Holidays at the Disneyland Resort and Disney Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure officially kicked off today, and the characters are dressed in their festive finest! From new alpine inspired holiday looks for Mickey and friends to Santa’s brand new spot in Mickey’s Toontown, there are more holiday character photo ops at Disneyland Resort this year than ever.
The holiday season runs November 13, 2026, through January 6, 2027. Here is where to find Santa, every holiday character, the seasonal shows and the holiday character dining at the Disneyland Resort hotels.
Where to Find Santa Claus at Disneyland Resort
Santa is visiting Disneyland Resort through December 24, 2026, and this year he has a brand new home base at Mickey’s Toontown Trolley Barn. The story is that the Junior Woodchucks of the World invited Santa to visit and decorated the space themselves. Look for handmade scouting inspired decorations and stockings for famous Junior Woodchucks like Huey, Dewey and Louie, plus other characters from the classic Donald Duck comic books and DuckTales.
Over at Disney California Adventure, the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail becomes a holiday playground with games, festive activities and a search for brightly colored presents hidden along the trail.
Santa also expands his route to the resort hotels from November 26 through December 24, with stops at the Disneyland Hotel, Pixar Place Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
After Christmas, Santa Goofy takes over at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail and Mickey’s Toontown Trolley Barn from December 25, 2026, through January 7, 2027.
Disney Festival of Holidays at California Adventure
Disney Festival of Holidays brings culinary creations, cultural entertainment and plenty of Disney characters to California Adventure from November 13, 2026, through January 6, 2027.
Mickey’s Happy Holidays
This daily, high energy holiday procession travels the streets of California Adventure with the Holiday Toy Drummers and a lineup of Disney and Pixar friends, including:
- Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse
- Joy
- Mr. and Mrs. Incredible and Frozone
- Woody, Jessie and Bo Peep
Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season
On select days, Mirabel and her friends gather at Paradise Gardens Park for their own Fiesta de Navidad. This returning street performance is a sing along to Encanto favorites like “Surface Pressure” and “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.”
A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland and Miguel!
Also on select days, Miguel from Pixar’s Coco joins Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland at Carthay Circle for heartfelt stories and bilingual holiday songs during this evening street performance.
Disney ¡Viva Navidad!
This daily celebration in Hollywood Land is inspired by Latin American holiday traditions, with live music, specialty dishes and character appearances. You can meet Mirabel, and on select days other members of the Madrigal family may join her.
On select days, The Three Caballeros, José Carioca, Panchito and Donald Duck, are joined by folklórico dancers, mariachis and Brazilian samba dancers for the Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party.
Holiday Characters at California Adventure
Some characters at California Adventure are sporting Santa hats, classic holiday outfits and festive accessories you will only see during the holidays. On Buena Vista Street, look for classic Disney characters in retro inspired winter wear that matches the nostalgic look of the park’s 50 foot Christmas tree. And in Cars Land, Mater is wearing a giant Santa hat.
Characters you may spot in holiday looks include:
- Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck
- Carl Fredricksen, Russell and Dug from Up
- Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps from Zootopia
- Mater in Cars Land
New: Holiday Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off!
New this year, Avengers Campus is getting a holiday version of Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off! near the entrance to Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission BREAKOUT! Star Lord and Deadpool may show up for a galactic dance off set to songs from Peter Quill’s boom box. Check the Disneyland app for showtimes.
Holiday Characters at Disneyland Park
On Main Street, U.S.A., Mickey, Minnie and their pals are wearing brand new holiday outfits inspired by holiday travel and a wintery alpine gathering. And for the first time, characters in Mickey’s Toontown will also be wearing special holiday apparel and accessories.
In New Orleans Square, Jack Skellington and Sally are greeting guests at the Royal Courtyard through December 24, and Jack switches into his Santa Jack holiday attire starting November 27.
A Christmas Fantasy Parade
A Christmas Fantasy Parade is back on Main Street, U.S.A., with prancing reindeer, marching toy soldiers, dancing gingerbread cookies and a long list of characters:
- Buzz Lightyear and Woody
- Jessie and the Green Army Patrol
- Anna, Elsa and Olaf
- Pluto
- Belle and Beast
- Snow White and The Prince
- Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip
- Cinderella and Prince Charming
For parade times, fireworks and the rest of this year’s shows, see our Disneyland Holiday Entertainment 2026 guide.
Disney Holiday Dance Party
Tomorrowland Terrace hosts a holiday dance party for the whole family, with characters joining the fun on stage:
- Chip ‘n’ Dale
- Goofy and Pluto
- Clarice
- Clarabelle and Horace Horsecollar
- Marie, Berlioz and Toulouse from The Aristocats
Holiday Character Dining at the Disneyland Resort Hotels
If you want to meet a lot of holiday characters at once, character dining is the way to go. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and the Disneyland Hotel are both hosting holiday buffets with seasonal menu items and characters in festive outfits. Advance reservations are highly recommended.
Storytellers Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
- Daisy’s Holiday Pajama Party (breakfast and brunch), November 16, 2026, through January 3, 2027. Characters wear festive colors and plaid, and guests are welcome to come in their pajamas.
- Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast (dinner), November 16, 2026, through January 3, 2027. Mickey Mouse, Scrooge McDuck and friends appear in looks inspired by the classic Christmas story.
Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel
Goofy’s Kitchen is celebrating with a holiday breakfast, brunch and dinner from November 16, 2026, through January 3, 2027. Goofy and his pals are dressed in their merry best, mixing classic red and green with pastels, prints and snowy sparkles.
Tips for Finding Holiday Characters at Disneyland
- Use the Disneyland app. Select character locations and showtimes are listed in the app on the day of your visit.
- Plan for Santa Jack. If you want Jack in his Santa outfit, visit on or after November 27.
- Book dining early. The holiday character meals at Storytellers Cafe and Goofy’s Kitchen are popular, especially in December.
- Remember park reservations. Disneyland requires both a valid ticket and a theme park reservation for the same park and date.
More Holidays at the Disneyland Resort
Characters are only part of the holiday magic. Sleeping Beauty Castle is dressed for the season, and the parks are filled with holiday treats.
One of our favorites is the classic Mickey Gingerbread, a soft gingerbread Mickey cookie that is limited to five per person, per transaction.
For everything else happening this season, visit our Disneyland Resort News and Guide hub, and find more details on the official Disneyland Resort website.
Plan Your Holiday Trip to Disneyland
Thinking about a holiday trip to Disneyland Resort? Get a free, no obligation quote from our preferred travel partner MEI/Mouse Fan Travel.
Which holiday character are you most excited to meet this year? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to The Main Street Mouse for all of the latest Disneyland holiday news!
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