Santa to Arrive at Magic Kingdom Thanksgiving Weekend

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Starting Thanksgiving Day, November 27th, 2025, Santa Claus will be meeting guests at Magic Kingdom during regular park hours as part of the holiday celebrations at Walt Disney World. You can find Santa in Storybook Circus throughout the day until Christmas Eve, December 24th.

Santa Claus visits Magic Kingdom every year, including during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, a special event that requires a separate ticket. During the party, you can find him meeting guests at a spot called “Santa’s Christmas Carnival” in Storybook Circus.

Other Santa Locations at Walt Disney World

This holiday season in 2025, Santa Claus will be available to meet guests at various spots throughout Walt Disney World, not just in Magic Kingdom.

You can meet him at EPCOT’s CommuniCore Hall during the International Festival of the Holidays. He’ll be there every day from November 28th to December 24th, posing for photos and chatting with guests in a simple indoor setting.

From now until December 24th, you can meet Santa at Walt Disney Presents in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This indoor exhibit has a themed queue where you can walk through and wait for your turn in a comfortable, climate-controlled space. The area is decorated with scenes from classic Christmas movies like The Muppet Christmas Carol and The Santa Clause.

From now until December 24th, you can meet Santa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! He’ll be greeting guests and posing for photos on the outdoor patio of Restaurantosaurus in the DinoLand U.S.A. area. Expect a small, designated spot near the restaurant entrance where you can find him.

Santa will be at Disney Springs, specifically at Santa’s Marketplace near Disney’s Pin Traders. To meet him, you’ll join a virtual queue through the My Disney Experience app. This lets you get a time to return and enjoy shopping at Disney Springs while you wait for your turn!

Considerations for Thanksgiving Weekend Visitors

As a Disney fanatic, I always brace myself for the Thanksgiving rush, and this year will be no different. While Disney’s added some great options with Santa appearing throughout the day – giving you more chances to see him – don’t expect a walk in the park. Be prepared for potentially long waits, folks. It’s still a super crowded time to visit!

Santa’s schedule can vary, so it’s best to check the My Disney Experience app often on the day you plan to visit. Keep in mind that meeting Santa during regular park hours will likely have different lighting and scenery than during special evening events.

Magic Kingdom’s Christmas Offerings

During the 2025 Christmas season, Magic Kingdom will feature festive additions like “Frozen Holiday Surprise,” a show with characters from the movie Frozen on the Castle Forecourt Stage, followed by a dazzling winter projection show on Cinderella Castle. Guests can also enjoy the returning “Jingle Cruise,” a holiday-themed version of the Jungle Cruise ride with special decorations and jokes.

From November 7th to December 21st, Magic Kingdom hosts a special ticketed event called Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on select nights. This festive event includes several shows and parades, like Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, and the stage show “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration.”

Our party nights feature free holiday treats like hot cocoa and cookies. Throughout the park, and during regular hours, you’ll also find festive music, special lighting, and fun PhotoPass spots to enhance the holiday atmosphere. Unfortunately, all party nights are currently sold out.

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2025-11-27 16:56