Full Breakdown
Walt Disney World Announces 2026 Holiday Season Dates, Events, and Ticket Details
6/25/2026, 2:58:10 PM
Holiday Season Overview
Walt Disney World has set the 2026 holiday season to run from November 13 through January 6, extending the celebration into the new year for the first time. The announcement covers all four theme parks and Disney Springs, outlining new after-hours parties, seasonal shows, and themed food offerings.
Event Schedule and Ticketing
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (Magic Kingdom) – Select evenings from Nov 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 24, 25, 27, 29 and Dec 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22.
- Festival of the Holidays (EPCOT) – Nov 27 through Dec 30, included with regular park admission.
- Jollywood Nights (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) – Nov 7, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28; Dec 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 23; Jan 3, 5.
- Animal Kingdom & Disney Springs – Holiday-themed attractions and the Christmas Tree Stroll run throughout the season.
Ticket sales: select resort guests (Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin, Shades of Green) may purchase tickets beginning July 9; all other guests start July 16. Prices vary by date for Mickey’s party, while Jollywood Nights tickets start at $169 per person.
Entertainment Highlights
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – Features Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration stage show, and the Frozen Holiday Surprise at Cinderella Castle.
- EPCOT Festival of the Holidays – Offers storytellers around the World Showcase, the Candlelight Processional with celebrity narrators, Joyful! A Celebration of the Season, Voices of Liberty carolers, Holiday Kitchens cuisine, and Glimmering Greenhouses décor.
- Jollywood Nights – Presents “Disney Holidays in Hollywood” hosted by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, a “Nightmare Before Christmas” sing-along, the “Glisten!” skating show, a 1930s-style Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club, Pixar Disco dance parties, and the “Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam!” nighttime spectacular.
- Animal Kingdom – Returns the Merry Menagerie puppet troupe and a holiday-themed Tree of Life Awakenings projection.
- Disney Springs – Features a Christmas Tree Stroll with themed trees, nightly “snowfall” near the main tree, and live music at the AdventHealth Waterside Stage.
Official Statements & Responses
Disney announced that the holiday season will run Nov 13 – Jan 6, marking the first extension into January. “Tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party go on sale to the general public on July 16,” the resort stated. The same release noted that “Jollywood Nights tickets go on sale to the public on July 16.” Disney Parks Blog clarified that select resort guests can buy tickets on July 9, with all other guests following on July 16, and that Jollywood Nights tickets begin at $169 per person.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources agree on all event dates. A minor discrepancy exists regarding ticket-sale timing: one source cites a universal July 16 start, while another distinguishes July 9 for select resort guests and July 16 for the broader public. Pricing details for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are not disclosed beyond “prices vary.”
Why It Matters / Impact
Extending the holiday program into January creates new opportunities for guest attendance and revenue beyond the traditional season. Separate, ticketed after-hours events provide exclusive experiences for resort guests, Annual Passholders, and Disney Vacation Club members, encouraging multi-park visitation and higher per-guest spend on entertainment, food, and merchandise.
What’s Next
Ticket sales open July 9 for eligible resort guests and July 16 for all others. Disney will release additional information on holiday-themed food, merchandise, and any supplemental entertainment as the season approaches. Guests should monitor the official Disney app and My Disney Experience for updates, reservations, and detailed event maps.
