Everything You Need to Know About Disneyland's 2024 Holiday Season Dates and Events

Aug 29, 2024 in "Disneyland Resort"

Posted: Thursday August 29, 2024 12:12pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

The 2024 holiday season at Disneyland Resort promises a range of new experiences, returning favorites, and seasonal festivities.

This year, the celebrations run from November 15, 2024, through January 6, 2025, featuring a variety of entertainment, decor, and themed activities across Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, Downtown Disney District, and the hotels of the Disneyland Resort.

New Holiday Experiences in 2024

Santa Claus and Character Appearances: This holiday season, guests can meet Santa Claus at the Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland, where there will also be cookie decorating, crafts, and storytelling throughout the day. Santa will also make appearances for photos at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in Disney California Adventure, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel, and Pixar Place Hotel until December 24. Additionally, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will debut new holiday outfits inspired by the tradition of writing letters to loved ones, with other characters joining them in festive attire throughout the parks.

Chip and Dale's Ornament Trail: From November 22, 2024, through January 1, 2025, a new activity, Chip and Dale's Ornament Trail, will be available in the Downtown Disney District. Guests can purchase an activity map to search for special ornaments hidden among the holiday decorations. Completed maps can be redeemed for a collectible holiday keepsake.

Holiday-Themed Dining and Merchandise: Several new dining experiences are available this year, including "Goofy's Kitchen Celebrates the Holidays!" at Disneyland Hotel and Mickey's Holiday Pajama Party at Storytellers Cafe in Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. A variety of new holiday merchandise will also be available, including themed collections like the Mickey Mouse Family Christmas, Holiday Red, and Snowman lines.

Returning Holiday Traditions

Holiday Decor and Entertainment: As in past years, the Disneyland Resort will be decorated with holiday lights, trees, and other festive decor, creating a distinct holiday atmosphere across the property. The Holiday Time at Disneyland Resort Guided Tour offers guests a chance to learn about holiday traditions at Disneyland, including reserved viewing for "A Christmas Fantasy Parade."

Nighttime Spectaculars: The "Believe…In Holiday Magic" fireworks show will return to Disneyland, complete with the iconic snowfall moments on Main Street, U.S.A., and other locations. Over at Disney California Adventure, the "World of Color – Season of Light" nighttime spectacular will feature dancing fountains and festive music.

Attraction Overlays: Several attractions will receive holiday-themed overlays, including "it's a small world" Holiday, which features a global tour of holiday traditions, and Haunted Mansion Holiday, inspired by "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas." In Disney California Adventure, Cars Land will transform with Luigi's Joy to the Whirl and Mater's Jingle Jamboree.

Disney Festival of Holidays and Disney ¡Viva Navidad!

The Disney Festival of Holidays returns to Disney California Adventure, celebrating diverse holiday traditions through food, beverages, live entertainment, and more. Guests can enjoy performances from cultural groups and purchase a Sip and Savor Pass to sample a variety of festive food and drink items. The Disney ¡Viva Navidad! celebration will also be back, featuring daily crafts, live music, and street parties inspired by Latin American holiday traditions.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure Opens

Tiana's Bayou Adventure is set to open at Disneyland Park on November 15, 2024. This new attraction, inspired by "The Princess and the Frog," will take guests on a musical journey through the bayou with Princess Tiana and her friends.

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jrhwdw4 days ago

TDO redid the Soundtrack. It's certainly is different but I like it! Probably the only Entertainment offering that has From All US To All Of You from Disney 's old Christmas TV Specials. Plus Songs from the Very Merry Christmas Parade that ended in 2006.

MoonRakerSCM4 days ago

What did they do to the wdw parade soundtrack?

VJ4 days ago

to be completely honest, after hearing walt disney world's absolute massacre of an "updated" once upon a christmastime parade soundtrack, i can't trust disney to update or replace a christmas fantasy/believe in holiday magic with something equal or better in my opinion, modern is the exact opposite of timeless, which is what disneyland has always been and should continue to be

SuddenStorm5 days ago

This was my thought too. Or maybe some people called out sick? Let's see how it is in a week... but I'll keep my pitchfork ready just in case.

gerarar5 days ago

Tbh after seeing MWCF over at MK, I was really bored with Believe when I saw it last year. The finale was a dud imo. The Christmas WoC was more interesting and my party and I enjoyed it more. Or maybe it's the clear lack of pyro (due to DL & city constraints) that did it for me. Just used to the bigger bangs over at WDW haha.

Disney Analyst5 days ago

I mean, Believe is definitely sweet, but I'd be down for something new.

jrhwdw5 days ago

IDK........Not Tired of Believe In Holiday Magic Yet! I'm shocked DL hasn't redone the 1995 ACF Soundtrack like MK did this year. As for ACF today, same Parade as the CM Preview. So we lost 2 Books and the main Toy Factory Float...Too Bad!

Disney Analyst5 days ago

I’d love if they’d bring in a new Christmas parade… with a more varied soundtrack. Updated. Modern. Also a new firework show. Disneyland’s Christmas offerings are stale.

PiratesMansion5 days ago

Is there a possibility there was just some sort of problem with the floats that simply kept then from being available last night? It is an old parade, after all, and it's to my understanding that some of the parade floats are QUITE a bit older than ACF. And color me surprised that people are upset about less Toy Story in something at Disneyland.

VJ6 days ago

see for yourself (spoiler alert: yes.)

Disney Analyst6 days ago

jrhwdw6 days ago

Did Magic Happens really have to end in August just for a Halloween Cavalcade???? Also, installing F!'s New Dragon(if there is one) Would get more Guests to ROA..... Let’s hope DLR has the right Budget for the 70th!!!!

jrhwdw6 days ago

Yep! ACF lost 2 Book Floats and the main Toyland Float. Other than Toyland Float, no Staff was cut.

CaptinEO6 days ago

Same company that makes these cuts is probably clueless as to why they now have lower attendance and need to offer ticket deals during the once busy season.