Christmas at Magic Kingdom for the Holidays

One of our favorite things for Christmas at Magic Kingdom includes ogling the decorations, trying all the Disney snacks, and heading to the gift shops to see the new seasonal merchandise. We love Christmas. And as a result, wait for this season all year long. Of all the parks at Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom is best known for holiday fun. Christmas at Walt Disney World includes holiday festivities in all four parks, here’s what you can find if you’re visiting Magic Kingdom this holiday season.

Christmas at Magic Kingdom Details

Magic Kingdom Christmas decorations, events, and shows fill the air with seasonal fun this time of year. The Dapper Dans get dressed in their holiday best, Jingle Cruise adds presents and garlands, and New Christmas Treats at Disney can be found in every park. It’s the most wonderful time of year at the most magical place on Earth and you can feel it. Check out all the Christmas activities at Magic Kingdom to be had through the holidays. 

When Does Christmas Start at Magic Kingdom?

Christmas at Walt Disney World typically starts the second week in November and greets guests in each park with holiday music and Christmas decor. Christmas starts at Magic Kingdom the first Friday in November.

What are the Christmas Hours at Magic Kingdom Park?

Magic Kingdom hours in December are 9:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. These are evenings without Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party scheduled.

• Early Entry at Magic Kingdom is offered 8:30-9:00 am for Disney Resort Guests, on select mornings
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Hours are 7:00 pm- 12:00 am. Party guests are allowed to arrive as early as 4:00 p.m. 

For evenings when Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is offered, Magic Kingdom Hours on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays are 9:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. Be sure to CHECK the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Schedule, so that you can plan your Magic Day on days where you won’t have to leave at 6pm. ( The party starts at 7 PM and MVMCP guests are allowed to arrive as early as 4 PM)

Magic Kingdom Christmas Decorations

Decorations  at Magic Kingdom are up by November 1st, given the overnight transformation from Halloween to Christmas that happens every year. This includes the addition of Wreaths, Garlands, Toy Soldiers and the Town Square Christmas Tree. The remainder of the park sees additional holiday decorations installed up until about November 15th, when the holiday park transformation is complete. 

Magic Kingdom Christmas Characters

One of the best things during Christmas at Magic Kingdom is seeing the Disney characters all dressed up for the holiday. However, most of the Disney Characters in Christmas costumes are only offered at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Meet Santa Claus at Magic Kingdom

You can meet Santa Claus himself at the Storybook Circus building in Fantasyland at the back of the park. Santa meets from 10am to 5pm daily, but check the My Disney Experience app the day you visit in case times change. Check out all the places to see Santa at Disney World this year.

Cinderella Castle Christmas Projections 

Throughout the holiday season, if you’re visiting Magic Kingdom you can plan to see the Cinderella Castle Christmas Projection Show, starting at dusk. Featuring the regal colors of the holidays, fun Christmas designs, and more. Dressed to the nines, Cinderella Castle is even more ready to be in every one of your vacation photos this holiday season. With scenes of polka dots, patterned fair isle, and holiday imagery, the castle plays on a loop of displays starting at dusk, changing about every 30 minutes, during the evening hours. 

Frozen Holiday Surprise 

Head to Cinderella’s Castle for the castle lighting! Part of the new show on the stage, featuring Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and the Snowgies! Check it out during regular park hours or at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. The Frozen Holiday Surprise show happens daily at 6:15 pm, and again during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Nights at 8:15 pm. 

Main Street Philharmonic and Toy Soldiers March

A mainstay in the Magic Kingdom entertainment lineup, this marching band takes to Main Street USA for holiday tunes. Featuring festive marching songs, joined by reindeer, elves, and the Babes in Toyland Toy Soldiers, this is one of the best performances to watch in the park. Check out the Magic Kingdom Toy Soldiers as they join the Main Street Philharmonic marching through the park! Perfect to help you get in the holiday spirit. This march runs from Frontierland along the parade route down Main Street USA. And spans about 20 minutes. The band and soldiers march throughout the day at 1:25 pm, 2:35 pm & 3:40 pm.

Holiday Trolley with the Dapper Dans 

The Main Street Transpiration system pulls out all the stops this holiday season to show off a decorated trolley, with special guests in tow. Check out the Dapper Dans barbershop quartet cruising down Main Street, U.S.A. on a horse-drawn trolley, singing all your favorite holiday tunes. The Dapper Dans perform around Main Street during these showtimes: 9:00 am, 9:50 am, 10:40am, 11:25 am, 1:15 pm, 2:00 pm and 3:40 pm.

Jingle Cruise on the Jungle Cruise

One of our favorite rides, Jungle Cruise, gets a holiday overlay at Walt Disney World every year. With decorations scattered throughout this exotic cruise, you’ll also get a slew of new holiday stories. Jingle Cruise Skippers journeying home for the holidays share tales of holiday mayhem and family drama. Complete with a holiday lineup of pun-filled jokes.

The Christmas Shoppe in Liberty Square

Magic Kingdom’s holiday shop, The Christmas Shoppe, is open year-round and features Christmas decorations, collectibles, and decorations. Be sure to stop by during the holidays to check out the latest seasonal decorations from Disney.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party happens only in Magic Kingdom and features the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Mickey’s Mot Merriest Celebration, and Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show. This is an annual event runs select nights. This party requires a special ticket and allows you access to the parks at 4 pm, ahead of the 7 pm party start time. A traditional event for families, this party features music, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Treats, special entertainment, merchandise, and more.

Christmas Snacks at Magic Kingdom

While Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party has party-exclusive snacks, you can still grab a slew of snacks at Disney during regular hours too! Magic Kingdom offers a selection of holiday-inspired treats throughout the season, from festive cupcakes, to mousse, to ice creams and cookies, here are all the Christmas Snacks at Magic Kingdom for the holiday season.

Christmas Week at Magic Kingdom 

Beginning after the last day of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you can see previously exclusive entertainment at Magic Kingdom for Christmas. And includes some amazing holiday fun if you’re up for battling the Christmas crowds at Disney World. 

Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration: This holiday stage show featuring Mickey and Friends on the Cinderella Castle Stage is offered  through Christmas Week. Before that date, it’s only available at the Christmas Party. 

Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show: The Christmas Fireworks at Magic Kingdom are typically only available at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. But, for Christmas Week, you can see these fireworks in the evening. Truly magical at Christmastime. 

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade: While this parade is only available at MVMCP through the season, on Christmas Week you can see this parade daily at Magic Kingdom. Complete with Santa Claus and “Snow” on Main Street. 

Holiday Merchandise at Magic Kingdom

Home to the Emporium gift shop, Magic Kingdom includes an array of exclusive seasonal merchandise. Grab gifts like apparel and accessories to home décor and kitchenware to plush, toys, and ornaments. If you’re staying home and want to add a little more Disney to your Christmas Holiday check out the shopDisney Holiday Shop at shopDisney.com.

Christmas at Magic Kingdom

There you have it! Christmas at Disney World is always a good time. And if you’re visiting for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, there’s  even more fun to be had! Hopefully this list has given you a good idea of all the things that you can do this holiday season. Check out all our guides to Disney World for Christmas. 

• Christmas at Hollywood Studios
• Christmas at EPCOT Park
• Christmas at Animal Kingdom