6 Free Christmas Activities To Do at Disney World

Are you visiting Walt Disney World for the Christmas holiday? Christmas starts in early November and lasts through December. There are many activities to do on your vacation, and some are even free!

Special Holiday Entertainment

There are many special holiday additions when you visit Walt Disney World during Christmas time. Every evening in the parks, Frozen characters turn Cinderella's castle into a beautiful winter display in Frozen Holiday Surprise, The Hollywood Tower lights up in Hollywood Studios in Sunset Greetings with holiday projections and music, snow falls along Sunset Boulevard, and the Tree of Life Awakenings present projections of animals in snowy environments.

Attractions, such as Jungle Cruise changes into Jingle Cruise with holiday displays and Living with the Land transforms into Glimmering Greenhouses. Characters in Toy Story Land and Mickey & Minnie in Animal Kingdom dress up in their Christmas attire for photograph opportunities. For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration has a holiday ending with a special visitor from Arendelle (hint: he doesn't have any bones!)

Hop to Walt Disney Resorts That Have the Best Christmas Decorations

There are certain Walt Disney World Resorts that are known to have more elaborate decorations. Several resorts have gingerbread displays, including Contemporary, Animal Kingdom, Beach Club, and Boardwalk. Grand Floridian is known for its grand display of a gingerbread house, but it has been put on pause due to lobby construction. Yacht Club has a train display, and Christmas music plays throughout the resorts just for the holidays. Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Grand Floridian have massive Christmas trees to fill up their high ceiling lobbies. There are many options, and you can take a monorail, boat, Skyliner, bus, or Minnie Van to visit one or more resorts.

Meet Santa Claus

There are multiple locations around Walt Disney World Resort to meet with Santa Claus. It's even better if you have purchased Memory Maker, which collects professional photographs throughout your Disney World vacation. If not, you can still snap some of your own pictures off to the side, or purchase photos individually. Locations may change from year to year, so make sure to check out the My Disney Experience App for updated locations and times!

Candlelight Processional

The Candlelight Processional takes place as a part of EPCOT's International Festival of the Holidays every year, when celebrity guests will read a narration of the story of Christmas. There are 3 showings at 5:00 P.M., 6:45 P.M., and 8:15 P.M. Just know that priority seating is given to those with a Candlelight Processional Dining Package. If you don't get a seat at the American Gardens Theatre, then there is some outdoor seating outside Regal Eagle Smokehouse, and you will be able to listen to the beautiful story and music from there.

Take an Evening Stroll Around Disney Springs

Well known for its dining and eating, Holidays at Disney Springs feels like a real-life winter wonderland, especially when the sun goes down. Participate in the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll and watch the snow fall in the Town Center throughout the evening. You can park your car at any of the parking garages, take the Disney Springs bus, boat, or Minnie Van (by Lyft) from your Walt Disney World Resort,

Take Pictures of As Many Christmas Trees As You Can

Each theme park and Walt Disney World resort has its own unique Christmas tree. Snap a picture (Memory Maker not required) in front of each Christmas tree you see and create a collection to look back on post-vacation.

Convinced to go to on a trip to Walt Disney World at Christmas time? Read more about which Walt Disney World Resort would be best for your Christmas trip.