If there’s one time of year when Disneyland Resort feels even more magical than usual, it’s the holiday season! From sparkling castles and festive entertainment to holiday ride overlays, seasonal treats, and celebrations of traditions from around the world, Disneyland Resort is getting ready to deck the halls for another unforgettable holiday season.
Holidays at the Disneyland Resort return November 13, 2026, through January 6, 2027, giving families plenty of opportunities to experience the magic.
If a Disneyland Christmas vacation has been on your wish list, now is a great time to start planning. Here’s what you can look forward to during the 2026 holiday season!
Holiday Magic at Disneyland Park
Disneyland Park transforms into a festive wonderland during the holidays, and some of the most iconic sights of the season return for 2026.
Guests entering Main Street, U.S.A. will find the park’s iconic 60-foot Christmas tree, while Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle will sparkle with 80,000 shimmering lights each evening.
And yes, you can expect plenty of classic holiday entertainment.
A Christmas Fantasy Parade
One of Disneyland’s most beloved holiday traditions, “A Christmas Fantasy Parade,” returns with reindeer, toy soldiers, dancing gingerbread cookies, and, of course, Santa Claus.
If watching the parade is high on your Disneyland holiday wish list, there will also be an option to enjoy a seasonal dining package at Plaza Inn. More details will be announced later.
Believe…In Holiday Magic
The holiday fireworks spectacular “Believe…In Holiday Magic” returns to fill the skies above Disneyland.
And there’s an extra bit of Disney magic during the show: guests may experience snowfall around Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, “it’s a small world,” and the Rivers of America.
Meet Santa at His New Location
Santa is making a move this holiday season!
For 2026, guests can visit Santa at the Mickey’s Toontown Trolley Barn, near Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin.
And while you’re in the area, families can also enjoy “Bluey’s Best Day Ever!” at the Fantasyland Theatre, where Bluey and Bingo continue making appearances.
Holiday Ride Overlays You Won’t Want to Miss
One of the best things about visiting Disneyland during the holidays is seeing some favorite attractions transformed for the season.
Haunted Mansion Holiday
The Haunted Mansion receives its annual holiday transformation inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.
This year is especially exciting because the attraction is celebrating 25 years of its holiday gingerbread house tradition. The 2026 gingerbread creation takes the form of a monstrous music box inside the ballroom scene.
“it’s a small world” Holiday
“it’s a small world” gets its own festive makeover with holiday music, decorations, and a spectacularly illuminated exterior.
In fact, the attraction’s façade features 400,000 lights, making it one of the most impressive holiday photo spots in the park.
Holiday Fun at Disney California Adventure
The holiday celebration continues over at Disney California Adventure, where guests can enjoy seasonal entertainment, festive décor, food, and cultural celebrations.
“World of Color – Season of Light” returns beginning November 13, 2026, bringing a heartwarming holiday nighttime spectacular to the park.
You’ll also find holiday entertainment throughout the park, including the Holiday Toy Drummers and Mickey Mouse and friends dressed in their seasonal attire.
And if you’re traveling with little ones, Santa will also make an appearance at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, which transforms into a holiday-themed playground with seasonal games and activities.
Cars Land Gets a Holiday Makeover
Cars Land is always a favorite, but it becomes especially fun during the holiday season.
Colorful lights, wreaths, bows, and holiday decorations transform the land, with the festive lights coming to life each evening at sunset during the “Sh-boom” moment.
Two attractions also receive seasonal overlays:
- Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl
- Mater’s Jingle Jamboree
It’s a fun way to experience Cars Land from a completely different perspective during the holidays.
Disney Festival of Holidays Returns
Foodies, this one is for you!
Disney Festival of Holidays returns to Disney California Adventure with six marketplaces featuring new dishes and returning seasonal favorites.
Guests can also purchase a Sip and Savor Pass, which includes six digital coupons that can be used toward select food and nonalcoholic beverages at participating locations.
