While Halloween at Disneyland is easily my favorite seasonal experience in the Southern California parks, the weekends for many are outstanding. Disneyland Resort and California Adventure go all out when it comes to Christmas in the parks, filled with both unique treats to try, merchandise to buy and, most importantly, activities to experience.
Disneyland invited me to the first day of their holiday season, which runs from now until January 7th. Guests have plenty to enjoy over the next few months, from returning favorites to some new surprises. I have to admit, even though my love for Halloween is strong, there is something magical about being in Disneyland during the holiday.
Disneyland and California Adventure are transforming in a big way
Entering Disneyland is a magical experience all on its own, walking through the arches and seeing the Disneyland train station for the first time sets the tone and things only get better from there. When you get a little further in and see Cinderella's castle in the distance, there is nothing like it. The sights combined with the sounds reinforce that the day will be good regardless of the circumstances.
However, Disneyland at Christmas is extra special with all the decorations. You are surrounded by garlands and Christmas decorations in every nook and cranny. The music is suitably Christmassy. And if you catch the right scent of some food, it becomes a bit of Holiday sensory overload. But the big thematic details that make Holidays at Disney unique are the snow-covered towers of Cinderella's castle and the massive Christmas trees that stand at the center of both Disneyland and California Adventure. Much like the massive pumpkin at Halloween time, these trees are a major focal point and set the scene for a seasonal experience unlike any other. And the castle at night, all lit up, is something else.
There are really very few corners of Disneyland and California Adventure that haven't been sprinkled with a little holiday cheer during the season. That makes it hard to escape the infectious atmosphere, and why would you want to?
Not to be outdone by the design of the parks, everyone's favorite characters have some new Christmas outfits, from Mickey and Minnie to Chip and Dale. For many Disney theme park fans, getting the seasonal photos with the characters is a must, and I have to say, the costumes this year are amazing. However, Chip and Dale take top honors with their gingerbread men. And if you head over to California Adventure, you can see many of the same characters in winter outfits as well.
Disneyland also has an encounter with Santa (and some other characters like Jiminy Cricket) at the Fantasyland Theater.
All the little details that transform Disneyland and California Adventure into a winter wonderland are what make the vacation so desirable for so many guests. It really is something that you can only understand when you experience it yourself. There's a beauty in the design of each element, and hearing holiday music further adds to the shift from fall to winter (even if it's still technically fall).
The holidays offer parades, fireworks, riding overlays and more
It was a rainy day when I visited Disneyland for the holiday events, so many of the experiences offered during the season were not available or canceled. However, many of them are returning from previous years, and I can say that they are all great. I have since seen the “A Christmas Fantasy” parade, which brings out the favorites from both Disney and Pixar and has a very catchy theme song. For Encanto fans, California Adventure features Mirabel's Gifts of the Season show, which hits many of the fan-favorite songs from the movie and features appearances from some members of the Madrigal family.
For the older crowd, DCA also has the holiday-themed Deadpool show, where he tells a holiday tale (this year it was Twas the Night Before Christmas), takes every opportunity to improvise, and gets a visit from his good friend Wolverine. Every Deadpool show I've seen since he started showing up last year to promote Deadpool & Wolverine has been fun, and this Holiday Special iteration is no different.
And of course, there wouldn't be a new season without a nightly spectacular. Believe…in Holiday Magic is back (with fireworks on select nights and weather permitting) to serve as the perfect cap to a day filled with holiday cheer. The original song is the star of the show, but the orchestral versions of Holiday classics like We Three Kings are simply sublime. And the finale for Believe, which I won't spoil, is just perfect.
Ride Overlays during your Disneyland vacation
Haunted Mansion Holiday is still active during the holiday season, and while I prefer the standard Haunted Mansion, I know there are tons of fans who flock to Disney just to see this iteration. If like me you saw it during Halloween time, then you can double dip, but be prepared for lines because it is popular.
It's a Small World also gets a holiday overlay, starting first with the exterior crammed with Christmas lights. Witnessing the light in Small World is an experience all its own and makes for a great night photography location.
Inside the ride, the mix of Jingle Bells and the iconic Small World song gives the Disneyland classic its own personality. So many characters are wearing clothes for the holiday that you have to go through a few times to discover them all.
