Disney World Announces Holiday Season Dates, Parties, and Discounts for 2026

It’s June, so you know what that means! No, I’m not talking about the official start of summer. I’m talking all things Halfway to the Holidays! We’ve reached that magical time of year where the holiday season inches closer and closer, and seasonal decorations will be in Walt Disney World before you know it (if you’re a Halloween fan, get ready, because we’re literally just a little over one month from the first signs of pumpkins!).

Starting in November, the holidays will once again return to Walt Disney World with fan-favorite parties, festivals, and more on deck. For you type-A planners out there (raises hand), the full holiday season timeline at Walt Disney World is November 13 through January 6, 2027. We just learned the dates and some of the returning offerings fans can look forward to, so let’s recap everything that was announced for the 2026 holiday season!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom

The flagship event of the holiday season at Walt Disney World is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. The after hours event will return to Magic Kingdom on select evenings from November 8 through December 22, 2026. The full list of dates are as follows:

• 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

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a separate ticket event and includes party-exclusive treats and seasonal entertainment. Favorite offerings include Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, and more. Disney has also announced that Magic Kingdom’s regular nighttime parade, Disney Starlight, will not be performed on evenings when Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Plan accordingly!

And, of course, you’ll be able to enjoy classic Magic Kingdom attractions with lower wait times. The seasonal overlay Jingle Cruise will return in 2026 for regular guests as well as party attendees.

Tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party go on sale for Disney World resort guests on July 9. Tickets go on sale to the general public on July 16.

READ MORE: YOU DISNEY WORLD HOLIDAY SEASON PLANNING GUIDE

Disney Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios

Ready to add a little glitz and glam to your holiday party? Disney Jollywood Nights returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this holiday season and, for the first time, there will be event nights in January. Disney Jollywood Nights returns on select evenings November 7 through January 5, with the full list of event dates as follows:

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

Disney Jollywood Nights brings the bright lights of Hollywood to the holidays through live music and entertainment, exclusive treats, and more. Returning headliner entertainment this year includes the “Glisten!” skating show, “Disney Holidays in Hollywood” hosted by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, “What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along,” and the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! fireworks show.

Disney Jollywood Nights caters to adults as well through swinging music events like Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club and Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby.

Party attendees can also enjoy access to popular Hollywood Studios attractions with lower wait times, including the newly reopened Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.

Tickets for Disney Jollywood Nights go on sale for Disney World resort guests on July 9. Tickets go on sale to the general public on July 16.

READ MORE: VISITING DISNEY WORLD THIS SUMMER? HERE ARE YOUR MUST-DOS!

EPCOT Festival of the Holidays

If you’re a theme park foodie like me, then the holiday event you’re keeping your eyes on the most is the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays. The festivities will return daily from November 27 through December 30. The EPCOT Festival of the Holidays celebrates holiday traditions from around the world through storytelling, music, and, of course, food and beverage items available for purchase.

Each evening, the festival is capped off with the fan-favorite Candlelight Processional, led by celebrity narrators and colored in by a choir comprised of Disney Cast Members.

Outside of Festival of the Holidays, you can check out seasonal decorations around EPCOT and limited-time overlays like Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses.

Accessing the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays is included with park admission as the event takes place daily throughout the park. Food and beverage items are a separate purchase, but all entertainment is included and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. To ensure seating for the Candlelight Processional, I recommend booking a dining package that includes a meal at a participating EPCOT restaurant and a reserved seating section for one of that evening’s performances.

READ MORE: WHAT TIME OF YEAR SHOULD YOU VISIT DISNEY WORLD?

Other returning holiday offerings at Walt Disney World

In addition to the three major holiday events mentioned above, a full lineup of returning offerings was announced this week. Over at Animal Kingdom, the adorable Merry Menagerie will return, making for great photo ops featuring these artisan polar-inspired animal puppets.

Disney Springs will be home to several festive foodie destinations, including the return of Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar, complete with decorations and limited-time menu items. Disney Springs will also bring back its Christmas Tree Stroll and opportunities to meet Santa outside of the theme parks through December 24.

And we can’t forget about the Disney World resort hotels! Seasonal decorations are once again returning to the hotels, including popular displays at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and lobby trees at all of the hotels. It was confirmed by theme park reporter Scott Gustin that the gingerbread house will not return this year to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Instead, “Disney’s culinary teams will create new miniature holiday displays for the resort.” More details about resort decorations will be available later this year.

READ MORE: THE BEST DISNEY WORLD RESORT HOTELS FOR AN ADULTS-ONLY VACATION

New ways to save on a Walt Disney World vacation this holiday season

Thinking about booking a trip to Disney World this November or December to take in the sights and sounds of the holiday season? Disney World announced new seasonal promotions to help families save on their holiday visit. The following discounts go live tomorrow, June 25:

Disney+ subscribers: Eligible Disney+ subscribers enrolled in the Disney+ Perks program can receive a free Park Hopper add-on and save up to 25% on rooms when purchasing a 4-night, 4-day room-and-ticket package. This offer is available to book beginning June 25 for stays from September 25-October 8, October 19-31, November 15-28, and December 13-24.