Guide to Christmas 2021 at Disneyland Paris
Disney’s Enchanted Christmas runs from November 13, 2021 until January 9, 2022 at Disneyland Paris, and features holiday entertainment, decorations, and seasonal food. This guide offers tips for visiting France in these winter months to make the most of the yuletide season at Walt Disney Studios Park, the hotels, Disney Village, and Disneyland Paris. (Updated July 12, 2021.)
Before we get to the rest of the details and our report on Disneyland Paris at Christmas, we recommend checking out our 2021 Disneyland Paris Vacation Planning Guide (no matter what time of year you’re visiting). Disneyland Paris at Christmas is much like Magic Kingdom or Disneyland in California, but with its own twists. One big one is the weather! Christmas at Disneyland Paris has weather you’d actually associate with winter, and a real snowfall in late November or December is not uncommon.
This post has been updated with new photos and information for Christmas at Disneyland Paris, but it’s worth noting that these photos are from our previous visits to Disneyland Paris at Christmas, and not this year. (Obviously, as the holiday season is still several months away). We’re hoping to head back to France for Christmas 2021, and will update with no photos and a report once we do. For now, here’s what we know about the holiday season at Walt Disney Studios Park and Parc Disneyland…
Walt Disney Studios Park hosts its holiday celebration with Mickey’s Christmas Big Band and #SURPRISEMICKEY. These two live shows are relatively recent additions, and have garnered rave reviews from guests. (It’s unclear whether Goofy’s Incredible Christmas projection show will return for Christmas–it doesn’t appear so.)
The main draw at WDSP is in Animagique Theater, which is host to the jazz rhythms of Mickey’s Christmas Big Band. This live show is in keeping with a traditional musical, and pays homage to winter’s melodies featuring Disney Characters. The show features a big band orchestra, fast-paced tap dance acts, and a drum solo by Mickey Mouse.
The premise of this reminds us of Big Band Beat at Tokyo DisneySea (an exceptional show). We’ve only caught video of bits and pieces of the show, as we’re trying to avoid full spoilers in the hopes that we’ll catch it on our (hopeful!) Christmas 2018 trip to Disneyland Paris.
The #SURPRISEMICKEY show will return to the Production Courtyard stage at the foot of The Hollywood Tower Hotel. To celebrate Christmas in the best way possible, Minnie and friends will have some new surprises in store for guests.
Over at Disneyland Paris, there’s Mickey’s Magical Christmas Lights, the nightly tree lighting ceremony. At nightfall, guests can witness the enchanting Christmas tree lighting ceremony with Mickey, Minnie, and Santa Claus. Together, they will light up the spectacular twenty-four-meter-tall tree in the middle of Main Street, U.S.A.
Another highlight is in Videopolis, the Let’s Sing Christmas show features memorable Christmas tunes, together with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and singers. Every weekend, choirs will perform on the Videopolis stage.
Before we go any further, let’s set the mood. No, I’m not going to dictate that you turn down the lights, pour a cup of eggnog, and light the fireplace.
I do think it would “enhance” your enjoyment of the rest of this post if you read and viewed it while listening to the greatest Disney theme park Christmas song known to mankind: Chante, c’est Noël.
This song is the unofficial theme song of Christmas at Disneyland Paris. It was once (apparently) played during a Christmas parade at Disneyland Paris. Then it was played at the close of the previous Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Now, I think it’s just played back in Santa Claus Village at Cottonwood Creek Ranch. Why it’s no longer prominent is beyond me, because it rocks.
Earlier in the day, there is a decent amount of other Christmas entertainment. Disney’s Christmas Parade is the other “big” thing done for Christmas in Disneyland Paris, and it has gotten longer each year, and is now arguably a cavalcade or short parade, depending upon who you ask.
It’s cute for what it is, but it does not come close to comparing to Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade or even A Christmas Fantasy parade, both of which are fairly old. It’s probably still a few years of additions away from being a serious Christmas parade.
There are two showings of the parade per day. Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy will open the procession of magical, colorful floats.
After them, you’ll see Winnie the Pooh and Friends, Chip & Dale, the Three Little Pigs, and many other characters. Of course, Santa will end Disney’s Christmas Parade on a high note from his sleigh!
Speaking of characters, there are a variety that meet in their holiday finery, including Thumper, Miss Bunny, Stitch, Duffy, and select Princesses in Town Square and locations throughout the park. While we like character meet & greets, the lines for these tend to be long, so we usually skip them.
You can enjoy a wintery wonderland in a holiday lodge that’s home to Santa Claus and Mickey Mouse. This is the perfect opportunity for guests of all ages to drop off their Christmas letter to Santa and capture the moment.
Phantom Manor does not receive a Nightmare Before Christmas overlay like the other Haunted Mansion attractions, and Disneyland Paris no longer does it’s a small world holiday or celebration. (In other words, there are no Christmas attraction overlays at Disneyland Paris.)
Disneyland Paris’ lands are decked out for Christmas. In general, these decorations are more subdued than their US counterparts, with a notable exception: the restaurants. Holy cow! Seemingly every single restaurant had uniquely decorated Christmas trees, and its fair share of on-theme decorations.
