From festive parades, unique meet and greets, and fireworks right through to brand new shows, there are so many reasons to visit Disneyland® Paris at Christmastime.
Visiting Disneyland Paris on Christmas Day is a dream come true for many. However, if you can’t make it on the big day itself, there’s no need to worry, as you can still enjoy a special kind of magic during the holiday season at Disneyland Paris for over a month each year.
Read on to find out why it’s so special and our 11 favourite reasons to visit Disneyland Paris this Christmas.
When does Christmas start at Disneyland Paris?
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And even more so at Disneyland Paris, as you can enjoy the Christmas season for longer. Disneyland Paris transforms into a magical winter wonderland with Disney Enchanted Christmas running from mid-November to early January each year.
It’s a great place to start the festivities early, to enjoy a magical Christmas Day, or ring in the New Year. The weather might be cooler, but the festivities will warm your heart, so layer up and head out to enjoy the parks.
Is Disneyland Paris open on Christmas Day?
Yes! Disneyland Paris is open every day of the year, and that includes Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and every day in between. Christmas Day itself tends to be less busy in the parks, so it’s an excellent time to come and enjoy the rides and attractions.
Why you should visit Disneyland Paris at Christmas
As well as all the usual rides and attractions, plus the touch of magic that you’ve come to expect from Disneyland Paris, there are even more reasons to visit during the festive season. Here are just a few things that make Disneyland Paris even more wondrous during Christmas and New Year:
1. Watch Mickey’s Dazzling Christmas Parade
One of the highlights of any trip to Disneyland Paris is taking a moment (or several!) to watch the fabulous parades. Christmas in Disneyland Paris is no exception, and you’ll want to save space in your schedule to catch this extra special festive parade.
Watch as Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Woody, and even Buzz Lightyear take their places on their festive floats and make their way down Main Street, U.S.A.® in all their Christmas finery! Keep your eyes peeled for the Disney Princesses, and if you’re lucky, Santa Claus himself may even make an appearance.
Each float is intricately designed and festooned with Christmas decorations, so it’s sure to be a festive spectacle to behold. The parade occurs twice daily, and the night-time parade is truly an illuminated vision.
2. Enjoy festive decorations
You’ll feel like you’ve walked straight into a Christmas winter wonderland as soon as you enter Disneyland Paris Christmas. A giant 24-metre-high Christmas tree crowns the festive celebrations, carefully decorated with over 1,000 ornaments. And you’ll be filled with Christmas cheer at the sight of the Disney Characters in their holiday best.
With around 80 Christmas trees throughout the resort decorated with over 15,000 Christmas decorations, there’s festive sparkle in every direction you look.
3. See spectacular lights and fireworks displays
The Christmas fun doesn’t end when the sun sets. Head to Sleeping Beauty Castle where the sky is lit up with an exclusive display and some extra special Christmas touches for the festive season.
The illuminations won the Parksmania Award for European Top New Attraction 2024 (source: Parksmania), and it’s easy to see why. Christmas colours light up the castle, and you’ll see nutcrackers, giant candy canes, and Christmas trees.
The day winds down with a festive version of the classic Disney fireworks display which will take your breath away. Be sure to check ahead for the times of the Disneyland Paris Christmas fireworks.
4. Christmas Character meet and greets
Make sure you check out the times for Character meet and greets so you can get a photo with Mickey, Minnie, and the rest of the gang in their Christmas outfits. Create unique Christmas moments and unforgettable memories as you see the Characters all dressed up in their festive fashions.
Lizzie, our Content and Social Media Assistant, has visited Disneyland Paris 9 times and loves the Christmas Character meet and greets: “There’s something so special about meeting Mickey and Minnie when they’re all dressed up in their special Christmas outfits – there’s nothing better for getting you feeling really festive!”
5. You’ll get the chance to meet Santa
In addition to meeting the Disney Characters, there’s also the opportunity to meet Santa Claus himself, right up until the 25th of December, when he needs to start his deliveries. Make sure you get in any last-minute gift requests so he knows what to bring on the big day.
