Disneyland is known around the world as the Happiest Place on Earth. From November 10 through January 7, happiness isn’t all you’ll find this season. The Disney Elves pull out all of the stops with the return of Festival of Holidays, “World of Color - Season of Light,” and “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks show transforming the magic kingdom into a Christmas winter wonderland.

 

Holiday lighting and decorative yuletide trimmings throughout both parks add to the festive atmospheare of Christmas. Family favorite transformations return this year with the Main Street U.S.A. snowfall, yes it’s real snow, Haunted Mansion Holiday and “it’s a small world” Holiday.

 

Disney California Adventure Park

 

“World of Color – Season of Light” illuminates over Paradise Bay with a dazzling light projection show fantasy of those special Disney animated movie moments we all love synchronized with classic Disney songs.

 

“Festival of Holidays” is all about tasty holiday cuisine and entertainment. Guests will enjoy “Disney Viva Navidad!” presenting the Festive Foods Marketplace - a cultural mix of dishes from around the world.

 

Santa Claus and his merry band of holiday elves will be making regular appearances at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail where the whole family can join Santa’s elves for some holiday themed activities. But watch out for some mischievous elves, you never know what they may be up to.

 

Cars Land introduces a holiday “Snowcar” that greets guests on the road leading to Radiator Springs. Flo’s V-8 Café, Luigi’s Casa della Tires, Fillmore’s and the Cozy Cone Motel will be decorated with holiday themes.

 

 “a bug’s land” - Flik and his bug buddies aren't about to be left out of the celebrations. Bugs may be small, but their decorations aren’t. When you’re the size of a bug, everything Christmas looks huge including “a bugs land” holiday lights and Christmas ornaments.

 

Disney doesn’t do anything in a small way. Nor is the California Adventure Christmas tree. Towering 50’ high over the early Walt Disney and Mickey statue, the Buena Vista Street Christmas Tree spreads the holiday spirit with vintage ornaments reminiscent of the 1920s when Walt Disney landed in Hollywood with a cardboard suitcase and $40 in his pocket.

 

Disneyland Park

 

Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle returns with an eye-popping 50,000 twinkling lights and larger than life wintery icicles cascading down from the turrets of the castle.

 

Nightime brings more magic with the return of “Believe… in Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular with a magical snowfall grand finale creating a wonderous, winter wonderland on Main Street U.S.A..

 

Guests will be enchanted by the soaring Christmas tree located in Town Square, Main Street, U.S.A. Towering 60 feet and packed with nearly 1,800 ornaments, this festive backdrop is a popular location for those holiday photos.

 

Disney characters celebrate the season in “A Christmas Fantasy” parade. A daily procession with floats, music, marching “tin soldiers” and holiday cheer. Santa, who makes a jolly appearance in the parade, also will be found welcoming guests at his special location in Critter Country.

 

Disneyland guests definitely will want to experience the popular seasonal transformation family favorites "it's a small world" and Haunted Mansion Holiday. 

 

“it’s a small world” becomes “it’s a small world” Holiday with children around the world enjoying the distinctive holiday traditions of their home countries.

 

Haunted Mansion becomes Haunted Mansion Holiday,* with Jack Skellington and his friends from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” causing a collision between Christmas and Halloween.