Plot Synopsis

Each year since 2016 in late November, ABC has aired a new installment of THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY: MAGICAL HOLIDAY CELEBRATION, a two-hour celebration of the holidays.

The inaugural version of THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY: MAGICAL HOLIDAY CELEBRATION premiered on Thursday, November 24, 2016 from 8-10pm ET/PT on ABC. Julianne and Derek Hough host the two-hour special from the Walt Disney World Resort. They join DESCENDANTS 2 star Sofia Carson to kick off the holiday season, showcasing these musical performances: Boyz II Men, joined by JoJo, sing a holiday favorite from the steps of Cinderella Castle; Alessia Cara sings "How Far I'll Go" from MOANA for the very first time on broadcast television; Mariah Carey belts out "All I Want for Christmas Is You" from the Disneyland Resort; Kelly Clarkson performs "Underneath the Tree" and "Stronger"; JoJo sings a holiday classic from Walt Disney World; Flo Rida performs two of his smash hits; OneRepublic performs a hit song; and Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks perform "Baby It's Cold Outside," "Ugly Christmas Sweater" and "Marshmallow World."

On Thursday, November 30, 2017 from 9-11pm ET/PT, ABC premiered a new installment of THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY: MAGICAL HOLIDAY CELEBRATION, hosted by Julianne Hough and Nick Lachey. They join co-host, Jesse Palmer, to kick off the holiday season, showcasing music performances, special appearances, and some unforgettable Disney magic moments. Musical performances include: Ciara performs a joyful Christmas medley from Cinderella Castle; Darius Rucker sings "Winter Wonderland"; Fifth Harmony sings "Can You See," plus "The Christmas Song"; Fitz and the Tantrums performs "HandClap," in addition to their original Christmas song, "Santa Stole My Lady"; Hanson light up the night singing "Finally It's Christmas"; In Real Life sings "I'll Be Home for Christmas"; Jason Derulo performs "This Christmas"; and Lea Michele joins the festivities with "Baby It's Cold Outside."

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY: MAGICAL HOLIDAY CELEBRATION returned for a third year on Thursday, November 29, 2018 from 9-11pm ET/PT on ABC, with Jordan Fisher and Sarah Hyland as they host the two-hour event from the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. Joined by Disneyland host Jesse Palmer, Disney Parks and ABC kick off the holiday season with a star-studded prime-time celebration showcasing incredible musical performances, special appearances and Disney magical moments, including an extraordinary castle lighting spectacular from Disney Parks around the world -- traveling the globe from Lake Buena Vista, Florida, and Anaheim, California, to Paris, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Musical performances include the following: Gwen Stefani lights up the night with "Feliz Navidad"; Meghan Trainor performs a medley of her hits; Brett Eldredge, joined by Meghan Trainor, sing the classic holiday duet "Baby, It's Cold Outside"; Andrea Bocelli sing a Christmas classic, is joined by his son, Matteo Bocelli, to perform their duet, "Fall on Me"; Jordan Fisher performs his Christmas hit, "Come December"; Aloe Blacc performs his debut single, "I Got Your Christmas Right Here"; Maddie Poppe sings "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"; and Why Don't We performs a medley of the classic "Silent Night" and their original holiday song "Hey Good Lookin."

In 2019, THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY: MAGICAL HOLIDAY CELEBRATION kicked off the holiday season on Thursday, November 28 from 8-10pm ET/PT on ABC, with Matthew Morrison, Emma Bunton, and Jesse Palmer presenting the two-hour prime-time special on Thanksgiving night from Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Resort in California. This magical celebration features celebrity musical performances among a flurry of Disney holiday entertainment. During the prime-time special, viewers are treated to several Disney Parks sneak peeks, including a behind-the-scenes look into Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, opening in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge on December 5, 2019, at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida and January 17, 2020, at Disneyland Park in California. Musical performances include: Sting and Shaggy perform duets and solo numbers, including a reggae version of "Silent Night (Christmas is Coming)"; Portugal. The Man performs "Happy Christmas" and "Merry Christmas Everybody" from Disneyland Resort; Pentatonix sings a cappella renditions of "Deck the Halls" and "Here Comes Santa Claus" from Walt Disney World Resort; Ingrid Michaelson and Andy Grammer perform an all-new original holiday song from Disneyland Resort; Ally Brooke sings "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" from Walt Disney World Resort; Emma Bunton (Baby Spice) performs "Santa Baby" from Walt Disney World Resort; Matthew Morrison performs a medley from Walt Disney World Resort of "When You Wish Upon A Star" and the classic "Let it Snow"; and Lindsey Stirling pulls all the strings for "Carol of the Bells" from Walt Disney World Resort.

