This is an entry for “holiday time” in our Disneyland 101 Glossary: Disneyland Resort definitions in under 101 words, from Mouse Brief. Keep reading after the summary for answers to frequently asked questions about Holiday Time at Disneyland Resort.

Holiday Time at Disneyland Resort refers to the season from mid-November through the New Year when Disney collectively celebrates Christmas, Navidad, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day with seasonal decor, food, entertainment, costumes, music and even changes to some attractions like “it’s a small world” Holiday and Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl. Disney California Adventure Park hosts Disney Festival of the Holidays, and Disneyland Park features A Christmas Fantasy Parade. Each park enhances their nighttime spectaculars with festive touches and “snow” falls at scheduled times around the resort. All of these offerings are included in general admission.

Thank you for reading this entry from our Disneyland 101 Glossary. Keep reading for answers to frequently asked questions about Holiday Time at Disneyland Resort. For help in planning your Disneyland trip from start to finish, please see our free and complete Step-by-Step Disneyland Prep and for more Disney definitions in 100 words or fewer, see Disneyland 101 Glossary. Thanks again for reading!

FAQS, Holiday Time at Disneyland Resort

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Holiday Time at Disneyland Resort.

Will it snow at Disneyland?

It could snow at Disneyland while you are visting! While natural snow at Disneyland Resort is highly unlikely (given the general climate in Anaheim) Disney does regularly create magic “snow” at the resort. The schedule for this changes from year to year, but you are most likely to find the snow at Disneyland Park on Main Street. U.S.A. and near Sleeping Beauty Castle as well as near the Downtown Disney Live! Stage outside the parks (but still at the resort).

We have a whole article on snow at Disneyland Resort here: Does it Snow in Disneyland? As for preparing for the non-magical weather during winter at Disneyland, see our What to Wear to Disneyland: Part 2, Cold or Wet Weather.

When is Holiday Time at Disneyland Resort?

The exact dates of Holiday Time at Disneyland Resort change from year to year, but they do follow a pretty typical pattern. You can expect Holiday Time to start around mid-November and last through roughly the first week of the new year when many communities celebrate the Epiphany, or Three Kings Day.

The previous resort season, Halloween Time ends with Halloween on October 31. After that, Disney cast members transition decorations, costumes, food, merchandise, entertainment, and even attractions set-ups to their Holiday Time versions. This is a big transition, and it does take time, so you can expect to see some Holiday Time offerings pop-up before the official start of the season. In the same way, some of these elements may linger after the official end date.

Do some Disney rides change for Holiday Time?

Yes! Some Disneyland Resort attractions have special holiday versions.

In Disneyland Park “it’s a small world” transforms inside and out to a holiday version of the attraction. The already impressive facade gets blanketed in twinkle lights and even has a special nighttime lighting ritual. Inside, the attraction features special holiday decor and holiday tunes mixed-in with the ride’s signature song.

Also, in Disneyland Park, Haunted Mansion gets a Nightmare Before Christmas overlay that lasts through both Halloween Time and Holiday Time at Disneyland Resort. Perhaps calling this an overlay is underselling it; this really is a full ride transformation. If you have never seen the iconic Tim Burton film, we recommend viewing it on Disney+ or borrowing it from your local library before your visit.

Over at Disney California Adventure Park, Cars Land transforms in a really fun way for Holiday Time and so do two of its attractions. Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters becomes Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl, and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree becomes Mater’s Jingle Jamboree. These holiday versions are smaller in scope than their Disneyland Park counterparts, but their setting in the decked-out Cars Land really helps make it a full experience.

Does it cost extra to visit Disneyland at Christmas time?

Yes and no. The good news is that almost all offerings are included with general park admission. So the ride overlays, special shows, nighttime spectaculars, parades, cavalcades and festive decor are all included with your regular ticket. As with other times at Disneyland Resort, food and merchandise cost extra.

However, Holiday Time is generally a popular time to visit Disneyland Resort. Accordingly, prices for one-day tickets, Lightning Lanes and lodging tend to be more expensive during this time of year, especially during school breaks. Still, the season is long, and you can find some deals depending on your travel dates.

Is there a Disneyland Christmas party?

Disneyland Resort does not have a hard ticket Christmas party like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World. These means that most holiday offerings are included with general admission! You will not pay extra for the popular Disneyland Christmas Fantasy Parade, fireworks or ride overlays. Extra-cost events include a guided holiday tour and special seasonal dining.

What should I wear during Holiday Time at Disneyland Resort?

As we mentioned above, do not come to Disneyland Resort expecting snow and ice during the holidays, unless it is the magical kind on Sleeping Beauty Castle. Winters in Anaheim are mild (compared to other parts of the country anyway), but you will still want to prepare for chilly evenings.

The temperature can drop significantly after dark, and we expect you will want to keep playing after the Christmas lights switch on. So we suggest packing layers and bring a back-pack or renting a locker to hold those layers during warmer hours.

Winter is also the rainy season in California. Again, this is relative, so do not expect constant downpours, but be aware that the weather may very well be wetter than your last summer visit.

We put all of our tips for dressing for winter weather at Disneyland Resort here: What to Wear to Disneyland: Part 2, Cold or Wet Weather. And we also think this is a good resource: 5 Pleasant Tips for Weathering the Weather at Disneyland Resort.

Thanks for reading this Disneyland 101 Glossary and FAQ entry on Holiday Time at Disneyland Resort.

We hope you have found this entry helpful and that you will take some time to explore our other Disneyland 101 Glossary entries including our post on Halloween Time. For help planning your Disneyland trip from start to finish, please see our free and complete Step-by-Step Disneyland Prep. Thanks again for reading!