Disneyland Holiday Merch brings sweet and cozy vibes
A new season means new merchandise, and while Disneyland hasn't gone overboard with items this year, there are still some great options available. Minnie driving her freshly cut Christmas tree popcorn bucket is incredible, as is Mickey as Santa's sipper. There are new candy cane themed Mickey ears to wear, new pins to collect and lots of fun clothing designs inspired by the warm and cozy season.
As it gets colder, many clothing items are meant to keep you warm, but even then, there are some cute shirts and accessories too. I spent my budget on Halloween products (as I always do), so for me it's all about admiring from afar. But if you love the season, Disneyland has you covered.
Sample all the delicious food and treats from Disneyland
Disneyland has a diverse array of dining options for this year's holiday season, including the return of the Festival of the Holidays in California Adventure. As you'd expect, the food selection ranges from comfort food favorites to sweet treats and Mexican-inspired dishes. Peppermint, gingerbread, and pumpkin are plentiful in both parks, but there are some dishes inspired by the mix of savory and sweet you usually see at Thanksgiving, as well as some completely unexpected items.
The Festival of the Holidays is back for 2025 with 6 different stalls offering a range of savory dishes, sweets and non-alcoholic or alcoholic drinks. It's not as big as the Food and Wine Festival, but the Festival of the Holidays still has something for everyone.
I always gravitate to Harbor Galley's freshly baked chocolate chip cookies every time I visit Disneyland, and during the Christmas season Galley has freshly baked gingerbread cookies that are amazing. If you want your Wintertime to be a little more peppermint, the seasonal beignets at Mint Julep Bar are peppermint flavored and they are among my favorites of the seasonal beignet options. At Alien Pizza Planet, Disneyland always likes to tweak their Alien Macaroon and for the weekends it's filled with Salted Caramel and brownie pieces, with some cute reindeer antlers on the Toy Story alien.
But my personal favorite of all the treats at Disneyland during the holidays is the Toffee Pretzel from the Pretzel Cart in Tommorowland. It's dusted with caramel sugar that I could eat by myself, but smothered over a cream cheese pretzel is what pushes it over the edge. I know I'm not alone in saying that I wish the Tofee Pretzel was available year-round.
On the savory front, I tried the Claw-sagna Pasta because I'm craving Ricotta. That was my only disappointment of the day as it didn't feel particularly special. The flavors are good but it's a little too common to get again. I also tried the Merry Cranberry Crispy Chicken sandwich, which gives off the sweet-salty vibes that characterize the Thanksgiving season. It was delicious.
The Festival of Holidays Food Booths have something for everyone
As with other California Adventure booth-focused events, there is a Sip & Savor Pass available that you can purchase to get a discount on your food items. The pass entitles you to 6 choices from the various booths, minus alcoholic beverages and a massive turkey leg. You can use your Sip & Savor Pass all at once during a single visit, or save redemptions for repeat trips to California Adventure. It's a great value if at least 6 items are to your liking, and well worth the investment, but if you only want to try one or two items, you can.
During my trip to Disneyland for the holidays, I tried some new and returning favorites. Holiday Duet pairs Kugel Mac & Cheese with Al Pastor Mac & Cheese for an incredibly creamy combination that packs a little spice. Holiday M&M's Eclair is decadent and filled with delicious chocolate mousse. Barbacoa Tamal de Res provides that comforting, homey feeling. The Beef Brisket Slider is juicy, tender and just melts in your mouth. The Braised Pork Belly Adobo has a slight tang to it and is incredibly tender. And for something different, I tried the Guava Mango Lassi, which was thick and creamy with just enough sweetness to cut through the rich savory dishes I tried.
The Holiday Foods Marketplace has a nice selection of booths this year. There were enough enticing food items to make it difficult to decide where to spend my 6 Sip & Savor redemptions, and everything I tried was delicious. I imagine most people will find at least one or two options they're interested in, and they won't be disappointed.
There's a reason Disneyland vacations are loved by so many fans. The parks pack everything you'd expect from seasonal themes into every aspect of the park, but here they turn it up to 11. From the castle to the food to the characters to the rides, this is Disneyland's premiere experience. I can't wait to go back and experience what I didn't the first time and, frankly, do everything else over and over again.
