Some posts may contain affiliate links which means our team could earn money if you purchase products from our site.
Official Dates Announced for Holidays at Disneyland
Holidays at the Disneyland Resort return November 13, 2026, through January 6, 2027, bringing dazzling décor, festive entertainment, and seasonal fun. Guests can enjoy beloved Disneyland traditions, explore cultural performances and food at Disney California Adventure’s Disney Festival of Holidays (featuring Disney ¡Viva Navidad!), and visit Santa across both parks and all three resort hotels.
2026 Holiday Festivities at Disneyland Park
This time of year is especially magical at The Happiest Place on Earth! As you stroll down Main Street, U.S.A., past the iconic 60-foot-tall Christmas tree, take in the glimmer of Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, where 80,000 shimmering lights transform the castle into a snowy, sparkling wonder every night of the holiday season.
Celebrate the merriment with the Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort Guided Tour, where you can discover favorite Disneyland holiday traditions, hear heartwarming stories about Walt Disney and his family, enjoy reserved viewing for “A Christmas Fantasy Parade,” and more. Available for purchase at an additional cost. More details will be available on Disneyland.com at a later date.
New Season’s Greetings
In Town Square on Main Street, U.S.A., keep your eyes peeled for Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and some of their friends donning their new holiday attire that captures the spirit of holiday travel and a wintery alpine gathering.
Make sure you are on Santa’s nice list this year before visiting him at his new location at Mickey’s Toontown Trolley Barn, near Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, with your wish list in hand! On the way to see jolly St. Nick, little ones and their families can stop by “Bluey’s Best Day Ever!” in Disneyland to wiggle and dance as Bluey and her sister, Bingo, continue to make appearances at the Fantasyland Theatre.
Holiday Entertainment at Disneyland Park
Don’t miss the “Believe…In Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular, with Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, “it’s a small world” Holiday, or the Rivers of America as the backdrop. All three locations, plus parts of Main Street, U.S.A., feature a magical “snowfall.”
Get cozy along the parade route in Disneyland to watch “A Christmas Fantasy Parade”, which features a festive procession of reindeer, toy soldiers, dancing gingerbread cookies, and more, ending with a grand finale featuring Santa Claus.
Holiday Ride Overlays at Disneyland Park
Inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, Haunted Mansion Holiday adds a seasonal spin on this beloved attraction for the holidays. Celebrating 25 years of showstopping confectionary creations, the attraction’s annual gingerbread house sits inside the ballroom scene, taking the form of a delightfully monstrous music box.
For even more wonder-filled magic, “it’s a small world” Holiday transforms the classic attraction with festive tunes and whimsical decorations. Plus, the exterior of the attraction makes for the perfect holiday photo backdrop, featuring 400,000 lights illuminating the façade and ornate landscaping with an adorable Santa hat on the clockface.
‘Tis the Season at Disney California Adventure Park
At California Adventure, “World of Color – Season of Light” returns Nov. 13, 2026, for the holidays. This nighttime spectacular embodies the spirit of the season, featuring classic films like Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Beauty and the Beast and heartwarming favorites including Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out.
Plus, find a plethora of special holiday offerings in California Adventure, from the Holiday Toy Drummers in Paradise Gardens Park to Mickey Mouse and friends in their winter attire on Buena Vista Street.
Stop by Redwood Creek Challenge Trail to see it transformed into a holly, jolly joy-filled playground for Santa’s Holiday Visit! Young ones can explore seasonal games and outdoor activities before visiting Santa to tell him how good they’ve been this year.
Rev Up Holiday Magic at Cars Land
Get into a joyful mood when you step into Cars Land, where colorful lights, wreaths, bows, and Christmas cheer greet you for the holiday season! You can watch the festive lights come to life in this land every day at sunset when the “Sh-boom” moment signals the transition from day to night.
Also in Cars Land, deck the “hauls” with whimsical winter attraction overlays: Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree.
2026 Disney Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure Park
Holiday traditions aren’t complete without festive food and drink to bring us all together! Disney Festival of Holidays at California Adventure brings six marketplaces with new items and returning flavors for the season.
You can choose to sample a variety of flavors during this year’s Disney Festival of Holidays with the purchase of a Sip and Savor Pass, a scannable credential with six digital coupons that can be redeemed for select food and nonalcoholic menu items at participating marketplaces and dining locations during the season.
