Holiday Highlights around Walt Disney World

November – December

A vacation to Walt Disney World is special no matter what time of the year you visit, but it is especially magical during the winter holiday season. All four theme parks, Disney Springs, and even the Resort hotels are dressed up in their holiday best with everything from specially-themed Christmas trees and huge garlands to some of the most beautiful Gingerbread displays you've ever seen.

Below, you'll find information on what's happening all across Walt Disney World during the holiday season!

Santa Claus and reindeer at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World

Holiday Events around Walt Disney World:

Disney Springs
- Christmas Tree Trail
- Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Hangar Bar

Walt Disney World Resorts

Holiday PhotoPass Magic Shots

Holiday Merchandise around the World

New Year's Eve

Holiday Dining around the World

Related Articles:

Christmas at Magic Kingdom

During the holidays, Magic Kingdom is home to 40 festively decorated trees, 147 wreaths and 590 garlands that measure a total of 5,188 feet! Most of the holiday decorations can be found on Main Street, U.S.A. and the Castle hub areas.

On evenings when Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is not being held, Cinderella Castle takes on a festive appearance with special projection effects, providing a colorful backdrop for guests’ photos. Throughout the evening, bursts of holiday magic will transform Cinderella Castle with a rotating series of designs, followed by a stunning transition in which the iconic Magic Kingdom Park landmark will shine as a Beacon of Magic, illuminating the night with an EARidescent glow.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

What happens when you combine one 30,000 pound, 65-foot tree, one 40-foot star, 5500 twinkling lights, 430 feet of garland, 325 ornaments, 275 feet of strung popcorn, 400 flickering candles, 135 candy canes, 100 gingerbread cookies, and the Disney Characters? Why, you have the perfect recipe for Christmas at the Magic Kingdom!

The spectacular tree seems to touch the sky. With delightful oversized toys displayed at it's base, it's an amazing sight. What's that? Is there a hint of gingerbread and cinnamon in the air? No detail is too small when Disney magic is being made. More Info...

Frozen Holiday Surprise

Guests can join in celebrating the new “Frozen Holiday Surprise” as Olaf and more than 100 of his Snowgie siblings decorate Cinderella Castle with festive touches. Appearing live on stage in new holiday looks, Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and Kristoff each bring something unique to the gathering. Festivities culminate as Elsa adds sparkling finishing touches, transforming Cinderella Castle into a shimmering crystallized palace – a look that will remain throughout the evening.

Bringing this spectacle to life is no small feat, as lighting designers, video technicians, composers, and even a full orchestra worked together to create this new holiday magic. Bringing this spectacle to life is no small feat, as lighting designers, video technicians, composers, and even a full orchestra worked together to create this new holiday magic. “Frozen Holiday Surprise” will occur nightly throughout the holiday season.

Gather in front of Cinderella Castle each night at 6:15 PM (and again at 8:15 PM during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party) to watch this dazzling transformation.

Jingle Cruise takes over the Jungle Cruise

During the holiday season, the Jungle Cruise attraction has a new storyline, just for the holidays. The Skippers are homesick, so they've handmade decorations for the queue and boathouse using things that have been mailed to them from home (plus a few they've created themselves). There will be new jokes, new holiday-themed names for the boats and even a holiday-themed radio broadcast playing in the background.

This version of the classic attraction will be open throughout the holiday season.

See Santa Claus

At Magic Kingdom, Santa Claus will glide down Main Street, U.S.A., in his sleigh, led by prancing reindeer.

Special Holiday Food at Magic Kingdom

Information from 2023 is listed for reference purposes. 2024 details will be displayed below once they are officially announced by Walt Disney World.

To see all the items from Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Magic Kingdom Park, check out the Foodie Guide.

Cheshire Café (Available Nov. 9 through Dec. 31; mobile order available)

Peppermint Éclair: Eclair filled with white chocolate peppermint mousse and topped with peppermint mousse and chocolate pieces (New)

Columbia Harbour House (Available Nov. 9 through Dec. 31; mobile order available)

Maple-Mustard Glazed Salmon served with green beans and rice (New)

Christmas Dining Around the World

Christmas at EPCOT

Holiday Kitchens located throughout World Showcase offer tasty treats of the season during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.
The Holiday Cookie Stroll offers a complimentary cookie as reward for completing the confectionary collection!

