Now that the holiday season is in full swing at Disneyland, the spirit seems to be rubbing off on California Adventure. For the first time, the resort’s newer park is hosting a winter celebration, for Christmas (& Navidad), Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Diwali.
The festival has taken over most of Pacific Wharf and Paradise Pier. Stop by tons of food carts for drinks, snacks, and pastries. Kids can join in on the fun too – with activity tables, coloring pages, and crafts for each holiday. And all afternoon and evening, enjoy live performances on pop-up stages around the waterfront.
The four main groups performing during the festival are:
- Raise – An amazing a cappella group performing R&B versions of popular Christmas songs.
- Mostly Kosher – A Klezmer band that encourages audience participation and lots of dancing!
- Mariachi Divas – The divas perform Navidad classics in English and Spanish.
- Blue13 Dance Company – An incredibly talented and energetic Bollywood dance crew.
You can also meet Santa Claus, dance to the toy soldier drum line, and chat with some of Santa’s giant elves (on stilts!).
But the headliner for the Festival of the Holidays is none other than Princess Elena, Disney’s first Latina princess. The festival marks her official arrival in the park.
Elena, the three caballeros, and the Viva Navidad dancers perform in Paradise Pier. Elena has a BEAUTIFUL voice!
The Festival of the Holidays runs from November until January 8. For more information about the performances, food carts, and merchandise, visit the official event page here.
The Diwali dancers were legit insane. I must’ve watched the show 20 times during the festival because they were just so good.
No love for Ramadan? 🙁
Nope, not this time unfortunately. I’m hoping next year they expand and include even more!