The calendar may say June but it’s never too early to start planning for the most wonderful time of the year. Disney World has released dates, details and deals about the holiday season offerings at all 4 parks as well as Disney Springs and the on-site hotels. In this post, we’ll share the dates and everything we know about what’s coming to Walt Disney World for the holidays.

From November 13 through January 6, 2027, get ready to deck the halls as Walt Disney World comes to life with Christmas decor, themed food and beverage items, characters in festive outfits, special holiday entertainment, new holiday merch, new deals and discounts and so much more. The dates are official from Disney but there will be some give and take in them.

Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios will be adorned and ready for holiday fun before the 13th because their respective Christmas parties start before then. Meanwhile, Epcot’s Festival of the Holidays doesn’t start until after Thanksgiving and ends before the New Year. The best time to go to Walt Disney World for a Christmas centric trip is in the first 2 weeks of December because everything will be up and running and the crowds will be lower.

Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming 2026 holiday season at Disney World and how to make the most of your visit.

Magic Kingdom

“Frozen Holiday Surprise!” & Decor

Guests can join Frozen friends from Arendelle as Olaf and over 100 of his snowgie siblings add garlands, ornaments, wreaths, and more to Cinderella Castle during “Frozen Holiday Surprise!” With appearances from Anna, Kristoff, and a magical moment from Elsa as she transforms Cinderella Castle into a glowing ice palace, this show is a dazzling nighttime experience that guests won’t want to miss.

Elsa and many other Disney characters also appear in Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away, a spectacular parade available twice each night (subject to cancellation).

Please note that Disney Starlight will not be performed on evenings when Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. On those nights, guests can enjoy Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. Disney Starlight will continue to light up the park throughout the holiday season on non-party nights.

Unfortunately, there is no mention of Cinderella Castle Dream Lights. While the projections on the castle look good, I far prefer the beautiful lights adorning the spires that have been missing for quite a few years now. There was some hope that it would come back this year since the wonderful castle painting and remodel has wrapped up. Sadly, that didn’t happen. Maybe next year! As for “Frozen Holiday Surprise”… It’s fine, I wouldn’t plan a day around it but if you’re around the castle hub when it starts then you can check it out.

There will be other holiday decor though! With jolly holiday trimmings and touches along Main Street, U.S.A. and throughout the park, there’s plenty to enjoy at Magic Kingdom. The Magic Kingdom entrance always looks great with a few topiaries and arrangements near the train station.

Jingle Cruise

The world-famous Jingle Cruise returns in 2026 for a festive-yet-familiar adventure, as a trusty skipper expertly navigates guests through some of the world’s most treacherous waters.

Guests may hear and see plenty of holiday-themed gags along their 10-minute, 10,000-mile journey that goes on for Niles and Niles and Niles, so make sure to keep a close ear as your skipper guides you through the jungle with a boat full of jolly pun-filled fun.

That fun starts as soon as guests enter the queue. Before boarding your canopied tramp steamer, you’ll see that the skippers have also decorated the loading area with plenty of lights, sights, and sounds for the holidays. Look out for some hidden details as you prepare to board your boat— you never know what you’ll discover next about the shenanigans happening each day at the Jungle Navigation Company.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

On select nights, guests can celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. This separately ticketed event includes festive entertainment, overlays on classic rides, a storybook holiday atmosphere, sweet treats, and so much more! You can read more about the 2026 dates and details here.

Epcot

Included with your theme park ticket, from November 27 through December 30, 2026, travel around EPCOT for seasonal offerings and good times at the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth. This festival is a favorite of ours, including Candlelight Processional and wonderful storytellers at all of the different pavilions in World Showcase.

With fan-favorite holiday flavors from around the world, entertainment that is sure to put a smile on your face and attractions that delight time and time again, EPCOT is the ultimate family destination for guests staying at Disney World this winter. Bells will be ringing and choirs will be singing, so make sure to bring your cameras (and your appetite) when you enter this cheerful park.

Stay tuned for a post specifically about Festival of the Holidays in the next few days.

Hollywood Studios

“Sunset Seasons Greetings”

As night falls, experience the return of “Sunset Seasons Greetings” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with nightly holiday projections.

Get ready to play the music and light the lights each evening, as holiday magic transforms the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel into a Muppets gingerbread masterpiece, a Toy Story toy hotel, a snowy corner of Arendelle and a Dickensian village from Mickey’s Christmas Carol.

