Hi, everyone!!! We’re Brian and Crystal, and if you’ve never read one of our Disneyland posts, then all you need to know is that we’re both massive fans of all things Disney, but especially the Disney parks. Recently, Disney invited us to join them to check out all the holiday magic at Disneyland and California Adventure. Unfortunately, it was a rare, rainy day in Southern California — as you can see from the photo below, we couldn’t even take a photo in front of the castle and had to use one from earlier this year — so we didn’t get to experience everything. However, here are a few things we did do, as well as other things we definitely suggest you check out.
Now, just in case you were wondering, this year’s holiday celebrations at Disneyland are running from now through Jan. 7, 2026.
First and foremost, we need to talk about the viral Mickey Gingerbread Man. Now, this is extremely popular and all over social media (with good reason, because it’s delicious). The gingerbread Mickey is available in three locations: the Grand Californian, the Fiddler, Fifer & Practical bakery in DCA, and the Jolly Holiday in Disneyland. If you want to try it, you need to mobile order first thing in the morning because the later you place your order, the way later your pick-up window will be, or you might not be able to get one at all, as they sell out.
The Haunted Mansion Holiday. We both agree this is a must-do and probably one of our favorite things to do at the parks this time of year. If you’ve never been on it before, then plan ahead, as it’s a LOT of people’s favorite things to do, too, and the waits can be very long. And be aware that on busy days, even Lightning Lane passes for it can sell out early.
“The Story Time with Deadpool Holiday Special” next to Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! at California Adventure. Now, we didn’t get to see this because of the rain, but this fan-favorite has returned once again. It’s very kid-friendly, but with a few jokes thrown in that only parents will get.
Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party* at Paradise Gardens Park in California Adventure. Another returning favorite, which features The Three Caballeros (José Carioca, Panchito, and Donald Duck), who sing and dance to traditional Latin American holiday music, accompanied by folklorico dancers, mariachis, and Brazilian samba dancers.
If you missed the news, California Adventure is set to get a brand-new Coco ride and possibly even a small themed land. But Coco has already had a steady presence in the parks for years. One of the sweetest additions is the “A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel!” show, which is returning again this year, bringing not only the movie’s music to life but also classic English and Spanish Christmas songs.
It’s a Small World Holiday. Now, even if you aren’t a fan of the original version of this ride, you’ll have to agree with us that the holiday version really does get you in the holiday spirit. And if you haven’t done it, it’s worth experiencing at least once. However, just like the Haunted Mansion Holiday, this attraction tends to have long lines, so plan accordingly.
The “Tapestry of Happiness” is a whimsical 5-minute nighttime projection show that was added for the 70th anniversary of Disneyland, and is displayed on the facade of It’s a Small World. Illustrated in the iconic style of Disney legend Mary Blair, the show is a wonderful tribute to the park’s past and present. While this isn’t holiday-specific, we both really like it and think it’s worth checking out.
“A Christmas Fantasy” Parade. Of course, we couldn’t write this list up without mentioning the parade — it’s a classic! Even if parades aren’t usually your thing, this one’s totally worth a watch because, again, it really gets you in the holiday spirit.
And lastly, the “Believe … In Holiday Magic” fireworks show is another classic and always a crowd-pleaser. And if you don’t want to wait in the crowd on Main Street, U.S.A., to see it, you can go over to near the Rivers of America, and It’s a Small World to watch the fireworks and see the projections.
The Disneyland Resort’s holiday celebration is currently underway until Jan. 7. Want in on the fun? Visit Disneyland’s website for all the ticket details and information.
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