Welcome,
Fantasmik!
First of all, be sure to check out the first 9 posts on Page 1 of this thread -- I think you will find that there is a
lot of information to get you started in planning your first
Disneyland holiday trip, including posts on treats, special holiday events, etc.!
The season ends on 1/5 or 1/6 in 2014, so all holiday entertainment will end after that date, except for It's a Small World Holiday.
The holiday Tour should begin on 11/12.
Haunted Mansion Holiday runs from September 13, 2013 - Sunday, January 5th or Monday, January 6th, 2014 (I've read both the 5th and the 6th).
The Christmas Fantasy Parade
should begin on 11/12/13, since that is supposedly the first official day of the holiday season. However, it is possible that it could begin on 11/11 or even on Friday, 11/15.
The Candlelight Processional is only taking place on 2 nights this year -- Saturday, 12/7 and Sunday, 12/8.
It's a Small World Holiday will, most likely, begin as early as Friday, 11/8, if history repeats, It usually begins a few days ahead of when the season officially begins, so I am expecting an 11/8 or 11/9 start date for IASWH. IASWH will end sometime in mid-to-late January 2014.
The 3 Disneyland Resort hotels will probably not be decorated until the day after Thanksgiving. Also, Santa and Dickens carolers will not appear at the hotels until that time as well. The hotel Santas will only be there through 12/24 and the carolers may stick around a day or two past Christmas and then leave.
Downtown Disney usually does not begin playing holiday music and get into full holiday mode until the day after Thanksgiving, but if they put up an ice rink again this year it could be up earlier than that.
World of Color -- Winter Dreams begins on Friday, 11/15.
The characters in holiday attire and Santa in both Disneyland and California Adventure should be there on the first day of the season, 11/12. Santa should be in the parks through 12/24 and then he'll leave.
The Jingle Jangle Jamboree, or the Round-Up/Ranch should be in full holiday mode on 11/12.
Believe in Holiday Magic Fireworks may begin earlier than 11/12, but it's not guaranteed. It will start by 11/12 at the latest, complete with snowfall at the end.
The Winter Castle will light up in icicle lights on the first day of the season, 11/12.
Disneyland and California Adventure begin to get decorated even before October ends, but the holiday entertainment won't begin until the above-mentioned dates.