Theme Park News - June 29, 2026

Disneyland Resort's Holiday Attractions Bring Seasonal Magic

Disneyland Resort Holiday Ride Overlays Bring Extra Cheer to the Season

The holiday season at Disneyland Resort brings a festive twist to some of the destination’s most beloved attractions. With seasonal overlays, holiday music, and carefully layered details, familiar rides take on a whole new feel for guests visiting during this time of year.

At Disneyland Park, Haunted Mansion Holiday transforms the classic attraction into a spooky and playful holiday experience inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. As guests move through the mansion, they are greeted by Jack Skellington, Sally, Zero, and other residents of Halloween Town in a version of the ride that blends eerie fun with seasonal charm. Updated decor, holiday infused music, and special character moments make it a tradition many guests look forward to each year.

Another longtime favorite is it’s a small world Holiday, which remains one of the resort’s most recognizable seasonal experiences. The attraction features festive scenes from around the globe, with each region celebrating in its own way. The music also gets a holiday refresh, combining the classic theme with seasonal songs for a cheerful soundtrack that carries throughout the ride. Its glowing exterior is also one of the most popular nighttime photo spots across the resort.

At Disney California Adventure, Cars Land joins the holiday celebration with two festive overlays. Mater’s Jingle Jamboree brings seasonal music and playful energy to the junkyard jamboree, while Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl adds dancing, holiday decor, and a lively winter soundtrack to Luigi’s attraction. Both rides capture the fun and personality of Radiator Springs while giving guests a reason to celebrate the season.

Beyond the headline attractions, holiday touches can be found throughout Disneyland Resort, from garland and wreaths to themed trees and small decorative details in places like Adventureland and Main Street. Together, these overlays and subtle accents help create a resort wide holiday atmosphere that feels warm, whimsical, and full of tradition. Want to see it person? Reach out to your Carry on the Magic agent today!

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Returns November 27 Through December 30, 2026

The holidays are all about traditions, and EPCOT is once again celebrating that spirit with festive experiences inspired by global customs and family favorites. The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth returns November 27 through December 30, 2026, giving guests plenty of time to enjoy seasonal storytelling, entertainment, food, and decor throughout World Showcase.

At the heart of the festival are the Holiday Storytellers, who bring cultural holiday tales to life each day. Guests can find these special performances across the pavilions, including Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Morocco, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Each stop highlights how different cultures celebrate the season in their own meaningful way.

Santa Claus will also be making special appearances around EPCOT, along with Père Noël in France, Barn Santa in Norway, and holiday ready Goofy at The Odyssey. Festive decor will transform the park, while the Gingerbread Spaceship Earth display adds a sweet seasonal centerpiece to the celebration.

Guests can also enjoy beloved entertainment like Candlelight Processional, JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season, and the Voices of Liberty as Dickens Carolers. Holiday Kitchens, the Holiday Cookie Stroll, Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt, and seasonal overlays such as Living with the Land: Glimmering Greenhouses and Lights on Spaceship Earth round out the lineup of holiday fun.

Beyond EPCOT, the holiday spirit continues across all four Walt Disney World parks, Disney Springs, and select resort hotels. With theme park tickets and lodging already available for the season, now is the perfect time to start planning a merry getaway.

The result is a celebration filled with tradition, flavor, music, and magic, creating the perfect place for guests to make new holiday memories of their own.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Returns to Magic Kingdom in 2026

The holiday season is heading back to Magic Kingdom, and that means one of Walt Disney World’s most festive traditions is almost here. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will once again bring guests a magical night filled with holiday entertainment, special character greetings, ride overlays, sweet treats, and plenty of seasonal cheer.

This separately ticketed event will take place on select nights from November 8 through December 22, 2026, giving guests multiple chances to celebrate inside Magic Kingdom. Partygoers can enter the park as early as 4:00 p.m., with the event officially beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets go on sale July 9 for guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green. Tickets for all other guests will be available starting July 16.

Holiday favorites return throughout the park, including Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, Mickey’s Merriest Celebration, and the Frozen Holiday Surprise at Cinderella Castle. Guests can also meet beloved characters in their holiday best, visit Santa at Santa’s Christmas Carnival, and dance the night away at festive party spots across Magic Kingdom.

For travelers looking to experience Walt Disney World at its most magical time of year, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is shaping up to be one of the season’s biggest highlights.

Disney Jollywood Nights Returns in 2026 With More Holiday Sparkle

Disney Jollywood Nights is coming back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2026, bringing its stylish holiday party vibe to select nights from November 7 through January 5. For the first time, the event extends into January, giving guests even more chances to enjoy this festive after-hour celebration.

This separately ticketed event features holiday décor, specialty food and drinks, exclusive character sightings, entertainment, and lower wait times for select attractions. Guests can enter as early as 5:30 p.m., with festivities running from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

2026 Event Dates

November: 7, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28

December: 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 23

January: 3, 5

Tickets go on sale July 9 for select resort guests and July 16 for all other guests.

What’s Returning for 2026

Guests can expect fan favorite entertainment including:

• Disney Holidays in Hollywood at Theater of the Stars, hosted by Kermit and Miss Piggy

• What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas SingAlong at Hyperion Theater

• Glisten!, the holiday skating show in front of the Chinese Theatre

• Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!, the nighttime spectacular with fireworks, projections, and snowfall

Holiday fun will also spill across the park with the Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club, Pixar Disco, and Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby.

Character Fun

 Disney has also teased an exciting lineup of character greetings, including Mickey and Minnie, Stitch in a Santa outfit, The Mandalorian and Grogu, Chewbacca, Max Goof as Powerline, and more.

Disney Jollywood Nights is shaping up to be one of the most exciting holiday events of the season, especially for guests who love festive entertainment with a touch of glamour. If it’s on your Disney wish list, this is one to book early.