It might be the middle of July, but it’s time to talk about all things holidays at Walt Disney World. If you’re a type-A planner like me, then you’re probably already thinking about your holiday travel plans. Disney World is exactly the same way, announcing a slew of returning parties and offerings coming this November.
This year is a busy one at Walt Disney World with new entertainment including Disney Starlight, Magic Kingdom’s first nighttime parade in a decade, debuting this month. While summer is just heating up, my mind is on cooler temperatures and festive decorations. Let’s take a look at everything announced today that will return to Disney World this holiday season.
Disney World holidays return November 14 through December 31
The official “holiday season” will take place at Walt Disney World this year from November 14 through December 31, 2025. However, if you happen to visit in early November, you may still spot some festive decorations in the parks. Be on the lookout for the towering Christmas tree at Magic Kingdom making its annual appearance shortly after Halloween.
Some of the resort-wide offerings include the chance to meet Santa Claus himself. Santa will make appearances at all four Walt Disney World theme parks as well as Disney Springs. Exact times and locations will be available on the My Disney Experience App.
What else does the “holiday season” at Disney World entail? Keep on reading to see how each park plans on celebrating this year.
READ MORE: YOUR HOLIDAY TRAVEL GUIDE TO WALT DISNEY WORLD
Magic Kingdom holiday offerings
Confirmed to be returning this holiday season is the “Frozen Holiday Surprise,” where Elsa “transforms Cinderella Castle into a shimmering crystallized palace.” This offering has been around for the past several years, meaning that we once again will have a holiday season without Cinderella Castle Dream Lights (will we ever see it return?).
Jingle Cruise will also return to Magic Kingdom in 2025. The holiday overlay of the classic attraction Jungle Cruise includes all of the same Skipper antics, but with a seasonal twist.
The flagship holiday offering at Walt Disney World is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. The after-hours party will once again take place on select evenings in Magic Kingdom starting on November 7.
The full list of party dates are as follows:
- November 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 30
- December 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21
Attendees can enjoy a festive lineup of entertainment, including Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show and Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade.
EPCOT holiday offerings
EPCOT’s annual Festival of the Holidays will return this year from November 28 through December 30.
The festival includes Holiday Kitchens across the park selling limited-time food and beverage items that celebrate the season. This time of year is also marked by the fan-favorite Candlelight Processional, which takes place nightly throughout the festival at 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. The schedule of celebrity narrators will be announced at a later date.
Other confirmed returning features of the Festival of the Holidays include the Holiday Cookie Stroll, “JOYFUL! Celebration of the Season,” and the Holiday Storytellers located around World Showcase. Outside of World Showcase, Living With the Land comes to life at night with festive lights and holiday decorations with Glimmering Greenhouse.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios holiday offerings
Disney Jollywood Nights will return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on select evenings in November and December.
The full lineup of Disney Jollywood Nights dates for 2025 are as follows:
- November 8, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29
- December 1, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 22
Attendees at this after-hours party enjoy exclusive treats, rare character meet-and-greets, a dazzling ice skating show, swanky holiday dinners, and more. Disney Jollywood Nights is fun for all ages, but it seems to put on a more “adult” vibe with guests encouraged to dress to the nines and enjoy jazz music, festive cocktails, dance parties, and more.
We have also learned that the “Sunset Seasons Greetings” projection show will return to Hollywood Studios for all guests to enjoy this holiday season.
When it’s time to grab a bite to eat, the entire family will want to check out Minnie’s Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine, returning for lunch and dinner during the 2025 holiday season. Exact dates and information has yet to be announced.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom holiday offerings
The festivities continue at Disney’s Animal Kingdom with some of the most adorable offerings yet! Returning this year are the artisan-sculpted puppets that are part of the beloved Merry Menagerie around Discovery Island.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse will have their festive attire on and are ready to snap holiday photos with guests at Adventurers Outpost.
At night, be sure to check out the “Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition.” The show takes place approximately every 10 minutes after dark until park closing, so you’ll have plenty of chances to check it out on your Animal Kingdom day.
Disney Springs and Disney World Resort hotel holiday offerings
There is plenty to see and do outside of the four theme parks around the holidays. Disney Springs is once again hosting its annual Christmas Tree Stroll where guests can admire dozens of beautifully-decorated trees around the district.
Hungry? You’ll definitely want to stop into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar featuring a menu of limited-time holiday bites and sips. The space is fully decked out with holiday decorations, making for a very festive happy hour or meal with friends.
Live music and seasonal menu items can be found throughout Disney Springs, including the chance to grab those last-minute gifts for everyone on your holiday shopping list.
The resort hotels are a great under-the-radar way to take in the holiday magic without stepping foot in a theme park. All of the hotels will feature some level of decoration, but several Deluxe Resorts go all-out with the lobby decor. More information on the exact locations of the gingerbread displays will be available at a later date. **Remember, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will NOT have its annual Gingerbread House on display in the lobby while construction is underway for the new birdcage-inspired lobby bar.**
That’s all of the holiday news for now! Be sure to follow along for more of the latest holiday season news and updates from Walt Disney World.
Disney World announces return of holiday season offerings for 2025 originally appeared on The World of Spark.
More from FamilyVacationist:
- 11 guided tour companies that offer trips around the world
- From Disney to Dollywood, these incredible theme park food festivals are worth planning your whole vacation around
- Maximize the magic: These are the 12 best Disney World hotels for families, sorted by budget, group size, and vacation styles
