Disneyland Resort is bringing back the holiday season, and they have shared a preview of this year’s upcoming celebrations. The 2026 holiday season starts November 13, 2026, and runs through January 6, 2027. This year will include many favorite traditions, as well as some new activities for guests to enjoy. Both theme parks will be decked out for the season, Disney Festival of Holidays returns to Disney California Adventure, Santa will be making the rounds, and there will be holiday entertainment, attraction overlays, special food, character dining, and more. If you’re planning a Disneyland trip toward the end of the year, here’s what you’ll want to know.
Disneyland Park Gets Dressed for Christmas
It wouldn’t be Christmas at Disneyland without that enormous tree greeting you on Main Street, U.S.A. The 60-foot-tall Christmas tree returns, along with Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, which will sparkle each night with roughly 80,000 lights.
There is something new to watch for this year, too. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and some of their friends will debut new holiday outfits inspired by holiday travel and a winter alpine gathering. Santa is also moving into a new Disneyland location at the Mickey’s Toontown Trolley Barn, near Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin.
Holiday entertainment includes the return of “Believe…In Holiday Magic” fireworks, complete with snowfall at several viewing locations, as well as “A Christmas Fantasy Parade,” with its reindeer, toy soldiers, gingerbread cookies, and Santa Claus finale.
Two of Disneyland’s best holiday attraction transformations will also be back. Haunted Mansion Holiday celebrates its 25th year, and the ballroom’s annual gingerbread house will take the form of a monstrous music box. Meanwhile, “it’s a small world” Holiday returns with seasonal music and décor, plus an exterior illuminated by a whopping 400,000 lights.
Holiday Fun Returns to Disney California Adventure
Across the esplanade, “World of Color – Season of Light” returns November 13, along with the Holiday Toy Drummers and Mickey and friends dressed for winter on Buena Vista Street. Santa will once again set up shop at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, where kids can enjoy seasonal games and activities before their visit.
Cars Land will also get its wonderfully over-the-top holiday makeover, complete with lights, wreaths, and decorations. Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree return as seasonal attraction overlays.
Disney Festival of Holidays Is Back
One of the biggest parts of the season at Disney California Adventure is Disney Festival of Holidays, which returns with six Festival Marketplaces offering new and returning food and drinks.
The Sip and Savor Pass will once again be available with six digital coupons that can be redeemed for eligible food and nonalcoholic beverages at participating locations.
Entertainment includes Mickey’s Happy Holidays, live music at Paradise Garden Bandstand, A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel, and the return of Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season on select days.
Disney ¡Viva Navidad! also returns, celebrating holiday traditions from across Latin America. On select days, the street party will feature The Three Caballeros, folklorico dancers, mariachis, samba dancers, drummers, Mickey, and Minnie.
Holiday Fun at the Disneyland Resort Hotels
The holidays aren’t confined to the parks. Disneyland’s three resort hotels will have seasonal décor and entertainment, and Santa will make appearances at the Disneyland Hotel, Pixar Place Hotel, and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
The Grand Californian’s 7-foot-tall gingerbread display will also return to the lobby.
Holiday character dining will start on November 16 and continue until January 3, 2027. There are three planned experiences: Goofy’s Kitchen Celebrates the Holidays, Daisy’s Holiday Pajama Party, and Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast. Reservations are strongly recommended and will be available at a later date.
There’s also a new hotel discount! Beginning September 22, guests can book a limited-time offer saving up to 20% on select stays of three nights or longer at Disneyland Resort hotels and The Villas at Disneyland Hotel for eligible visits from October 11 through December 18, 2026. Availability and restrictions apply. Visit us at Dreams Unlimited Travel to receive your no-obligation quote on opening day.
Downtown Disney Joins the Celebration
Downtown Disney will get into the holiday spirit beginning November 13 with decorations, seasonal food and drinks, live entertainment, and even nightly snowfall (THE BEST!!!).
Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail actually gets a two-day head start, returning November 11 and continuing through January 6. Guests can purchase an activity map, search Downtown Disney for special ornaments, and turn in their completed map for an ornament keepsake.
Holiday Treats, Merchandise, and More
Naturally, there will be plenty of holiday shopping involved. Seasonal collections include the Mickey Mouse and Family Christmas Collection, Holiday Pastel Collection, and Disney Vintage Holiday Collection. Disney also teased two novelty items for this year: a Mickey Train Light Up Bucket and Holiday Stitch Christmas Tree Sipper.
Returning treats include the Mickey Elf Shake at Schmoozies! and the Milk and Cookies Tree-shaped Macaron at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe. Full Disney Eats Foodie Guides for the Disneyland Resort holiday season and Festival of Holidays are still to come.
Disney is also planning seasonal dining experiences such as an “A Christmas Fantasy Parade” dining package at Plaza Inn and the “World of Color – Season of Light” Dessert Party, with additional details coming later.
There are plenty of familiar favorites on this year’s list, but I’m particularly interested in seeing those new Mickey and Minnie holiday outfits! If they are anywhere near as gorgeous as the new Halloween costumes this year, I am ALL IN! And honestly, Disneyland during the holidays doesn’t need much help in the charm department. Between the attraction overlays, Cars Land all lit up for Christmas, Festival of Holidays, and that gorgeous castle, this is one time of year when Disneyland really knows how to show off.
