When will the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade film at Disney World and Disneyland? We’re sharing possibilities based on years past.

In many households, it is an annual tradition to pop on the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade while opening gifts on Christmas morning. The Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade is a television special that ABC airs each year on Christmas Day. The special includes segments featuring the Walt Disney World parks, as well as Disneyland and the international Disney parks.

But, while the parade airs on Christmas, it’s typically filmed in the parks well in advance all the way in November. And, while Disney doesn’t share filming dates publically, we’re looking at the dates the special has been filmed in the past to share when it could potentially be filmed in 2023!

When Will 2023 Filming Take Place for the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade?

As previously stated, although Disney has not publically announced filming dates, based on past trends, it is expected that filming take place in the first or second week of November at both Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California.

Filming for last year’s Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade occurred from November 12 to November 13 at Disney World, with additional footage possibly recorded at the beginning of December 2022. Most of the celebrity performances have to work around their own schedules, but in years past, fans have seen artists fly to Disney World and Disneyland around mid-November.

Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

Looking at the Magic Kingdom entertainment schedule for this year, there is one potential clue as to when filming could take place. While the Festival of Fantasy parade is typically available at 12 PM and 3 PM on Thursdays through Sundays, that is not the case on Saturday, November 11, and Sunday, November 12 of this year. On November 11, there is just one parade time listed at 3 PM, while November 12 has no parade times listed. While this is no guarantee that filming is happening on these days, it would line up with the dates we saw last year.

As for Disneyland, filming typically will take place there in mid-November or early December as well. Occasionally segments with celebrities are also filmed overnight, or once the park has closed. (UPDATE: Filming began on November 10, 2023 for the Disneyland portion).

Photo by Heather Adams

Who Will Appear On This Year’s Parade?

For the 2023 Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade country musician Mickey Guyton will co-host with Jesse Palmer, host of The Golden Bachelor. The special will air Monday, December 25, from 10 AM to 12 PM EST, and will stream on Hulu and Disney+ the next day. Performances for the special will include:

• Derek Hough and Julianne Hough – “Good Morning” and “Deck the Halls” Medley
• Ariana DeBose – “This Wish” from Disney’s “Wish”
• Chrissy Metz – “Silver Bells”
• The Smashing Pumpkins – “Evergreen” (A new, original holiday song!)
• Iam Tongi – “Mele Kalikimaka”
• The Cast of Disney’s “Aladdin” on Broadway – “Friend Like Me”

The show will also feature special looks back at some of the performances from years past:

• Gwen Stefani (2018) – “Winter Wonderland”
• Beyoncé (2006) – “Silent Night”
• Stevie Wonder (2009) – “What Christmas Means to Me”

What To Expect During Filming for the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade

I was lucky enough to attend a filming in 2016 and it was one of the most magical experiences I’ve ever had. First off, if you want to be a part of this winter wonderland – arrive early! There is limited space and it is all first come, first serve, so I recommend getting there at the Park’s opening whenever they do film this month.

Also, there is no guarantee you will be on television if you get into the filming section, I will say that if you get there as early as possible, you will LIKELY be placed at the front of the stage, meaning you have a higher percentage of being caught on camera.