Walt Disney World has introduced Christmas dates & particulars, with new data about a few of the leisure, decorations & extra at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs, and the motels. This shares all the pieces revealed for the vacation season, together with commentary about what’s coming, what’s (possible) cancelled, and what’s nonetheless unknown.
From November 14 by means of December 31, 2025, get able to deck the halls as Walt Disney World involves life with Christmas decor, themed meals and beverage objects, characters in festive outfits, particular vacation leisure, and a lot extra. Though November 14, 2025 is the official begin date of Christmas at Walt Disney World and December 31, 2025 is the official finish date, we’d warning that these are in all probability not “laborious” dates for when the occasion will launch and wrap up.
It was the case that Walt Disney World kicked off its Christmas celebrations over the Veterans Day vacation weekend, which might be on November 7, 2025. The most important exception to that is EPCOT, which often celebrates Pageant of the Holidays from the day after Thanksgiving till day earlier than New 12 months’s Eve. There’s extra to the beginning date than that, and it’s not practically as easy because it was.
Final yr, the Christmas season didn’t formally begin till November 12, the day after the Veterans Day vacation weekend. This yr is even later than that, with Walt Disney World ready till the next Friday to start Christmas 2025. That’s a full week later than previous precedent previous to final yr.
Every thing would possibly simply begin abruptly on November 14, 2025. This might be in step with Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Get together, which is starting one week later this yr. This might imply that the primary date of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together can be November 14, 2025 and the primary date of Jollywood Nights can be November 15, 2025.
We’re skeptical that’ll be the case–these can be very late kickoffs for the laborious ticket occasions. It’s extra possible that the laborious ticket events at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios to start one week earlier, and the remainder of the vacation festivities to start out on November 14, 2025.
That’s what occurred final yr, and it could make sense for a repeat of that–because it’s more durable to cram extra events into fewer dates from mid-November by means of late-December as in comparison with August by means of October. Nevertheless it’s unattainable to say for positive this yr, as scheduling has not been in step with 2025 occasions.
As for the December 31, 2025 finish date, most vacation leisure will conclude on that date. The lone exception is EPCOT’s Pageant of the Holidays, which wraps up on December 30, 2025–decorations come down there to arrange for the massive New 12 months’s Eve bash.
In every single place else, music and decorations will step by step go down within the first week or so of January 2026. (Outdoors of EPCOT and leisure, it’s widespread for Christmas to unofficially proceed by means of Marathon Weekend.)
Turning to the substantive information, let’s begin with Magic Kingdom. Walt Disney World confirmed that Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together might be held on choose nights in November and December 2025.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together is a tough ticket occasion (learn: upcharge) at Magic Kingdom, that includes festive ambiance, particular leisure, character meet & greets, and seasonal treats. The occasion highlights embody Mickey’s As soon as Upon a Christmastime Parade, Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration Stage Present, Minnie’s Fantastic Christmastime Fireworks, snow on Predominant Avenue, and way more. Friends with particular occasion tickets can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4:00 pm, with MVMCP operating from 7 pm till midnight.
See our Information to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together for all the pieces you’ll want to know, together with the expected begin date and costs.
Magic Kingdom will as soon as once more host the “Frozen Vacation Shock” in entrance of Cinderella Citadel, that includes Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and the cute Snowgies. “Frozen Vacation Shock” will be seen throughout common park hours and through Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together, which means it’ll in all probability begin the primary week of November.
We’ve seen “Frozen Vacation Shock” just a few occasions within the final couple of years. It’s extremely underwhelming. I don’t know the way they managed so as to add a stage present element to this and nonetheless by some means made the top outcome worse than the earlier projections, but it surely was fairly a feat.
Truthful warning: “Frozen Vacation Shock” nonetheless attracts a reasonably large crowd (though we observed it shrink final yr), which is probably going because of the longstanding fame of its similarly-named predecessor. In our view, the present is extremely anticlimactic with no correct fort lightning element. Your mileage could range, although.
