The Walt Disney Company has confirmed the upcoming return of several Disney Parks holiday specials that traditionally air each holiday season on the Disney-owned ABC Network, also unveiling the air dates, times, and celebrity guest appearances set for each of this year’s programs.
Broadcast Slots Announced For ‘The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration’ and ‘Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade’
“The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration” will air on ABC on Sunday, November 26, 2023 from 8:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. ET. The special will premiere on Hulu and Disney+ on November 27. Derek and Julianne Hough will return as hosts, marking the fifth time that the siblings will host the program since its 2016 premiere. The special will feature a performance from the Houghs, an appearance from musical producer DJ Khaled, and a look back at Mariah Carey’s 2016 appearance on the program. The show will also feature the following musical performances:
- 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”
The “Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade” will air on ABC on Monday, December 25, 2023 from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. ET. It, too, will be added to Hulu and Disney+ the day after its broadcast. A Disney Parks parade has aired on ABC Network on Christmas Day each year since 1983 (with exceptions in 2000 and 2020).
The special will be hosted by the Hough siblings in addition to musical artist Mickey Guyton and television host Jesse Palmer. The parade was filmed at Magic Kingdom on November 12.
The program will feature the following musical sets:
- 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 special will additionally feature a look back at a 2018 performance from Gwen Stefani, a 2009 appearance from Stevie Wonder, and a 2006 performance from Beyoncé.
This year’s specials, per Disney, were filmed at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa in Hawai’i, and from aboard the Disney Fantasy, a Disney Cruise Line vessel.
Will you be tuning in to the Disney Parks holiday specials on ABC this year? Let us know in the comments.
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