Disneyland Holiday Season Runs Nov. 13 to Jan. 6 With New Santa Spot

Families visiting the Disneyland Resort in California between Nov. 13, 2026, and Jan. 6, 2027, will find nightly fireworks, a daily Christmas parade, new character meetings and holiday shows in both parks. Disney Parks Blog announced the lineup for Holidays at the Disneyland Resort and for the Disney Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure park.

Santa Claus has a new home this year. He greets guests daily from Nov. 13 through Dec. 24 at Mickey’s Toontown Trolley Barn, near Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin. Showtimes are listed on Disneyland.com and in the Disneyland app.

What it means for a family day in the parks

Most of the evening entertainment is scheduled nightly, so a visit on any date in the season includes at least some of it. At Disneyland park, the “Believe…In Holiday Magic” fireworks run each night, along with “snowfall” on parts of Main Street, U.S.A., near “it’s a small world” Holiday and along the Rivers of America. At dusk, thousands of lights come on in front of “it’s a small world” Holiday, and a projection show plays on the building at select times.

“A Christmas Fantasy Parade” runs daily on Main Street, U.S.A. Viewing spots are around “it’s a small world” Holiday, Matterhorn Bobsleds and Main Street. Characters include Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and friends from Toy Story. Guests who book the Holiday Time at Disneyland Guided Tour get a special viewing area with hot cocoa in a travel tumbler and a gingerbread cookie. Availability is on Disneyland.com.

California Adventure shows

“World of Color – Season of Light” plays nightly over Paradise Bay, with songs and stories from films such as Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Frozen and Inside Out. Reserved viewing areas require a virtual queue selection (one per guest) or a voucher from a World of Color Dining Package or Dessert Party, also one per guest. Other viewing spots around the bay are first come, first served.

Starting Nov. 13, a 50-foot tree is lit nightly on Buena Vista Street at the Holiday Tree Lighting. Other items on the schedule:

• “A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel!” returns on select days to Buena Vista Street, with bilingual versions of Christmas songs.
• “Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season” is on select days and features songs from Encanto.
• A holiday version of “Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off!” debuts at Avengers Campus, with Star-Lord and Deadpool, at select times.
• The Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party, hosted by the Three Caballeros, runs on select days.
• “Mickey’s Happy Holidays” and the Holiday Toy Drummers are scheduled daily.

Live music is scheduled daily on stages around the park, in genres including jazz, polka, traditional Latin, Hawaiian and soul. The lineup of performers changes during the season.

Santa, characters and dining

Through Dec. 24, Santa also visits the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in California Adventure. From Nov. 26 through Dec. 24, he makes stops at all three Disneyland Resort hotels. From Dec. 25, Santa Goofy appears at the trail and at the Trolley Barn.

Mickey, Minnie and friends wear new holiday outfits in Town Square on Main Street, U.S.A. For the first time, characters in holiday clothing and accessories can be met in Mickey’s Toontown. Character dining at the hotels includes Goofy’s Kitchen Celebrates the Holidays!, Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast at Storytellers Cafe and Daisy’s Holiday Pajama Party at Storytellers Cafe. Reservations are on Disneyland.com.

Other holiday extras

Tomorrowland Terrace in Disneyland hosts the “Disney Holiday Dance Party” nightly, with holiday songs and character appearances. Downtown Disney has live music nightly on the Downtown Disney LIVE! stage and lawn, including carolers and bands such as The Sleigh Belles and The Sugarplums. “Snow” may fall there at special moments each night from Nov. 6 through Jan. 6. The three resort hotels also have carolers on select days.

Source: Disney Parks Blog