yes, it is more expensive, but there is nothing like ringing in the New Year at The Most Magical Place on Earth!
- Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios will all have celebrations to count down the New Year. Be on the lookout for special NYE menus from restaurants at various properties and hotels. Disney Springs will also be celebratory with food carts serving drinks and small bites.
- Fantasy in the Sky, a special fireworks show exclusive to New Year’s Eve, will be displayed for all Magic Kingdom guests on December 30th and 31st, and Happily Ever After returns on January 1st, 2026.
- Be aware that Epcot can get a little wild with the alcoholic drinks flowing, while Magic Kingdom keeps it more PG. If you have littles and are concerned, plan to head to the latter. That being said, EPCOT on New Year’s Eve is the most fun for “Disney Adults” or older kids! Be prepared to encounter people everywhere throughout the day! The goal is to ring in the New Year at the park, so they won’t be heading back to their hotels beforehand.
Can’t attend but want to still ring in the New Year Disney-style? Try watching Magic Kingdom’s “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks display via Disney’s YouTube channel! This is a tradition in our household, and it has become one of our favorite parts of the holiday season.
The holidays at Disney World are an unforgettable experience! I wish you the most magical time!!
Leave a Reply