By Peter Covino

Entertainment Editor

If you need a little Christmas, head on over to the Magic Kingdom for another season of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

With the cool evenings of late November, you will almost believe those snowflakes falling on Main Street are the real thing.

Mickey's Very Merry Party happens on select nights through Dec. 19. The separate ticket event begins right after the Magic Kingdom closes at 7 p.m.

Along with the snow on Main Street, other highlights during the party include the special holiday parade with dancing gingerbread, marching soldiers and of course, Santa Claus. The parade is held twice each night during the special event.

You can warm up on even the coldest nights with hot chocolate (included with the admission ticket) and cookies. Look for the specially marked locations throughout the Magic Kingdom.

All of the Magic Kingdom is decked out in the spirit of the holiday, with Cinderella's Castle the centerpiece with 200,000 lights. The castle will be decorated through Jan. 3.

There also is a special fireworks show “Holiday Wishes, Celebrate the Spirit of the Season” each night of the event.

This after-hours outing takes place Nov. 18, 19, 28, 30 and Dec. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17 and 19. The evening kicks off at 7 p.m. and continues until midnight. Day-of-party ticket pricing is $59.95 ($53.95 for ages 3-9). Advance tickets are available with $6 savings for most dates. Guests can visit Disneyworld.com/christmasparty or call 407-W-DISNEY.

There is much more happening throughout Walt Disney World for the season including the Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios through Nov. 3. The dazzling light and music show features colorful wreaths, twirling carousels, flying angels and Santa and his reindeer. The light show was originally begun by Little Rock, Ark. resident Jennings Osborne more than 20 years ago.

Epcot is home to the Holidays Around the World event, featuring customs and lore from countries from all over the world. Held from Nov. 26-Dec. 30, events include the good-hearted witch La Befana, known in Italy for filling children’s shoes with treats, or the jolly gift-bearer Father Christmas in the United Kingdom. There are meet and greets with Santa and Mrs. Claus in The American Adventure, plus other legendary icons who share messages of goodwill. The celebrations of Kwanzaa and Hanukkah are showcased as well.

There is also a holiday edition of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” the Epcot spectacular featuring fireworks, laser and water – all spruced up for the season with a spirited holiday finale.

Epcot is also home to the Candlelight Processional, the story of Christmas featuring celebrity narrators, a mass choir and 50-piece live orchestra at America Gardens Theatre. On Nov. 26, Isabella Rossellini is scheduled to lead off the star-studded celebrity lineup that later in the season is scheduled to include Whoopi Goldberg and Jodi Benson among others. Candlelight Dinner packages are available with dinner at select Epcot restaurants, a special spot for fireworks viewing and guaranteed seating for the Candlelight Processional. For bookings call 407-WDW-DINE.

Disney's Animal Kingdom features Mickey's Jingle Jangle Parade, with Mickey and pals and seasonal melodies with a world beat throughout the park. The afternoon parade is held daily through Jan. 3.

You can enjoy the holidays at Disney without spending any money at Downtown Disney. Santa Claus comes to Downtown Disney, listening to wishes and posing for pictures daily from Nov. 19 through Dec. 24 at Santa’s Chalet. School choirs and bands often perform at the dock stage to help ring in the season.

There are also dozens of shops from boutiques to gigantic toy stores at Downtown Disney.