Disneyland Resort has announced the full lineup for its 2026 holiday season. The celebration runs from November 13, 2026, through January 6, 2027, across both theme parks, the Downtown Disney District, and the resort hotels.
What's new
Several new experiences and locations debut this year. Santa Claus has moved to a new greeting spot at Mickey’s Toontown Trolley Barn in Disneyland Park. Additionally, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and their friends will debut new holiday outfits inspired by alpine gatherings and winter travel.
At the resort hotels, new character dining themes will be available from November 16, 2026, through January 3, 2027:
* Goofy’s Kitchen Celebrates the Holidays! at the Disneyland Hotel.
* Daisy’s Holiday Pajama Party (breakfast/brunch) and Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast (dinner) at Storytellers Cafe in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
When and where
Disneyland Park
Traditional favorites return, including the "Believe…In Holiday Magic" fireworks and "A Christmas Fantasy Parade." Nightly snowfall will occur on Main Street, U.S.A., near "it's a small world" Holiday, and at the Rivers of America.
Two major ride overlays return:
* Haunted Mansion Holiday: Features a new gingerbread music box in the ballroom to celebrate the overlay's 25th anniversary.
* “it’s a small world” Holiday: Features 400,000 lights on the exterior and a Santa hat on the clockface.
Disney California Adventure Park
The Disney Festival of Holidays returns with six food marketplaces. Guests can purchase a Sip and Savor Pass with six digital coupons for select food and non-alcoholic drinks. Entertainment includes:
* World of Color – Season of Light nighttime spectacular.
* Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party and cultural performances at Paradise Garden Bandstand.
* Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season and A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel! on select days.
* Cars Land Overlays: Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree.
Downtown Disney and Hotels
Downtown Disney will feature nightly snowfall and Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail from November 11, 2026, through January 6, 2027. At the Grand Californian Hotel, guests can view a seven-foot-tall gingerbread display in the lobby.
What it means for your visit
Because the holiday season officially begins on a Friday (November 13), expect high crowd levels during the opening weekend. If you are interested in the new character dining experiences, you should book reservations as soon as they become available on Disneyland.com, as these seasonal events typically sell out.
For those looking to save on lodging, a hotel offer launches September 22, 2026, providing up to 20% off stays of three nights or more at resort hotels for visits between October 11 and December 18, 2026.
If you want to see the "Sh-boom" lighting moment in Cars Land, plan to be in the land exactly at sunset. To avoid the heaviest crowds for the fireworks, consider watching from the "it's a small world" Holiday area or the Rivers of America, both of which feature the same projections and snowfall effects as Main Street, U.S.A.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
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