The annual Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade has become a holiday tradition for families across the country, offering a dose of Disney magic right in their living rooms. This year, the tradition continues with the 2025 Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade.
The broadcast will feature a mix of festive musical performances, celebrity appearances, and the classic parade down Main Street, U.S.A. For those planning to tune in, here is a detailed look at what the 2025 special has in store.
Hosts and Celebrity Performances
The 2025 parade will be hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro, returning for his second year, and Ginnifer Goodwin, known as the voice of Judy Hopps in Zootopia. Maia Kealoha, star of the upcoming live-action Lilo & Stitch, will serve as the parade correspondent from the parade route at Magic Kingdom.
This year’s event will showcase a lineup of musical artists performing holiday classics from various locations across Disney parks and resorts worldwide.
The scheduled performances include:
- Gwen Stefani performing “White Christmas” from Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Resort.
- Coco Jones singing “This Christmas” from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Iam Tongi with his rendition of “The Christmas Song” from Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawai‘i.
- Lady A performing “Winter Wonderland” from the World Celebration Gardens at EPCOT.
- Nicole Scherzinger singing “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” from Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Resort.
- Mariah the Scientist performing “Please Come Home for Christmas” from the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
- Bebe Rexha with “Last Christmas” from Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park.
Parade Features and Special Segments
The parade itself, filmed at Magic Kingdom Park in Walt Disney World, will feature familiar floats and a host of Disney characters. A notable new addition for 2025 is a dedicated segment for Disney Villains, who will have their own section of the parade for the first time.
In addition to the musical and parade elements, the broadcast will include several special segments. Viewers can expect to see heartwarming stories, including surprises for three families who will be gifted trips to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and on the Disney Cruise Line. The special will also recognize a Walt Disney World cast member for their positive contributions.
Furthermore, the broadcast will offer sneak peeks of upcoming projects from The Walt Disney Company. This includes first looks at the new Disney and Pixar film Moana, both scheduled for release in the upcoming year.
A Long-Standing Holiday Tradition
The Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade first aired in 1983 as a way to share the holiday festivities of the parks with a national audience. Over the past 42 years, it has evolved from a straightforward broadcast of the parade into a full-fledged holiday special. The event now combines musical performances from top artists with storytelling segments and looks at what is new and next for the company, solidifying its place as a staple of Christmas morning entertainment.
Happy Holidays!
The 2025 Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade is set to continue its legacy as a cherished holiday event. With a strong lineup of performers, the return of beloved hosts, and new parade elements like the villains’ segment, the broadcast offers something for a wide range of Disney fans.
Whether watching live on ABC or streaming on Disney+, the parade provides a way for families to share in the holiday spirit and connect with the magic of Disney parks from home!
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