Much like the other Disney theme parks, Main Street is the most decorated of any land in Disneyland Paris. Beyond the Christmas tree and Sleeping Beauty Castle icicle lights, there are strands of garland strung from one side of the street to the other, and many shop windows feature beautiful Christmas displays.
The rest of Disneyland Paris Resort gets in the Christmas mood, but not to the same extent. Walt Disney Studios Park has been doing more and more for Christmas, but it still doesn’t compare with the holidays on Main Street, USA.
The hotels also put up Christmas decorations, with Disneyland Hotel being the highlight. Sequoia Lodge is also pretty good, and that hotel “feels” more like a Christmas-y place. The rest of the hotels and the Disney Village had Christmas decorations up, but nothing really noteworthy.
Overall, a Disneyland Paris Christmas is definitely something worth experiencing. It’s not as extravagant as what you’ll find in Disneyland or Walt Disney World, but the incredible standard substance of the park compensates for that. There are a handful great seasonal shows and the decorations are wonderful, but it would be nice for the parade to ‘grow’ at a faster rate.
Regardless, we really enjoy Disneyland Paris at Christmas, and I would say it’s the perfect time for an American to visit Disneyland Paris for the first time (as long as you don’t mind the cold weather). Nothing is missing from the park as a result of the Christmas season (like Haunted Mansion is “missing” from Disneyland), and there are a number of Christmas enhancements that are icing on the cake!
For the basics of planning a visit to Disneyland Paris, check out our Disneyland Paris Trip Planning Guide. Want to see more photos or read about Disneyland Paris in agonizing detail? Check out our Disneyland Paris Trip Report!
Your Thoughts
Have you ever experienced Disneyland Paris at Christmas? Are you interested in visiting at Christmas now? Your comments are half the fun, so please share any questions or feedback about Disneyland Paris at Christmas that you have in the comments!
Thanks for this post – does the date of the 6th January include the Christmas in the park or would it be all done on the 5th? Trying to work out 2 days over the park and hope to include a Christmas day! Thanks!
Does anyone know if they do fireworks show at Disney land Paris ? In December 19 ?
Hi Tom, I,’m Irma from Indonesia, I am planning to go to Disneyland Paris for Christmas.
I am wondering will the daytime parade will be playing when there is a christmas parade? Looking forward to your answer.. thanks a lot before
Hi, We have just got back yesterday from DLP and had a wonderful time but was wondering if anyone knew where we can get hold of the Disney Christmas parade song for 2016, it has lots of different songs all mixed together etc (joy-land, toy-land, and jingle bells etc) My 3yo daughter absolutely loved it and i would love to find it again, when we went a good few years ago they were selling the CDs from that year’s song which was ‘Chante c’est noel’, which we bought for our son, so would love to get this one, but they wasn’t selling it this year! 🙁
Will the fast passes help me on December 25 2016 to ride the top atractions in Disneyland Paris? I will visit only one day for 2 park but spending more time ino Disney Land .
Love this post, we’re going for new year and absolutely cannot wait! We love DLP but have never been for the Christmas season 🙂
Hi Tom,
as you just posted this update for christmas at dlp 2015 i wanted to add 2 things: first, the christmas tree lighting ceremony features mickey and minnie, santa and sing-along christmas songs this year! 🙂
also, “it’s a small world” is currently closed due to renovations! maybe you could update these two things for the 2015 repost! 🙂
Do disney still do the winter wonderland show with the horse and sled and the bears in the cave?
love the update! I see a lot of new pictures. Did you guys recently go back?
The three times I visited Paris I didn’t get a chance to go to Disneyland (have never been to any Disneyland either) and so when my friend invited me for Christmas, I thought it’d be good to make a trip there, since this would also be my first Christmas away from home. Do you have any thoughts/ advice for a potential solo traveler (but I hope my friend can take some time off from work!)? Do you recommend staying overnight? (In your other post you suggested 2-2.5 days. Although I’m not a hardcore Disney fan, I would love to see the lights and decorations!). I only have about 3 days before Christmas though so I’m wondering how much time I should spend here vs. in Paris, whether I should visit both parks, etc.
Thanks for the great guide!
Hi,
many thanks for the wonderful review.
my daughter has an exalted view on christmas and hence wanted in a nice place. trust Disneyland Paris is good.
a question, are the rides open during christmast time ? does it rain / snow then ?
many thanks
jaspal
It does snow in Paris in the winter, and that can affect attractions (especially the outdoor ones), but most are fully operational regardless of weather. The park was built with France’s weather in mind.
I am thinking of visiting disneyland paris at christmas time (19th dec-22nd dec) with my 4 year old daughter. I wanted a magical christmas trip hence going so close to Christmas. Is it wise going so close to Christmas? Would the experience be effected by bad weather conditions? Or is it better to go earlier in December? Iv never been to Disneyland and we are really looking forward to it but i have worries all the rides and attractions wont be open late December…Can anybody offer me some advice 🙂 thank you x
I really can’t give too much advice beyond the research I’ve done, but I do think you’re more likely to run into snow and heavier crowds then. Then again, you might have perfectly normal weather! Either way, I’m sure you’ll have fun, and there’s definitely a certain “magic” to going right at Christmas rather than over a month before the actual holiday.
