There is something especially cozy about spending the holiday season at the Disneyland Resort. From the twinkling lights along Main Street, U.S.A., to the colorful decorations throughout Cars Land, both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure transform into festive winter wonderlands. With returning holiday entertainment, seasonal attraction overlays, special character appearances, and plenty of festive food, there is no shortage of ways to celebrate.
Holidays at the Disneyland Resort returns November 13, 2026, through January 6, 2027, with several new experiences joining some of the parks’ most beloved seasonal traditions.
Christmas Magic at Disneyland Park
Disneyland Park is a must-visit during the holidays, beginning with the iconic 60-foot-tall Christmas tree in Town Square. Sleeping Beauty Castle also receives its seasonal transformation, with 80,000 shimmering lights creating a beautiful wintery backdrop for holiday photos.
There are a couple of new experiences to look forward to this year! Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and some of their friends will appear in Town Square wearing new holiday outfits inspired by holiday travel and a wintery alpine gathering.
Guests looking to visit Santa Claus will also find him in a new location this year: Mickey’s Toontown Trolley Barn, near Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin. It’s a fun opportunity for little ones to share their Christmas wishes before exploring the rest of the park.
Of course, some of Disneyland’s most beloved holiday entertainment is returning. “A Christmas Fantasy Parade” brings festive floats, dancing gingerbread cookies, toy soldiers, reindeer, and Santa Claus to the parade route.
After dark, “Believe…In Holiday Magic” returns with a spectacular fireworks display. Guests can enjoy the show with Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, “it’s a small world” Holiday, or the Rivers of America as their backdrop. Select viewing areas along Main Street, U.S.A., and throughout the park also feature magical snowfall.
Two classic Disneyland attractions also receive their annual holiday transformations. Haunted Mansion Holiday combines the spooky charm of the Haunted Mansion with characters and decorations inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas. This year marks 25 years of the attraction’s elaborate gingerbread creations, with the ballroom’s annual gingerbread display taking the form of a monstrous music box.
Meanwhile, “it’s a small world” Holiday features festive decorations and seasonal music. Its exterior is particularly beautiful after dark, with 400,000 lights illuminating the attraction and surrounding landscaping.
Holiday Celebrations at Disney California Adventure
Over at Disney California Adventure, the holidays bring colorful decorations, cultural celebrations, and seasonal entertainment.
One of the biggest highlights is Disney Festival of Holidays, featuring six marketplaces with a variety of returning favorites and new seasonal food and beverage offerings. Guests can sample flavors inspired by holiday traditions around the world. The Sip and Savor Pass also returns, offering six digital coupons redeemable for select food and nonalcoholic beverages.
Entertainment is another big part of the celebration. “Mickey’s Happy Holidays” cavalcade features Mickey and his friends alongside the Holiday Toy Drummers, while live musical performances and cultural groups take the stage at Paradise Garden Bandstand.
Guests can also catch “Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season,” featuring music from Encanto, and “A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel!,” bringing holiday music inspired by Coco to Buena Vista Street.
Disney ¡Viva Navidad! is another returning favorite, celebrating Latin American holiday traditions through music, dancing, and storytelling. The street party features The Three Caballeros, folklorico dancers, mariachi musicians, Brazilian samba dancers, and Mickey and Minnie in their holiday attire.
At night, “World of Color – Season of Light” returns November 13, bringing together beloved Disney stories and seasonal music in a beautiful nighttime spectacular.
Cars Land might be one of the most charming places to experience the holidays at California Adventure. Radiator Springs receives a festive makeover with colorful Christmas lights, oversized wreaths, bows, and decorations throughout the land.
Don’t miss the daily “Sh-boom” lighting moment at sunset, when the decorations illuminate the entire area. Two attractions also receive seasonal transformations: Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree.
Whether you’re visiting for the entertainment, festive attraction overlays, or simply to admire the decorations, Disneyland and California Adventure offer plenty of holiday magic to enjoy this season!
Featured Photo: Emily Murray.
Written by
Izi K
From hunting for Hidden Mickeys to trading pins with anyone who had a lanyard, Izi grew up finding joy in the little details of Walt Disney World. That love for the parks eventually led to roles as a Cast Member on both coasts – at Disneyland and across several teams in Florida. These days, you’ll often find Izi wandering Disney resorts, diving into bits of park history, or finding the perfect spot to relax and soak in the atmosphere in the parks.
