Disneyland Resort has changed the dates of its 2026 holiday season.
The annual event brings Christmas entertainment, attraction overlays, seasonal food, merchandise, and decorations to Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, Downtown Disney, and the resort hotels.
Disney previously announced that the 2026 celebration would begin on November 18.
The holiday season will now start on November 13, five days earlier than planned, and run through January 6, 2027.
The revised schedule leaves fewer than two weeks between the end of Disneyland’s Halloween season and the beginning of its Christmas programming.
Disneyland Moves Christmas Season Forward
A Christmas Fantasy Parade will return to Disneyland Park with Santa Claus, Disney characters, toy soldiers, and dancing reindeer.
Believe…In Holiday Magic fireworks will also return, featuring seasonal music and simulated snowfall.
Sleeping Beauty Castle will receive its nightly Wintertime Enchantment during the event.
“it's a small world” Holiday will cover the attraction’s exterior with thousands of lights.
Inside, scenes will feature holiday traditions from Europe, Asia, Mexico, and the South Pacific.
The attraction’s soundtrack will combine its usual music with “Jingle Bells” and “Deck the Halls.” Seasonal costumes, props, and effects will also be added throughout the ride.
Haunted Mansion Holiday will return with its Nightmare Before Christmas theme.
Jack Skellington, Sally, and Oogie Boogie will appear inside the attraction, while the ballroom will receive a new gingerbread house.
Haunted Mansion is scheduled to close temporarily in August while Disney prepares the holiday overlay.
At Disney California Adventure, Cars Land will receive its regular seasonal changes.
Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree will become Mater’s Jingle Jamboree, while Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters will operate as Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl.
Disney Festival of Holidays will also return to the park.
The event will include food marketplaces, entertainment, and merchandise connected to Christmas, Navidad, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day.
Disney ¡Viva Navidad! will feature musicians, dancers, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and the Three Caballeros.
Mickey, Minnie, and other Disney characters will appear in seasonal costumes around the resort.
Santa Claus will also meet guests during the holiday season.
Christmas Events Return Across Disney Parks
Holiday decorations will extend beyond the theme parks to Downtown Disney and Disneyland Resort’s three hotels.
Downtown Disney will host Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail, along with seasonal dining and entertainment.
The new November 13 opening date matches the start of Walt Disney World’s wider holiday season (although the resort has axed several beloved holiday traditions).
Some Walt Disney World Christmas events will begin earlier.
Disney Jollywood Nights will start at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on November 7. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party will begin at Magic Kingdom on November 8.
Disney Enchanted Christmas will also begin at Disneyland Paris on November 7.
Tokyo Disney Resort will start Disney Christmas on November 11.
Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disney Resort have not yet announced their holiday dates for late 2026.
In 2025, Shanghai Disney Resort began its celebrations on November 7. Hong Kong Disneyland followed on November 14.
What's your favorite Disney park over the holidays?
