Disneyland Resort has announced everything that is coming to the parks, Downtown Disney and hotels for the 2026 holiday season! The festivities begin on November 13th and last until January 6th. In this post, we’ll share all of the details the holidays at Disneyland Resort.

November 18th was the previously announced start date for the holiday season. Thankfully, Disney moved that up a few weeks ago and it will start on the second Friday of November. Frankly, I’d like to see them start even earlier. This is my favorite time of year in the Disney Parks and it goes quickly. With Halloween dates constantly extended, Christmas dates seem to get shorter every year. Maybe that changes next year!

Here is everything that those dates will include.

2026 Holiday Festivities at Disneyland Park

This time of year is especially magical at The Happiest Place on Earth! As you stroll down Main Street, U.S.A., past the iconic 60-foot-tall Christmas tree, take in the glimmer of Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, where 80,000 shimmering lights transform the castle into a snowy, sparkling wonder every night of the holiday season.

For those looking for something extra, the park offers Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort Guided Tour. Guests can discover favorite Disneyland holiday traditions, hear heartwarming stories about Walt Disney and his family, enjoy reserved viewing for “A Christmas Fantasy Parade,” and more.

New Season’s Greetings

In Town Square on Main Street, U.S.A., keep your eyes peeled for Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and some of their friends donning their new holiday attire that captures the spirit of holiday travel and a wintery alpine gathering. Maybe we’ll see Mickey try to climb up the Matterhorn in that outfit!

Make sure you are on Santa’s nice list this year before visiting him at his new location at Mickey’s Toontown Trolley Barn, near Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, with your wish list in hand! “Bluey’s Best Day Ever!” will continue throughout the holiday season in the Fantasyland Theatre, if families need a stop on the way to see Santa.

Holiday Entertainment at Disneyland Park

Don’t miss the “Believe…In Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular, with Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, “it’s a small world” Holiday, or the Rivers of America as the backdrop. All three locations, plus parts of Main Street, U.S.A., feature a magical “snowfall” also known as snoap.

Get cozy along the parade route in Disneyland to watch “A Christmas Fantasy Parade”, which features a festive procession of reindeer, toy soldiers, dancing gingerbread cookies, and more, ending with a grand finale featuring Santa Claus.

Holiday Ride Overlays at Disneyland Park

Inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, Haunted Mansion Holiday adds a seasonal spin on this beloved attraction for the holidays. Celebrating 25 years of showstopping confectionary creations, the attraction’s annual gingerbread house sits inside the ballroom scene, taking the form of a delightfully monstrous music box. This overlay runs through the Halloween season, as well.

For even more wonder-filled magic, “it’s a small world” Holiday transforms the classic attraction with festive tunes and whimsical decorations. Plus, the exterior of the attraction makes for the perfect holiday photo backdrop, featuring 400,000 lights illuminating the façade and ornate landscaping with an adorable Santa hat on the clockface.

The Holidays at California Adventure

At California Adventure, “World of Color – Season of Light” returns Nov. 13, 2026, for the holidays. This nighttime spectacular embodies the spirit of the season, featuring classic films like Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Beauty and the Beast and heartwarming favorites including Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out.

Plus, find a plethora of special holiday offerings in California Adventure, from the Holiday Toy Drummers in Paradise Gardens Park to Mickey Mouse and friends in their winter attire on Buena Vista Street.

Stop by Redwood Creek Challenge Trail to see it transformed into a holly, jolly joy-filled playground for Santa’s Holiday Visit! Young ones can explore seasonal games and outdoor activities before visiting Santa near the exit of the walkthrough attraction.

Holiday Magic at Cars Land

Get into a joyful mood when you step into Cars Land, where colorful lights, wreaths, bows, and Christmas cheer greet you for the holiday season! You can watch the festive lights come to life in this land every day at sunset when the “Sh-boom” moment signals the transition from day to night.

Also in Cars Land, deck the “hauls” with whimsical winter attraction overlays: Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree.

2026 Disney Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure Park

Holiday traditions aren’t complete without festive food and drink to bring us all together! Disney Festival of Holidays at California Adventure brings six marketplaces with new items and returning flavors for the season. We will share the menus for the festival once they are released!

You can choose to sample a variety of flavors during this year’s Disney Festival of Holidays with the purchase of a Sip and Savor Pass, a scannable credential with six digital coupons that can be redeemed for select food and nonalcoholic menu items at participating marketplaces and dining locations during the season.

Get into the festive spirit with Mickey Mouse and pals during the “Mickey’s Happy Holidays” cavalcade, where families can dance to the merry rhythms of the Holiday Toy Drummers as they travel from Paradise Gardens Park to Hollywood Land at select times each day.

