The holiday season has officially begun at Disney Springs. The shopping and dining district at Walt Disney World held its Christmas tree lighting ceremony last night in Town Center, marking the start of its holiday celebration.
The event was free to attend, with no admission or park ticket required.
Opening Night Ceremony
Guests filled the plaza around the large Christmas tree in Town Center, where a small stage was set up at its base. Disney executives and hosts, dressed in holiday ears and plaid, welcomed the crowd.
A vocal group performed holiday songs before the main event. A family then joined two Walt Disney World Ambassadors on stage to light the tree, which glowed in gold and white. Snowfall drifted over the crowd right after.
Nightly Lightings
Guests who missed opening night can still see the tree come to life. The tree will light up every hour on the hour each night this season. These nightly lightings won’t include the stage show from opening night, but they still offer a festive moment.
Disney also says snowfall will return to Town Center every night. In previous years, the snow has fallen every half hour starting at sundown.
Holiday Decorations
Disney Springs is now fully decorated for the season. Large snowflake signs wish guests Season’s Greetings, and lamppost banners show the district’s water tower wearing a Mickey wreath. The holiday celebration continues into early January.
Christmas Tree Stroll
The Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll presented by AdventHealth returned alongside the tree lighting and runs through January 3, 2027. Three trees are new this year.
The Bluey tree, located outside Level99, is wrapped in gold tinsel with red-and-gold ornaments, character ornaments, and a gold star. The Monsters, Inc. tree celebrates the film’s 25th anniversary with a yellow scream canister topper, oversized eyeballs, small closet doors, and Boo in her monster costume. The Hallmark tree features a gold crown topper, Hallmark and candy-striped ribbons, and Mickey and Minnie on ladders hanging ornaments around a white Mickey wreath. It ties into the Hallmark pop-up shop and the Hallmark Channel movie Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True, premiering November 28.
Returning trees include Frozen, Toy Story, Encanto, Moana, Star Wars, and The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Free maps are available from brochure racks and at pickup spots like The LEGO Store and The Polite Pig. Guests match a sticker to each tree, and a completed map can be turned in for a prize.
Santa at Disney Springs
Santa is back at Santa’s Marketplace. Visits use a virtual queue in the My Disney Experience app, and guests need to be at Disney Springs to join.
Holiday Menu at Jock Lindsey’s
Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar in The Landing is serving a holiday menu through January 11, 2027, with 10 of 12 items new this year.
New food includes turkey croquettes with a cherry-orange brandy glaze, fried brie with lingonberry marmalade, a seafood sampler, and short ribs. A Wreath of Wellington and the Boughs of Holly Deviled Eggs return.
Drinks include the Hot Chocolate Around the Globe Flight with three spiked versions of Joffrey’s hot cocoa, the Frosted Passage Martini, a Cranberry Negroni, and a Cranberry Apple Compass Mule. The non-alcoholic Hangar Holly Jolly combines apple juice, kiwi syrup, lime, and ginger ale.
Planning a Visit
Disney Springs offers free admission and free parking, making it an easy holiday stop for families and locals. With hourly tree lightings, nightly snow, the Christmas Tree Stroll, and seasonal treats, there’s plenty to enjoy throughout the season.
Will you be stopping by Disney Springs this holiday season?
