The holidays officially arrive at Disneyland Resort on November 13! Holidays at the Disneyland Resort and Disney Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure run November 13, 2026, through January 6, 2027, and the entertainment lineup is packed with fireworks, snowfall, parades, Santa and some fun new surprises.
What’s New This Year
- Santa moves to Mickey’s Toontown at the Toontown Trolley Barn near Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
- Mickey’s Toontown characters wear holiday outfits for the very first time
- New holiday looks for Mickey and Minnie in Town Square
- A holiday version of Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off! at Avengers Campus, with Star-Lord and Deadpool
Nighttime Spectaculars and Snowfall
Believe… In Holiday Magic Fireworks
Disneyland’s beloved holiday fireworks light up the sky over Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle nightly. Afterward, snow falls on parts of Main Street, U.S.A., near “it’s a small world” Holiday and along the Rivers of America.
World of Color: Season of Light
Nightly at Paradise Bay in Disney California Adventure, this holiday version of World of Color blends music from Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Frozen and Inside Out. For reserved viewing, you can join the free virtual queue (one selection per guest), book a World of Color Dining Package or buy a Dessert Party. Additional viewing is first come, first served.
Holiday Lighting Moments
Every night at dusk, “it’s a small world” Holiday lights up, followed by holiday projections at select times.
Over at Disney California Adventure, the 50 foot Buena Vista Street Holiday Tree lights up nightly starting November 13.
Downtown Disney and the Hotels
Snow falls nightly in the Downtown Disney District from November 6 through January 6, with holiday music on the Downtown Disney LIVE! stage, including carolers and the bands The Sleigh Belles and The Sugarplums. Holiday carolers also visit all three Disneyland Resort hotels on select days.
Meet Santa Claus
Santa is visiting daily from November 13 through December 24:
- Disneyland Park: Mickey’s Toontown Trolley Barn (new this year)
- Disney California Adventure: Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
- Disneyland Resort hotels: All three hotels from November 26 through December 24
After Christmas, Santa Goofy takes over at Redwood Creek and the Toontown Trolley Barn from December 25 through early January.
A Christmas Fantasy Parade
The holiday classic marches down Main Street, U.S.A. daily, with Mickey, Minnie and the Toy Story gang. Great viewing spots include near “it’s a small world” Holiday, by the Matterhorn Bobsleds and along Main Street. Guests on the Holiday Time at Disneyland Guided Tour get a special viewing area with hot cocoa and a gingerbread cookie.
More Character Fun
- Disney Holiday Dance Party: Nightly at Tomorrowland Terrace with holiday tunes and characters.
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off! holiday edition: Select times near the entrance to Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission BREAKOUT! at Avengers Campus. While you’re there, don’t miss the Fantastic Four, who arrive at Avengers Campus November 20.
- Holiday character dining: Goofy’s Kitchen, Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast at Storytellers Cafe and Daisy’s Holiday Pajama Party at Storytellers Cafe. Reservations are available at Disneyland.com.
Disney Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure
A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland and Miguel!
On select nights, this show on Buena Vista Street features bilingual Christmas songs and dancers, with Miguel from Coco.
Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season
On select days, enjoy live performances of Encanto songs, including fan favorites “Surface Pressure” and “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.”
Mickey’s Happy Holidays and the Holiday Toy Drummers
Daily at Disney California Adventure. The Holiday Toy Drummers also perform daily in front of the obelisk in Paradise Gardens Park, across from The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure.
Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party and Live Music
The Three Caballeros host Disney ¡Viva Navidad! on select days, with musicians, dancers and characters in fiesta attire. Live jazz, polka, Latin, Hawaiian and soul music also rotate across Disney California Adventure stages daily.
Hungry? See every dish in our Disney Festival of Holidays 2026 Foodie Guide and the Disneyland Holiday Food Guide 2026.
Plan Your Disneyland Holiday Visit
Showtimes vary, so check the Disneyland app or Disneyland.com before you go. For more, see our complete guide to the 2026 holiday season at Disneyland Resort and our Disneyland Resort News and Guide. Ready to book? Get a free, no obligation quote from our preferred travel partner MEI/Mouse Fan Travel.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
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