Been looking forward to reading this since you got back – great report 🙂
Your pictures are just fabulous as always. What’s the next ‘foreign’ trip for you guys then? Are you definitely doing Tokyo in 2013? We are doing Tokyo in September 2014 and then HK and Shanghai (if it does open on schedule!) in 2015.
Thanks for your very accurate report! DLP has it’s own charm during the Christmas season but we certainly miss the elaborate decorations, parades or shows you find in Disneyland and Disneyworld. I love the ‘Christmas Cavalcade’ but it’s too small to make an impression(the idea is that this parade will expand into a real Christmas parade over the years). I love Small World Celebration’s music but the references to different ways of celebrating Christmas throughout the world are too subtle, it simply needs much more christmas lights! The Snowmen on Central Plaza are cute but they lack quality. Overall it’s great to celebrate the season in Disneyland Paris but I miss the American superabundant Christmas..
Hope you had a great time in our homepark and my favorite hotel& thanks for the high quality photography!
If they flesh out Christmas Cavalcade a bit each year, it could definitely become a solid parade. The floats that are there are good.
I’ve been waiting for this report since you got back, and it certainly does not disappoint. I can’t WAIT to go back..some year….during the holidays. It was beautiful in July, but it looks AMAZING during the holidays. Great report and photos! I’ll head over to smugmug to see the rest! Glad you and Sarah had a great time!
The holidays are definitely a great time to go. Even if it’s not as extravagant as Disneyland, it’s a great “plus” to justify taking a trip at Christmastime versus some other time of year.
You mentioned that Phantom Manor does not receive the Nightmare Before Christmas holiday overlay “like the other Haunted Mansion attractions”–I wasn’t aware that the Haunted Mansion at WDW does this. I thought that was unique to Disneyland. Perhaps I am incorrect??
It didn’t seem so a year ago on my trip to WDW at Halloween time.
Love your pictures. Disneyland Paris is truly magical. I’d love to go back sometime.
Sorry, Walt Disney World doesn’t do Haunted Mansion Holiday, either. Tokyo and Disneyland both do it, making Walt Disney World the only Haunted Mansion attraction that doesn’t.
It simply wouldn’t work in Phantom Manor. It’s too dark of an attraction and really unlike the other Haunted Mansions.
Hi Tom,
First, thank you for the link! and overall think you summed up things at DLP for Christmas pretty well (although there are more decorations in WDS LOL). One thing that Dan pointed out on Facebook that I wanted to further mention is that it’s a small world celebration is a pretty big change from the normal it’s a small world. I think every doll has a different outfit and there are a lot of other added items… some might not be obviously “Christmas” as they are designed to match the holiday celebrations of the area of the world that particular scene celebrates. But for example here is a picture of a normal scene in it’s a small world:
it’s a small world
and here is the celebration version (which doesn’t look Christmasy)
it’s a small world celebrates
Yeah, it’s clear based upon your and Dan’s comments that we missed some of the changes to IASW. I guess I shouldn’t have been so critical. That said, it does appear to me that Disneyland does more in the way of set decorations.
I realize not everything is going to be themed to Christmas given the nature of the attraction, but it *seemed* like there wasn’t much done, in general. We definitely missed the costumes, but were there a lot of set decorations we missed? I know there were definitely some set pieces, but nothing like the finale room of Disneyland’s finale room or even their UK room, certainly. Right…?
Couple of things…. First, thanks for linking to us in there!
Second, the unique Christmas Trees at the restaurants across the whole resort have always been a massive thing for me. I am a Christmas Tree NUT and LOVE each and every unique design!!
Third, I’d like to point out that unless you really KNOW “it’s a small world” in DLP, or are “European enough” to know their many different holidays, then you wouldn’t have maybe noticed at the changes, but believe me, nearly EVERY doll gets a new costume, and there are many new props installed throughout. Just a heads up so you know
Four, Tree Lighting.. a huge thing for DLP, and always very popular. I LOVE it. Can vary form year to year, but is basically the same.
Five, the Castle lights. You’re right, it is mainly due to Dreams, but also because they spent a year refurbing the thing, filling in the holes made by past-years decorations. They never again want to ruin it with drilling and nails!
Six, you didn’t mention the Christmas band entertainment – in particular Mickey and the Jingle Bell Boys over at the Videopolis… Did you not see that?
I’m sure there was more, but I lost my trail of thought… If I remember I’ll add another comment LOL!
Thanks for the feedback, especially about IASW Celebration.
Didn’t see Mickey and the Jingle Bell Boys in Videopolis, unfortunately. Didn’t even know they were there! 🙁
Tom, your visit overlapped with mine and Mickey & the Jingle Bell Boys weren’t on until the following week’s schedule, I believe. So whilst you didn’t get to see them, at least you technically didn’t “miss” them!
Thanks for the info! I don’t remember hearing anything about them while we were there, and it’s good to know we didn’t miss them…even if the end result is the same!