Santa Gertie & Other Holiday Decor

Beautiful, vintage decor is adorned everywhere throughout Hollywood Studios, including Echo Lake, Sunset Boulevard, and more. That includes the global treasure, Santa Gertie. Everyone’s favorite dino will show off the holiday spirit with a Santa hat on.

For an up-close way to spot some fun decor and meet some of your favorite toys, step into the world of Andy’s backyard and head to Toy Story Land to find larger-than-life seasonal decorations and friends dressed in seasonal attire.

Woody, Jessie, and Buzz Lightyear from Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story are dressed up in their holiday best during this time of the year, so make sure to swing by, take a picture fit for a holiday card and say “hey, howdy, hey” to your favorite toys!

Minnie’s Holiday Dine

Spot Minnie Mouse and friends at Hollywood & Vine during Minnie’s Holiday Dine, which hosts sensational soirees that mix festive music, decor, and tantalizing menu items. Guests of all ages can celebrate the holidays with additional Disney Characters perfectly dressed for the season, while munching on great dishes.

Selections include oven-roasted herbed chicken, carved beef tenderloin, seared salmon, spice-rubbed pork loin, and a plant-based roasted mushroom-farro risotto. Make sure to save room for some showstopping desserts as well, including seasonal bread pudding, Mississippi mud pie, and more.

Holiday Movie Classics at Walt Disney Presents

Walt Disney Presents is shining for the season with a holiday installation celebrating favorite Disney stories. Guests can explore festive displays featuring props and artifacts from beloved holiday films. Plus, the attraction’s theater will take on a seasonal twist with a limited-time experience, showcasing holiday-themed short films including Walt Disney’s On Ice, Pluto’s Christmas Tree, and The Art of Skiing starring Goofy.

This is a fun little touch for the theater. I like Walt Disney Presents, especially the exhibit before the movie. Adding some holiday flair might get more eyeballs on all of the history shown there.

Jollywood Nights

Jollywood Nights is a hard ticket event offered throughout November and December. There’s even a couple of dates in January this year! Here are details and dates for this year’s party.

We attended Jollywood Nights last year and had a great time. The event is nice counter-programming to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, feeling a little more adult and with a relaxed pace. Here’s our full review of the party.

Animal Kingdom

Merry Menagerie

For a truly enchanting holiday experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom amidst beautiful holiday decor, artisan-sculpted puppets of arctic animals come to life around Discovery Island during the Merry Menagerie. Kids and families alike can spot penguins, reindeer, foxes, and polar bears.

In addition, original artwork from artist Rob Kaz will be available at Island Mercantile in Discovery Island throughout the holiday season. Kaz will also greet guests inside Island Mercantile from November 1 through November 22, so make sure to swing by to see his beautiful Disney-themed artwork.

Merry Menagerie is among our favorite things to experience during the holiday season in Walt Disney World. The puppets bring a great energy to the area and they are incredibly adorable. Make sure you go see them if you’re around!

“Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition”

A dazzling visual display full of bright colors and animated imagery, the “Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition” lights up Animal Kingdom as the majestic centerpiece of the park comes to life every day after the sun sets in Discovery Island.

Accompanied by a series of wintry tales and a heartwarming holiday-inspired musical score, this holiday evening experience is sure to delight and inspire your whole family tree. The show begins at sunset and occurs approximately every 10 minutes until the park closes, so make sure to catch a quick peek before heading back to your hotel after a day of fun.

Meet Disney Characters in Adventurous, Holiday Attire

At Adventurers Outpost, meet and pose for a photo with world travelers Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse at their exploration headquarters, dressed in their best holiday outfits. The globetrotting couple is preparing for their next grand expedition, so make sure to snap a postcard-perfect picture to send to all your friends and family.

Disney Springs

Spot Snowfall and Take a Walk Around the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll

Disney Springs is the perfect spot for holiday shopping, alongside dazzling decorations and the popular Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll presented by AdventHealth. Discover a wide collection of extravagantly decorated Christmas trees throughout Disney Springs, including elaborately themed Christmas trees inspired by Disney, Pixar Animation Studios, and Star Wars favorites.

For even more fun once you’re done searching for your favorite tree, make sure to also check out the magical nightly snowfall in the Town Center. Yes, even central Florida gets in on the wintry fun during this sensational time.

