Disneyland Resort has detailed the character lineups and seasonal entertainment for the 2026 holiday season. Visitors can expect new costumes for classic characters, the return of popular street performances, and themed dining experiences across both theme parks and the resort hotels.
What's new
Several new character experiences are debuting for the 2026 season. At Disneyland Park, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and their friends are wearing new outfits inspired by "holiday travel and a wintery alpine gathering." For the first time, characters in Mickey’s Toontown will also wear special holiday apparel and accessories.
Santa Claus has moved to an all-new location in Mickey’s Toontown at the Trolley Barn. The space features decorations inspired by the Junior Woodchucks, including stockings for Huey, Dewey, and Louie.
At Disney California Adventure, a new holiday version of "Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off!" is coming to Avengers Campus. This version features Star-Lord and Deadpool participating in a galactic dance-off near the entrance to the Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! attraction.
When and where
The holiday season officially runs from November 13, 2026, through January 6, 2027.
Disneyland Park:
* Santa Claus: Appearing at the Toontown Trolley Barn through December 24. Santa Goofy takes over this spot from December 25 through January 7.
* A Christmas Fantasy Parade: Daily procession featuring characters like Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Buzz Lightyear, and Woody.
* Disney Holiday Dance Party: Located at Tomorrowland Terrace, featuring Chip ‘n’ Dale, Clarabelle Cow, and characters from *The Aristocats*.
* New Orleans Square: Jack Skellington and Sally appear at the Royal Courtyard. Jack switches to his holiday attire starting November 27.
Disney California Adventure:
* Mickey’s Happy Holidays: A daily procession along the parade route featuring Pixar and Disney characters accompanied by the Holiday Toy Drummers.
* Disney ¡Viva Navidad!: Mirabel and The Three Caballeros appear in Hollywood Land for cultural celebrations.
* Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season: A street performance at Paradise Gardens Park on select days.
* Cars Land: Mater can be found wearing a giant Santa hat.
* Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: Santa Claus appears here through December 24, followed by Santa Goofy through January 7.
Resort Hotels:
* Santa Sightings: From November 26 through December 24, Santa will visit the Disneyland Hotel, Pixar Place Hotel, and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
* Character Dining: Holiday-themed meals run from November 16, 2026, through January 3, 2027. This includes Daisy’s Holiday Pajama Party (breakfast/brunch) and Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast (dinner) at Storytellers Cafe, as well as seasonal buffets at Goofy’s Kitchen.
What it means for your visit
Because holiday characters are a major draw, expect higher wait times for photo opportunities, particularly for Santa’s new location in Toontown and the limited-time appearance of Deadpool in Avengers Campus. If meeting Santa is a priority, plan to visit before December 25, as Santa Goofy replaces him for the final week of the season.
For those who want to see many characters at once without waiting in park lines, character dining at the hotels is a practical alternative. However, Disney highly recommends making advanced reservations for these buffets. Visitors should use the Disneyland app on the day of their visit to check specific showtimes for street performances like "Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season" and the "Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off!", as these may only occur on select days.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
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