2026 Holiday Season at Walt Disney World

We have officially made it halfway to the 2026 holiday season. So, Disney thoughtfully rewarded us for our patience by announcing a slew of upcoming holiday events. You’ll want to mark your calendar, for the start of the Christmas season at Walt Disney World. Let’s talk about the 2026 holiday season at Walt Disney World. 

Jollywood Nights Will Return

The Disney Parks Blog kicked into overdrive on Wednesday, unveiling a bunch of new holiday updates. Most of them confirm the return of favorites from holidays past. 

For example, Disney Jollywood Nights is coming back for the fourth straight year. This after-hours ticketed event debuted in 2023 and admittedly got off to a shaky start. By the end of 2023, Disney had mostly figured out what guests wanted from this decidedly adult party. In 2024, Jollywood Nights vastly improved, and Disney had perfected it by last year.

In 2026, Jollywood Nights will be better than ever because it already highlights Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. Now that Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets has reinvigorated this brand, this year’s party feels like a victory lap. You can attend Jollywood Nights on the following dates:

• November 7, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28 
• December 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 23 
• January 3, 5 

So, yes, it’s spilling into January 2027. The Parks Blog points out that the November dates fall on Saturdays and Mondays, while January’s two dates are on a Sunday and a Tuesday. In December, you can attend Jollywood Nights on select Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays.

Hollywood Studios will allow ticket-holding guests to enter the park at 5:30 p.m. for the event that runs from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Did I mention this one was for the grown-ups? 

Tickets for this year’s event will go on sale on July 9th for anyone with hotel reservations at official Walt Disney World resorts. As a DVC member, that should be easy for you. 

If you haven’t booked a holiday reservation yet, you should do so before then to be among the first to buy tickets. Otherwise, tickets go on sale to the general public on July 16th. If you need tickets, remember that Unlocked Magic can save you up to $15 off the price. 

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Will Also Return

Obviously, Disney isn’t going to overlook its oldest holiday party. So, I’m happy to inform you that Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will also return. As usual, the Magic Kingdom event will start in early November and last until a few days before Christmas. Here are the 2026 dates:

• November 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 24, 25, 27, 29 
• December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22 

This year, ticket-holding guests can enter the park at 4:00 p.m. for the party, which officially begins at 7 p.m. Tickets also go on sale for this event on July 9th for people with official Disney hotel reservations. Everyone else can book on July 16th. 

Disney also confirmed a few character greetings for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2026. They include:

• Anna and Elsa at Princess Fairytale Hall

• Jack Skellington as Santa and Sally at Town Square Theater
• Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse “in their finest holiday looks” at Town Square Theater

This Year’s Party Activities 

Disney released some details about both events. At Magic Kingdom, Santa Claus will greet guests at Santa’s Christmas Carnival at Storybook Circus. Mickey’s Once Upon a Time Christmas Parade will also return, as will Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks. 

On the parade front, I’ll remind you that Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away runs backward, ending at Frontierland. So, you may be used to that after a year. Please remember that the Christmas parade will start at Frontierland and finish on Main Street, U.S.A., which is the conventional way. Also, I should note that the Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Dessert Parties are back this year, too. 

Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration will entertain guests as well. This show features Clarabelle Cow, Daisy Duck, and Woody from Toy Story. Since Toy Story 5 is currently the top movie in the world, I suspect this particular event will be wildly popular in 2026. The Frozen Holiday Surprise and Jingle Cruise will make Disney magical this holiday season, too. 

At Jollywood Nights, Disney Holidays in Hollywood will star Kermit and Miss Piggy. However, other Disney faves like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Belle, and Tiana will appear, too. 

“What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along”, perhaps the signature event of Jollywood Nights, is also back on the menu for 2026. Glisten!, the dazzling skating show, is also confirmed for this year. 

Disney has also confirmed the Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club, Jazzy Holidays at the Hollywood Brown Derby, the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! nighttime presentation, and the Pixar Disco lights up Pixar Plaza dance party.

Disney also announced the following character greetings at Jollywood Nights:

• Phineas and Ferb 
• Max Goof as Powerline 
• Chip ‘n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers 
• Stitch dressed as Santa 
• Baloo and King Louie 
• The Mandalorian and Grogu 
• Chewbacca celebrating Life Day 
• Lotso from Toy Story 3 
• Partysaurus Rex 
• Bing Bong from Inside Out 
• Duffy 
• Scrooge McDuck 
• Donald Duck and Daisy Duck 
• Goofy and Pluto 
• Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse 

One More Thing

Disney announced that the holiday season officially begins on November 13th. Unfortunately, I do have one bit of bad news for you. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa won’t host its gingerbread store again this year. Management will decorate other gingerbread spots instead. So, we’ll have to stay tuned to find out exactly what that means. 

Other classic Disney hotel gingerbread displays should be available in November, though. It’s just the Grand Floridian making this change, presumably because of the bar in the hotel lobby. 

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