From November 13, 2026, through January 6, 2027, Disneyland® Park and Disney California Adventure® Park will celebrate the season with returning holiday traditions and a few new surprises.
Planning a visit to Anaheim? Here’s a look at what’s happening around the resort during the holidays!
Disneyland® Park’s Holiday Fireworks and A Christmas Fantasy Parade
The daytime A Christmas Fantasy Parade returns for 2026 with dancing gingerbread cookies, toy soldiers, reindeer, Disney characters and, of course, Santa Claus making his way down the parade route.
Then, when the sun goes down, Believe…In Holiday Magic takes over the Anaheim skies with fireworks, holiday music and magical “snowfall” along Main Street, U.S.A.
Notable Disneyland® Park Holiday Makeovers for 2026
Haunted Mansion Holiday welcomes Jack Skellington to the Haunted Mansion for a spooky, snowy makeover. This year’s transformation also celebrates 25 years of the attraction’s gingerbread displays, with a monstrous music box taking over the ballroom scene.
Over at it’s a small world, the beloved boat ride switches to a seasonal soundtrack and features dazzling decorations paying homage to holiday traditions from around the world. After dark, the attraction’s iconic façade sparkles with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights.
Elsewhere in Disneyland® Park, Sleeping Beauty Castle transforms into a winter wonderland, complete with shimmering icicles and festive wreaths. Don’t miss the Wintertime Enchantment lighting ceremony, when the castle comes alive with music, sparkling lights and magical snowfall, twice nightly at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m.
And, of course, Main Street, U.S.A. gets its own holiday makeover, with vintage-inspired decorations, festive garlands and a towering 60-foot Christmas tree.
Photo Opportunities with Santa Claus
Santa has a new stop on his Disneyland® Park route this year! Now through December 24, visitors can find him at Mickey’s Toontown Trolley Barn, near Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin. Bring your wish list and stop by for a holiday photo before he heads back to the North Pole!
Pro Tip: Santa will also make appearances at select locations throughout Disney California Adventure® Park and all three Disneyland® Resort hotels.
Holiday Season Must-Sees at Disney California Adventure® Park
At Disney California Adventure® Park, World of Color – Season of Light returns with an unmissable nighttime spectacle combining colorful fountains, projections, music and scenes from Disney and Pixar films like Beauty and the Beast and Inside Out.
There’s plenty happening around the park during the day, too. Look for Mickey Mouse and friends in their winter outfits along Buena Vista Street, catch the Holiday Toy Drummers in Paradise Gardens Park, or head to Redwood Creek Challenge Trail for hands-on games.
Disney Festival of Holidays
Beginning November 13, Disney Festival of Holidays returns with special food and drink options and live entertainment inspired by global holiday traditions, including:
- Mickey’s Happy Holidays: A lively procession featuring Mickey Mouse, friends and the Holiday Toy Drummers.
- A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel!: Bilingual holiday music featuring Miguel from Coco.
- Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season: Live music and performances inspired by Encanto.
- Paradise Garden Bandstand: Rotating live bands and cultural performances throughout the season.
The Festive Foods Marketplaces will also serve a mix of new dishes and returning favorites from around the world:
- Braised Pork Belly Adobo (Philippines)
- Barbacoa Tamal (Mexico)
- Sticky Toffee Pudding Macarons (England)
- Guava Melon Lassi (India)
- Chorizo Queso (Mexico)
Pro Tip: Foodies can purchase a Sip and Savor Pass, which includes six digital coupons redeemable for select food and nonalcoholic drinks at participating locations.
Celebrate Latin American Traditions at Disney ¡Viva Navidad!
Disney ¡Viva Navidad! is all about Latin American Christmas traditions with regional music, dancing, storytelling and appearances by some familiar Disney characters.
On select days, the Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party brings together folk dancers, mariachi musicians and Brazilian samba performers for an energetic fiesta. Plus, The Three Caballeros will join the celebration, alongside Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy in their special holiday outfits.
Winter Makeover at Cars Land
This year, Cars Land is set to be decked out with colorful lights and all sorts of wacky holiday decorations made from car parts. Two attractions will also get their own one-of-a-kind holiday spinoffs: Mater’s Jingle Jamboree and Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl.
Holiday Dining and Decorations at Disneyland® Resort Hotels
The 2026 holiday celebrations aren’t limited to the theme parks. Disneyland® Hotel, Pixar Place Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa will all feature Christmas decorations, special live entertainment and visits from Santa Claus.
Starting November 16, several special character dining experiences also return to the hotels:
- Goofy’s Kitchen Celebrates the Holidays! at Disneyland® Hotel
- Daisy’s Holiday Pajama Party at Storytellers Cafe
- Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast at Storytellers Cafe
Holiday Cheer at Downtown Disney® District
If you’re new to Anaheim, here’s something worth knowing: You don’t actually need a theme park ticket to get into the holiday spirit at Downtown Disney® District.
Beginning November 13, the parks’ shopping and dining district will feature seasonal decorations, special food and drinks, live music and even real snowfall. All of which can be accessed by the general public for free.
Families can also take part in Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail, a holiday scavenger hunt running November 11 through January 6. Just buy an activity map, search for ornaments hidden throughout Downtown Disney and redeem your map for a special keepsake.
Holiday Treats, Souvenirs and Shopping
Save some room for dessert! Disney is bringing back several seasonal favorites this winter, including:
- Mickey Elf Shake at Schmoozie’s!
- Milk and Cookies Macaron at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe
You’ll also find tons of holiday merchandise throughout both parks, including limited-edition Christmas apparel, collectible pins, tree ornaments, home accessories and even specialty souvenirs like the Mickey Train Light Up Bucket and Holiday Stitch Christmas Tree Sipper.
Save Up to 20% on Select Disneyland® Resort Hotel Stays
Planning to spend a few days exploring the parks? Disneyland® Resort is offering savings of up to 20% on select stays of three or more nights at Disneyland® Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa, Pixar Place Hotel and The Villas at Disneyland® Hotel.
The offer applies to eligible stays from October 11 through December 18, 2026, subject to availability and restrictions.
With two parks full of holiday entertainment, seasonal food and plenty to explore around the resort, it’s a great time to plan a winter getaway to Anaheim.