Head on down to Paradise Garden Bandstand where upbeat live performances are scheduled daily during the holiday season, featuring a rotating program of live bands and cultural performance groups.

On select days on Buena Vista Street, revel in the spirit of the holidays during “A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel!“ where Miguel from Pixar’s Coco and Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland perform joyous bilingual holiday music.

Plus, “Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season” returns on select days, featuring Mirabel from Disney Animation’s Encanto and some of her friends. Enjoy live performances of songs from the film during this seasonal show at Paradise Gardens Park.

Entertainment during Festival of Holidays is one of the best parts of the season at Disneyland Resort. From the live music to the different shows, there is plenty to check out!

Disney ¡Viva Navidad!

Discover the cultures and traditions of Disney ¡Viva Navidad!, a celebration inspired by holiday traditions, music, dance, and storytelling from across Latin America. On select days (typically the weekends), enjoy the Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party, featuring The Three Caballeros, folklorico dancers, mariachis, Brazilian samba dancers, drummers, and an appearance by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in their festive holiday attire.

You may even encounter the Three Caballeros, as well as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy in their unique holiday attire at Paradise Gardens Park in California Adventure at select times.

Holidays at the Hotels

Continue savoring the holiday spirit at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort, where décor, seasonal displays, special experiences, holiday carolers, and more await you and your family! You may visit Santa at select times, as he makes stops at Disneyland Hotel, Pixar Place Hotel, and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

At Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, admire the 7-foot-tall gingerbread display, modeled after the hotel’s architecture with whimsical Disney touches, in the lobby.

Discover where holiday cheer meets Disney magic at hotel character dining experiences, featuring seasonal menu items and Disney friends in themed outfits, starting Nov. 16, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027.

Several holiday themed character dining meals pop up across the resort. Those include Goofy’s Kitchen, Daisy’s Holiday Pajama Party at Storytellers Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast at Storytellers Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

In addition, discover holiday-themed treats and menu items across the Hotels at the Disneyland Resort, including at the Great Hall cart at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Broken Spell Lounge in the Disneyland Hotel, and Great Maple Modern American Eatery in Pixar Place Hotel.

If relaxing is your favorite part about the holidays, indulge in the Naughty or Nice foot treatments, Underneath the Tree signature massage or the Joy of Holiday body treatment for an additional fee at Tenaya Stone Spa at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

A limited-time hotel offer will be available for booking beginning Sept. 22, 2026, with savings of up to 20% on select stays of three or more nights at Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Pixar Place Hotel, and The Villas at Disneyland Hotel for visits from Oct. 11 through Dec. 18, 2026, subject to availability and restrictions.

Merry Moments at Downtown Disney District

More holiday magic awaits at the Downtown Disney District! Beginning Nov. 13, 2026, the district turns into a winter wonderland, with glimmering décor, seasonal food and beverage, and festive entertainment, including a nightly “snoapfall”!

At the Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage, enjoy nightly entertainment ranging from holiday music performances to DJs and bands where the whole family can dance along.

Beginning Nov. 11, 2026, through Jan. 6, 2027, Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail returns! Can you spot all the special ornaments hanging from trees throughout Downtown Disney? Purchase an activity map from a participating retail location, head out on your search and exchange the map at a redemption location to receive a special ornament keepsake.

Discover festive flavors throughout the district, with seasonal menu items, sweet treats, and beverages available at participating locations.

2026 Holiday Treats and Merchandise

Take the Disney holiday magic home with you when you shop seasonal collections including Mickey Mouse and Family Christmas Collection, Holiday Pastel Collection, Disney Vintage Holiday Collection, and more! These items will be available at various locations at Disneyland, California Adventure, and Downtown Disney.

During the season of giving, shops across Disneyland Resort offer a variety of holly, jolly gift options for your friends and family! You can find the perfect presents for your loved ones, from apparel to collectible pins, to festive headwear on your visit during the holiday season.

A few festive favorites return to the menu for the holidays this year, including the Mickey Elf Shake available at Schmoozies! at California Adventure, and the Milk and Cookies Tree-shaped Macaron available at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe in Disneyland. We’ll share all of the menus as they’re released.

We can’t wait for the holidays to come to Disneyland Resort. It’s one of the best times to visit, despite the heavy crowds. There is so much to see and do during the season. We’ll share our Holiday Guide to the parks as the season gets closer!

Are you excited for the holidays at Disneyland Resort? Let us know, along with any questions you have, in the comments below. If you are planning a trip to Disneyland Resort then check out our planning guide. Looking for discount Disneyland tickets? Check out this site! If you enjoy what you are reading here on Wandering in Disney please share this post with your friends, as well as like our social media pages. You can also subscribe to the blog via WordPress or email. You can do all of that on the right side of this page. Thank you for reading, we really appreciate it!