Christmas at Disneyland Paris: dates, decorations and parade

For many visitors, Christmas is the best time of year at Disneyland Paris, and it’s a season I look forward to every year. From November, the park is decked out in decorations, a big tree and lights, with its own parade, Santa Claus and winter treats. It’s also the park’s longest season, nearly twice as long as Halloween.

In this guide, I explain what the Christmas season is, why it’s worth the trip and everything waiting for you there. For the practical details (parade, this year’s programme, New Year’s Eve, the hotel gift box), I point you to my dedicated articles as you read. To see where Christmas fits in the full calendar, have a look at the seasons and events at Disneyland Paris.

If you had to pick just one season to discover Disneyland Paris, many people would choose Christmas, and I’d happily agree.

For nearly two months, it isn’t just a few decorations added to the usual visit. It’s a whole atmosphere you feel from morning to night, with lots going on. Here’s what makes it such a special time:

• Full winter decorations. Main Street U.S.A. is covered in garlands, Christmas statues and snow, with a big 24-metre tree towering over it. The Disney hotels get into the festive spirit too.
• Lots of entertainment every day. The tree lights up, snow falls on Main Street, projections light up the facades and the choir sings Christmas carols: there’s always something happening.
• Its own parade. Mickey’s Dazzling Christmas Parade! runs twice a day.
• Santa Claus himself. He’s only here at this time of year, and you can meet him in his workshop.
• Winter treats. Festive food chalets, Alpine dishes from Savoie and festive menus warm up your visit.

All of this is included in your park ticket: there’s no extra charge to enjoy the season. For a first visit to the park, it’s a time I recommend without hesitation.

The season is long and packed. Here are its highlights.

The centrepiece is the big 24-metre tree at the park entrance, surrounded by garlands and thousands of ornaments. Main Street U.S.A. has most of the decorations, with its shop windows, Christmas statues and artificial snow falling from the rooftops. The rest of the park stays more low-key, so you still find the usual Disney world.

For all the facts and figures about the tree and the castle, see my guide to the Christmas decorations.

Good news: many of these moments come round several times a day. The big tree lights up at regular intervals and snow falls on Main Street U.S.A. several times, so you can enjoy the scene without necessarily waiting for the evening. The real highlight only happens once a day: the choir show at the foot of the tree, singing Christmas carols alongside Mickey, usually from mid-November.

Together with the projections on the Main Street facades, these moments bring the festive atmosphere at any time of day.

Mickey’s Dazzling Christmas Parade! goes past the castle and around the big tree, with decorated floats, sparkling costumes and Santa Claus bringing up the rear. It runs twice a day, a daytime version and then a brighter evening version. For the times and the best places to watch it, see my guide to the Christmas parade.

Santa Claus is only here at this time of year. You can spot him during the parade and, above all, meet him in his workshop, until 25 December (after that, he goes back to the North Pole). His workshop is now inside the Disney Clothiers shop, on Main Street U.S.A. Many Disney characters, including the princesses, also put on their festive outfits. You’ll find all the meet and greets in the characters section.

The park doesn’t have rides specially transformed for Christmas, but some fit the festive mood particularly well: it’s a small world and its childlike sets, the Disneyland Railroad for a tour of the illuminated park, Les Voyages de Pinocchio, or the show Mickey and the Magician. Plenty to keep the festive spirit going between events.

Christmas also reaches the second park, Disney Adventure World. The World of Frozen land (the world of Frozen, with the village of Arendelle) is decked out in Scandinavian-inspired decorations. To plan your route, see all my ride guides.

Winter is a time for treats at Disneyland Paris. The festive food chalets, in Fantasyland and Worlds of Pixar (in the second park), serve mulled wine, crêpes and waffles, as well as Alpine dishes from Savoie such as tartiflette and raclette. As for restaurants, Walt’s and the Auberge de Cendrillon serve seasonal dishes, and several restaurants offer festive menus for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve (often more expensive than usual, so remember to book).

For all the details, see the restaurants section. In the Disney hotels, you’ll find Christmas cocktails, and Hunter’s Grill at Sequoia Lodge serves all-you-can-eat raclette in winter.

For souvenirs, the Christmas products (baubles, ornaments, seasonal clothing) arrive in several shops, mostly on Main Street U.S.A. (Emporium, Ribbons and Bows Hat Shop, Main Street Motors) and at World of Disney in Disney Village. For baubles and ornaments, two shops are worth a visit all year round: Merlin l’Enchanteur and La Boutique du Château.

And if you’re staying on site, don’t miss the Disney hotels’ Christmas gift box, which I cover in my guide to the Christmas gift box. The rest of my favourite shops are in the shops section.

Two dates stand out during the season. On 24 December, Christmas Eve is celebrated in the park with a special atmosphere and dedicated menus. I cover it in my article on Christmas Eve. On 31 December, it’s New Year’s Eve: contrary to popular belief, it’s no longer a separate paid evening. It’s a regular park day as far as the programme goes, with longer opening hours (often until 1:00) and festive menus. Only the evening is different: each park now has its own midnight celebration. At Disneyland Park, fireworks go up over the castle. At Disney Adventure World, a drone show (weather permitting) and pyrotechnics rise above World of Frozen.

Ticket-wise, 31 December is one of the three big dates of the year, along with 14 July and 31 October. The ticket for that day is a dated ticket, at a fixed price and the most expensive of the season. Expect to pay around €150 per adult for 1 park and €185 for 2 parks. The undated ticket (Billet Liberté in French) isn’t valid that day. It’s all explained in my article on New Year’s Eve.

Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year. November stays fairly quiet, especially on weekdays, and it’s a good time to enjoy the decorations before the crowds.

Numbers climb in December and peak between 20 December and 1 January, when much of Europe is on holiday. For a quieter visit, aim for the first two weeks of December or the last days of the season, after the schools go back in January. These quieter dates are also cheaper. From the prices I track, a stay over the festive period costs much more. To compare your dates or get an alert when prices drop, see my price calendar.

Every year, Disneyland Paris reveals the details of the season (shows, menus, new additions, meet and greets) around late summer or early autumn. I cover them as soon as they’re out in my article on this year’s programme. To get an idea of what’s in store, also have a look at past Christmas seasons.

Christmas feels different depending on who you’re coming with:

• First visit: a lovely time to discover the park, with extra atmosphere and everything included in the ticket. Come in early December to enjoy it in peace. My tips are in the first visit guide.
• With children: Santa Claus, the tree, the snow: the season is made for them. Wrap them up well, it’s often very cold. See the family hub.
• With teens: the evening parade, the photogenic decorations and the wintry atmosphere. Tips in the teens hub.
• With a baby: soft, sparkling decorations that little ones love, but wrap your baby up really well against the cold. See the baby hub.
• With friends: the festive food chalets, mulled wine and photos in front of the tree. Ideas in the friends hub.
• As a couple: one of the most romantic times of the year, perfect for a trip for two: a festive dinner and a stroll under the lights. The couples hub has ideas for you.
• Disabled visitors or reduced mobility: late December is very busy and the cold adds to the tiredness, so plan your visit ahead. It’s all in the accessibility hub.