Disneyland Resort Holiday Season Dining and Events | the disney food blog (2024)

The holiday season in Disneyland is truly magical! In 2024, the festive fun will kick off on November 15th!

Here, we are sharing the unique festivities in both Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure, the shared parks tradition of the famous Disneyland Handmade Candy Canes, information on all the Holiday Treats, and MUCH more! Strap on your Santa hat and check out what’s in store throughout the Holiday Season!

Read on, my merry friends!

Disneyland Park

Guests are greeted by a 60-foot-tall Christmas treeon Main Street, U.S.A. setting the seasonal scene! This glistening beauty boasts almost 1,800 ornaments.

Several beloved traditions add to the magic of the Season in Disneyland park! Among them is “Believe…In Holiday Magic,”a special fireworks presentationover Sleeping Beauty Castle, which even features a dusting of snow!

Speaking of Sleeping Beauty Castle, the park’s signature landmark is all dressed up with sparking icicles for extra evening enchantment as Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle!

“A Christmas Fantasy” Parade delivers beloved Disney characters joined by a very special guest: Santa Claus! Other festive friends included reindeer, Toy Soldiers, dancing gingerbread cookies, and more.

You’ll have several opportunities throughout the day to catch this memorable tradition!

Interested guests may also want to learn more about the Christmas Fantasy Parade Dining Package.

Guests can enjoy an entree, dessert, and drink (with the menu featuring beef bourguignon — or Chicken Tenders for kids — and herbed mashed potatoes with a cabernet demi-glaze, roasted vegetables and a Black Forest yule log)inside the Plaza Inn. In 2023, the package includeda prime viewing spot to watch the second showing of “A Christmas Fantasy” parade! In 2023, dining times were offered from 1PM to 3:30PM. and packages were $49 per adult (ages 10+) and $27 per child (ages 3 to 9). Interested guests may book online or via the Disneyland App. Stay tuned for 2024 info!

P.S. By the way, when Santa Claus isn’t busy in the Parade, you can say “Hello” to him at Critter Country through December 24th!

Even a few Disneyland attractions receive holiday makeovers! Haunted Mansion Holiday presents nods to The Nightmare Before Christmas thanks to some extra decorations placed by the Pumpkin King himself, Jack Skellington!

Every year, the Haunted Mansion Holiday in Disneyland is complete witha new gingerbread housein the ballroom. This year,Von Ginger can be seen offering up some fruitcake from inside the mausoleum.

The themed gingerbread house has been a tradition of Haunted Mansion Holiday for over 20 years. The 2023 house was eleven feet tall and six feet wide. It took50 pounds of gingerbread and 150 pounds of royal icingto bring it to life.

Haunted Mansion Holiday first makes its return for Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort, so you can see more of the holiday haunting here!

Want to take a Haunted TOUR? Click HERE for MORE photos from Haunted Mansion Holiday!

Both the outside and inside of “it’s a small world” present festive flair as the Happiest Cruise on Earth dons holiday tunes and glittering lights!

Over 300,000 lights adorn the iconic attraction during the holiday season. The official lighting at dusk each evening is a Disneyland Resort tradition. After that, you can catch a speciallight projection show every 30 minutes.

Inside, the ride overlay also features the dolls of the attraction all dressed in traditional holiday clothingfrom each of their respective cultures.

Mickey and Minnie (and friends!) can be seen in Town Square.

And in 2023, Mickey and Minnie donned newoutfits for the holiday season!

The latest looks are complete with red and green, pastel colors, and “playful prints,” not to mention holly brooches Minnie made herself.

And to cap off the merry day, enjoy a magical “snowfall”andcolorful projectionsonMain Street, U.S.A. AND on the façade of “it’s a small world”during the “Believe in Holiday Magic” fireworks!

Each year, hundreds of members of the local community, alongside the Disneyland Cast Member Choir, the Disneyland Orchestra and more celebrate the meaning of Christmas in a grand (and quite limited time!) display with the Disneyland Candlelight Processional.

In 2023, the Candlelight Processional returned to Disneyland on December 2nd and 3rd at 5:30PM and 7:45PM. PLEASE NOTE: this event is usually by invitation only, but guests without invitations can also watch from designated areas on Main Street, U.S.A.

The event is presented in front of the Disneyland Main Street Train Station and features an A-list celebrity narrator (wh0 is not announced ahead of time). For 2023, the Narrator was actress Brie Larson.Past narrators have included Cary Grant, John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Gregory Peck, Charlton Heston, Henry Fonda, Dick Van Dyke, Chris Hemsworth, Viola Davis, Ginnifer Goodwin, Jane Seymour, and James Earl Jones.

See photos of the Disneyland Candlelight Processional here!

New Year’s Eve in Disneyland

If you’re welcoming the New Year in Disneyland Park, you may catch the New Year’s Eve Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks Spectacular at 9PM on December 31st and, of course, 12AM!

In addition to the fireworks, guests may be able to celebrate the New Year with four Countdown Celebrations at the following locations:

• “it’s a small world”from 7:30PM-1:30AM
• Rivers of Americafrom 8:30PM-1AM
• Sleeping Beauty Castlefrom 8PM-1:30AM
• Tomorrowlandfrom 8:30PM-1:30AM

Disney California Adventure

The centerpiece of the season at Disney California Adventure park is the Disney Festival of Holidays!

This Festival — with celebrations forChristmas/Navidad, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa,and Three Kings Day — includeslive entertainment, themed merchandise, andtraditional cuisine from around the globe at Festive Foods Marketplaces.

