The pumpkins are coming down and the twinkle lights are going up! With Halloween behind us, Disneyland Resort is officially in transformation mode, getting ready for Holidays at the Disneyland Resort, which runs November 13, 2026, through January 6, 2027. A couple of guest favorites are already closed as they get their holiday makeovers, so here’s what’s changing and when everything returns.
“it’s a small world” Is Getting Its Holiday Makeover
“it’s a small world” closed on October 30 to transform into “it’s a small world” Holiday, and Disneyland’s calendar shows it reopening on November 13, the first day of the holiday season. The holiday version fills the classic boat ride with festive music and whimsical decorations, and the exterior sparkles with holiday lights and nighttime projections. “it’s a small world” Holiday is also one of the backdrops for the “Believe…in Holiday Magic” fireworks.
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail Becomes Santa’s Workshop
Over at Disney California Adventure, Redwood Creek Challenge Trail is closed from November 1 through November 13 as Halloween’s Villains Grove comes down and the area gets ready for the holidays. Starting November 13 through December 24, Santa Claus will be welcoming guests there to share their holiday wishes and take photos.
Santa is also adding a brand new stop this year. For the first time, he’ll be appearing at Mickey’s Toontown Trolley Barn near Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin in Disneyland Park on the same dates. Santa will also make appearances at select times at the Disneyland Hotel, Pixar Place Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa throughout the season.
What Returns on November 13
Once the holiday season begins, Disneyland Resort will be filled with returning favorites:
- Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle with icicles, wreaths and more than 80,000 twinkling lights during the nightly Wintertime Enchantment, plus gentle “snowfall” on parts of Main Street, U.S.A.
- A Christmas Fantasy Parade with toy soldiers, dancing reindeer and gingerbread cookies
- “Believe…in Holiday Magic” fireworks with magical “snow”
- Haunted Mansion Holiday with Jack Skellington and the Nightmare Before Christmas crew
- “World of Color – Season of Light” at Disney California Adventure
- Mater’s Jingle Jamboree and Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl in Cars Land
- Disney Festival of Holidays with six Festive Food Marketplaces, the Holiday Toy Drummers, the “Mickey’s Happy Holidays” cavalcade and Disney ¡Viva Navidad!
Mickey, Minnie and their friends will also debut brand new holiday outfits inspired by holiday travel and a wintry alpine gathering.
Holiday Treats and Souvenirs
Holiday snacks include the returning mint and chocolate cookie Mickey elf shake from Schmoozies! and the merry cranberry crispy chicken sandwich at Galactic Grill. New souvenirs include the Mickey Train Light-Up popcorn bucket and a Holiday Stitch Christmas Tree sipper.
At Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, look for a gingerbread display standing 7 feet tall in the Great Hall lobby, and character dining returns with Goofy’s Kitchen Celebrates the Holidays!, Daisy’s Holiday Pajama Party and Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast.
Plan Your Disneyland Holiday Visit
For every detail on the season, including entertainment, Festival of Holidays and Downtown Disney’s nightly snowfall, check out our complete guide to the 2026 Disneyland holiday season. Celebrating on the East Coast instead? Our Christmas at Walt Disney World 2026 guide has you covered. And with Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast at Storytellers Cafe, don’t miss that Mickey’s Christmas Carol is returning to ABC the night before Thanksgiving.
You can find official details on the Disneyland Resort holiday announcement.
Are you heading to Disneyland for the holidays this year? Which tradition are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments!
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