Candlelight Processional

There's nothing that's more inspirational than hearing the story of Christmas told by a celebrity narrator. This beautiful show evokes the true meaning of the holidays and is not to be missed.

See Santa Claus

EPCOT guests will have individualized time to wave hello and share their Christmas wishes with Santa!

Special Holiday Food at EPCOT

We'll share the Foodie Guide to the 2024 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays here once it's released!

Christmas Dining Around the World

Christmas at Animal Kingdom

Keep an eye out on the waters of the Discovery River for festive flotillas where you may spot Goofy, Donald Duck, and other Disney character friends as they jingle through the jungle to the rhythm of the holidays waving to everyone as they pass.

Decorations around the park will showcase day-into-nighttime experiences. The park’s iconic Tree of Life also awakens each evening with a colorful tableau of wintry tales accompanied by a musical score.

Merry Menagerie

In addition to meetings with favorite Disney characters and Santa himself, guests can interact with a Merry Menagerie of life-size, artisan-sculpted animal puppets daily on Discovery Island.

See Santa Claus

Santa will make the trek to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park to spread the joyous spirit of the season from his very own flotilla as he sails down Discovery River.

Special Holiday Food at Animal Kingdom

2024 details will be displayed below once they are officially announced by Walt Disney World.

Creature Comforts (Available Dec. 22 through 31)

Mickey Holiday Mousse Dome: Amaretto-chocolate mousse, cherry-cranberry coulis, orange-chocolate cake, white chocolate glaçage, and chocolate Mickey ears

Pizzafari and Restaurantosaurus (Available Dec. 1 through 29; mobile order available)

Merry Menagerie Cupcake: Gingerbread cupcake with cream cheese filling and frosting

Satu’li Canteen (Available Dec. 22 through 31; mobile order)

Peppermint Cream Cheese Mousse: Peppermint-cream cheese mousse, peppermint sauce, peppermint candy pieces, and chocolate cookie crumbs

Christmas Dining Around the World

Christmas at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will enjoy a Flurry of Fun with holiday decor throughout the park. All the holiday decorations at Hollywood Studios have a retro style and are inspired by the 1950s. Tinsel town takes on a whole new meaning during the holidays. Echo Lake and the surrounding area is the merriest of places with extra-large ornaments (even some that float!), colorful garlands, and a giant 65-foot tall Christmas tree with a 25-foot base.

A brand-new hard-ticketed event – Disney Jollywood Nights – came to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2023. It’s a holiday vibe like you’ve never felt before. Sights of sparkling décor, sounds of modern beats over classic holiday songs, tastes of craft cocktails and decadent dishes. It’s nostalgic and it’s glitz and glam galore. The new, separately ticketed event was held from 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. on 10 select nights November 11-December 20, 2023. LEARN MORE

Holiday Cavalcades will make their way through the park with some of our favorite Disney characters all decked out for the season. The Echo Lake area of the park has some of the best holiday decorations – enjoy five minutes of the lovely atmosphere in the Disney Park Bench video below!

Sunset Seasons Greetings

Flurry of Fun Photo Gallery

This popular holiday experience features impressive laser effects to complement the spectacular projections of Mickey Mouse, Olaf and other beloved Disney characters sharing their favorite seasonal stories. A snowy Sunset Boulevard will twinkle with festive holiday decorations making the perfect setting for this wintry display. 21 palm trees along Sunset Boulevard will be illuminated with programmable, color-changing LED fixtures transforming the entire area. Walt Disney Animation Studios produced custom animation of Wayne and Lanny from ABC’s Disney Prep & Landing as well as Mickey and pals, exclusively for Sunset Seasons Greetings.

Holiday magic (i.e. 12 high-definition projectors) will transform the facade of the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel into scenes of the season – Mickey and Minnie reminiscing about a hometown Christmas, characters from Pixar Animation Studios’ Toy Story films wondering which new toys are coming this holiday and more. This stunning experience runs continuously throughout the night.

Holiday magic will once again bring billboards on Sunset Blvd. to life and transform the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel into a giant pile of wrapped Christmas gifts, a gingerbread house, the 'Hollywood Toy Hotel', and a frozen winter wonderland. A summer-loving snowman might even make an appearance to share his holiday wish. This stunning and heartwarming experience will run continuously throughout each evening.

