Disney World at Christmas | Questions & Answers

Disney World at Christmas is pure holiday magic. The moment you enter, you’re surrounded by twinkling lights, festive music, and that signature Disney magic that makes you feel like a kid again!

From the breathtaking Christmas tree on Main Street, U.S.A., to festive parades and cocoa under the fireworks, and the charm of Disney resort Christmas decorations, every inch of the parks and resorts is transformed.

Whether you’re planning to spend Christmas Day at Walt Disney World or visit earlier in the season, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate — from the dazzling Disney Christmas Party and events to exclusive holiday treats or Christmas shopping at Disney Springs, holiday magic is all around you.

Disney World at Christmas

What’s new for 2025?

• While not brand new, Disney Jollywood Night returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for its second year! This holiday extravaganza is a separately ticketed event held on select nights from November 8th to December 22nd. Enjoy exclusive entertainment, food offerings, specially-curated holiday beverages, and the return of Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! nighttime spectacular. This year’s event features three new entertainment offerings: Juggling Elves, The Holiday Spirit Band, and Season Jukebox! For more information and to purchase tickets, visit here.
• Frozen Holiday Surprise at Magic Kingdom returns! This is a live show performed by Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and snowgies to celebrate the lighting and decorating of Cinderella Castle. 

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party dates?

• It wouldn’t be Christmas at Disney World without Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a ticketed event at Magic Kingdom during select nights, starting November 7th and ending on December 21st, 2025. With admission, guests are treated to a night of Yuletide shows and dance parties, meet-and-greets with favorite Disney characters in their best holiday outfits, event-exclusive parades and fireworks shows, and unlimited cookies and hot chocolate. And, of course, you can still enjoy the rides and shops! 

When does Disney World decorate for Christmas?

• In years past, festivities at Magic Kingdom began around November 1st, with the park fully decorated within a few days. The decorations at Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios are usually completed by November 6th. Epcot and the resorts are decorated throughout November. The official kick-off date of the Christmas season at Disney World this year is November 14th.
• The Christmas decorations at Magic Kingdom always go up first because of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which starts on November 7th this year (2025). Cast members transform the park into a winter wonderland overnight, and a fantastic video of the process is available to watch here.

When does Disney take down Christmas decorations?

• Typically, Disney takes down Christmas decorations the week following the New Year. Expect all holiday decorations to be removed by Walt Disney World Marathon weekend, which will be hosted next year from January 7 to 11, 2026.

What are the busiest times at Disney World during the holidays?

• Bookmark the week of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. (and for the slowest times at Disney World, click here)

Best time to visit Disney World during the holidays?

• In years past, the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas was considered the slowest time to visit Disney World. The first two weeks of December are especially nice because they are between two holidays. Typically, families decide to go during Thanksgiving or their child’s school winter break. Bonus. The weather is perfect!

Does Disney World have a Christmas parade?

Two Walt Disney World Christmas parades come to mind:

• Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, which takes place during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom, is the most guaranteed way to see a Christmas-themed parade. Showtimes are 8:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
• Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade is filmed in the parks in mid-November. Watch it on Christmas Day on ABC.

Pro tip. If rain is near, no worries! When the weather proves to be too much for the parade floats, the Rainy Day Character Cavalcade is performed instead.

Are there Disney Christmas shows?

Absolutely—Disney knows how to keep you entertained! Though not all of their shows are Christmas-themed, you won’t want to miss out!

• Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks show at Magic Kingdom is part of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, running on select nights from November 7th through December 21st, 2025. Check the current Disney fireworks schedule here or in the My Disney Experience app.
• The Dapper Dans switch it up at Magic Kingdom by singing holiday tunes, and The Main Street Trolley Show becomes Christmas-themed! Additionally, if you attend Magic Kingdom’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, there will be many entertainment and shows throughout the event.
• When visiting EPCOT, check out the storytellers and Candlelight Processional at the International Festival of the Holidays.
• Hollywood Studios’ First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration will feature a special holiday finale from everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf!
• Last, keep your eye out for cavalcades, which are surprise mini-parades. Many have ended, but I expect to see a few pop up around the parks during the holidays!

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Where can we find Santa Claus at Disney World?

Ho, ho, ho! Santa Claus travels to all four theme parks and Disney Springs during the Christmas season at Walt Disney World. You can find him at:

• Breakfast with Santa at Maria & Enzo’s with a dining reservation.
• Gazebo behind Liberty Square’s Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Magic Kingdom.
• Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade at Magic Kingdom.
• EPCOT CommuniCore Hall during the Festival of the Holidays.
• Disney’s Pin Traders at Disney Springs. Join the virtual queue in the My Disney Experience app.
• The 76th Annual Dino Institute Holiday Party at Animal Kingdom’s Restaurantosaurus.

Pro tip. If Santa isn’t available, his buddy Santa Goofy often greets guests. Lastly, if you are staying at the Swan and Dolphin, be sure to visit Santa, as it is his “favorite resort!”

Does it snow during Christmas at Disney World?

• YES, it sure does! Disney is known to bring magic, but who else could make it “snow” in the middle of Florida? Guests can dance in snow flurries at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, the Sunset Seasons Greetings projection show at Hollywood Studios, and the evenings at Disney Springs. If you become snowflake-obsessed and want to spend another day in the Florida “snow,” venture over to the Disney-created community of Celebration and visit their annual event, Now Snowing.

Where can I find gingerbread at Disney World?

You must be talking about Disney’s world-famous gingerbread creations! While this is always subject to change, you can marvel at these masterpieces at these locations:

• The life-size gingerbread house at The Grand Floridian.
• The working gingerbread carousel at The Beach Club Resort.
• Gingerbread lighthouse within the Yacht Club’s lobby.
• The Contemporary features a stunning gingerbread display of Cinderella Castle on its fourth floor.
• Gingerbread African animals are displayed within Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
• Sometimes, the Boardwalk Inn and Wilderness Lodge have gingerbread creations – be on the lookout!
• EPCOT’s American Adventure Gingerbread Display features iconic American monuments (and maybe some EPCOT ones, too!) within the American Adventure Rotunda.

I hope these tips for visiting Disney World at Christmas were helpful. If you have any favorites you’d like to share, please comment below, and we will add them to our list to try on our next trip!