As well as Santa, there are a few other more unusual faces, like Scrooge McDuck, Thumper, and Miss Bunny, for some unique photo opportunities.
6. See Mickey’s Magical Christmas Lights
Both parks are transformed during the festive period with beautiful twinkling Christmas lights. However, it’s in Town Square where you’ll find the most glittering display of all! A huge tree is lit up with an enchanting light display.
Add to this Mickey and pals singing carols and bringing Christmas cheer to all who visit, and you’ve got a recipe for some magical Christmas fun.
7. Let’s Sing Christmas stage show
If you’re a fan of the Disneyland Paris shows, then you’re going to love this seasonal stage show. Several times a day in the Videopolis Theatre, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy take to the stage to entertain guests with their Let’s Sing Christmas show.
The show features all your favourite Christmas songs and heart-warming carols, as well as the chance to sing along with the Characters. Lyrics are displayed on screens in real-time, so there’s absolutely no excuse not to sing!
8. Get a head start on your Christmas shopping
Know someone who loves Disney? Well, who doesn’t? You can start your Christmas shopping at the festively decorated boutiques in the parks. There are so many different Disney products to choose from, you’ll find something for everyone here.
From cuddly toys for little ones to clothing and accessories for teenagers, keepsakes for adults, and even Disney Character costumes, you’ll be able to tick everyone off the nice list.
Or why not just treat yourself! A Disney Christmas decoration, like a snow globe or an ornament for the tree, makes the perfect souvenir of your holiday. You can reminisce on the magical moments from your incredible trip every year when you get out the decorations.
9. Stay at a festive Disney Hotel
The magic doesn’t have to end when you leave the parks. Keep up the festive feels with a stay at one of the Disney Hotels. Joy fills the air at these specially themed hotels, and the lobbies and corridors are decked with glittering decorations and trees. There’s also enchanting entertainment and Christmas Character meets.
10. Visit a winter market and try gourmet Christmas treats
Did you know that Disneyland Paris has its very own winter market? Forget booking an additional European city break, you can enjoy French gastronomy’s winter specialities in the traditional-style wooden chalets, Les Chalets Gourmands, near La Place de Rémy and Rue de Paris in Walt Disney Studios® Park.
Try hot chestnuts, spiced mulled wine, sweet crêpes, raclette, and much more. There are so many gourmet delights to grab as you’re walking around the park. And you’ll find even more chalets in Fantasyland at Disneyland® Park.
If you’re looking for a delicious Christmas dinner at Disneyland Paris, you’ll find the restaurants in the Disney Hotels serving up some yummy festive fayre, from gourmet buffets to fine dining with all the trimmings. Disney Village® also has some incredible dining options.
11. Enjoy a white Christmas
Ok, so we can’t promise that you’ll see real snow during your visit to Disneyland Paris (although there is always a chance if you wish hard enough!), but you can still enjoy the magic of snow falling on Main Street, U.S.A.. Faux snowflakes fill the air several times throughout the day, giving you all the wonder of a white Christmas.
So, there you have it – our favourite reasons to visit Disneyland Paris at Christmas. Disneyland Paris is wonderful no matter what the season but it’s a little bit extra special at Christmas.
A Disney Hotel and Disney Park Tickets package is an ideal gift for all the family. Get your tickets and enjoy a merry time at Disneyland Paris this Christmas.
Summary – 11 reasons to visit Disneyland Paris at Christmas
- Mickey’s Dazzling Christmas Parade
- Incredible festive decorations
- Spectacular lights and fireworks displays
- Christmas Character meet and greets
- Meet Santa
- Mickey’s Magical Lights
- Let’s Sing Christmas stage show
- Do your Christmas shopping
- Stay at a festive Disney Hotel
- Visit a winter market
- Enjoy a white Christmas
