What’s new this year during the holidays at Disneyland Resort

Get ready for a magical start to the holiday season as Disneyland Resort kicks off its enchanting festivities today, Nov. 10, lasting through Jan. 7, 2024. Disney characters, adorned in new holiday attire, will spread cheer at Disneyland Park, while Disney ¡Viva Navidad! at Disney California Adventure Park adds a touch of holiday magic.

New this year guests will find:

• Disney characters doning all-new holiday attire at Disneyland Park and Disney ¡Viva Navidad! at Disney California Adventure Park  
• Goofy’s Kitchen at Disneyland Hotel features holiday character outfits and décor for the first time, from Dec. 1, 2023, through Jan. 1, 2024  
• Vibrant décor across the resort and nightly “snowfall” in the Downtown Disney District transform The Happiest Place on Earth into a winter wonderland. 

Festive decor throughout Disneyland Resort

Décor brightens the season throughout Disneyland Resort, featuring grand Christmas trees decorated with uniquely themed ornaments in both theme parks, the Downtown Disney District, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disneyland Hotel.  

Icicles and snow-capped turrets adorn Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, and with a bit of Disney magic, “snow” is scheduled to fall every night in select areas of Disneyland Park. “Snow” is also scheduled to fall in the Downtown Disney District nightly every half hour from 6 to 10 p.m. between Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio and Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes starting Nov. 24 through Dec. 31. At Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, a new festive gingerbread house inspires amateur gingerbread architects with its intricate design inspired by pastries. 

Ornaments, lights and more embellish beloved attractions. In Disneyland, a merry boat ride on the wintry waterway of “it’s a small world” Holiday serenades guests with choruses of jolly tunes. In New Orleans Square, Jack Skellington from “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” has redecorated the Haunted Mansion into the frightfully festive Haunted Mansion Holiday to create a collision between Halloween and Christmas. Guests can gear up for some cheer in Disney California Adventure on Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree, which both have seasonal spins for the “haul-idays.”  

Cultural celebrations in Disney California Adventure Park

Disney Festival of Holidays in Disney California Adventure Park draws inspiration from the diverse dishes and cherished traditions of Christmas, Navidad, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day. Offering a feast for the senses, guests can sample new and returning food and beverages such as southern mac and cheese and kielbasa with pierogi accompanied by upbeat music at the Palisades Stage, Sonoma Terrace and for the first time, the Hollywood Backlot, where Disney Festival of Holidays will also be celebrated. 

Festivalgoers may purchase a Sip and Savor Pass, which offers eight coupon tabs to be shared among friends and family. Valid for the entirety of this season’s Disney Festival of Holidays, foodies may redeem their tabs for select food and nonalcoholic beverages from eight marketplaces and select dining locations in Disney California Adventure Park.*  

Disney ¡Viva Navidad! returns to Paradise Gardens Park for its 10th season. Paradise Garden Grill is serving many new menu items such as the shareable loaded torta and chocolate cake flan. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and The Three Caballeros will debut colorful new celebratory attire that creatively weave elements of traditional Latin American fashion with holiday motifs through playful textured fabrics and vibrant floral embroidery. They will once again host a joyous street party featuring Mexican folklórico dancers and mariachis, Brazilian samba dancers and percussionists, and giant mojiganga puppets. Additional festivities include live music and dancing, visits with beloved Disney characters and special appearances by Mirabel from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto.”  

Limited-time food and beverage and merchandise

The festive flair extends to dining locations across the Disneyland Resort. For the first time, Goofy’s Kitchen features characters dressed in holiday outfits, jolly décor and seasonal flavors from Dec. 1, 2023, through Jan. 1, 2024. Plus, more than 75 new and returning limited-time food and beverages can be found around the Disneyland Resort, such as the Mickey ornament macaron, celebration potato and Filipino feast burrito.  

Families and friends can remember their visit for years to come, and find great gifts for loved ones, with collections of holiday merchandise featuring the Disney Classics Christmas collection, the Disney Festival of Holidays collection and other festive seasonal attire. 

Seasonal spectaculars and entertainment

Mickey Mouse and some of his friends don all-new outfits in Disneyland, putting a spin on the classic red and green with midcentury modern-inspired looks. Through Dec. 24, Santa Claus poses for jolly family photos, making stops in Critter Country in Disneyland, Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in Disney California Adventure, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disneyland Hotel. 

“A Christmas Fantasy” Parade spreads holiday cheer in Disneyland Park, starring characters from Disney Animation’s “Frozen,” Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story” and more. The “Believe…In Holiday Magic” nighttime spectacular illuminates the night sky over Disneyland Park with breathtaking fireworks and sprinklings of snow. For guests who want to add even more holiday magic to their trip, the Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort Guided Tour offers a hosted experience of select seasonal offerings and reserved viewing for “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade.** 

Multiple times per day, Disney and Pixar characters march to the festive beat of the Holiday Toy Drummers in “Mickey’s Happy Holidays” in Disney California Adventure. The spirit of togetherness and love fills Paradise Bay as hundreds of fountains illustrate warm moments from Disney animated films in “World of Color – Season of Light” nighttime spectacular. 

In addition to holiday shopping and dining in the Downtown Disney District, guests can groove to a variety of “mistle-toe-tapping” live musical performances on select evenings. On some nights at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disneyland Hotel, live entertainment, including handbell and holiday carolers, creates a wonderfully cozy atmosphere.