These are all of the things you need to know if you are going to Disney World in December of 2025. This includes closures, festivals, and so much more that will help you plan your vacation to be as magical as possible.
Holiday Season
The holiday season at Walt Disney World runs all of December with the last day being December 31st.
Fireworks
Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show will be on nights that have Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Magic Kingdom. You must have an event ticket to experience this. On nights that do not have Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, the firework show in Magic Kingdom is be Happily Ever After. EPCOT will have Luminous The Symphony of Us every night. New Year’s will have different fireworks that I mention later in this post.
Parades
Magic Kingdom has Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. If you are there on a night that does not have the Christmas party, then you can see the nighttime parade Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is Thursday December 25th. This is expected to be a busy day in the theme parks.
Increased Crowds
You can expect increased crowds at Disney World during the month of December, but especially the week of Christmas and the week of New Years.
Winter Break
A lot of people in America have school and work off for two weeks around Christmas and New Years. This means a lot of people will go on vacations to Disney World during this time.
Weather
December typically does not get much rain at Disney World, but I still recommend packing a poncho just in case. The average highs are in the low to mid 70s° and the average lows in the 50s°. Pack a sweatshirt or light jacket for the mornings and evenings.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is an after hours event in Magic Kingdom that you need a separate ticket for. It is on December 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19 and 21.
Jollywood Nights
Jollywood Nights is a 5 hour event in Hollywood Studios on select nights. It is on December 1, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20 and 22.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will go for most of December. The last day to experience it is December 30, 2025.
Candlelight Processional
The Candlelight Processional is part of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays and is every night. The last day to go to this experience is December 30, 2025.
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is Wednesday December 31st. This is usually the busiest day of the year at Disney World. There will be special New Years firework shows and other entertainment. These are the park hours on December 31st- Magic Kingdom: 9 AM to 10 PM, EPCOT: 9 AM to 9:30 PM, Hollywood Studios: 9 AM to 9 PM, and Animal Kingdom: 8 AM to 6 PM. Magic Kingdom will have Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks at 7:30 pm and 11:50 pm on December 30th and 31st. EPCOT will have Cheers to the New Year: A Sparkling Celebration at 11:54 pm.
Christmas Foods
The parks and resorts are full of festive Christmas and holiday foods right now. See some of the best ones here.
Rides With Holiday Overlays
The Jungle Cruise gets a holiday overlay and becomes the Jingle Cruise. Living with the Land gets lights, snowmen, and more and is called Living With The Land – Glimmering Greenhouses. More rides change during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party including Mad Tea Party, Tomorrowland Speedway, and Space Mountain.
Closures
Closures for the month include Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Kali River Rapids, the Frontierland station of the railroad, Animation Courtyard, Blizzard Beach, and Vacation Fun. Read more about the closures here.
Last Chance for Permanently Closing Attractions
Some upcoming closures to know about include the Skyliner which will be closing from January 25-31, 2026. All of DinoLand USA will be closing permanently on February 2, 206. This includes the ride DINOSAUR and Restaurantosaurus. Rock n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will close sometime in 2026 and reopen in the summer of 2026 with a Muppets theme.
Resort Guests Get Free Water Park Admission
Guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels get free water park admission on their check-in day in December. You’ll need to go to Typhoon Lagoon since Blizzard Beach is closed.