ABC and Disney Parks Announce a Flurry of Stars and Magical Surprises for Holiday Specials

It’s the most wonderful time of the year as ABC and Disney Parks bring the magic of the holidays into our homes with holiday specials hosted from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California!

Derek Hough, Julianne Hough and Ariana DeBose host “The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration,” airing this Sunday, Nov. 28, 7-9 p.m. ET/PT. Then, Derek and Julianne return to host the “Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade,” from Walt Disney World Resort, alongside Freeform’s Trevor Jackson (“grown-ish”) and Sherry Cola (“Good Trouble”) from the Disneyland Resort, Saturday, Dec. 25, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ET/PT. Be sure to mark your calendars to watch on ABC and stream the next day on Hulu.

Both holiday specials will sparkle with holiday cheer, offering heartwarming moments and exclusive sneak peeks at what’s new around The Walt Disney Company. Viewers can look forward to a sneak peek at Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, opening March 1, 2022, at Walt Disney World Resort; a trip on board the all-new Disney Wish from Disney Cruise Line; and special looks at Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” and Steven Spielberg’s new film “West Side Story.” As part of The World’s Most Magical Celebration, commemorating 50 years of Walt Disney World Resort, every touch of holiday magic will be an extra special, EARidescent treat.

Musical performances for “The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration” include:

  • Julianne Hough and Ariana DeBose – “We Need a Little Christmas,” “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” and “Holiday” medley
  • AFTR PRTY – “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” and “Winter Wonderland” medley
  • Jimmie Allen – “Silent Night”
  • Kristin Chenoweth – “(Everyone’s Waitin’ For) The Man with the Bag” and “Jingle Bell Rock” mash-up
  • Darren Criss – “Happy Holidays / The Holiday Season” medley
  • Brett Eldredge – “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”
  • NEEDTOBREATHE and Switchfoot – “Hometown Christmas”
  • Norah Jones – “Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones)” and “Blue Christmas” medley
  • Gwen Stefani – “You Make It Feel Like Christmas” and “Jingle Bells”
  • Sebastián Yatra – “Dos Oruguitas” from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” medley

In addition to the parade, musical performances for “Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade” include the following:

  • Derek Hough and Julianne Hough – “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town”
  • Jimmie Allen – “White Christmas”
  • Kristin Chenoweth – “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” 
  • Darren Criss – “Christmas Dance”
  • Meg Donnelly – “Jingle Bell Rock”
  • Brett Eldredge – “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
  • Norah Jones – “Run Rudolph Run”
  • Pentatonix – “I Saw Three Ships”
  • Gwen Stefani – “Cheer for the Elves”

“High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special” Coming to Disney+

Happy holidays, Wildcats! Disney+ has announced the return of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series in the form of a brand-new Holiday Special.

Debuting on December 11, the “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” cast is back to spread some holiday cheer in High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special!

The special will also include a sneak peek of the second season of the Disney+ original series.

Holiday Special to Be Recorded At Walt Disney World on Nov. 7-10

Segments for this year’s Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade on ABC, and other Disney Parks holiday specials to air on ABC and Disney Channel, will be taped at Walt Disney World from November 7th-10th. In keeping with recent tradition, while musical performances will be recorded at Walt Disney World, the parade itself will be taped at the Disneyland Resort. Recording dates for the parade are not currently known to the public.

Cast members, crew members, and Imagineers will be able to enjoy the performances as the audience for these segments. While these segments may be recorded outside of park operating hours, when they are recorded while the park is open, guests are welcome to watch filming for these segments as space allows.

As of the writing of this article, the filming schedule or the specific performers is not yet publicly known. The specials are expected to air on ABC and Disney Channel in November and December. The Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade is expected to air on Christmas morning, December 25th, on ABC.

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