The Country Bear holiday special, “Jingle Bell Jamboree,” returned to Tokyo Disneyland this month after a 5-year absence.
Country Bear Jingle Bell Jamboree
The Country Bear Jingle Bell Jamboree is a “fun-filled revue as the Country Bear Band presents a selection of cheerful winter songs to ring in the Christmas season.” It runs from November 8, 2024, through January 13, 2025, at the Country Bear Theater.
Signage outside the attraction has been updated to advertise the Christmas special. There are also garland decorations on the Country Bear Theater. In the lobby is a “Jingle Bell Jamboree” velvet banner.
The stage is lined with more garlands and red bows. A pair of Christmas trees with lights frame the center stage.
All of the Country Bears are dressed in their holiday best, like velvet dresses, sweaters, and pointed caps. They have decorations around them like gifts, sleds, and snow.
The bears play holiday songs instead of country music. Gomer and Henry sing “Jingle Bells” in English. Henry and the Five Bear Rugs perform “Tracks in the Snow” in Japanese. The Five Bear Rugs also perform “Deck The Halls.”
Teddi Barra wears a cast from a skiing accident as she sings “The Christmas Song.” Big Al celebrates the new year with “Auld Lang Syne.” Other performances include “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Blue Christmas,” and “Hungry as a Bear.”
Melvin, Buff, and Max have festive gear, too. Melvin’s antlers are draped with string lights. Buff has a Santa hat. And Melvin has a glowing red nose. Together, they sing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
The Country Bear Jamboree debuted in 1971 at Walt Disney World. The Country Bear Theater opened with Tokyo Disneyland in 1983 with the same show, except in Japanese instead of English. After a few minor changes over the years, the original Walt Disney World show was reimagined into the Country Bear Musical Jamboree this year.
The Country Bear holiday show debuted at Disneyland and Walt Disney World in 1984 as “The Country Bear Christmas Special.” In 1988, it came to Tokyo Disneyland. The U.S. parks retired the seasonal overlay in 2000 but it continued at Tokyo Disneyland each winter until 2019. While the Country Bear Theater continued operating, both the holiday and summer overlays were indefinitely suspended before returning this year.
The show ends with everybody singing “Winter Wonderland.”
Watch our video of the Country Bear Jingle Bell Jamboree at Tokyo Disneyland below.
Check out Tom’s Complete History of the Country Bear Jamboree for a detailed breakdown of the show’s history.
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