Minnie's Holiday Dine - Hollywood & Vine

Minnie Mouse will host a festive and physically-distanced holiday dinner with Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, and Santa Goofy! Hollywood & Vine will be all decked out with holiday decor, food, music, and activities.

Make reservations online here or by calling (407) WDW-DINE.

For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

Holiday festivities continue at the Hyperion Theater as Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff will welcome Olaf to the very popular sing-along, For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration. The show will include all-new songs from Disney’s animated short Olaf’s Frozen Adventure. Olaf will be delivering a special holiday finale in For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along along with other experiences.

See Santa Claus

Led by an entourage of elves and riding in his red convertible packed with presents, Santa brings glitz and glamour to a motorcade down Hollywood Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Special Holiday Food at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Christmas Dining Around the World

2024 details will be displayed below once they are officially announced by Walt Disney World.

ABC Commissary (Available Nov. 11 through Jan. 1; mobile order available)

Holiday Minnie Bundt Cake: Spice cake rolled in cinnamon-sugar with apple pie filling topped with spiced maple buttercream and salted caramel icing
Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce (Non-alcoholic beverage)
Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa with Cherry Bourbon topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce

Backlot Express (Available Nov. 11 through Jan. 1; mobile order available)

Red Velvet Whoopie Pie: Red velvet cake, candy cane buttercream, and holiday sprinkles
Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce (Non-alcoholic beverage)
Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa with Cherry Bourbon topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce

Hollywood Scoops (Available through Jan. 1)

Candy Cane Milkshake: Chocolate cake doughnut, mint doughnut icing, and candy cane sprinkles

PizzeRizzo (Available Nov. 11 through Jan. 1; mobile order available)

Melted Snowman Sugar Cookie: Sugar cookie with red and green sugar, white chocolate, marshmallow, dark chocolate top hat, raspberry-chocolate twigs, orange sprinkle, and chocolate-covered cocoa nibs
Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce (Non-alcoholic beverage)
Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa with Cherry Bourbon topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce

Rosie’s All-American Café (Available Nov. 11 through Jan. 1; mobile order available)

Santa Mickey Cupcake: Chocolate cake filled with mocha fudge and topped with red almond buttercream, white chocolate, and dark chocolate Mickey ears
Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce (Non-alcoholic beverage)
Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa with Cherry Bourbon topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce

The Trolley Car Café (Available Nov. 11 through Jan. 1)

Mickey Gingerbread Cookie
Red Velvet Whoopie Pie: Red velvet cake, candy cane buttercream, and holiday sprinkle

Woody’s Lunch Box (Available Nov. 11 through Jan. 31; mobile order available)

Hot Chocolate Lunch Box Tart: Chocolate fudge filling, hot chocolate-marshmallow fondant, and mini marshmallows

Dockside Diner and Outdoor Vending Carts Near Grand Avenue, the Tip Board, and the Main Entrance(Available through Jan. 1)

Holiday Mickey Brownie: Mickey-shaped chocolate brownie with holiday sprinkles

Christmas at Disney Springs

At Disney Springs, Christmas and holiday cheer can be found around every corner. The Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll presented by AdventHealth brings elaborately decorated Disney Christmas trees to the neighborhoods throughout Disney Springs. Each of the twinkling trees will be themed to personify beloved Disney characters, stories, and celebrations.

Special festive décor and live holiday performances will add an extra touch of wonder to holiday shopping. And in the evening, guests visiting Town Center will experience a magical snowfall, bringing the spirit of the North Pole to Central Florida.

For the perfect wrap-up to a holiday visit to Disney Springs, visit Jock Lindsay’s Holiday Bar; back by popular demand, this seasonal favorite brings yuletide touches alongside festive food and craft cocktails – there’s something on the menu for everyone!

CLICK HERE for more festive fun at Disney Springs!

Holiday Magic Shots Around the World

The PhotoPass photographers that can be found all across Walt Disney World have hidden surprises in their cameras - we call them Magic Shots and they can add just a bit of Pixie Dust to the photos you have taken. Some of the photographers will automatically add them, but don't count on it. We recommend asking each photographer because you never know what can happen and it's always fun to see the surprise when you view your photos for the first time.

Here are just a few examples of some of the Magic Shots that have been available in the past:

Holiday Merchandise Around the World

Fun and creative offerings will be available for purchase all across the Walt Disney World Resort for the holiday season and including new ear headbands, trading pins, plush toys, ornaments, and so much more!