For the fifth edition, original hosts Derek and Julianne Hough return, kicking off the night with a new holiday performance, while Trevor Jackson hosts from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Together, they take viewers on a wintry ride through fan-favorite performances and new heartwarming family moments. Viewers also get a brand-new sneak peek into Remy's Ratatouille Adventure coming in 2021 to EPCOT in Florida. Musical performances include: Derek Hough and Julianne Hough sing and dance through a medley of holiday classics in a new show open; Ciara gives a festive spin on a "Jingle Bells/Jingle Bell Rock" medley (2017); Kelly Clarkson belts her version of "Underneath the Tree" (2016); Jason Derulo performs his take on "Silent Night" (2017); OneRepublic perform a rocking rendition of "What a Wonderful World" (2016); Meghan Trainor and Brett Eldridge share a sweet rendition of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" (2018); Pentatonix give their rendition of "Deck the Halls" (2019); Idina Menzel joins Kristen Bell for a performance of "When We're Together" from "Olaf's Frozen Adventure" (2017); Boyz II Men take on "Let It Snow" alongside "December Baby" singer/songwriter JoJo (2016); Andrea Bocelli lends his voice to a rendition of "White Christmas" (2018); Aloe Blacc performs "I Got Your Christmas Right Here (2018); Becky G performs "Santa Baby" (2018); and Shaggy sings "Jamaican Drummer Boy" (2019).

Hosted by Derek Hough, Julianne Hough and Ariana Debose, the 2021 THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY: MAGICAL HOLIDAY CELEBRATION premiered on Sunday, November 28, 2021 from 7-9pm ET/PT on ABC. Musical performances for 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"); and Sebastian Yatra ("Dos Oruguitas" from Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Encanto" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" medley).

In 2022, Derek Hough and Julianne Hough returned to host THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY: MAGICAL HOLIDAY CELEBRATION, with co-hosts Sherry Cola and Marcus Scribner, which debuted on Sunday, November 27, 2022 from 8-10pm ET/PT on ABC. Musical performances include: Derek Hough and Julianne Hough ("Such a Night," "My Favorite Things," "I Gotta Feeling" medley); Becky G ("Frosty The Snowman" and "What Christmas Means to Me" with Chloe Flower and Ne-Yo); Black Eyed Peas ("A Cold Christmas" and "I Gotta Feeling"); Chloe Flower ("Carol of the Bells" and "What Christmas Means to Me" with Ne-Yo and Becky G); David Foster and Katharine McPhee ("Jingle Bell Rock"); Il Volo: ("Adeste Fideles [O Come, All Ye Faithful]"); Jordin Sparks ("Trapmas Medley"); Maren Morris ("Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"); Meghan Trainor ("Here Comes Santa Claus" and "Made You Look" medley); Ne-Yo ("The Christmas Song [Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire]" and "What Christmas Means to Me" with Chloe Flower and Becky G); and Run DMC ("Christmas in Hollis")

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY: MAGICAL HOLIDAY CELEBRATION returned with its 2023 installment on Sunday, November 26, 2023 from 8-10pm ET/PT on ABC. Hosted by Derek Hough and Julianne Hough, the two-hour special features a special appearance by DJ Khaled along with these musical performances: Derek Hough & Julianne Hough ("It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas," "What Christmas Means to Me" and "Dance to the Music" Medley); Michael Bolton & Mickey Guyton: ("Christmas Isn't Christmas"); Adam Blackstone & Andra Day ("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"); and Iam Tongi ("White Christmas"). Plus, a special look back at one of the most iconic performances from years past: Mariah Carey singing "All I Want for Christmas Is You" during the 2016 program.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hosted by Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro, THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY: HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR returned for its ninth year on Sunday, December 1, 2024 form 8-10pm ET/PT on ABC. The program is available the next day on Hulu and Disney+. Narrated by Kristen Bell, who shares the tale of how the Disney Parks kicks off the most magical holiday ever. The two-hour program features new musical performances from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Disneyland Resort in California and Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko'Olina, Hawai'i. Performances include:

- Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro "Deck the Halls" and "Holly Jolly Christmas"
- Auli'i Cravalho "Beyond" from MOANA 2
- Elton John "Your Song"
- John Legend "Always Come Back" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
- Seth MacFarlane and Liz Gillies "White Christmas"
- Ava Max "O Holy Night" and "1 Wish"
- Leslie Odom, Jr. and the Imani Milele Choir "Little Drummer Boy"
- Carly Pearce "Let It Snow"
- Pentatonix "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"
- Anika Noni Rose "Milele" from MUFASA: THE LION KING
- SEVENTEEN "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"