Disneyland Christmas 2026: it's a small world Holiday, World of Color and Cars Land overlays return

Disneyland Resort has set the dates for its 2026 holiday season, with festive offerings scheduled from November 13, 2026, through January 6, 2027. For park fans, the lineup brings back major seasonal favorites at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, along with a few notable updates.

Disneyland Park brings back holiday staples, with one Santa change

At Disneyland Park, holiday decor again starts on Main Street, U.S.A. with a 60 foot Christmas tree, while Sleeping Beauty Castle will appear snow-capped and light up nightly with 80,000 twinkling lights.

Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and friends will meet guests in Town Square in new seasonal looks inspired by holiday travel and an alpine gathering. Santa Claus will not be in his usual Fantasyland Theatre location, as that venue is now home to Bluey's Best Day Ever.

Returning entertainment includes A Christmas Fantasy Parade and Believe...In Holiday Magic. Reserved parade viewing will be available through a Plaza Inn dining package. Nightly snowfall is also planned on Main Street, U.S.A., near it's a small world Holiday, along the Rivers of America and by Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle.

The Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay is already back in New Orleans Square. Also returning for the Christmas season is it's a small world Holiday, with 400,000 lights on the facade, themed landscaping and a Santa hat on the attraction's clock face. Inside, the ride will again feature seasonal music and decor.

Guests can also look for the Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort Guided Tour, which will include holiday stories tied to Walt Disney and his family, Disneyland holiday history and reserved viewing for A Christmas Fantasy Parade. Booking details are set to arrive later this year.

Disney California Adventure restores a nighttime favorite

At Disney California Adventure, the biggest return is World of Color - Season of Light, which did not run during the resort's 2025 holiday season. Disney says more information on a dining package with reserved viewing will be released later this year.

Mickey and friends will appear on Buena Vista Street in holiday attire, while Santa Claus will greet guests at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, which will shift into a holiday play area with seasonal games and activities.

Other returning entertainment includes the Holiday Toy Drummers in Paradise Gardens Park and Mickey's Happy Holidays in Hollywood Land at select times each day. On select days, guests can also catch A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegria de Disneyland & Miguel!, Mirabel's Gift of the Seasons and Disney Viva Navidad!, which features the Three Caballeros, folklorico dancers, mariachis, samba dancers, drummers, and Mickey and Minnie in seasonal outfits. The Paradise Garden Bandstand will host rotating cultural acts and live bands daily.

Cars Land, food booths and hotels round out the season

Cars Land will again get its Haul-iday makeover with themed lights, bows and wreaths, plus the nightly Sh-boom lighting moment. The land's two holiday ride overlays, Luigi's Joy to the Whirl and Mater's Jingle Jamboree, are also set to return.

Disney Festival of Holidays will feature six marketplaces with a mix of new and returning dishes. Guests will once again be able to buy a Sip and Savor Pass with six digital coupons for eligible food and nonalcoholic drinks at participating locations.

Beyond the parks, each Disneyland Resort hotel will have a lobby Christmas tree. Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will also display a seven foot gingerbread creation modeled after the hotel.