Performer lineup and schedule revealed for Disney Parks and ABC Holiday TV Specials

19 days ago in "Holidays at the Magic Kingdom"

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Filming the 2023 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade at Magic Kingdom

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Posted: Thursday November 16, 2023 5:24pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

ABC and Disney Parks will air two holiday specials in 2023, which will be available on ABC, Hulu, and Disney+.

Filming the 2023 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade at Magic Kingdom

This year's shows were filmed at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Disneyland Resort in California, Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa in Hawai'i, and aboard the Disney Fantasy cruise ship.

Derek and Julianne Hough return to host "The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration" on ABC on Sunday, November 26 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EST). They're joined by country music star Mickey Guyton and "The Golden Bachelor" host Jesse Palmer as co-hosts for the 40th anniversary of "Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade" airing on ABC on Monday, December 25 (10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. EST/9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. PST). Both specials will also stream on Hulu and Disney+ the day after their premieres.

This year's "The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration" features a special appearance by DJ Khaled along with the following musical performances:

Derek Hough and Julianne Hough – "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas," "What Christmas Means to Me," "Dance to the Music" medley
Michael Bolton & Mickey Guyton – "Christmas Isn't Christmas"
Andra Day and Adam Blackstone – "Someday at Christmas" and an Adam Blackstone original song "Legacy Christmastime"
Mickey Guyton – "Jingle Bell Rock"
Chris Janson – "Holiday Road"
Tori Kelly "This Christmas" and "Winter Wonderland"
Chrissy Metz – "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"
The Smashing Pumpkins – "Silver Bells"
Robin Thicke – "Let it Snow" and "Perfect Holiday"
Iam Tongi – "White Christmas"

Filming the 2023 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade at Magic Kingdom

The Christmas Day parade was filmed at Walt Disney World Resort this year with all of your favorite Disney characters making their traditional appearances. "Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade" will also feature musical performances for the special including the following:

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 Christmas Day show also features these special looks back at some of the most iconic performances from years past:

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

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HauntedPirate1 day ago

Bob and Josh despise the unfavorables.

JohnD1 day ago

Not surprised that 12/16 and 12/19 at MK have reached capacity. That is before most APs are blocked out. My checkout day is 12/19 and I have a park reservation for MK before being blocked out the next day for my Pixie pass. https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/mymagicplus/news/04dec2023-new-years-eve-at-epcot-and-more-dates-in-december-at-magic-kingdom-reach-capacity-for-disney-world-passholders-.htm

monothingie1 day ago

The Guest Favorite Park Pass System strikes again! I see that Disney has once again returned to making sure that the unfavorable guest mix of unprofitable AP holders doesn't contaminate their P&L statements for December. Most Locals will be locked out for the last half of December anyway, so why not accelerate the process?

IanDLBZF2 days ago

Will not be surprised if MK follows suit for 12/30 and 12/31.

DisneyFanatic123 days ago

Colder weather may be in season, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun at the water park! From now until December 31st, you can participate in a scavenger hunt to celebrate the holiday season! The scavenger hunt and prizes can be picked up at the Lost Children’s hut at Blizzard Beach. The prizes consist of multiple different Christmas ornament craft kits to choose from.

DisneyFanatic123 days ago

All monorails on all three lines were displaying the red and green undercarriage animation that played exclusively on MVMCP nights. Perhaps this animation will continue to play on all nights as the holiday festivities ramp up at Walt Disney World?

DCBaker4 days ago

Park hours at EPCOT on New Year's Eve have been extended to 1am.

Comped5 days ago

I saw the piano guy on Saturday evening, I didn't see the Christmas tree!

pigglewiggle5 days ago

Posting this just in case anyone is going this year. We just watched a video of a roaming Christmas Tree at Disney Springs. Be sure to catch it because whoever is voicing it is very funny. It made us laugh out loud.

DCBaker6 days ago

Walt Disney World has confirmed Santa Goofy will take Santa's spot at Blizzard Beach from Dec. 25-Dec. 31. Special News! Daily Meet & Greet with Santa Goofy Santa Goofy will take Santa’s place—from December 25 through December 31, 2023

jrhwdw8 days ago

Mirror is only at 11:50 both nights I believe. The other Prim. Might be all 4 Shows?

donaldfan8 days ago

I can’t remember, are all four Fantasy shows the full shows with the launches on the lagoon?

Thumper 3212 days ago

According to their Facebook, Collective Five (the group performing in Tomorrowland during MVMCP) will also be performing during the day this weekend on Nov 23-25 and again after the final party from Dec 23-31.