Beyond the food, the festival includes live entertainment and cultural performances throughout the park.
Look for Mickey’s Happy Holidays cavalcade, live performances at Paradise Garden Bandstand, and special seasonal entertainment featuring Miguel from Coco and Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland.
“Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season” will also return on select days, featuring Mirabel and music from Encanto.
Celebrate the Holidays with Disney ¡Viva Navidad!
Disney ¡Viva Navidad! returns as part of the holiday celebration, highlighting traditions, music, dance, and storytelling inspired by cultures from across Latin America.
On select days, guests can experience the Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party, featuring The Three Caballeros, folklorico dancers, mariachis, Brazilian samba dancers, drummers, and Mickey and Minnie in festive attire.
It’s a wonderful reminder that the holidays can look and feel different for every family—and Disneyland makes room to celebrate those traditions.
Holiday Magic at the Disneyland Resort Hotels
You don’t have to be inside the theme parks to experience the holiday magic.
The three Disneyland Resort hotels will feature festive décor, seasonal displays, special experiences, holiday treats, and visits from Santa.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will once again feature an impressive 7-foot-tall gingerbread display inspired by the architecture of the hotel.
Holiday character dining will also be available beginning November 16, 2026, through January 3, 2027, including:
- Goofy’s Kitchen Celebrates the Holidays! at Disneyland Hotel
- Daisy’s Holiday Pajama Party at Storytellers Cafe
- Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast at Storytellers Cafe
Reservations for these experiences will be available at a later date.
A New Disneyland Resort Hotel Offer
If you’re considering staying at one of the Disneyland Resort hotels, there’s another reason to start planning now.
A limited-time offer will be available for booking beginning September 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.
The offer is valid for select visits from October 11 through December 18, 2026, subject to availability and restrictions.
This is exactly the kind of promotion where working with a knowledgeable travel professional can be helpful. Your Academy Travel agent can help you compare available options and determine which resort and vacation package makes the most sense for your family.
Don’t Forget Downtown Disney
Even Downtown Disney gets in on the holiday fun!
Beginning November 13, 2026, guests can enjoy festive décor, seasonal food and drinks, entertainment, and even a nightly snowfall.
The popular Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail also returns November 11 through January 6. Guests can purchase an activity map, search for special ornaments throughout Downtown Disney, and redeem their completed map for a keepsake ornament.
Holiday Treats and Merchandise
Of course, no Disney holiday celebration would be complete without festive food and merchandise.
Disney has already announced returning favorites like the Mickey Elf Shake at Schmoozies! in California Adventure and the Milk and Cookies Tree-shaped Macaron at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe in Disneyland.
More holiday food details are expected in Disney’s upcoming holiday Foodie Guides.
For shoppers, 2026 collections will include seasonal merchandise such as the Mickey Mouse and Family Christmas Collection, Holiday Pastel Collection, and Disney Vintage Holiday Collection.
A couple of fun items to keep an eye out for include the Mickey Train Light Up Bucket and Holiday Stitch Christmas Tree Sipper.
Is a Disneyland Holiday Vacation Right for Your Family?
If you’ve always wanted to experience Disneyland during the holidays, 2026 could be the perfect year to make it happen.
With seasonal entertainment, incredible décor, attraction overlays, holiday food, cultural celebrations, character experiences, and festive fun throughout the entire resort, there is something for nearly every member of the family.
And the best part? You don’t have to figure out all the details yourself.
Let Academy Travel Help You Plan
A Disneyland vacation during the holidays can involve a lot of moving pieces—from choosing the right hotel and tickets to deciding how many park days you need, making dining reservations, planning around entertainment, and taking advantage of available offers.
That’s where an Academy Travel agent can help.
Our travel agents can help you build a vacation around your family, your budget, and the experiences that matter most to you—at no additional cost to you.
Ready to start planning your Disneyland holiday getaway?
Contact an Academy Travel agent today and let’s start making your holiday Disney dreams a reality!