Seeking to see much more magic from Elsa through the holidays? Catch her and plenty of different Disney characters within the new “Disney Starlight” evening parade, debuting July 20 and out there twice every evening. Be aware that the Starlight evening parade will NOT be out there on evenings Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together, however the parade will proceed all through the vacation season.
The truth that it wasn’t talked about alongside “Frozen Vacation Shock” virtually actually signifies that the Cinderella Citadel Dream Lights as soon as once more are NOT returning for Christmas 2025. That is actually unlucky, and a short-sighted mistake on the a part of administration.
We are going to by no means go up the prospect to reward the Cinderella Citadel Dream Lights or name for his or her long-overdue return. These icicle lights have been certainly one of our favourite issues about Christmas at Walt Disney World for the decade-plus. We spent many a late evening on Predominant Avenue, merely gazing down at these resplendent lights, savoring the scene. I misplaced rely of what number of occasions we did this through the years–in all probability over 100.
For individuals who have by no means had an opportunity to see the Cinderella Citadel Dream Lights, they have been nothing wanting spectacular. Good, you would possibly say. Cynics would possibly assume such a bodily mild show is quaint or antiquated, surpassed by the benefit and suppleness of projections. That these of us who miss the Dream Lights are merely clouded by nostalgia and sentimentality, ignoring the daytime visible blight, set up, and ease of the bodily icicle lights.
We wholeheartedly disagree. No projections can match the greater than 200,000 tiny white lights that illuminate Cinderella Citadel and remodel it right into a veritable ice palace. The Dream Lights would cease you in your tracks, with the resplendent bodily show being an absolute jaw-dropper. Phrases, pictures, and video completely can not do it justice. I’m not usually one for the flowery language in Disney’s press releases, however even the corporate’s advertising and marketing groups undersold the Cinderella Citadel Dream Lights. No matter reward you’ve heard concerning the Dream Lights, it’s true. All of it.
(Earlier than anybody makes any claims about it “not being attainable” as a result of Walt Disney World disposed of the previous lights or as a result of they bought complaints concerning the crane, two issues are value noting. First, new lights will be bought or fabricated–the lights utilized in 2019 weren’t the identical as those in 2007. Second, the final two years of the Dream Lights, Disney lowered the crane through the day. That drawback was already addressed. These are simply excuses!)
The world-famous Jingle Cruise is confirmed as returning in 2025 for a festive-yet-familiar journey, as a trusty skipper expertly navigates friends by means of a few of the world’s most treacherous waters.
Friends could hear and see loads of holiday-themed gags alongside their 10-minute, 10,000-mile journey that goes on for Niles and Niles and Niles, so be sure that to maintain an in depth ear as your skipper guides you thru the jungle with a ship stuffed with pun-filled enjoyable.
But the enjoyable begins as quickly as friends enter the queue. Earlier than boarding your canopied tramp steamer, you’ll see that the skippers have additionally embellished the loading space with loads of lights, sights and sounds for the vacations. Look out for some hidden particulars all through your wait time — you by no means know what you’ll uncover subsequent concerning the shenanigans occurring every day on the Jungle Navigation Firm.
And talking of waits, Jingle Cruise is often a extra in style Lightning Lane through the vacation season, but it surely’s additionally higher at evening. That’s value holding in thoughts when prioritizing Multi-Move picks.
The hard-ticket Disney Jollywood Nights occasion returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for its third season. After ticket gross sales have been worse in its sophomore season than its inaugural marketing campaign (at the least as measured by offered out nights), we weren’t 100% positive it’d be again. We’re more than happy to see Walt Disney World not giving up on the idea and as an alternative iterating and (trying to) enhance it.
Disney Jollywood Nights may even embody distinctive character experiences that includes each new and returning favorites. Reunite with beloved characters like Phineas and Ferb, Santa Duffy and Santa Sew, Bo Peep, Lotso, Baloo, and King Louie from TaleSpin.
