The Wonderful World of Disney Holiday Spectacular 2025: UK Streaming & Must See Moments
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If you needed a little extra sparkle to kick-start the festive season, Disney has delivered it early. The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular 2025 has officially dropped on YouTube and Disney Plus. UK fans can see the whole show right now, helping you to get in the festive mood and see what Christmas looks like across Disney resorts.
And this year's special is truly magical. It’s a storybook-style Christmas adventure narrated by Ginnifer Goodwin and hosted by Derek Hough leading musical performances filmed across Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, and Aulani in Hawaii.
Whether you're dreaming of a future Disney holiday or just want something cosy, sparkly, and heart-warming to watch with a mince pie, this year's special is one of the most UK-friendly yet.
Below, we'll share the highlights and answer questions UK fans have about watching this US festive show over here in the UK.
Where Can I Watch The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular in the UK?
In 2025, UK fans have a couple of choices as to where they can watch The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular:
Disney+: If you have a subscription you can watch the show here
YouTube: Everyone in the UK can watch the show for free on YouTube.
Disney released this years show globally on 2nd December 2025, making it instantly accessible to UK viewers. The show aired in the US on the 1st December at 8pm (EST) on ABC. This kind of show is really timeless a timeless watch during the festive season, so it’s nice that UK viewers can also enjoy it without having to try and navigate geo-location software.
Who Is Hosting the Disney Holiday Spectacular 2025?
The beloved Disney legend, Ginnifer Goodwin, best known for Once Upon a Time and Zootopia, narrates the entire show as a whimsical Christmas storybook brought to life.
Derek Hough is the co-host appearing throughout the parks, singing, dancing, and attempting to choreograph everything from Star Wars stormtroopers to Mickey and friends.
Their dynamic pairing provides a contrast of cosy narration from Ginnifer and high-energy festive chaos from Derek, giving the show a wonderfully warm, family-friendly feel.
What Happens in the 2025 Holiday Spectacular?
Here's a tantalising, spoiler-free overview of the biggest moments that UK fans won't want to miss in this year’s Disney Holiday Spectacular.
There’s a storybook opening at Magic Kingdom. Ginnifer Goodwin reads a magical poem about Mickey decorating the parks, while Derek Hough launches into a high-energy performance of "We Need a Little Christmas" with Mickey and friends.
Expect star-studded musical performances across every Disney park from the following artists:
Gwen Stefani shaking up the season at Sleeping Beauty Castle
Coco Jones delivering a stunning "Silent Night" at Animal Kingdom
Good Charlotte performing Fairytale of New York in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
Nicole Scherzinger lighting up It's a Small World for Disneyland's 70th anniversary
Aloe Blacc performing a soulful "This Christmas" in Toy Story Land
Lady A bringing Christmas spirit to EPCOT's Spaceship Earth
Mariah the Scientist performing "Santa Baby" in Pandora
BB Rexha rocking around the Christmas tree at Cinderella Castle
Ian Tongi performing "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride" at Aulani Resort
The special includes emotional segments celebrating military families, service dogs, and Disney's tradition of giving back, think Children In Need style inserts.
There’ll be classic festive character magic from you favourite characters in the parks including Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Daisy, Donald, Chip, Dale, and even Stitch who is trying very hard not to steal churros!
A finale at Cinderella Castle with Derek, BB Rexha, Mickey and friends coming together for a huge dance-filled celebration to end the night.
Is the 2025 Disney Holiday Spectacular Live?
No, the show is not aired live. It is a pre-recorded across multiple parks, then released digitally. This year blogger Tom Bricker of the Disney Tourist Blog caught some of the filming and shares a great piece on what it is like to be in the parks when the show is being filmed. You can check out What It’s Like to Watch Filming of Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular at Magic Kingdom if you want an interesting read, and to feel a little jealous that you weren’t in the parks to see it too.
The YouTube and Disney+ release on the 2nd December was actually done at the same time as the show aired in the US, it’s just time differences that make it a different day.
What Is Disney Celebrating in 2025?
The 2025 special is packed with celebrations, including:
Disneyland's 70th Anniversary
Honoured with multiple musical numbers and tributes.
Dick Van Dyke's 100th Birthday
A heartfelt nod to one of Disney's most iconic legends.
New film releases
Zootopia 2 and Avatar: Fire and Ash both receive major spotlights.
Holiday magic across all Disney destinations, from Orlando to Anaheim to Hawaii.
Why UK Disney Fans Should Watch This Year's Special
This is one of the best family friendly festive entertainment shows available in the UK at Christmas, and thanks to Disney airing it on YouTube it is free to watch for everyone. With characters and music performances it has a little bit of everything, but most of all this show really does capture Disney festive magic and deliver it right into your home in the UK.
It’s also great for inspiring any reluctant family members that a trip to Disney during the festive period would be a great idea. You can see the parks decorated for Christmas, spot familiar locations, and get a taste of EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays, Magic Kingdom's Christmas décor, and Animal Kingdom's night-time ambiance.
Magic in a Minute
The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular 2025 is live on YouTube and Disney+ now, fully available to UK viewers. Hosted by Ginnifer Goodwin and Derek Hough, packed with major musical stars, exclusive previews, and a festive journey through every Disney destination, i's the ultimate cosy Christmas watch. And, you can press play right now.