Discover all of the seasonal magic that awaits you at Walt Disney World during the holidays across the theme parks, resorts, and beyond.

Is it even really the holidays if you don’t stroll down Main Street, U.S.A., and see gorgeously green garlands and Mickey-themed wreaths hanging overhead? Or maybe you prefer the sparkling Tree of Life decked out for the winter at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Either way, there’s no denying that the holidays at Walt Disney World Resort are truly spectacular!

Of course, Walt Disney World gets completely decked out for the holiday season, with attraction overlays, special seasonal entertainment, and other offerings only available in the final weeks of the year. No matter what you’re celebrating, you’ll find plenty of holiday cheer at the parks, resorts, and Disney Springs.

• Holidays at Walt Disney World Theme Parks
• Special Holiday Events at the Parks
• Disney World Holiday Food Guide
• Holidays at Walt Disney World Resorts and Disney Springs
• Frequently Asked Questions

Experience the Holiday Season at Walt Disney World Resort

From perfectly trimmed Christmas trees to international holiday festivities to special wintry entertainment and decor, the holiday season is a cheerful and incredibly fun time of the year at Disney World. From mid-November through early January, the entire resort transforms into a winter wonderland filled with festive decorations, attraction overlays, holiday treats, and exclusive entertainment. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or simply love the sparkle of the season, there’s something unforgettable waiting for you in every park, resort, and corner of Disney Springs.

Best of all, when the holiday season arrives at Disney World, you can enjoy special happenings and experiences that are only available during this special time of year. You can ride beloved attractions with limited-time holiday overlays, discover new entertainment offerings, and of course, see the theme parks and resorts transform into winter wonderlands. 

When Do the Holidays Begin at Disney World?

The 2026 holiday season officially kicks off on November 13, 2026, and runs through January 6, 2027. While most special events end after New Year’s Day, you’ll often see decorations linger a week or two into January — perfect for snagging those castle-in-the-snow photos even after the crowds thin out.

Holidays at Walt Disney World Theme Parks

Each one of the theme parks at Disney World celebrates the holiday season in its own way, meaning you’ll see differently-themed decorations, different entertainment, and different celebrations taking place resort-wide. Below, discover what each park offers during the holidays.

Magic Kingdom Park

Photo by Cliff Wang

If it’s classic Christmas-inspired holiday celebrations you’re looking for, Magic Kingdom is the perfect place to celebrate. Here, you’ll find merry and bright decor, from the ornament-covered Christmas tree in Main Street, U.S.A.’s Town Square to the green pine garlands and wreaths to Cinderella Castle covered in icy, glittering lights. Holiday touches can be found all over the park and its lands, too.

In Adventureland, for example, you can ride Jingle Cruise, the holiday overlay for the beloved Jungle Cruise. The attraction gets all decked out for the holiday festivities, and the animals even get in on the fun (and so do the skippers, of course!). 

Frozen Holiday Surprise will also return, illuminating the castle with its special seasonal touches, and bringing the characters of Frozen in on the fun. Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff, and the Snowgies all join in for the event.

New for 2026, guests can also enjoy Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away on non-party nights throughout the holiday season. The nighttime parade features beloved Disney characters, including Elsa and other favorites from Frozen. On Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party nights, Disney Starlight does not perform, with Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade taking its place instead.

💡 Pro tip: Arrive early on party nights to enjoy lighter crowds before the exclusive event begins!

EPCOT

Photo by Tina Chiu

EPCOT is home to a whole host of holiday traditions! Each year, the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays arrives  and brings along a selection of booths serving up treasured recipes from countries around the world. Each of the festival’s Holiday Kitchens offers bites, beverages, and even special holiday extras. Plus, one of our favorite traditions is the appearance of the Holiday Storytellers, who share the details of different holiday traditions, like Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and even Lunar New Year from various countries.

If you celebrate Christmas, you won’t want to miss the Candlelight Processional at EPCOT, which tells the classic story of Christmas. Each year, celebrity narrators lead the show, while an orchestra and choir sing tunes connected to the story itself. 

Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses is EPCOT’s sole seasonal attraction overlay, and it’s not to be missed if you love this classic ride! In the holiday version, you’ll celebrate the most bountiful time of the year with a specially themed voyage through greenhouses with brilliant lights.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Photo by Laurie Sapp

Yes, even the animals are getting in the holiday spirit over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! This theme park is actually one of the best to visit if you’re someone who loves seasonal decorations, as you’ll find unique touches throughout the park – plus plenty of special experiences that are only around during the final months of the year.

One can’t-miss experience at Animal Kingdom during the holidays is Merry Menagerie, which brings the festivities to Discovery island with incredible artisan-sculpted puppets of arctic animals. You can see beautifully crafted penguins, reindeer, foxes, and even polar bears  that act as both decorations and entertainment in one. 

Animal Kingdom guests can also browse original artwork from Disney artist Rob Kaz at Island Mercantile. Kaz is scheduled to appear for guest meet-and-greets from November 1 through November 22, 2026.

Don’t skip the Tree of Life in the evening, either. The park hosts Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition in November and December, an event that takes place every evening as dusk falls. The magnificent tree comes to life with shimmering, sparkling lights and a standout musical score. It’s like a special Disney tree lighting ceremony!