That’s not all–so you’ll want to try our Information to Disney Jollywood Nights Christmas Get together for what to anticipate–together with a predicted begin date and greater than a bit commentary!
Additionally at DHS, Sundown Seasons Greetings returns to the Hollywood Vacation Tower Resort on Sundown Boulevard.
This park icon will twinkle with projection results, reworking right into a snowy nook of Arendelle, a Muppets gingerbread masterpiece, a Toy Story toy resort, and a Dickensian village impressed by “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.”
Walt Disney World didn’t present dates for Sundown Seasons Greetings, however we’d count on it to quietly begin exhibiting a day or two earlier than the primary Disney Jollywood Nights. That means which you could in all probability count on to see it round November 7 or 8.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Echo Lake is as soon as once more anticipated to get decked out for the vacations. That is certainly one of our “sleeper spots” for Christmas at Walt Disney World. We may sit on a bench in entrance of Santa Gertie for hours, simply absorbing the ambiance and listening to the good background music.
At Toy Story Land, you may as soon as once more spot Woody, Jessie and Buzz sporting their vacation finest. (This implies scarves and/or Santa hats.)
Once more, no begin dates for any of this. If previous precedent is any indication, Disney’s Hollywood Studios might be decked out for the vacations beginning in early November. For the reason that park doesn’t have fun Halloween, we’ve seen decor in earlier years going up in late October.
Additionally at DHS, Minnie Mouse might be internet hosting a yuletide feast at Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with the return of Minnie’s Vacation Dine (which we completely love). Santa Goofy might be there, together with Minnie and others of their vacation finery.
Choices embody oven-roasted herbed hen, carved beef tenderloin, seared salmon, spice-rubbed pork loin and a plant-based roasted mushroom-farro risotto. Be certain to save lots of room for some showstopping desserts as nicely, together with seasonal bread pudding, Mississippi mud pie and extra.
Advance Eating Reservations are extremely advisable for Minnie’s Vacation Dine. Identical-day reservations will be made on a restricted foundation (topic to availability), however that is an extremely in style character eating expertise–particularly because it presents nice bang-for-credit on the Disney Eating Plan.
Persevering with with characters, additionally, you will be capable to get pleasure from “For the First Time in Endlessly: A Frozen Sing-Alongside Celebration,” with its festive finale that includes Olaf.
The most important Christmas “character” of all is, in fact, Santa Claus.
Jolly Previous St. Nick will make particular appearances all through Walt Disney World in all 4 parks, Disney Springs and even at a water park, the place he’ll be donning his tropical vacation beachwear.
At EPCOT, Santa Claus will be part of storytellers from world wide as part of the EPCOT Worldwide Pageant of the Holidays from November 28 to December 30, 2025.
Walt Disney World has confirmed the next Vacation Storytellers will return:
- Mexico Pavilion – Las Posadas Celebration
- Norway Pavilion – A Mischievous Magical Barn Santa
- China Pavilion – Chinese language Lion Dancer
- Italy Pavilion – La Befana
- Japan Pavilion – Daruma Storyteller
- Between the Morocco and France Pavilions – Hanukkah Storyteller
- France Pavilion – Père Noël
- United Kingdom Pavilion – Father Christmas
- Canada Pavilion – Canadian Vacation Voyageurs
Get pleasure from festive traditions from world wide with superb vacation storytellers, scrumptious dishes, merchandise, leisure and extra, every celebrating distinctive cultural traditions.
Get able to fulfill your festive cravings at Vacation Kitchens. Situated all through the park and serving up a mouth-watering array of seasonal meals and drinks, there are scrumptious treats ready for you from across the globe.
Additionally returning is Olaf’s Vacation Custom Expedition Scavenger Hunt, sending you on a journey round World Showcase to find Olaf in 13 totally different spots all through EPCOT. Discover 13 vacation traditions that Olaf has found in each pavilion round World Showcase earlier than visiting Creations Store or World Traveler at Worldwide Gateway to redeem a particular vacation prize.
