Don’t forget to pack your holiday spirit when you visit Anaheim! We’ve got your vacation planned to include a variety of magical experiences. Visit local theme parks, explore the heart of the city, shop for holiday gifts, and raise a glass of good cheer to the home team. 

Day 1: Disneyland Resort

Looking for holiday magic? Include the Disneyland® Resort on your itinerary. We recommend multiple days to experience all of the seasonal celebrations. 

Disneyland Holidays

Make sure to start with a photo in front of the gigantic tree on Main Street, U.S.A. Then, add these sprinklings of magic to fill your day:

  • Holiday Attraction Overlays: Don’t miss the “it’s a small world®” attraction overlay where the children of the world fill your cruise with good cheer. At dusk, the facade is illuminated in a dazzling display. Another fan favorite is the Haunted Mansion® Holiday inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.
  • A Christmas Fantasy Parade: Delights as seasonal characters like marching toy soldiers and prancing reindeer make their way through the park.
  • Seasonal Sweets and Eats: Fuel your fun with limited-time food and drinks that capture the flavors of the season.
  • Believe…in Holiday Magic: As night falls, look to the skies where “snow” is falling and spirits are soaring alongside a beautiful pyrotechnic display.

Day 2: Disney California Adventure Park

Delight in the cultural and culinary celebrations taking place at Disney California Adventure® Park during the holiday season. The Disney Festival of Holidays joyfully joins holiday traditions from around the globe. Feast on this fun:

  • Festival Foods Marketplace: Grab a Sip and Savor Pass for 8 tastings from kiosks hosting an array of food and drink.
  • Disney ¡Viva Navidad!: Dance the day away with a vibrant street party filled with music and beloved characters in costume.
  • Haul-idays in Cars Land
  • World of Color - Season of Light

Image of tires in Cars Land decorated to look like Christmas decorations.

Day 3: Explore Downtown Anaheim

Sunny SoCal invites you to take to the ice. The Rinks Anaheim Ice is a full ice skate facility featuring two rinks. Rent a pair of skates and practice your Olympic routine.

Anaheim Packing House Hammer Bar
Hammer Workshop & Bar in the Anaheim Packing House 

Afterward, head to the Anaheim Packing District for artisanal food and drinks. The food hall is home to more than two dozen eclectic merchants offering everything from comfort food to crafted cocktails. Foodies will find even more to feast on across the street in the MAKE Building which houses Taco El Gringo, Unsung Brewing Company, and Pali Wine Company.

Day 4: Pre-game Ahead of the Ducks Game

Anaheim is home to a vibrant craft beer scene. Say “Cheers!” before heading to an Anaheim Ducks game at one of the dozens of local breweries. Along the La Palma Beer Trail, visitors can sample suds from a closely connected series of breweries.

Honda Center Ducks Game

We’re also fans of the Golden Road Brewery, right across the street from Honda Center. Grab a burger and a Mango Cart then head on over to Honda Center to catch a game.

Save on your sips with the free Visit Anaheim Brew Pass.

Day 5: Holiday Shop ‘til You Drop

Get holiday-ready by shopping for the perfect gift in and around Anaheim. South Coast Plaza is a globally recognized shopping center with over 250 boutiques including your favorite luxury brands.

World of Disney Store at Downtown Disney

Bring home magic by strolling the Downtown Disney District where you’ll find Disney gifts. Stretch your holiday budget at Outlets at Orange, an outdoor mall with outlet and value stores.

Looking for more savings? Download the Visit Anaheim Savings Pass.

Day 6: The Great Outdoors Take You From Day to Night

With over 300 days of sunshine, don’t let the calendar make you think you can’t explore the great outdoors during your Christmas vacation. Enjoy local hiking or biking trails in wooded areas or along a nearby beach.

The FIFTH Rooftop Bar at Grand Legacy at the Park Hotel

Then, soak up the views at a local rooftop bar and restaurant like The FIFTH, directly across the street from the Disneyland Resort. Consider Top of the V at The Viv Hotel or RISE Rooftop Lounge at The Westin Anaheim Resort. Cocktails and city skylines are perfectly paired in Anaheim.

Day 7: Enjoy Knott’s Merry Farm

Knott’s Berry Farm welcomes its holiday celebration, Merry Farm. The charming holiday experience includes a crafts village filled with holiday shopping mingling above festive decor. Enjoy delightful dishes themed for the season from Santa’s Christmas Cabin and get a photo with Santa himself.

Calico Park at Knott's Merry Farm

Beloved stories are reimagined for the stage at The Bird Cage Theater where you’ll see a Calico Christmas Carol and The Gift of the Magi 1885. Snoopy and his pals take to the ice in Snoopy’s Night Before Christmas: Ice Show. In the evenings, snow falls in Calico in the Snow and Glow Show.

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The fun in Anaheim does not stop. So, mark your calendars, and gather your friends and family as we welcome the fall weather to Southern California. The best of what the region has to offer is waiting for you this month, whether you are a local or a visitor.