10 reasons to go to Disneyland & California Adventure at Christmas parade festival shows entertainment

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Christmastime at Disneyland in Anaheim, California is truly a wonderful, magical time.  If you haven’t visited the theme park before during Christmas and you’re going to be/want to be in Southern California during the holiday season then you really ought to go this year.  Consider these following 10 reasons why Disneyland at Christmas is amazing:

  1. Decorations: You can see holiday decorations all over Disneyland, California Adventure, Downtown Disney & the resort hotels! See the storefronts & lampposts of Main Street USA decorated with wreaths and garland.  See Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle shimmer at night with snow-capped turrets and beautiful icicles. See Buena Vista Street at California Adventure be transformed into a nostalgic winter wonderland, and a 50-foot Chistmas tree at Carthay Circle, which will be lit nightly at 4:55 PM.  And see so many more Christmas decorations, complete with the smallest touches that Disney is always known for
  2. Cars Land Christmas makeover: Luigi’s backyard in Cars Land at California Adventure will be decked out for the holiday season! In Cars Land, you can also enjoy Mater’s Jingle Jamboree, an all-new holiday attraction, which is a festive makeover of Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree.
  3. It’s A Small World Holiday: Enjoy a beautifully decorated, season version of this classic Disneyland ride
  4. Haunted Mansion Holiday: This ride honestly feels to me like a whole new ride when it gets a transformation inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
  5. Fireworks & Light Shows: You can cap off your nights enjoying “Believe…In Holiday Magic” at Disneyland & “World of Color – Season of Light” at Paradise Pier in California Adventure – wonderful spectacles for your eyes set to Christmas music!
  6. A Christmas Fantasy Parade: This festive Disneyland park tradition features beautiful, festive floats featuring beloved Disney Princesses like Anna & Elsa, Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Olaf…and it ends with Santa Claus on his sleigh!
  7. Disney ¡Viva Navidad!: In Paradise, you can enjoy a holiday celebration filled with authentic dance, music & décor. The Paradise Garden Grill will be serving authentic Mexican specialties throughout the holiday season. You’ll see beautiful holiday decorations, such as colorful hanging papel picado banners, piñatas, your favorite Disney characters dressed up for the holidays and a Disney ¡Viva Navidad Street Party, with performances by musicians, dancers & humungous mojiganga puppets – and it’s led by the Three Caballeros!  And Disney ¡Viva Navidad ends with a festive celebration of Three Kings Day, from January 4th to 7th!
  8. Festival of Holiday Entertainment: You can enjoy holiday entertainment at the parks from an assortment of musicians, dancers & performers, such as performances from:
    • Mariachi Divas
    • Holiday Toy Drummers
    • Mostly Kosher
    • Blue13 Dance Company
    • The Sound
  9. Holiday Food & Drink: From gingerbread men to peppermint mochas, Disneyland & California Adventure will be filled with holiday goodies! You can sample holiday foods & beverages at the Festive Foods Marketplace, 12 different kiosks at California Adventure.  Also, be on the lookout for collectible Ornament Steins, which will be filled with a fountain beverage, fresh fruit or an ice cream sundae!
  10. Santa’s Holiday Visit: Want to meet Santa Claus and his elves? Then head to Ahwahnee Camp Circle in Grizzly Peak in California Adventure for a chance to get a picture of Santa with you or your child, which you can promptly post on all your social media accounts (and after Christmas, meet Santa Goofy)!  Plus, you and your family can enjoy the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, which the elves transformed into a playground filled with season games & outdoor activities!

With so much to do at both Disneyland and California Adventure, you’re going to want to visit both parks, and you can buy multiple day or park hopper tickets through Expedia.

 

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10 reasons to visit Disneyland, California Adventure & Downtown Disney during the Christmas season: holiday themed rides & parades; decorations; Mexican festival; fireworks & lights show; holiday foods & drinks; visit with Santa Claus & elves & more!