Credit: Steven Miller, FlickrOn Wednesday, Disneyland Resort revealed the official lineup for the 2026 Christmas season at the Happiest Place on Earth, which takes place from November 13, 2026, to January 6, 2027. Here’s your all-inclusive guide to the Most Wonderful Time of the Year at Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, and the rest of the Southern California Disney vacation destination.
Christmas at Disneyland Park
The first thing Disneyland Park guests will see when they arrive on Main Street, U.S.A., is the glimmering 60-foot Christmas tree. As they walk into the original Disney park, they’ll see a snow-capped Sleeping Beauty Castle, which comes to life each night with 80,000 twinkling lights.
As usual, Disneyland Park will offer several holiday character encounters. In Town Square, guests can encounter Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and their friends in new festive outfits inspired by the spirit of holiday travel and an alpine gathering. Santa Claus has moved from his typical spot at the Fantasyland Theatre (now home to Bluey’s Best Day Ever).
Fan-favorite holiday entertainment is returning to Disneyland Park, including the “A Christmas Fantasy Parade” (reserved seating available through a dining package at the Plaza Inn) and the “Believe…In Holiday Magic” fireworks over Sleeping Beauty Castle. The “it’s a small world” Holiday lights, Rivers of America, and Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle will serve as backdrops for the holiday nighttime spectacular. All three locations, and Main Street, U.S.A., will delight guests with a magical “snowfall” each night.
The Haunted Mansion Holiday has already returned to New Orleans Square, as the Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) ride overlay takes over the Haunted Mansion attraction each year for both the Halloween and Christmas seasons.
“it’s a small world” Holiday will return as part of the Christmas celebration at Disneyland Park. 400,000 lights will illuminate the ride facade alongside ornate landscaping and a Santa hat on the attraction’s iconic clock face. Inside, guests can enjoy festive tunes and decorations during their journey on the Happiest Cruise on Earth.
Guests with a particular passion for Christmas at the Southern California Disney parks can book the returning Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort Guided Tour. This ticketed experience includes festive stories about Walt Disney and his family, information about the history of holiday traditions at Disneyland Resort, and reserved viewing for the “A Christmas Fantasy Parade.” The Holiday Time at Disneyland Resort Guided Tour is not included with admission to Disneyland Park; Disney plans to release booking details later this year.
The Holidays at Disney California Adventure Park
Mickey Mouse and friends will also greet guests in holiday-themed attire on Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure Park. Santa Claus greets guests on the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, which transforms into a holiday-themed playground with seasonal games and activities for young Disney Park guests.
The “World of Color – Season of Light” nighttime spectacular is returning to Disney California Adventure Park this year. It did not perform during the 2025 holiday season at Disneyland Resort. Disney will release more information about a dining package with reserved seating for the show later this year.
Other festive entertainment includes the Holiday Toy Drummers, who perform in Paradise Gardens Park. The drummers will travel to Hollywood Land alongside Mickey and friends at select times daily for “Mickey’s Happy Holidays” cavalcade.
On select days, Buena Vista Street will come to life with “A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel!” The show stars Miguel from Coco (2017) alongside the Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland performing bilingual holiday tunes. Also, on select days, Mirabel from Encanto (2021) and friends will appear in the musical “Mirabel’s Gift of the Seasons” at Paradise Gardens Park.
Disney ¡Viva Navidad! is also returning to Disney California Adventure Park. On select days, guests can enjoy a street party celebrating the holiday traditions, music, dance, and storytelling of Latin America. The show stars the Three Caballeros alongside folklorico dancers, mariachis, Brazilian samba dancers, and drummers, and includes an appearance from Mickey and Minnie Mouse in holiday attire. At select times, Mickey and Minnie Mouse will appear in the same holiday attire in Paradise Gardens Park.
Each day, The Paradise Garden Bandstand will host musical shows featuring rotating cultural performances and live bands.
Another “Haul-iday” season is coming to Cars Land, with colorful lights, bows, wreaths, and other festive decor bringing Christmas cheer to guests. The land will come to life nightly with the “Sh-boom” moment, which signals the transformation from day to night.
Also in Cars Land, guests can enjoy two ride overlays: Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree.
One of the highlights of the holiday season at Disneyland Resort, the Disney Festival of Holidays, will feature six marketplaces with new and returning menu items for guests to enjoy. The Southern California Disney park will once again allow guests to purchase the Sip and Savor Pass, which includes six digital coupons redeemable for eligible food and nonalcoholic beverages at participating marketplaces and dining locations throughout the Disney Festival of Holidays.
Festive Fun Throughout Disneyland Resort
The holiday celebration at Disneyland Resort isn’t limited to the two theme parks. There’s plenty of festive fun to be had at the Disney Resort hotels and the Downtown Disney District!
Holidays at the Disneyland Resort Hotels
In addition to the Christmas trees in the lobby of each Southern California Disney Resort hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will also feature a seven-foot-tall gingerbread display modeled after the hotel’s architecture.
Not headed to the Disney parks, but still want to say hello to Saint Nick? Guests of all ages can meet Santa Claus at select times at the Disneyland Hotel, Pixar Place Hotel, and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
Dining locations throughout the Southern California Disney Resort hotels will host holiday-themed dining experiences, including Goofy’s Kitchen Celebrates the Holidays! at the Disneyland Hotel, Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast at Storytellers Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and Daisy’s Holiday Pajama Party at Storytellers Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
In addition, holiday-themed menu items will be available throughout the Disney Resort hotels, including the Great Hall cart at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Broken Spell Lounge at the Disneyland Hotel, and Great Maple Modern American Eatery at Pixar Place Hotel.
Looking for a more relaxing holiday season? Tenaya Stone Spa at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel will offer the Naughty or Nice foot treatments package, the Underneath the Tree signature massage, and the Joy of Holiday body treatment. Advance bookings are accepted.
We may have saved the best for last: anyone excited about these special activities can save 20% on a hotel stay at Disneyland Resort from October to December 2026.
Festive Fun at the Downtown Disney District
Also beginning November 23, the Downtown Disney District will turn into a winter wonderland featuring a nightly magical “snowfall,” seasonal food & beverages, shimmering decorations, and live entertainment at the Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage.
From November 11, 2026, through January 6, 2027, guests can purchase an activity map from a participating retail location and explore Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail. After completing their search, families can exchange the map at a redemption location to receive a special ornament keepsake.
Holiday Menu Items and Merchandise Throughout Disneyland Resort
It wouldn’t be a new season at the Disney parks without exclusive menu items and merchandise.
Merchandise Collections
The Mickey Mouse and Family Christmas Collection, Holiday Pastel Collection, Disney Vintage Holiday Collection, and more festive merchandise will be available at select retail locations throughout Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, and the Downtown Disney District.
Food & Beverage Items
So far, Disneyland Resort has announced several holiday menu items, including the Mickey Elf Shake at Schmoozies! at Disney California Adventure Park and the Milk and Cookies Tree-shaped Macaron at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe at Disneyland Park. However, more food and beverage items are expected to be available as the season draws closer.
Guests will also be able to take home the Mickey Train Light-Up Popcorn Bucket and the Holiday Stitch Christmas Tree Sipper. It’s unclear exactly where within Disneyland Resort these items will be available, so stay tuned.
Have you ever spent Christmas at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park? Tell Inside the Magic about your experience in the comments!