Get into the festive spirit with Mickey Mouse and pals during the “Mickey’s Happy Holidays” cavalcade, where families can dance to the merry rhythms of the Holiday Toy Drummers as they travel from Paradise Gardens Park to Hollywood Land at select times each day.
Head on down to Paradise Garden Bandstand where upbeat live performances are scheduled daily during the holiday season, featuring a rotating program of live bands and cultural performance groups.
On select days on Buena Vista Street, revel in the spirit of the holidays during “A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel!“ where Miguel from Pixar’s Coco and Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland perform joyous bilingual holiday music.
Plus, “Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season” returns on select days, featuring Mirabel from Disney Animation’s Encanto and some of her friends. Enjoy live performances of songs from the film during this seasonal show at Paradise Gardens Park.
Celebrate Culture and Familia at Disney ¡Viva Navidad!
Discover the cultures and traditions of Disney ¡Viva Navidad!, a celebration inspired by holiday traditions, music, dance, and storytelling from across Latin America.
On select days, enjoy the Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party, featuring The Three Caballeros, folklorico dancers, mariachis, Brazilian samba dancers, drummers, and an appearance by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in their festive holiday attire.
You may even encounter the Three Caballeros, as well as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy in their unique holiday attire at Paradise Gardens Park in California Adventure at select times.
Cozy Holiday Offerings at Hotels of the Disneyland Resort
Continue savoring the holiday spirit at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort, where décor, seasonal displays, special experiences, holiday carolers, and more await you and your family! You may visit Santa at select times, as he makes stops at Disneyland Hotel, Pixar Place Hotel, and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
At Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, admire the 7-foot-tall gingerbread display, modeled after the hotel’s architecture with whimsical Disney touches, in the lobby.
Discover where holiday cheer meets Disney magic at hotel character dining experiences, featuring seasonal menu items and Disney friends in themed outfits, starting Nov. 16, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027. Reservations will be available on Disneyland.com at a later date.
Character Dining Experiences for the Holidays:
- Goofy’s Kitchen Celebrates the Holidays! at Disneyland Hotel
- Daisy’s Holiday Pajama Party at Storytellers Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
- Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast at Storytellers Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
In addition, discover holiday-themed treats and menu items across the Hotels at the Disneyland Resort, including at the Great Hall cart at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Broken Spell Lounge in the Disneyland Hotel, and Great Maple Modern American Eatery in Pixar Place Hotel.
If relaxing is your favorite part about the holidays, indulge in the Naughty or Nice foot treatments, Underneath the Tree signature massage or the Joy of Holiday body treatment for an additional fee at Tenaya Stone Spa at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
More Merry Moments at Downtown Disney District
More holiday magic awaits at the Downtown Disney District! Beginning Nov. 13, 2026, the district turns into a winter wonderland, with glimmering décor, seasonal food and beverage, and festive entertainment, including a nightly “snowfall”!
At the Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage, enjoy nightly entertainment ranging from holiday music performances to groovy DJs and bands where the whole family can dance along.
Beginning Nov. 11, 2026, through Jan. 6, 2027, Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail returns! Can you spot all the special ornaments hanging from trees throughout Downtown Disney? Purchase an activity map from a participating retail location, head out on your search and exchange the map at a redemption location to receive a special ornament keepsake.
Discover festive flavors throughout the district, with seasonal menu items, sweet treats, and beverages available at participating locations.
Discover 2026 Holiday Treats and Merchandise
Take the Disney holiday magic home with you when you shop seasonal collections including Mickey Mouse and Family Christmas Collection, Holiday Pastel Collection, Disney Vintage Holiday Collection, and more! These items will be available at various locations at Disneyland, California Adventure, and Downtown Disney.
During Halfway to Holidays in June, we shared a first look at this year’s seasonal merchandise, including items that will be available at Disneyland Resort.
Must-have novelties this season include the Mickey Train Light Up Bucket and the Holiday Stitch Christmas Tree Sipper.
During the season of giving, shops across Disneyland Resort offer a variety of holly, jolly gift options for your friends and family! You can find the perfect presents for your loved ones, from apparel to collectible pins, to festive headwear on your visit during the holiday season.
A few festive favorites return to the menu for the holidays this year, including the Mickey Elf Shake available at Schmoozies! at California Adventure, and the Milk and Cookies Tree-shaped Macaron available at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe in Disneyland.
Ready to visit Disneyland during the holidays? Contact our partners at Get Away Today to get your trip booked!
