Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is one of the best things to do at Disney World at Christmas. Every year, during November and December, you can go to a Christmas party hosted by Mickey Mouse and his closest friends at the Magic Kingdom! There’s a special Christmas parade, special holiday fireworks, complimentary cookies and hot chocolate, snow on Main Street USA, a holiday show in Tomorrowland, special treats and merchandise you can purchase, and special characters you can meet! It does require an extra ticket besides your general admission, however. For tickets, go here: disneyworld.disney.go.com

A projection show in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Jingle Bell Jingle Bam! was a new addition in 2016, and I was lucky enough to see it in its inaugural season with my family. It’s such a fun and adorable show featuring characters from Disney’s Christmas Short “Prep and Landing”, and several other Disney favorites. For showtimes, go here: disneyworld.disney.go.com

On select nights during the holiday season, there is a gorgeous candlelight processional in Epcot. Throughout the season, there are various guest celebrity narrators. Narrators in the past have been Neil Patrick Harris, Kurt Russell, Whoopi Goldberg, and more. They tell the Christmas story accompanied by a choir made up of talented Walt Disney World cast members from all lines of business. For more information and a schedule of narrators, go here: disneyworld.disney.go.com

Epcot introduced a brand new festival this year: The Festival of the Holidays! At this festival, guests can walk around the world showcase and experience what the holidays are like in the eleven different countries that are represented. There are different storytellers around the world showcase in the different countries, including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Father Christmas, a mischievous Norwegian gnome, and Pere Noel. The acclaimed a capella group, Voices of Liberty, also has a special Christmas Carol show that you can see in the American Adventure. They also have food stands where you can purchase and eat different seasonal bites. And this yea you can actually meet Belle in her red Christmas dress in the France pavilion! If you get to see her, make sure you tell her I say hi! For more information, go here: disneyworld.disney.go.com

I love going to Disney Springs during the holidays, because it doesn’t require a ticket, and it’s just such a classic, simple, holiday experience. There are beautiful decorations, such as large Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, and more all over the place. There is also a Christmas store that carries ornaments and other holiday goods throughout the year, but it is especially magical and appropriate to visit during the holiday season. Last year, Disney Springs introduced a Christmas Tree Trail, which features a number of Christmas trees decorated to represent several different Disney movies, classic and new alike. There are also holiday concerts, and Stitch left a holiday present scavenger hunt for younger guests! And of course, you can meet the big man himself: Santa Claus! For more information on the goings on at Disney Springs, go here: disneyworld.disney.go.com