Disneyland Resort Shares More 2024 Holiday Entertainment Details, Including New Santa and Disney Characters Photo Op

Disneyland Resort has shared new details regarding its holiday entertainment for 2024, including two new shows, a new photo op featuring Santa Claus and Disney characters, and more.

Disneyland Resort 2024 Holiday Entertainment

Disney Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure

A colorful group of people in festive attire dance joyfully near a vibrant altar, surrounded by greenery and flags under a decorated archway, celebrating Mirabel's gifts of the season.

NEW! “Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season”

Scheduled Mondays through Fridays outside the entrance to Paradise Gardens Park

In this heartfelt musical presentation, Mirabel from “Encanto” and her friends celebrate the spirit of the holidays as everyone comes together for a Fiesta de Navidad. The show will also include songs from the animated film.

A colorful celebration scene unfolds with musicians and dancers in traditional Mexican attire under a starlit night sky at Disney California Adventure. Two central figures, part of Mariachi Alegría, hold guitars, surrounded by festive decorations and lights during the Musical Christmas event.

NEW! “A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel!”

Scheduled Monday through Friday evenings on Buena Vista Street

This nighttime show features Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland and dancers performing bilingual renditions of classic Christmas songs. Miguel from Pixar Animation Studios’ “Coco” will also appear at the end of the show for “Silent Night.”

A group of dancers in colorful traditional attire performs on stage amid a vibrant patterned backdrop and hanging lanterns, offering enchanting holiday entertainment reminiscent of a Disneyland spectacle.

Expanded Variety of New and Returning Live Musical Acts

Scheduled daily at various stages across Disney California Adventure

This year’s Festival of the Holidays will include an “expanded rotation of live bands and cultural performance groups.” The offerings will span a range of genres, including mariachi, jazz, klezmer, Latin pop, fusion, reggae, polka, and more.

Many new live bands and cultural performance groups will perform, including Joy, Rangoli Rhythms, Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts, Keali’I O Nālani & Daniel Ho, and more. Returning favorites will include Blue13 Dance Company and The Mistletoes.

The entertainment rotation will vary throughout the season, so guests are encouraged to check Disneyland.com for a full list of performers and daily showtimes.

Four marching band drummers in red uniforms deliver holiday entertainment outdoors in a sunny amusement park setting, surrounded by palm trees and festive decorations.

“Mickey’s Happy Holidays” and Holiday Toy Drummers

Scheduled daily at Disney California Adventure

Guests can enjoy the rhythms of the Holiday Toy Drummers as they march along the Disney California Adventure parade route with Disney characters during “Mickey’s Happy Holidays.”

The Holiday Toy Drummers will also perform in front of the obelisk in Paradise Gardens Park.

Minnie Mouse in a colorful dress waves from a Disneyland parade float, accompanied by performers in traditional attire during a festive holiday entertainment celebration adorned with vibrant decorations.

Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party

Scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays from November 16 through January 5

Hosted by The Three Caballeros, Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party will feature Mexican folklórico dancers and mariachis, Brazilian samba dancers and percussionists, and more. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will also appear in their fiesta attire.

Holidays at Disneyland Resort

Artist's rendering of a vibrant holiday-themed indoor theater reminiscent of Disneyland, with a festive stage, decorations, and an animated winter scene, featuring people interacting with the snow-themed display.

NEW! “Holiday Fun with Santa and Friends!” at Fantasyland Theatre

Scheduled daily at Disneyland Park

Throughout the day, Santa Claus and select Disney characters will appear and pose for photos at “Holiday Fun with Santa and Friends!” at the Fantasyland Theatre. Guests can also take part in craft-making opportunities and holiday sing-alongs, and enjoy atmospheric music.

Santa Claus holds a child's hand in front of a large, decorated Christmas tree, creating a magical holiday entertainment scene reminiscent of Disneyland in a cozy setting.

Meet Santa Claus at Disneyland Resort

Daily from Nov. 15 through Dec. 24 at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure
Daily from Nov. 28 through Dec. 24 at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort

Guests can meet and take photos with Santa Claus at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in Disney California Adventure through December 24. From December 25, 2024 through January 6, 2025, guests will encounter Santa Goofy instead!

