The holidays are fast approaching, and Disney World is getting ready to celebrate with special events and offerings for the season! The holiday season officially starts in Disney World in mid-November, and this year’s magical celebration will feature unforgettable festive fun across the parks, resorts, and Disney Springs.
If you have a trip planned to experience the holidays at Disney World this year, there are a few key dates you’ll want to keep in mind.
Magic Kingdom
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – This beloved event is returning for 2022, and runs on select dates from November 8 through December 22. Experience spectacular shows, a parade, special character meet-and-greets and more!
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party dates are:
- November 8 (SOLD OUT)
- November 10 (SOLD OUT)
- November 11 (SOLD OUT)
- November 14
- November 15
- November 17
- November 18
- November 20
- November 22
- November 27
- November 29
- December 1
- December 2
- December 4
- December 6
- December 8
- December 9
- December 11
- December 13
- December 15 (SOLD OUT)
- December 16
- December 18
- December 20
- December 22
This popular event often sells out (and a few dates have already!), so make sure to secure your tickets in advance to attend this magical holiday party at Magic Kingdom.
EPCOT
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will also be returning for 2022, beginning November 25 through December 30. Features include delicious seasonal dishes from holiday kitchens, a holiday cookie stroll, and special entertainment offerings around EPCOT.
And you won’t want to miss EPCOT Candlelight Processional, during which the story of Christmas is told by different celebrity narrators. Dates and scheduled celebrity readers for the Candlelight Processional are:
- Simu Liu – November 25 and 26, 2022
- Edward James Olmos – November 27 through 29, 2022
- Raul Esparza – November 30 and December 1, 2022
- Whoopi Goldberg – December 2 and December 3, 2022
- Isabella Rossellini – December 4 through December 6, 2022
- Daymond John – December 7 and December 9, 2022
- Josh Gad – December 10 through December 12, 2022
- Gloria Estefan – December 13 and December 14, 2022
- Neil Patrick Harris – December 15 through December 18, 2022
- Mariska Hargitay – December 19 and December 20, 2022
- Cal Ripken Jr. – December 21 through December 23, 2022
- Marie Osmond – December 24 through December 26, 2022
- Courtney Vance – December 27 and December 28, 2022
- Angela Bassett – December 29 and December 30, 2022
A popular option to make sure you get a chance to see one of these shows is to book a Candlelight Dinner Package. These dinner packages include a meal at Biergarten, Coral Reef, Garden Grill, Le Cellier Restaurant, Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue, Rose & Crown Dining Room or Spice Road Table and guaranteed seating for a Candlelight Processional Show.
Candlelight Dinner Packages go on sale starting October 6: make sure to reserve yours as soon as possible, as they are very popular! Some reservations, such as Regal Eagle Smokehouse, can occasionally be secured same-day based on availability.
Hollywood Studios
Over at Hollywood Studios, holiday celebrations will feature special nightly projection shows on Hollywood Tower of Terror, a special motorcade featuring Santa Claus, and spectacular holiday decor. Make sure to check it all out from November 11 through the holiday season.
Beginning November 8, Hollywood & Vine restaurant will feature a special holiday theme for Minnie’s Seasonal Dining! Visit Minnie and her friends in their holiday best attire, and dine on seasonal dishes from the buffet. This offering has historically run to early January and is very popular, so make sure to make your advanced dining reservations as soon as possible.
See the incredible projections on Hollywood Tower of Terror during the holiday season. Photo by Disney.
Animal Kingdom
Starting November 11 through the end of December, you can spy special holiday Flotillas making their way down Discovery River at Animal Kingdom. Catch Santa Claus’ Flotilla or the Discovery Island Drummers Festival Flotillas and wave hello!
You can also meet the adorable animal puppets of the Merry Menagerie throughout the day on Discovery Island. The snow foxes, penguins, and polar bears can’t wait to meet you during this holiday season!
Disney Springs
Special entertainment and holiday offerings will also be available at Disney Springs, beginning in November. Check out live musical performances and DJs playing music to get you into the holiday spirit, or see the Toy Soldier Stilt Walkers and Snowflake Skaters entertaining guests around Disney Springs. And if you’re dreaming of a white Christmas (in the middle of Orlando!), head on over to Disney Springs Town Center for a little magical snowfall in the evenings. Santa Claus will also be doing meet-and-greets and photo opportunities at Once Upon a Toy!
Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar will also feature special holiday decor, seasonal themed menu items, and more during the holiday season.
The popular Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll presented by AdventHealth will also be returning this year. Check out the incredibly decorated Christmas trees throughout Disney Springs featuring themes from some of your favorite films, rides and more.
Official dates for Disney Springs offerings are TBD, so stay tuned!
The holidays are an especially magical time to visit Disney World, with much to see and experience. If you don’t have your resort reservation secured yet, be sure to check out our list of confirmed reservations to find your deluxe stay for the holiday season!
Written by
Leia Cullen
Leia is a proud mom of two boys. She has been in love with Disneyland and Disney World since her first visit to the parks many years ago, and she continues to relive the magic now with her family. She is passionate about creating helpful content that shares news or information about all things Disney, in the hopes it helps others create their own magical moments.
