Dates and Returning Attractions Announced For Disneyland's Holiday Season

We love visiting the Disney Parks during the holiday season. Where else can you eat Christmas cookies, listen to holiday music, and meet Santa Mickey Mouse all in one place?

Sleeping Beauty Castle will look like this soon!

We especially love Disneyland Resort’s holiday celebration with “it’s a small world” Holiday, Haunted Mansion Holiday, and Festival of the Holidays. But Disney announced that we’re about to get even more holiday fun this year, because the festivities are starting EARLY!

The Holidays at the Disneyland Resort will begin November 13th, 2026! This will bring so many fun celebrations to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. Dozens of holiday traditions are returning this year, including Believe…In Holiday Magic, a special fireworks presentation over Sleeping Beauty Castle, which even features a dusting of snow! Speaking of Sleeping Beauty Castle, the park’s signature landmark is all dressed up with sparkling icicles in the evenings for Wintertime Enchantment.

Wintertime Enchantment at Sleeping Beauty Castle

A Christmas Fantasy Parade delivers beloved Disney characters joined by a very special guest: Santa Claus! Other festive friends included reindeer, Toy Soldiers, dancing gingerbread cookies, and more.

We love this parade!

The return of Haunted Mansion Holiday presents some not-so-subtle nods to The Nightmare Before Christmas thanks to some extra decorations placed by the Pumpkin King himself, Jack Skellington! Every year, the Haunted Mansion Holiday in Disneyland is complete with a new gingerbread house in the ballroom. The 2025 theme was A Murder Most Fowl.

Haunted Mansion Holiday 2025

Both the outside and inside of “it’s a small world” Holiday present festive flair as the Happiest Cruise on Earth dons holiday tunes and glittering lights! Over 300,000 lights adorn the iconic attraction during the holiday season. The official lighting at dusk each evening is a Disneyland Resort tradition. After that, you can catch a special light projection show every 30 minutes. Inside, the ride overlay also features the dolls of the attraction all dressed in traditional holiday clothing from each of their respective cultures.

it’s a small world Holiday

Plus, Disney California Adventure’s Festival of the Holidays is returning on November 13th, too! This Festival — with celebrations for Christmas/Navidad, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day — includes live entertainment, themed merchandise, and traditional cuisine from around the globe at Festive Foods Marketplaces.

Disney Festival of the Holidays

Disneyland Resort’s holiday season will run from November 13th, 2026, to January 6th, 2027, so you have plenty of time to join in on the holiday fun. Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more Disneyland news!

EVERYTHING You Can Do During The Holiday Season At Disneyland And Disney California Adventure

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

What’s your favorite thing to do at Disneyland during the holiday season? Comment below!