One of many highlights for me is the Candlelight Processional. Listening to a star narrator inform the Christmas story, accompanied by a full orchestra and mass choir, is such a transferring expertise—it actually captures the magic of the vacations.
We don’t have specifics about narrators, eating packages, or anything, however that’s widespread–these often aren’t introduced till late summer time into early fall. For the previous few years, followers have gotten nervous concerning the “delayed” announcement and what which means for the destiny of the occasion. It doesn’t imply something–Disney has simply gotten into the rhythm of asserting Candlelight dates and narrators later, and often abruptly. It takes longer for scheduling of the celebrities and so forth.
We’ll replace our Information to the Candlelight Processional at EPCOT the second any further information is launched!
Within the Land pavilion at EPCOT, you may take a leisurely boat experience by means of the greenhouses of Dwelling with the Land for a particular, glowing tour. Get pleasure from a peaceable cruise and consider twinkling vacation mild shows all through the greenhouses. This often begins a bit earlier than the remainder of the vacation season at EPCOT, with decorations seen through the daytime hours all through most of November (the experience gained’t be illuminated till later, which is the entire level of the attraction, although).
We completely love Dwelling with the Land. It’s one of many Walt Disney World sights we do essentially the most. We additionally completely love Christmas lights. Put these two issues collectively, and we’re squarely the audience for Dwelling with the Land: Merry and Vibrant Nights. Unsurprisingly, we completely love this overlay.
We’re not the one ones. Dwelling with the Land: Merry & Vibrant Nights had one of many highest common wait occasions final December, and drew large strains proper up till parl closing. I may go on and on about this, gushing concerning the calming ambiance, thoroughness, and understated simplicity of all of it. Suffice to say, don’t miss Dwelling with the Land: Merry and Vibrant Nights!
Animal Kingdom will come alive with the return of a Merry Menagerie of winter animals realized within the type of life-size, artisan-sculpted puppets. In the course of the day, Discovery Island is alive with a life-size “Merry Menagerie” of artisan-sculpted puppets that embody reindeer, foxes, polar bears, penguins, birds, seals—and doubtless different critters we missed.
These winter animals are accompanied by serenading stay musicians who mingle amongst friends and the Merry Menagerie of critters to create festive ambiance. Critically, these puppets are one thing particular–actually some Actual Christmas Magic at Walt Disney World!
At Adventurers Outpost, meet and pose for a photograph with world vacationers Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse at their exploration headquarters, dressed of their finest vacation outfits. The globetrotting couple is making ready for his or her subsequent grand expedition, so be sure that to snap a postcard-perfect image to ship to all of your family and friends.
A blinding visible show stuffed with vivid colours and animated imagery, the “Tree of Life Awakenings Vacation Version” lights up Animal Kingdom because the majestic centerpiece of the park involves life on nights when the park is open after darkish in Discovery Island.
Accompanied by a collection of wintry tales and a heartwarming holiday-inspired musical rating, this vacation night expertise is certain to thrill and encourage your entire household tree. The present begins after darkish every evening and happens roughly each 10 minutes till the park closes, so be sure that to catch a fast peek earlier than heading again to your resort after an extended day of enjoyable.
As well as, unique art work from artist Rob Kaz might be out there at Island Mercantile in Discovery Island all through the vacation season. Kaz may even greet friends inside Island Mercantile from November 1 by means of November 20, so be sure that to swing by to see his stunning Disney-themed art work.
No phrase but on what else is occurring at Animal Kingdom for Christmas, however that’s not unusual.
One oddity is that Walt Disney World didn’t announce the return of assembly Santa Claus on the 76th Annual Dino Institute Vacation Get together on the patio at Restaurantosaurus. Because the visitor of honor himself, Santa’s checked his record twice and invited everybody to affix him on this festive location as the scholars and college of the Dino Institute have fun the season in (pre)-historic trend.
