2008 Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade: Miley, Jonas Brothers & 25 Years of Magic & More.

A Milestone Celebration

The 2008 Disney Christmas Parade marked a major milestone—25 years of Christmas morning magic from Walt Disney World. Hosted by longtime favorites Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, the broadcast honored a quarter-century of holiday tradition. To start, Miley Cyrus started the show with a high-energy performance of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” setting the stage for a festive, star-studded celebration.

From Coast to Coast with Ryan Seacrest

Meanwhile, Ryan Seacrest checked in from Disneyland, bringing seasonal highlights like Haunted Mansion Holiday and “it’s a small world” Holiday, both transformed for the season. His segments provided a West Coast flair to the East Coast celebration.

Celebrating Regis: 18 Parades of Cheer

Throughout the broadcast, Disney celebrated Regis Philbin’s 18-year run with the Christmas Day Parade, showcasing memorable clips from past specials. Fittingly, 2008 would be Regis’s final year hosting the holiday tradition, making the retrospective all the more poignant.

Star Performances Light Up the Parade

The 25th Anniversary broadcast featured musical acts across genres. In addition to Miley Cyrus, highlights included:

• Billy Ray Cyrus, performing a festive country hit

• The Jonas Brothers, bringing teen energy and crowd-pleasing harmonies

• Sarah Brightman, with a soaring operatic performance
• José Feliciano, sharing a soulful rendition of a holiday classic
• David Cook, fresh off his American Idol win
• The Imagination Movers, bringing fun for the younger viewers
• Corbin Bleu, representing Disney Channel fans

A Look Back at Holiday Magic

To celebrate the 25-year history, the broadcast included clips from fan-favorite moments of years past. Notable highlights included:

• Beyoncé (2006)
• Kermit the Frog (1989)
• Amy Grant (1990)
• Nancy Kerrigan (1994)
• Jodi Benson (1997)
• Vanessa Williams (2005)

Together, these clips captured the magic and evolution of the Disney Parade across generations.

Looking Ahead with Heart

As the 25th anniversary parade drew to a close, it not only reflected on a rich past but also hinted at the future. With returning stars, timeless traditions, and unforgettable performances, the 2008 Disney Christmas Parade proved that holiday dreams continue to grow—year after magical year.

Looking for more nostalgia? Try the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parades, Happy Easter Parades. 4th of July Spectaculars and the Disney Family Albums.