7 days ago
Dreaming of a Disney Christmas? What to know about the parks' holiday plans
It's Christmas in July.
Disneyland unwrapped its 2025 holiday plans on July 23 amid the resort's ongoing 70th anniversary celebration. That may seem early, but fans plan well in advance because the holidays are among the most popular times to visit both resorts.
Walt Disney World shared its holiday plans earlier in the month. Ticket sales for its seasonal after-hours events went on sale this week.
Here's what to know about spending the holidays at the Happiest and Most Magical Places on Earth.
Holidays at Disneyland
Disneyland's holiday celebrations will run from Nov. 14 through Jan. 7 and are included with standard theme park admission. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and their friends will don new 70th-anniversary inspired holiday looks, but most resort experiences are returning favorites.
At Disneyland Park, more than 80,000 lights will once again cloak Sleeping Beauty Castle in twinkling icicles. Meanwhile, Holiday Fun with Santa & Friends will return to Fantasyland Theatre.
Both "it's a small world" and Haunted Mansion will get their annual holiday overlays — Haunted Mansion Holiday debuts during Halloween time. A Christmas Fantasy Parade and the Holiday Magic Fireworks Spectacular will also return.
At Disney California Adventure, CarsLand will be decked out as usual, with Mater's Junkyard Jamboree and Luigi's Rollickin Roadsters getting holiday overlays. Disney Festival of the Holidays and Disney ¡Viva Navidad! will also return with festive multicultural performances and foods.
Highlights include Mickey's Happy Holidays cavalcade and, on select days, the Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party, Mirabel's Gifts of the Season, and A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel!
Downtown Disney District will offer seasonal entertainment and foods along with nightly "snow." Disneyland's resort hotels will get in the spirit with special dining and decor.
Through the holiday season, the California resort will continue to celebrate its 70th anniversary with World of Color Happiness! at Disney California Adventure and Tapestry of Happiness projections at Disneyland Park on select nights. But the Paint the Night parade and other anniversary entertainment will take a holiday pause.
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Holidays at Disney World
Two of Disney World's biggest holiday events are not included with standard park admission – Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights – but there are plenty of other ways to celebrate across the Florida resort.
Guests can take the holiday-themed Jingle Cruise at Magic Kingdom or glide along Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses at EPCOT. They could also watch Sunset Seasons Greetings projections at Disney's Hollywood Studios or Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition in Disney's Animal Kingdom, interact with snowy animal puppets in Animal Kingdom's Merry Menagerie, see ornate gingerbread displays at select resort hotels, or take the Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs, among other activities. EPCOT has a whole holiday festival.
Most of Disney World's holiday celebrations will run from Nov. 14 through Dec. 31, 2025, but EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays starts later.
How long does the Festival of the Holidays last at EPCOT?
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays runs from Nov. 28 through Dec. 30 this year.
The multicultural festival honors holiday traditions from around the world with storytelling and live performances, including JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season and the fan-favorite Candlelight Processional, which is narrated by different celebrities.
Guests pay for festive foods and drinks from the event's Holiday Kitchens, but the rest of the festival is included with park admission.
What are the dates for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2025?
This year, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party will be held at Magic Kingdom:
The specially ticketed, after-hours event is not included with standard admission, and guests with standard tickets must leave Magic Kingdom before the party begins.
The event officially runs from 7 p.m. until midnight, but Party guests may enter the park as early as 4 p.m.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party tickets start at $169, the same as last year. The most expensive dates top out at $229 this year, compared to $219 last year.
Event-exclusive offerings include Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration show, Disney Jr. Jingle Jam and Club Tinsel dance parties, special character greetings, free cookie and drink stations, and shorter-than-usual waits for rides due to the event's limited capacity.
Is Jollywood Nights coming back in 2025?
Yes. Disney Jollywood Nights will be held at Disney's Hollywood Studios:
The specially ticketed, after-hours event officially runs from 7:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m., but Jollywood guests may enter Hollywood Studios as early as 5:30 p.m. Guests with standard park tickets have to leave the park before the event begins.
Jollywood Nights tickets range from $159 to $199, depending on the date. Last year's tickets ranged from $159 to $179.
Event-exclusive experiences include the Disney Holidays in Hollywood show hosted by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, the "What's This?" Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas sing-along. Additional offerings include the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! nighttime spectacular, Glisten! ice-skating performances, a Pixar Disco dance party, special character greetings, and shorter-than-usual waits for rides.
