Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Guide (2025 Edition)

It’s hard not to smile when you first hear the mention of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. For many of us, some of our favorite holiday memories have happened here. Things come to mind like snowfall on Main Street (laughter with friends), special holiday fireworks (that Disney does best), and meeting rare characters (alongside new and old friends). I don’t know about you, but it’s a holiday tradition that we look forward to each season.

Now that summer is winding down and the Halloween season is just around the corner, it’s time to look ahead to the holidays and start planning. This 2025 edition of our Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Guide covers everything you need to know about this year’s party: dates, entertainment, characters, dining, and how to make the most of your time.

We won’t, however, try to convince you to attend. These special events often speak for themselves. But we do understand that it’s a big commitment of both time and cost. So if attending the party works with your budget or it’s something that you just really want to do, you will likely have a magical evening. If not, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the holidays at Walt Disney World without attending a party.

The key to having a magical time is to prioritize. Know going into the party that you won’t be able to do it all, and that’s okay. We suggest focusing on what matters most to your travel party and going in with a plan. Above all, try to rest up before the event. This means keeping your party day light so you can save energy for the evening ahead.

2025 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Dates

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be held on the following dates this year:

November Dates: 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 30

December Dates: 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21

The Christmas Party officially starts at 7:00 p.m. and lasts until midnight. The park closes to regular guests at 6:00 p.m. Disney allows guests with valid party admission to enter the park as early as 4:00 p.m. The party admission allows you to spend up to eight hours at Magic Kingdom. Event tickets are $169 to $229 per ticket, plus tax (prices vary by event date).

Before the formal start of the event, you can dine, enjoy attractions, and possibly meet a character or two who make early appearances. Most characters, however, won’t be out until 7:00 p.m. We’ll discuss that in more detail further below. We believe it’s important to dine ahead of the party’s official start. With so much to do between 7:00 and 12:00 a.m., you likely won’t want to spend valuable party time at a sit-down restaurant.

For most guests, the Christmas Party is a one-night deal. Therefore, it’s essential to identify what is most important to your party well in advance. We think the three major entertainment offerings (stage show, parade, and fireworks) are the things that make your evening in the park unique from a regular visit. Fans of characters will gladly spend most of their evening waiting in line for rare meet-and-greet opportunities. Then, there’s the family who bought tickets so they could ride attractions with shorter wait times. There is no wrong answer. As we continue, we’ll explore all of your options so you can make informed decisions on how you want to spend the evening.

Related: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Dates Announced for 2025

New in 2025

The only thing new we’ve seen listed for 2025 is that Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be meeting together at Town Square Theater in holiday attire. You may remember that this is also new for the Halloween Party this year. See our Mickey’s Not So Scary 2025 Halloween Party Guide for more details.

What to Expect at This Year’s Party

So far, Disney has confirmed the following entertainment, characters, and other offerings for the 2025 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party:

Entertainment

• Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade
• Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration Castle Stage Show
• Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show
• Frozen Holiday Surprise (Special Party Showing)

*The parade, stage show, and fireworks are considered exclusive to the Christmas Party, with a few exceptions. These items are usually all offered the week between Christmas and New Year’s at Magic Kingdom. They often take the place of the regular daytime parade and Happily Ever After fireworks during this time. In 2025, Disney has stated that the new nighttime parade, Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away, will not be available on evenings that the Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. The parade will, however, continue throughout the holiday season.

Characters

• Anna and Elsa in Christmas Attire at Princess Royal Fairytale Hall
• Mickey and Minnie Mouse in Christmas Attire at Town Square Theater
• Sally and Santa Jack (Sandy Claws)

We typically see between 15 and 20 characters on average meet at the Christmas Party. The characters above are the only ones Disney has confirmed. We won’t know the exact character schedule until the party kicks off in November.

Meet Santa Claus

Guests will have an opportunity to meet Santa Claus during the Christmas Party. He will once again have a special meet-and-greet set up at Santa’s Christmas Carnival at Storybook Circus in 2025.