Sip and Snack at Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar

As the story goes, Indiana Jones and his easygoing pilot Jock Lindsey stumbled on Disney Springs in 1938 while chasing down a mythology-based tip in Central Florida. Before long, this home base became a popular stopover and watering hole for world travelers and locals alike, full of dusty mementos of glorious holidays gone by. Today, thrill-seeking families soak up the rugged charm of the Holiday Overlay at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, with its spare airplane parts, salvaged equipment and plenty of holiday decorations.

This winter, the bar will serve up select seasonal bites, brews, and libations for guests looking for a joyful time between shopping at World of Disney and catching a new film at the AMC Disney Springs 24 Dine-In Theatres.

Listen to Live Music and Encounter Holiday Fun

During the holiday season, Disney Springs will enter into a winter wonderland full of festive roaming entertainment. On select nights, guests will find a rotating lineup of regional and local bands playing live tunes on first-come, first-served seating at the AdventHealth Waterside Stage.

Greet Santa at Disney World

In between his busy schedule, Santa Claus will also swing by each of the four theme parks across Disney World to meet guests on the nice list this holiday season. To put the bow on top, Santa Claus will also be stopping by Disney Springs through December 24, where you can take festive photos and share holiday wishes with jolly old St. Nick. Locations and times will be in the app once the holidays get closer.

Walt Disney World Resorts

With more than 25 hotels to choose from, there are plenty of ways to make this holiday season special for you and your loved ones while staying or dining at Walt Disney World. With special offers, stunning decor, and countless moments of joy, there’s so much to see and do at each of the Disney Resorts Collection hotels during the holiday season.

Set Your Sights on Larger-than-Life Holiday Decor

Looking to take Instagram-worthy pictures with Christmas trees and joyful decorations? Or are you looking for a place to exchange gifts with family members while soaking in the sounds of peaceful holiday music? For guests staying at the resorts or for those with valid dining reservations, the Disney Resorts Collection offers a wide array of bright and merry holiday decor.

Many Disney Resorts Collection hotels offer themed food and beverage items during the holiday season, such as special holiday treats. We’ll share those as the time grows closer.

Sadly, this year brings news that the gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian will close permanently. It is reported that new miniature holiday displays will replace it (see above). This is disappointing on a few levels.

The surface level reason given for this is that the gingerbread house attracts too many people to the hotel. I can believe this to a degree, there may have been some dissatisfaction from those staying in the Grand Floridian with just how busy the lobby got during Christmas. With all of the remodel done there, Walt Disney World could be looking to keep it pristine.

No matter how much you buy into the reasoning, it’s sad to see the gingerbread house retiring. We loved making a stop at the hotel around Christmas time and soaking in the sights and smells from that lobby. While the replacement will probably look great, it won’t be the same.

On a more positive note, exploring the Disney World hotels during the holiday season is one of our favorite things to do. It’s also free (for those staying in the bubble or with a dining reservation)! Each lobby has some sort of display and is well worth stopping by. No matter if you’re local or visiting, we highly recommend making time to view the resorts in all of their Christmas glory.

Book Special Offers for Merry Holiday Savings

Celebrate the best time of the year in the Disney Resorts Collection. Staying on property comes with conveniences that make vacation days feel simpler from start to finish, including complimentary transportation, early theme park entry and more.

Eligible Disney+ subscribers enrolled in the Disney+ Perks* program can receive a free Park Hopper add-on and save up to 25% on rooms when purchasing a 4-night, 4-day room-and-ticket package. This offer is available to book beginning June 25 for stays from September 25-October 8, October 19-31, November 15-28, and December 13-24.

Guests can also save up to 20% on select rooms with the Disney Resorts Collection this holiday season. This offer is available to book starting June 25 for stays October 4-December 24.

There are special deals for Florida Residents and Annual Passholders, too! Booking starts on June 25. Florida Residents can save up to 25% for stays October 19-October 31, November 15-November 28, and December 13-December 24. Annual Passholders can save up to 30% on select rooms with the Disney Resorts Collection this holiday season from October 4-December 24.

We love the holidays at Walt Disney World and can’t wait to experience them again!

Are you excited for the holidays at Walt Disney World? Let us know, along with any questions you might have, in the comments below. For those planning a trip to Walt Disney World, check out our guide to help you along the way! If you’re looking for discount tickets then this site has you covered. If you enjoy what you are reading here on Wandering in Disney please share this post with your friend and like our social media pages. You can also subscribe to the blog via WordPress or email. All of those links are on the right side of this page. Thank you for reading, we really appreciate it!