The year is not even halfway over but we are already thinking about the holiday season in Disney World.
And it seems like many of you readers have the holidays on your minds TOO, because we get the same question all the time: “When does Disney decorate for Christmas?” (And whether you want the year to be flying by so fast or not, you can make those Advance Dining Reservations for Christmas day NEXT MONTH.)
So today we’re laying out a timeline of when you can expect to see Christmas decor popping up all throughout the Most Magical Place on Earth just in case it helps your planning!
Now, it’s rumored that ALL of Disney’s Christmas decorations go up in one night. And while a lot goes up over the course of a night, Disney World likes to get a bit of a head start when it comes to holiday decorating.
October
In October, Halloween and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party are happening in full swing around Disney World. But Disney is usually prepping for holidays early in October as they start to hang Christmas lights on Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom. You can usually spot cranes midday stringing Christmas lights on the castle while pumpkins are everywhere and spooky treats are being served down below!
Last year, we also saw Christmas decor popping up throughout the parks like Disney’s Animal Kingdom during the month of October (we would want to get a head start too if we had THAT many lights to string!).
We also caught whiffs of fresh gingerbread as the Disney World Resort Gingerbread Displays start to take shape!
Last year, the Cinderella Castle Gingerbread Display at Disney’s Contemporary Resort was already well underway in October, followed by Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Gingerbread House in early November! Note they are not FINISHED during October, but the structures are being put into place.
Click here to see all of last year’s Gingerbread Displays!
Early November
The first week in November usually hosts both the last Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. So Disney has VERY little time to turn the Magic Kingdom from spooky to jolly.
Last year, the final Halloween party was scheduled for November 1st and the first A Frozen Holiday Wish Cinderella Castle lighting was just two days later!
If the castle lighting wasn’t magical enough, that was the same day the Christmas tree on Main Street, U.S.A appeared!
Main Street, City Hall, and the Train Station were also all decked out in their finest holiday decor. And even though Halloween was just days before, it was already beginning to look a LOT like Christmas!
In 2019, the weekend following the last Halloween party was one small leap for elves, but one GIANT leap for holiday kind throughout Disney World. Friday marked the day that all parks would officially kick off the Christmas season! The first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party kicked off on November 8th!
In Disney’s Animal Kingdom, arctic puppets appeared and the Holiday Tree of Life Awakenings projection show started running every 10 minutes in the evening.
![](https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Animal-Kingdom-Christmas-Holiday-decoration-Pulto-and-Santa-Goofy-449x600.jpg)
Santa Goofy in DinoLand USA
In Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the holiday celebration began and they featured holiday projections on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, SNOAP (AKA, Disney’s fake snow), and the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! projection and fireworks show!
On Saturday, the Christmas Tree Trail in Disney Springs opened, featuring 23 trees inspired by Disney characters, movies, and attractions! Oh, and did we mention churro bites, frozen Eggnog, and SANTA?!
This little maze of trees and snacks opened up even earlier in 2018, so stay tuned here at DFB and we’ll let you know when we hear dates for this year’s festivities!
Check out our ultimate guide to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party here!
Late November
Epcot is usually one of the last parks to fully dive into the holiday season because the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival typically runs until late November. The park puts up decor in the middle of the month, but they really amp things up by the time the International Festival of the Holidays starts.
Last year, the Food and Wine Festival ran until November 23rd and the Festival of the Holidays began November 29th, so Epcot had to do a major turn around in just under a week. The festival features food booths, holiday storytellers, and the Candlelight Processional (featuring celebrity narrators), festive entertainment, and special merchandise.
Even though you have to time your visit close to Christmas, the Festival of the Holidays is a wonderful way to celebrate holiday traditions from around the world.
Check out more info on Epcot’s Festival of the Holidays here!
The Christmas decor remains up throughout the season and several elements even stick around for a few days (or sometimes weeks) after New Year’s Day. But by the time the runDisney marathon weekend takes place in early January, most of the holiday decor has made its way back into safekeeping.
We already think Disney is incredibly magical on its own but seeing that castle lit up in Christmas lights is truly mesmerizing. And if you want a closer look at how Disney transforms the Magic Kingdom into a winter wonderland “overnight,” check out this video:
Check out some of our favorite ways to celebrate Christmas in Disney World here!
Disney has announced the dates and they have started selling tickets for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. But dates and ticket info for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party have not been released yet. We will let you know as soon as they are!
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Have you ever visited Disney World during the holiday season? Let us know what you thought in the comments below!
TRENDING NOW
The holidays are ALMOST here at Disneyland.
This is a TOTAL game changer for Disney experts!
A Magic Kingdom fireworks change is coming in 2025!
LEGO fans, we've found the next BEST Star Wars set waiting to come home with...
Prepare to be SPOOKED by Disney's NEW popcorn bucket souvenir.
Let's talk about some NEW Disney World Hotel Hacks!
We're so intrigued about the new Encanto ride that's coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom in...
Disney World is getting eight new attractions, but will two of them use screens?
We've noticed a BIG change in the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival this year.
If you're going to drink one drink from each EPCOT pavilion, these are the drinks...
Another store has closed at Disney Springs.
Check out EVERYTHING you need to eat at the 2024 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival!
Going to Halloween Horror Nights this year and don't know what you're getting yourself into?...
We found a Disney-themed makeup kit that is PERFECT for 'Alice in Wonderland' fans!
Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort is undergoing a massive transformation. We’ve already seen parts of...
Let's head on over to the Italy booth at the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival,...
Based on the pricing for Genie+ in 2023, and looking at current Lightning Lane trends,...
Disney World's Magic Kingdom is a place where dreams come true. But BEWARE! A new...
The Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak scavenger hunt is a great way to add in...
Check out our list of 10 Disney World rides we'd recommend skipping if you are...