Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a separately ticketed, after-hours holiday event at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, Florida. The 2026 edition runs on 25 select nights from Sunday, November 8 through Tuesday, December 22, 2026. The party itself runs from 7 PM to midnight, and ticket holders can enter the park as early as 4 PM. Disney has not announced anything new for 2026 beyond the schedule and prices, so the lineup looks largely like recent years.
The party suits families, Disney fans and anyone who wants a shorter-queue evening with holiday decorations. Selected rides run with holiday touches, and entertainment includes a parade, castle shows and fireworks. It is not included with regular park admission or a theme park ticket. You need a party ticket, and Disney states that tickets are limited and events often sell out early.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, Florida
- Dates: November 8 to December 22, 2026 (25 select nights)
- Event nights: Select nights, mostly Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; check the park calendar
- Highlights: Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration castle show
- New for 2026: Not announced
- Ticket: Separate ticket, $189 to $229 for ages 10 and up depending on date
What’s new for 2026
Disney has not announced new parades, shows or zones for the 2026 party. What has been published is the schedule and a price increase: adult tickets run $189 to $229 depending on the date, and the starting price rises from $169 in 2025, according to Disney Tourist Blog. Plan on the returning headliners rather than a new show, and check the official event page before you book in case Disney adds something later.
Lights, shows and holiday entertainment
The main entertainment is Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, which Disney says features dancing gingerbread characters, toy soldiers and an appearance by Santa. Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks brings holiday fireworks and castle projections. Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration is the stage show on Cinderella Castle.
Character greetings include Anna and Elsa, Jack Skellington as Santa with Sally, and Mickey and Minnie in holiday outfits. Santa’s Christmas Carnival returns to Storybook Circus for a Santa meet. Disney’s announcement also lists Frozen Holiday Surprise and dance parties around the park. Exact show times are posted in the My Disney Experience app closer to each night.
Rides and attractions open
Rides operate during the party, and Disney says several get holiday-themed makeovers, including Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Speedway, Mad Tea Party and Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor. Not every attraction is guaranteed to be open on every night, so check ride status in the app when you arrive. Waits are usually shorter than a regular daytime visit, but popular rides still fill up early in the evening.
Holiday food and treats
Disney lists cookies and festive beverages as included with your party ticket, served at stations around the park. The full list of treats and where to find them is posted by Disney closer to the event. Party-only merchandise is sold at the Emporium. Regular Magic Kingdom restaurants and snack carts also operate, so plan a normal dinner if you enter at 4 PM.
Tickets, passes and upgrades
Tickets are sold separately from regular admission. Adults and children ages 10 and up pay $189 to $229 depending on the date. Children ages 3 to 9 pay $179 to $219, and children under 3 are free. Resort guests could buy from July 9 and the general public from July 16. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members have special pricing, which you can find on the Disney site.
Tickets are nontransferable and nonrefundable and cannot be resold. If you enter after 4 PM with a party ticket, you do not need a separate park reservation. To go in earlier in the day you need regular park admission and a reservation. You can buy online at disneyworld.disney.go.com or by calling 407-934-7639.
Tips for your visit
Arrive at 4 PM if you can. The three extra hours let you ride, eat dinner and stake out a spot for the parade before the party starts at 7 PM. Dates vary through the season, so pick your night on the official calendar and buy early, since some nights sell out.
Central Florida evenings in November and December can be cool, so bring a light jacket, especially for the fireworks. Use the app to see character queue lengths and show times. Bring a portable charger, since you will be in the park for up to eight hours. Rain can affect outdoor shows and fireworks, so check the app for updates if the forecast looks wet.
Explore more: every theme park holiday event for 2026, by state.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2026 at Magic Kingdom FAQs
When does Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2026 start and end?
It runs on select nights from November 8 through December 22, 2026. The party is 7 PM to midnight, and ticket holders can enter from 4 PM. Check the official calendar for the exact nights.
Is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party included with park admission?
No. It is a separately ticketed event. Adult tickets run $189 to $229 depending on the date, with lower prices for ages 3 to 9 and free entry under 3. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members have special pricing.
Do rides run during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?
Yes. Many Magic Kingdom rides operate, and Disney says Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Speedway, Mad Tea Party and Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor get holiday themes. Check the My Disney Experience app for what is open on your night.
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Photo: Tom Arthur / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.