We’re about halfway to the holiday season, and it’s hot as blazes out, so you know what that means. It’s time to start planning those Walt Disney World holiday vacations!
The holidays will take place this year from November 14 through December 31, 2025. (Hmmm….dates seem to start a little bit later this year and technically end a little early too.)
Regular favorites will be returning for 2025, including the separate ticketed events, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom and Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There’s also the return of the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays and so much more holiday merriment!
Let’s get our jingle bells on and get ready to ring in the festive Christmas season!
This year, guests can once again join “Frozen” friends during the “Frozen Holiday Surprise.” The show features Anna, Kristoff and a magical moment from Elsa as she transforms Cinderella Castle into a shimmering crystallized palace.
Also returning, and one of my personal favorites is the world-famous Jingle Cruise. Your trusty skipper navigates guests through some of the world’s most treacherous waters but along the way, will get to experience plenty of holiday-themed gags!
Returning again will the the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays! From November 28 through December 30, 2025, travel around EPCOT for seasonal offerings and good times.
During this time, experience the incredible sounds of JOYFUL! Celebration of the Season” in CommuniCore Plaza. You also won’t want to miss Voices of Liberty who dressed as Dickens Carolers perform inside The American Adventure Pavilion with holiday tunes in signature Victorian attire.
One of the most popular events that take place each year at EPCOT is retelling of the nativity story at the Candlelight Processional. The show takes place at the America Gardens Theatre nightly at 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. It features celebrity narrators and seating is first-come, first-served and often fills up fast during this popular performance. You may want to consider purchasing a dining package to make sure you see your favorite performer.
You also won’t want to miss what’s become a holiday tradition for our family. The Holiday Storytellers share festive traditions and bringing holiday tales to life in their respective countries. They include:
Of course, returning for 2025 will be the Holiday Kitchens. And our family’s favorite thing to do is experience for the Christmas season is the Holiday Cookie Stroll! Take a look at our video here:
Also returning this year will be Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt returns, sending you on a journey around World Showcase to locate Olaf in 13 different spots throughout EPCOT. Find 13 holiday traditions that Olaf has discovered in every pavilion around World Showcase before visiting Creations Shop or World Traveler at International Gateway to redeem a special holiday prize.
And you can’t miss the holiday overlay on Living With The Land! The attraction becomes transformed into a glittering greenhouse with sparkling Christmas lights and dazzling decor.
Enjoy the sounds of “Cool Yule” as you stroll down Sunset Boulevard and make sure to stop by Echo Lake to take a holiday picture with Gertie. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of my favorite parks to experience the holiday Christmas season at Walt Disney World each year. Beautiful, vintage decor is adorned everywhere throughout Hollywood Studios, including Echo Lake, Sunset Boulevard and more.
You also won’t want to miss “Sunset Seasons Greetings” which is nightly holiday projections on the Tower of Terror.
In addition, over at the Hyperion Theater, for the season, experience a holiday finale featuring everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf.
Want to meet characters dressed in holiday outfits? Head to Toy Story Land to find larger-than-life seasonal decorations and friends dressed in seasonal attire.
Or you can dine with Minnie Mouse and friends at Hollywood & Vine during Minnie’s Holiday Dine. Here, the characters are perfectly dressed for the season.
One of the truly enchanting experiences for the holidays happens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You won’t want to miss the arctic animals puppets that literally come to life in front of your eyes on Discovery Island with the Merry Menagerie.
Each night, make sure to catch the “Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition”. Accompanied by a series of wintry tales and a heartwarming holiday-inspired musical score, this evening experience is incredible. The show begins after dark each night and occurs approximately every 10 minutes until the park closes.
At Adventurers Outpost, you can meet and pose for a photo with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dressed in their best holiday outfits.
Disney Springs is the perfect spot for holiday shopping, alongside dazzling decorations and the popular Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll. This is one of my favorite traditions! Walk around and discover the extravagantly decorated Christmas trees throughout Disney Springs, including elaborately themed Christmas trees inspired by Disney, Pixar, and Star Wars favorites. You’ll also want to check out the magical nightly snowfall in the Town Center.
Looking for a holiday bite? Stop by Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar, with its spare airplane parts, salvaged equipment and plenty of holiday decorations.
While wandering the shopping and dining district, you’ll also find a winter wonderland full of toy soldier stilt walkers, snowflake rollerbladers, a holiday drum line and a brass band playing holiday tunes.
On select nights, guests may be able to listen to a rotating lineup of regional and local bands play live tunes at the Waterside Stage.
Want to meet Santa? This is a great place to do it! It’s extremely popular, so you’ll want to check specific times in the My Disney Experience app, but he’ll be greeting until December 24!
Looking for holiday Christmas trees, joyful decorations and incredible gingerbread displays? The Disney Resort hotels offer a wide array of bright and merry holiday decor!
Now, one location that will not be offering their traditional holiday display will be Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. The lobby is undergoing a massive refurbishment, as well as work on a new lobby bar, so the gingerbread house will not be found at this resort this year.
But you can enjoy the traditional displays at Disney’s Beach Club, like the gingerbread carousel.
Looking to celebrate the best time of the year in a Disney Resort hotel? Save up to 20% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels, while also receiving up to a $100 Walt Disney World Resort Dining & Shopping Card when adding four-day (or longer!) standard theme park tickets to their stay.
This offer is available to book starting July 10 for stays most Sunday to Thursday nights October 12-November 20, 2025, and most nights November 23-December 25, 2025. Want to book this incredible offer to celebrate the Christmas holiday season? My friend and travel partner, Jocelyn with The Magic For Less Travel would be happy to assist! Click for your free, no-obligation quote.
Follow A Disney World After All for all the latest Disney news and tips.
But now, I want to know your thoughts. What part of the holidays is your favorite? And what are you looking forward to experiencing this year? You can share with me in the comments or on social! Find me on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, Threads, BlueSky, and TikTok.
Want to book a Walt Disney World Resort vacation? Jocelyn Martins at The Magic For Less Travel specializes in the art of personalized vacation planning. She provides a guest-driven, concierge level planning service. Best of all, Jocelyn’s service is provided free of charge. Click here to get your free, no-obligation quote today! (Yes, that’s an affiliate link. I would greatly appreciate that if you would like to book a vacation you consider clicking and helping me!)
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