Hey friends, if you are heading to the Disneyland Resort this season, Downtown Disney is brimming with festive fun that you will not want to miss. From magical nightly snowfall that turns the district into a cozy winter moment to limited-time snacks that bring all the peppermint joy, there are so many charming ways to feel that holiday spirit before you even step into the parks. Whether you are shopping, snacking, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, here are five delightful ways to add a little extra sparkle to your seasonal visit.
Breakfast with Santa
If you’re looking for a merry and memorable way to start your holiday mornings, Breakfast with Santa at Naples Ristorante e Bar is just the ticket. On select dates from November 26th through December 24th, 2025, you can enjoy a family-style breakfast complete with hot cocoa while carolers fill the room with festive cheer. Kids (10 and under) get to meet Santa and his elves, pose for photos, and go home with a personalized stocking and a stuffed animal. And for the grown-ups? Bottomless mimosas, of course.
Gingerbread House Workshops
One of Downtown Disney’s most heartwarming holiday traditions is back: the Gingerbread Workshop at Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio. On December 6th – 7th and again December 13th – 14th from noon to 2 p.m., your family can join in the magic, build and decorate your very own gingerbread house, sip on unlimited housemade hot chocolate, enjoy a mini dessert plate, and even get a digital photo with Santa. Tickets are $38 per person (all ages!), and if you’d like to make a gingerbread house to take home, that’s $56, which includes a cake base, icing, and candies, plus a limited-edition Jazz Kitchen holiday ornament.
Join the Ornament Hunt!
Celebrate the holiday season with a playful stroll along Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail, a charming family activity winding through the Downtown Disney District from November 14th, 2025, through January 7th, 2026, or while supplies last. Guests can join the fun by picking up a map and sticker set for $11.99 plus tax at select merchandise locations, then searching for Disney character-themed ornaments tucked into beautifully decorated holiday trees throughout the district. Each time you spot one, place the matching sticker on your map and enjoy the delight of discovering these festive surprises. When you are done, simply return your completed or even uncompleted map to World of Disney or Disney’s Pin Traders to receive a special holiday keepsake. It is a wonderful seasonal adventure to enjoy at your own pace, with all details, pricing, and keepsakes subject to change as always during the busy holiday season.
Hit the Sweet Spot with Seasonal Beignets
If you are craving something sweet during your holiday visit, Downtown Disney has many limited-time treats that are definitely worth adding to your must-try list. For example, over at Beignets Expressed, the festive Candy Cane Twist Glazed Beignet will be available from December 1st, 2025, to January 7th, 2026, offering a fluffy, airy bite coated in frosty peppermint glaze and sprinkled with crushed green candy sparkles. Just a short stroll away, California Churro is serving up a merry Peppermint Churro rolled in peppermint powdered sugar, topped with crushed candy cane pieces, and finished with a drizzle of peppermint icing. Both are delicious, seasonal picks that bring a little extra holiday cheer to your snack break.
Let it Snow!
If you are visiting this holiday season, be sure to stop by the Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage and lawn, where a little extra magic awaits each evening. From November 14th, 2025, through January 7th, 2026, gentle flurries of snow will fall nightly between 6 pm and 10 pm, turning the area into a cozy winter moment perfect for soaking up the spirit of the season. It is one of those simple, enchanting touches that make the holidays at Disney feel extra special. Nightly show moments: 6:00 pm, 6:40 pm, 7:20 pm, 8:00 pm, 8:40 pm, 9:20 pm, and 10:00 pm.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and the perfect opportunity to feel the holiday spirit at the Disneyland Resort without even needing a park ticket. Enjoy!