There is so much Festival fun taking place that we’ve dedicated an entire section of the site to the event, and you can find ALL the information for the Disney California Adventure Festival of Holidays here!

Click here to learn more about Disney California Adventure Festival of Holidays!

“Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” gives guests the chance to enjoy a street party featuring Mexican folklórico dancers and Mariachis, Brazilian samba dancers and percussionists, giant mojiganga puppets, and Mickey, Minnie and friends in their fiesta best!

“Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” is hosted by The Three Caballeros, and Encanto’s Mirabel and more Disney pals also make appearances! Enjoy the celebration at Paradise Gardens Park.

In Cars Land, guests can enjoy yuletide makeovers of two attractions: Mater’s Jingle Jamboree and Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl!

Look for touches like a snow-covered billboardat the entrance of Cars Land and ahubcap-studded tree in front of the courthouse. Festive automotive decorations can be found all along Route 66!

Santa Claus spends time in his rustic home at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail for Santa’s Holiday Visit!

Guests can share their holiday wishes with Ol’ Saint Nick and take souvenir picturesat this location.

The Redwood Creek Challenge Trail is also transformed into a holiday-themed playground, with seasonal games and more.

Be sure to check out the posted trail activity map to locate the elfish games. You’ll also want to explore the trail to see how many toys and decorations have been hidden there!

Don’t miss the party, because Mickey Mouse and pals celebrate the season as they dance along to the Holiday Toy Drummersseveral times a day!

And, of course, taking center stage is the Holiday Tree on Buena Vista Street, which twinkles and glows with a nightly Christmas Tree Lighting.

Guests can cap off a festive day with a viewing of the World of Color – Season of Light evening spectacular in Paradise Bay!

It’s a blend of holiday tunes with classic moments from Disney and Pixar films, all highlighted by dancing fountains and lighting effects.

Also, in January, guests can stop by Disney California Adventure Park to celebrate Three Kings’ Day. Paradise Gardens is home to this special celebration, which typically features traditional decor and a photo opportunity.

New Year’s Eve in Disney California Adventure

Guests welcoming the New Year in Disney California Adventure can typically do so with New Year’s Eve Countdown CelebrationsatParadise Gardens Parkand inHollywood Land.

But we’re not done with all the festive fun just yet…

Disneyland Candy Canes

A wonderful Disneyland tradition that takes place in BOTH parks is the creation of the famous Disneyland Hand-made Candy Canes!

The Candy Canes are created on alternating days in the two parks throughout the season. For 2023, the locations and dates were as follows:

• Candy Palace at Disneyland Park: December 3rd, 5th, 10th, 12th, 17th, 19th, and 24th
• Trolley Treatsat Disney California Adventure Park: December 4th, 6th, 11th, 13th, 18th, 20th, and 25th

These are not your typical candy canes. Each one is hand-pulled and measures eighteen inches long.

And theysell out QUICKLY, which is why you need to have a strategy…AND know exactly WHERE AND WHEN to find them!

If you want a CHANCE to purchase a candy cane,you must enter the mobile waitlist via the QR code presented in the park to JOIN THE VIRTUAL QUEUE, on which youadd yourname and phone numberto get atext with the time you can purchase your candy cane.

There is no guarantee that the candy canes won’t sell out before you’re able to purchase one, so the earlier you get on the mobile waitlist, the better.

You must have aPark Pass Reservation (and valid park admission) to enter the park on the date of your choosing, so make sure you review those dates and get yours reserved as soon as possible. The candy canes cost $19.99 each. Stay tuned for 2024 info!

The Candy Canes have been a Disneyland tradition since 1968.

Learn about the history of the famous Disneyland Candy Canes here!

Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort Tour

Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort is an extra-ticket guided tour. This2.5-hour walking tourincludesa look at Disneyland holiday traditions from around the world, special viewing area for A Christmas Fantasy Parade, delicious holiday treats, a ride on “it’s a small world” Holiday and more.

When available, interested guests may book the Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort tour via the Disneyland website orDisneyland App.

Downtown Disney District

And, of course, you’ll spy plenty of merry decorations in Downtown Disney, along with live entertainment!

Live entertainment includes acappella carolerslikeHoliday Harmony and The Sugarplums.

The Hotels of Disneyland Resort

The Hotels of Disneyland Resort also present plenty of traditional decorations and more for the celebration! All threeDisneyland Resort Hotels get decked out with Christmas trees and carolers and visits from Santaadd to the festive atmosphere!

For instance, at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, you can stop to take a look at their beautiful Christmas display in the lobby.

Standing at 7 feet tall and 12 feet wide, this creation is a modern marvel. It was created with over600 pounds of gingerbread, 600 pounds of powdered sugar, 250 founds of fondant, one pound of pixie dust(which is A LOT in the pixie world), and even has 25 hidden Mickeys for you and your family to find! You can take a full photo tour here!

You may also find the times for meeting SANTA CLAUS at the Grand Californian posted in the lobby! Check with the front desk to confirm appearance dates.

Disneyland Resort Holiday Treats

Of course, there’s more than just Candy Canes in store… from cookies to cupcakes to co*cktails to those famous Disneyland Churros and MORE, we enjoy tasting all of the Season’s Eatings and bringing them to YOU.

You can check out ALL of our reviews from the yuletide season HERE!

We hope you’ll join us here on the DFB as we bring you ALL of the Holiday Cheer that the parks can hold (Hint: It’s A LOT!) throughout the Holiday Season in Disneyland Resort!