Dance Parties

• Club Tinsel
• Disney Junior Jingle Jam

Attractions

Over 20 rides and attractions will be available during the Christmas Party. We’ve listed each one a little further down. A few rides will have holiday twists:

• Jungle Cruise (Jingle Cruise)
• Mad Tea Party
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Space Mountain
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor

Dining During the Party

Various types of dining are available during the party, including:

• Specialty Food and Drink Offerings
• Quick Service Dining
• Table Service Dining

We provide an overview of what to expect below.

Party Extras

• Snowfall On Main Street
• Complimentary Cookies and Hot Chocolate
• Exclusive Party Merchandise

Below, we’ll go over each item in more detail.

Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade

We can’t say enough good things about Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. It’s held twice nightly at 8:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. (This year’s performance times have not been announced, but are typically consistent. Make sure to check the My Disney Experience app on the evening of your visit for exact times.)

We typically watch the first parade and try to catch the second parade if time allows. The early performance is usually more crowded, but if there’s any chance of rain, it’s a smart decision to see it first…just in case.

The parade steps off in Frontierland near Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. This area is ideal if you want to see the parade without a long wait. Arrive about an hour early for a front-row view. This is especially important if you have little ones. You’ll be able to see the characters up close and possibly interact with a few.

Of course, for the most magical setting, you might stake out a spot on Main Street, U.S.A., about 1.5 hours in advance. You’ll get a stunning view with Cinderella Castle in the background, snowfall effects, and a special pre-parade that’s only offered at this location. Just keep in mind that it takes about 20 minutes for the parade to arrive from Frontierland. That said, it’s by no means the worst place to wait for a parade.

Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration (Stage Show)

Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration is a festive castle stage show featuring beloved characters, lively Christmas tunes, and high-energy performances. The show typically runs four times per night, though exact times for this year haven’t been announced. In recent years, showtimes were 7:40 p.m., 9:25 p.m., 10:35 p.m., and 11:55 p.m.

Each performance averages 20 minutes and includes a mix of rare and classic characters. Expect to see characters like Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Donald, and Daisy in holiday costumes. Clarabelle Cow has a spotlight appearance as she delivers All I Want for Christmas Is You in true diva fashion. Woody and Jessie bring a country flair, followed by a Latin-inspired number from Panchito Pistoles and José Carioca. The finale brings the entire group onstage in their holiday best.

American Sign Language Interpretations: Before we move on to the next entertainment offerings, I wanted to note that American Sign Language interpretations are often offered for Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade and Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration on select party dates. You can learn more about ASL and preview regular schedules here on Disney’s site.

Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks

Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show is offered each evening of the Christmas Party. It is typically offered at 10:00 p.m. Performances include the popular Christmas songs Deck the Halls and We Wish You a Merry Christmas, accompanied by projections on Cinderella Castle. It’s a touching fireworks spectacular that most will consider sentimental. We wouldn’t miss it!

Frozen Holiday Surprise

Frozen Holiday Surprise is a short castle projection show offered nightly at Magic Kingdom during the holiday season. While not exclusive to the party, it adds a special touch to the evening. Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Olaf appear on stage for the performance. This usually happens around 6:15 p.m. (as soon as it gets dark). On party nights, a second showing is held (8:15 p.m.). The special party showing is usually easier to view with fewer crowds.

Character Meet-and-Greets

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party offers one of the best opportunities to meet rare characters at Walt Disney World. While the full lineup isn’t confirmed until opening night, guests can expect around 15-18 meet-and-greet locations throughout the park. Some spots feature multiple characters together, while others rotate appearances, which can be tricky if you’re hoping to meet someone specific.

A few characters have already been confirmed for this year’s party, including:

• Anna and Elsa in their holiday attire at Princess Fairytale Hall
• Mickey and Minnie Mouse in festive outfits at Town Square Theater (New)
• Sally and Santa Jack (Sandy Claws) at Town Square Theater

We’ll update with more details once the party begins and the full lineup is confirmed.

Meet Santa Claus

If you’re looking to meet Santa during the party, you’re in luck! Head to Santa’s Christmas Carnival in Storybook Circus near Dumbo the Flying Elephant and The Barnstormer. This is a great stop for those with little ones. In addition to meeting Santa, guests can enjoy festive crafts and possibly meet a few other holiday characters who make appearances throughout the night.

Club Tinsel

Club Tinsel is a DJ-led dance party that’s held on the Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland. This holiday dance party offers festive beats and surprise character appearances throughout the evening.

