Holidays at the Disneyland Resort 2026 runs from November 13, 2026 through January 6, 2027 at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. It is a daily seasonal overlay rather than a separate after-hours event, so it covers every operating day in that window. The start date was moved up a week from the original announcement. New for 2026 are holiday outfits for Mickey Mouse and friends and a new home for Santa Claus, while most of the lineup is returning favorites.
The season suits families, first-time holiday visitors and repeat guests who want the decorated Main Street, the ride overlays and the nighttime shows. Most holiday entertainment is included with regular theme park admission, and a park reservation is required alongside a valid ticket. Some extras, such as the Ornament Trail map, the guided tour, food and merchandise, cost extra.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure (Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California)
- Dates: November 13, 2026 to January 6, 2027
- Event nights: Daily during the season; check the Disneyland app for show times
- Highlights: Believe … In Holiday Magic fireworks, A Christmas Fantasy Parade, World of Color: Season of Light, Haunted Mansion Holiday
- New for 2026: New holiday travel outfits for Mickey and friends, and Santa at Mickey’s Toontown Trolley Barn
- Ticket: Most experiences included with theme park admission plus a park reservation; some extras cost more
What’s new for 2026
The resort describes 2026 as a largely familiar holiday package, so the changes are small. Mickey Mouse and friends have new outfits inspired by holiday travel and a wintry alpine gathering, and Mickey and Minnie appear in the new attire in Town Square on Main Street. Santa Claus has a new greeting location at Mickey’s Toontown Trolley Barn, near Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, and Attractions Magazine reports that he is there through December 24.
The Haunted Mansion Holiday gingerbread house is also new for its 25th year, with a music box design. On the food side, the park lists a Mickey Elf Shake and a Milk and Cookies Tree-shaped Macaron as new treats. Check the park calendar and app for anything added closer to the season.
Lights, shows and holiday entertainment
At Disneyland Park, the Believe … In Holiday Magic fireworks return with Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle and snowfall effects. A Christmas Fantasy Parade brings reindeer, toy soldiers and dancing gingerbread cookies down the route. Main Street features a 60-foot Christmas tree, and Disney lists 80,000 lights on the Winter Castle. Show times were not published when this was written, so check the Disneyland app before your visit.
At Disney California Adventure, World of Color: Season of Light returns on November 13 with scenes from films such as Beauty and the Beast and Inside Out. Daytime shows include the Mickey’s Happy Holidays cavalcade, A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland and Miguel, Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season, and the Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party. Santa also appears at both parks and at the three Disneyland Resort hotels at select times.
Downtown Disney has nightly snowfall, entertainment on the Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage and Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail, which runs November 11 through January 6.
Rides and attractions open
The holiday season runs alongside normal park operations, so the regular rides stay open, subject to the usual daily closures for maintenance and weather. The seasonal overlays are the main draw. Haunted Mansion Holiday reimagines the ride with a Nightmare Before Christmas theme, and it’s a small world Holiday adds 400,000 lights to the exterior, according to Disney.
In Cars Land, Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree return as holiday versions of the existing rides. Check the Disneyland app for wait times and for which attractions are running on your day. Details on Lightning Lane for the season had not been announced yet.
Holiday food and treats
Festival of Holidays returns with six marketplaces and a Sip and Savor Pass that includes six digital coupons. Other named treats include the Mickey Elf Shake at Schmoozies! in Disney California Adventure and the Milk and Cookies Tree-shaped Macaron at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe. Seasonal menu items appear across the resort.
Character dining runs November 16 through January 3, 2027: Goofy’s Kitchen Celebrates the Holidays! at Disneyland Hotel, plus Daisy’s Holiday Pajama Party and Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast at Storytellers Cafe. Dining packages for A Christmas Fantasy Parade at Plaza Inn and a World of Color: Season of Light Dessert Party were announced with details to come, so check the park site for prices and booking dates.
Tickets, passes and upgrades
Most holiday entertainment is included with theme park admission, and you need a park reservation along with a valid ticket. The guided tour, the Ornament Trail map, food and merchandise are not included. Buy tickets and make reservations through the official Disneyland website or app.
Disney also lists hotel savings of up to 20 percent, available from September 22, 2026, for stays from October 11 through December 18. Check the terms and blackout details on the official offer page before you book.
Tips for your visit
Show times were still unpublished at the time of writing, so check the Disneyland app once your dates are close and plan the parade, fireworks and World of Color around them. Arrive early on weekends and around Thanksgiving week and the late December school break, when the parks tend to be busiest. Check the park calendar for hours, since they vary by day.
Southern California evenings can be cool, so bring a light jacket for the fireworks and World of Color. If you want Santa at the Trolley Barn, plan to visit on or before December 24. Book character dining early, since the Storytellers Cafe and Disneyland Hotel meals cover a limited date range.
Explore more: every theme park holiday event for 2026, by state.
Holidays at the Disneyland Resort 2026 FAQs
When does Holidays at the Disneyland Resort 2026 start and end?
It runs from November 13, 2026 through January 6, 2027. The start date was moved up a week from the first announcement.
Is Holidays at the Disneyland Resort included with park admission?
Most holiday entertainment is included with theme park admission, and you need a park reservation with your ticket. The guided tour, Ornament Trail map, food and merchandise cost extra.
Do rides run during Holidays at the Disneyland Resort?
Yes. Rides operate as usual, with holiday versions of Haunted Mansion, it’s a small world, Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree. Check the Disneyland app for daily closures.
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Photo: Parksfan1955 / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.