Santa will also appear at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel, and Pixar Place Hotel from November 28 through December 24 to greet guests before he goes back to the North Pole.

Special Character Appearances

Daily at various locations across Disneyland Resort

Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and their pals will sport new looks at Disneyland Park, “reminiscent of writing warm letters to loved ones during the holidays.”

Throughout both parks, characters will make special appearances for the holidays, including Mirabel and friends from “Encanto” on select dates at the Paradise Gardens gazebo in Disney California Adventure.

At the Disneyland Resort hotels, guests will also be able to meet characters during the specially-themed character dining at Goofy’s Kitchen and Storytellers Cafe.

“Disney Holiday Dance Party” at Tomorrowland Terrace

Scheduled nightly at Disneyland park from November 16 through January 6

Guests of all ages can dance the night away at Tomorrowland Terrace in Disneyland Park. Nightly fun will include holiday tunes and appearances by Disney characters, dressed in their holiday best.

A Disneyland parade with a holiday-themed float featuring beloved cartoon characters and a festively decorated tree, set against the enchanting backdrop of a castle and an excited crowd.

“A Christmas Fantasy Parade”

Scheduled daily at Disneyland park

“A Christmas Fantasy Parade” is back for another holiday season. This parade includes Disney characters like Anna and Elsa from “Frozen,” Disney Princesses, Buzz Lightyear from “Toy Story,” and more, all leading up to the grand finale with Santa Claus.

Viewing areas will be located around “it’s a small world” Holiday, near Matterhorn Bobsleds and Main Street, U.S.A. Reserved viewing for the parade is included with the Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort Guided Tour.

Nighttime Entertainment and Snowfall

A brightly lit castle at Disneyland dazzles with holiday entertainment as Christmas projections dance across its walls and fireworks light up the night sky. A delighted crowd watches the spectacular display, captivated by the festive magic.

“Believe…In Holiday Magic”

Scheduled nightly at Disneyland park

The “Believe… In Holiday Magic” fireworks will light up the sky above Sleeping Beauty Castle and its 80,000 twinkling lights nightly. “Snowfall” will also occur along parts of Main Street, U.S.A., near “it’s a small world” Holiday, and along the Rivers of America during Wintertime Enchantment at Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle each evening.

Crowd enjoying a nighttime light and water show at a theme park, where holiday entertainment comes alive with colorful projections and a Ferris wheel featuring a large cartoon face.

“World of Color – Season of Light”

Scheduled nightly at Disney California Adventure

This nighttime spectacular features scenes from films like “Inside Out” and “Frozen,” all set to holiday music.

For a limited time starting November 15, a new water short featuring “Moana 2” will be presented before the show.

The building, reminiscent of Disneyland's enchanting allure, dazzles at night with vibrant, colorful lights arranged in mesmerizing patterns—perfect for holiday entertainment. — “it’s a small world” Holiday attraction exterior – Disneyland Park at Disneyland Resort – 12/20/18. (Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort)

Holiday Lighting Moments

Scheduled nightly at Disney California Adventure and Disneyland Park

At Disney California Adventure, a 50-foot tree will come to life with lights during the Buena Vista Street Tree Lighting.

As dusk falls at Disneyland, guests can gather in front of “it’s a small world” Holiday to see the lights there illuminate. During select times throughout the evening, a light projection show animates the facade of the attraction.

Live Music and Nightly Snow at Downtown Disney District

Available nightly throughout Downtown Disney District

Downtown Disney District will celebrate the holidays with decor, shopping, and entertainment. The Downtown Disney LIVE! stage and lawn will host seasonal live music each night, with acts covering genres like rock, jazz, and classic caroling.

“The holiday festivities extend to the Downtown Disney District with holiday décor, shopping and entertainment. The Downtown Disney LIVE! stage and lawn will present seasonal live music each night, with featured acts covering genres such as rock, jazz and classic caroling.

“Snow” will also fall nightly near the Downtown Disney District LIVE! stage and lawn from November 29 through January 6.

Entertainment at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort

Scheduled on select days from November 21 through December 31, 2024

All three hotels at the Disneyland Resort will sport holiday decor and host holiday carolers on select days.

On Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings starting November 22, the Great Hall lobby at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will offer live holiday jazz. Performances are during select times and at select locations through December 31.

For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.

Brit Tuttle

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