You can also check out Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in special holiday attire at a special Adventurer’s Outpost meet and greet just for the season.

📸 Don’t miss: Evening photos near the Tree of Life — the lights make for one of the most breathtaking views in all of Walt Disney World.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Photo by Cliff Wang

If it’s entertainment you’re searching for when visiting Disney World during the holidays, head over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Here, you’ll find plenty of vibrant and bright decor – but what really stands out are the seasonal entertainment offerings. 

For example, during the holidays, For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration features a special finale centered around everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf. You’ll also want to head over to Toy Story Land, where your favorite faces from beloved Pixar movies are decked out in special seasonal attire for a limited time.

And each evening, you can watch Sunset Seasons Greetings, which is the nightly transformation of the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Once the sun sets, the landmark gets covered in festive holiday projections across its exterior.

You also won’t want to miss the seasonal spin on character dining over at Hollywood & Vine, which offers Minnie’s Holiday Dine during the final months of the year. It’s a great opportunity to see Minnie and her friends all decked out for the most festive months, all while you enjoy a merry meal that features special seasonal treats.

Walt Disney Presents Gets a Holiday Makeover 

Walt Disney Presents will once again receive a seasonal update during the holidays. Guests can explore displays featuring props and artifacts from beloved holiday films, while the theater showcases classic Disney holiday shorts, including Pluto’s Christmas Tree, The Art of Skiing starring Goofy, and Walt Disney’s On Ice.

Special Holiday Events at Disney World’s Theme Parks

Photo by Laurie Sapp

Need a little more holiday magic during your visit to Walt Disney World? Well, there are two special events – which are also separately ticketed events – held just for the holidays! Learn more about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, an annual Magic Kingdom Park tradition, and Jollywood Nights over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, below.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

One of the longest-running traditions at Disney World during the holidays is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which has been held for 40 years and counting.  

Photo by CJ Ayd

During Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Magic Kingdom closes to other Guests and transforms into a holiday wonderland. Mickey Mouse and friends celebrate the arrival of the season with special offerings like Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, holiday attraction overlays, character meet and greets with your favorite Disney faces dressed in seasonal outfits, and cookies and cocoa to enjoy. Plus, you’ll have the chance to witness snowfall on Main Street and the special Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks show during the event!

Jollywood Nights

Hollywood Studios also hosts its own nighttime party in the form of Jollywood Nights. The event takes place on select nights through the holiday season.  

During Jollywood Nights parties, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a Hollywood holiday party with live bands, a musical variety show, and the return of the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! nighttime spectacular. Guests can check out different venues and themed entertainment areas where dancing will be more than welcome. And of course, like any good Disney World event, it’ll include characters ready to spread some holiday cheer, an array of different seasonally-themed dishes and beverages, and some standout PhotoPass photography moments.

Disney World Holiday Food Guide

Festive flavors, delicious treats, and fantastic souvenirs will all be available as part of the 2026 holiday season at Walt Disney World. Check back later in the year to find out what’s on the menu for this year.

Holidays at Walt Disney World Resorts and Disney Springs

Of course, the holiday cheer at Disney World doesn’t stop at the theme park gates. When you stay in an on-property resort, you’ll have a chance to check out special seasonal decor at each one of the hotels, from incredible Christmas trees decorated in tune with each resort’s unique theme to gigantic gingerbread houses that are sure to wow you. Lobbies and Guest areas are all decked out this time of the year – and don’t forget to check out snack spots and restaurants, too!

Photo by Maria Salerno

Over at Disney Springs, you’ll also find plenty of seasonal festivities to explore. Here, you’ll find special entertainment offerings, like the chance to meet Santa Claus, live musical performances and DJs, and wandering Toy Soldier Stilt Walkers and Snowflake Skaters.

One of the best activities at Disney Springs is the annual Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll. There are so many different trees to discover, and each one is elaborately decorated to suit a specific theme. You’ll find trees themed after some of your favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars films and series, along with character-centric trees and even a few classically-decorated ones, too. One fan-favorite returning display for 2026 is the Toy Story-themed Christmas tree, which features larger-than-life holiday decorations inspired by Woody, Buzz, and the gang.

While you’re wandering among the Christmas trees, keep an eye out for snowfall in Disney Springs Town Center! Here, Let It Snow! takes place in the evenings, dropping a light layer of magical “snow” onto Guests. And don’t miss the chance to stop by Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar, which gets all decked out for the season with special decor and limited-time menu offerings.

Meet Santa at Disney Springs

Santa Claus visits all four Walt Disney World theme parks during the holiday season and can also be found at Disney Springs through December 24. Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for exact locations and appearance times during your visit.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Holidays at Disney World Resorts

When do Disney World Christmas decorations go up?

Decorations start appearing right after Halloween, typically the first week of November.

Can I visit without attending the parties?

Yes! Holiday decor and entertainment are available during regular hours, though some exclusive parades and fireworks are party-only.

Are there non-Christmas celebrations?

Yes. EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays includes Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Lunar New Year traditions.

When is the best time to visit for the holidays?

Late November to mid-December offers a balance of full festivities and smaller crowds.

Will Disney Starlight run during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?

No. Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away only performs on non-party nights during the holiday season. On Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party nights, guests can instead enjoy Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.