Christmas is a few days away, meaning that it is almost time to watch the annualDisney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade. This time around,Dancing With the Stars' hostsJulianne HoughandAlfonso Ribeirowill take over as the presenters of the ABC holiday special, which transports audiences to Magic Kingdom with its attractions. With several performances intertwined with the parade, viewers are invited to enjoy the Christmas morning alongsideMickey Mouse and other Disney favorites. For those hoping to tune in for this magical celebration, here is a guide to when and where you can watch it.
What Is the ‘Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade’?
TheDisney Parks Magical Christmas Day Paradeis an annual ABC special that has been airing on Christmas mornings since 1983. While families get cozy at home and unwrap gifts, they can tune in to see their favorite Disney characters parading at Magic Kingdom (one of the Walt Disney World parks located in Orlando, Florida), as well as performances by the likes ofElton John. The special also features a few segments shot in other Disney parks, including Disneyland Resort in California, Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, and Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa in Hawaii. Although the parade airs on Christmas day, it is usually pre-taped in advance of the holidays, with filming typically taking place in early November.
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Watch a Sneak Peek From ‘Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade’
ABC shared an exclusive clip on social media, teasing what audiences can anticipate from the special. In it, hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro urge people to wake up on Christmas Day and gather the family to watch holiday performances by several well-known musicians and Broadway stars. In addition to the music acts, the sneak peek offers a glimpse of the parade segments happening at Magic Kingdom. In Hough and Ribeiro’s words, “it’s a celebration you won’t want to miss”.
Who Will Be in ‘Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade’?
The Christmas Day parade will have a star-studded lineup, with special appearances from Elton John,John Legend,Carly Pearce,Andy Grammer and Junkanoo Celebration Performers,Pentatonix,Anika Noni Rose, and K-pop groupSEVENTEEN. Disney on Broadway cast members andDescendants: The Rise of Red’s ensemble are also going to sing along. On top of hosting, Hough and Ribeiro are expected to open the special with a performance of their own.
What Songs Are Featured in the ‘Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade’?
Although most performances will be Christmas-themed, that doesn’t mean that the special will only feature holiday tunes and seasonal entertainment. Several acts will perform from their own repertoire, offering a blend of cheeriness and classic tracks. Below is a list with all the names that will be featured in the parade, and what songs they will sing for audiences joining the celebration from their homes on Christmas morning.
Performers
Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro
“Winter Wonderland”
Elton John
“Tiny Dancer”
Andy Grammer and Junkanoo Celebration Performers
“Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”
John Legend
“This Christmas”
Carly Pearce
“(Everybody’s Waitin' For) The Man With The Bag”
Pentatonix
“12 Days of Christmas”
Disney on Broadway Stars Kalilah Black, Lauren Nicole Chapman, Daniel Gardner, Bradley Gibson, Marq Moss, Amber Owens, Melaina Rairamo, John Riddle, Michael James Scott and Jessica White
Medley (the songs featured in it have yet to be revealed)
Cast of “Descendants: The Rise of Red”
“Red Christmas” / “Jolly to the Core”
Anika Noni Rose
“Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”
“Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree”
Your Favorite Disney Villains Are About To Conquer Disney’s Magic Kingdom
The East Coast park is also getting a new ‘Cars’ attraction.
Is ‘Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade’ Different From ‘The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular’?
Earlier this month, ABC airedThe Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular, which was also hosted by Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro. This year was the first time that Ribeiro joined Hough to host the show, andin an interview that aired prior to the special, Hough shared more about her experience reuniting with herDancing With the Starsco-host outside the ballroom:
“Being here with Alfonso just feels like we are back home in the ballroom, but a much bigger, grander ballroom, like Cinderella’s ballroom. It’s very exciting and yeah, I’m just happy to be back.”
Similarly to the Christmas Day parade, the special featured musical performances and guest appearances, including some of the same acts expected to sing at the parade this year. Below is the list of all the musical acts and what tunes they sang.
“Deck the Halls” / “Holly Jolly Christmas”
Auliʻi Cravalho
“Your Song”
“Always Come Back” / “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
Seth MacFarlane and Liz Gillies
“White Christmas”
“O Holy Night” / “1 Wish”
Leslie Odom, Jr. and the Imani Milele Choir
“Little Drummer Boy”
“Let It Snow”
“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”
“Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”
The main difference between these two programs is that the Christmas special features a parade, whereas theHoliday Spectacularfocuses more on how the Disney parks are getting prepared for the busiest time of the year. The 2024 edition of theHoliday Spectacularwas narrated byNobody Wants ThisalumKristen Bell, who gave a compelling rundown as to what each park had in mind for their holiday programming.
Audiences interested in watching the special either before or after theDisney Parks Magical Christmas Day Paradecan do so through Disney +.
Watch on Disney +
Holiday Content to Watch After ‘Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade’
After watching the parade on Christmas morning, you might want to go for a holiday film next. Disney + has plenty of jolly titles available to stream on the platform, including some new Christmastime options. Here are two merry recommendations to watch with your family and friends.
‘Doctor Who: Joy to the World’ (2024)
Doctor Whois getting in the holiday spiritwith a special set to come out on Christmas day. The episode will have the Doctor (NcutiGatwa) crossing paths with Joy (Nicola Coughlan) after she checks into a London hotel and finds out that her stay is anything but ordinary. As she accidentally opens the portal that leads to the Time Hotel, the character goes on a dangerous journey that even involves dinosaurs. With a deadly plan underway, Joy must rely on the Doctor’s help to save her and the rest of the world during Christmas.
‘An Almost Christmas Story’ (2024)
InAn Almost Christmas Story, an animated feature film co-written byAlfonso Cuarón, a young owl named Moon gets stuck in a Christmas tree headed to Rockefeller Plaza. While trying to escape the city, the owl befriends a lonely girl named Luna. This unlikely bond allows them to go on an adventure together on the way home to their parents. Its heartwarming watch that is ideal for a family gathering in the living room.