Disney Junior Jingle Jam

Little ones can join in on the dance floor inside Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe. The Disney Junior Jingle Jam allows guests to dance with their favorite Disney Junior characters. Typically, characters like Fancy Nancy, Vampirina, Doc McStuffins, and Timon make appearances.

Attractions

The following attractions will be available during the 2025 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Adventureland

• Pirates of the Caribbean
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• Jingle Cruise (Jungle Cruise)

*The Jungle Cruise will have a special holiday overlay.

Frontierland

• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Liberty Square

• Haunted Mansion

Fantasyland

• Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
• “it’s a small world”
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Mad Tea Party*

*Denotes a special holiday overlay.

Storybook Circus

• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• The Barnstormer

Tomorrowland

• Astro Orbiter
• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor*
• Space Mountain*
• Tomorrowland Speedway*
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
• TRON Lightcycle / Run

*Denotes a special holiday overlay.

Dining During the Party

Our best advice when it comes to dining is to enjoy a full dinner by 6:30 p.m. or earlier. We tend to dine between 4:30 and 6:00 p.m. on party evenings. While several dining options remain available during the event, meals can take up valuable time. Here’s what you need to know:

Specialty Food and Beverage

Those wanting to try everything will likely indulge in specialty items exclusive to the party. We get it and recommend trying a few things while you’re waiting for the parade or fireworks. This will help you kill two birds with one stone.

We’ll have a Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Food Guide here as soon as it’s released.

Quick Service Dining During the Party

The following quick-service restaurants are open during the party:

• Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café
• Casey’s Corner
• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn Cafe
• The Friar’s Nook
• Sleepy Hollow
• Main Street Bakery

Table Service Dining During the Party

The following table service restaurants are available during the party. Reservations are recommended:

• Be Our Guest Restaurant
• Cinderella’s Royal Table
• The Plaza Restaurant

*It’s important to note that these will be your only table-service dining options during the party. If you want to dine elsewhere in the park, make sure to do so before 7:00 p.m.

Fireworks dessert parties will also be available for the party. These parties include a selection of holiday-inspired treats and beverages. Details have not been released for this year yet. We’ll update when we know more. For now, here are the two options:

• Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing
• Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace

Snowfall on Main Street

Each party evening, snow falls on Main Street, U.S.A., even if the weather feels anything but wintry. Disney’s special “snoap” (soap bubbles that look like snow) drifts from the rooftops, adding a magical touch to the night. It’s a charming tradition that adds to the spirit of the season.

Complimentary Cookies and Beverages

A selection of cookies and hot cocoa is available at no extra charge during the party. Typically, four to five locations around the park offer cookies and hot cocoa, with each spot featuring a unique cookie. We have been pleasantly surprised by the quality in recent years. They have been a step above former offerings. An allergy-friendly location is usually marked on the party map for those with dietary needs.

Photo Opportunities

Special photo opportunities and Magic Shots will be available throughout the party. PhotoPass photographers can also be found at many of the meet-and-greets throughout the park. Photos are available to anyone who purchase a Memory Maker packages. A one-day Memory Maker might also be a good option if you’re interested in having pictures made.

More Planning

We hoped this guide was helpful in your planning process. For more on Christmas at Disney World in 2025, you might enjoy the following:

• Living with the Land Glimmering Greenhouses (A Holiday Favorite)
• See Toy Story Characters in Holiday Attire at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Sunset Seasons Greetings at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• The Merry Menagerie at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

You might also enjoy our 2025 Epcot Festival of the Holidays Guide or our guide to Disney’s Jollywood Nights in 2025.

Resorts Gal specializes in Disney World Resorts, Characters, and Dining. Explore our resources, including our Disney World Resorts Guide. It provides an overview of everything you need to know about the Disney Resort Hotels. For dining, our Disney World Dining Guide is an excellent place to start. Our Disney World Transportation Guide is a wonderful resource for planning your routes. It’s one of our most popular resources. If you plan to meet characters in the parks, we have an updated list of Disney World Characters. It includes every available character meet-and-greet in the parks and where to find rare characters throughout the year. Lastly, our Disney Parks Guide provides a complete overview of all four theme parks and water parks.