This was a enjoyable expertise final yr, and WDW has already dedicated to holding Restaurantosaurus open by means of early 2026, so we’re undecided why this wouldn’t return. Until our hypothesis is appropriate, and Restaurantosaurus would possibly truly find yourself closing early. We’ll maintain you posted.
Walt Disney World resort motels might be decked out for the vacations, with their lobbies that includes iconic timber and different festive thrives. Positively excellent news for followers of Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Modern Resort, and different vacation favorites.
Gingerbread shows will as soon as once more be a part of the vacation season at Walt Disney World! Choose resorts may even supply vacation menus and specialty meals & drink at their eating places. All of this often rolls out in phases, possible starting the primary weekend of November and persevering with by means of the week earlier than Thanksgiving.
Whereas the lineup of gingerbread shows has but to be introduced, Walt Disney World did already reveal that Grand Floridian’s Gingerbread Home is Cancelled for Christmas 2025. This is because of development, however as mentioned in that publish, we suspect it’s going to by no means return. At the very least, to not its previous location within the foyer.
Walt Disney World has additionally teased one of many new reductions to be launched later this week.
Buddies and households can save as much as 20% on rooms at choose Walt Disney World Resort motels, whereas additionally receiving as much as a $100 Walt Disney World Resort Eating & Procuring Card when including four-day (or longer!) customary theme park tickets to their keep.
This supply is obtainable to e-book beginning July 10 for stays most Sunday to Thursday nights October 12-November 20, 2025, and most nights November 23-December 25, 2025.
In all chance, there might be further particular presents launched on Thursday for a similar or comparable journey dates. That is simply possible the marquee low cost that Disney needs to highlight. We’ll maintain you posted!
At Disney Springs, the Christmas Tree Stroll will as soon as once more return. These elaborately embellished, Disney-themed timber will include returning favorites plus some new dazzling décor.
Because the story goes, Indiana Jones and his easygoing pilot Jock Lindsey chanced on Disney Springs in 1938 whereas chasing down a mythology-based tip in central Florida. Earlier than lengthy, this house base turned a well-liked stopover and watering gap for world vacationers and locals alike, stuffed with dusty mementos of superb holidays passed by. Right now, thrill-seeking households absorb the rugged allure of Jock Lindsey’s Vacation Bar, with its spare airplane components, salvaged tools and loads of vacation decorations.
Moreover, nightly snowfall will add a contact of marvel for vacation customers in City Heart. Count on all of this to additionally begin across the first weekend in November 2025.
In the end, it appears like that is the “new regular” for Christmas at Walt Disney World. There are nonetheless a handful of issues that haven’t been introduced as returning as in comparison with pre-closure, but it surely’s possible some or most of that’s gone for good. It’s now 5 years because the COVID cancellations, and what as soon as would possibly’ve been legitimate on a short lived foundation has turned everlasting. As soon as Disney will get a style of operational cost-savings, it’s powerful to reverse course, sadly.
That is additionally regardless of crowd ranges which have been on the decline for the final couple of years as pent-up demand has absolutely exhausted itself and Walt Disney World is beginning to see the implications of its greater costs and different modifications. To every their very own, but when I have been administration seeing a slowdown in bookings, I’d reevaluate my choices and restore a few of what made the parks in style earlier than. As an alternative, they appear positive with a cycle of decrease attendance resulting in extra cost-cutting resulting in decrease attendance.
With that mentioned, it’s solely July (lower than two months till Halloween season!), which remains to be early. This isn’t introduced as an exhaustive lineup of Walt Disney World’s Christmas 2025 leisure and choices. A number of extra issues will virtually actually be introduced within the coming months, which is what occurred the previous few years. That is merely a teaser for Christmas, so right here’s hoping that Walt Disney World has extra surprises up its sleeve!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about motels on our Walt Disney World Lodges Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a singular have a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces you’ll want to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider this Walt Disney World information? What about Christmas leisure, decorations, and numerous choices this yr? Will you be dissatisfied if there aren’t lights up for the vacations? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
