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Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Dates Announced

by | Jun 24, 2026 | Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Walt Disney World Entertainment, Walt Disney World Events

Going to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party? Find out how to make the most of your party time and ticket price as soon as you hit the gate.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is returning for 2026! As we look ahead to the limited-time event coming to Magic Kingdom, we’re sharing a complete guide for everything you need to know about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. From the dates and pricing to the entertainment options, here’s everything you need to know about the returning holiday party.

Book Your Holiday Trip Now! If you’re planning to attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year, our partners at The Vacationeer can make booking your trip a breeze. Let their expert team help you handle everything from theme park days to resort stays (and even Lightning Lanes!) by filling out this form.

 

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2026 Dates and Ticket Prices

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party occurs on select nights in November and December, from November 8 through December 22, 2026. Those nights are:

  • November 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 20, 24, 25, 27, 29
  • December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22

In 2026, tickets cost anywhere between $189 and $229 per adult. If you are a DVC member or an Annual Passholder, you can save $10 off the price of your ticket only on select nights. Plus, save $10 per ticket for children ages 3 to 9.

When Will Tickets Be on Sale for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?

Wondering when you can buy tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2026? Resort Guests (guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green) can purchase tickets starting on July 9, 2026, with tickets on sale for everyone else beginning a week later on July 16.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Photo by Laurie Sapp

2026 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Dates

This is the full list of 2026 dates.

  • November 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 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 2026 Arrival Information

Arrival Time and Park Reservations

Each Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party takes place from 7 PM to midnight on each of the party nights. Ticket holders will be able to enter the park with their ticket as early as 4 PM on the valid date of their ticket. Since the tickets are date-specific, you will not be required to make a Park Pass reservation ahead of time. 

Pro Tip:

Here’s our tip for arriving at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party: 

  • Since your park ticket will get you in starting at 4 PM, this can be a great day for you to enjoy the resort hotels or Disney Springs ahead of time. If you’re looking for a really long day, Disney’s Animal Kingdom can always be a park to consider beforehand, since it’s the park that closes the earliest. 
  • Try to arrive at Magic Kingdom between 4 PM and 5 PM if you can. Guests not attending the party are required to exit between 6 PM and 7 PM, so arriving early means you miss the departure rush.[/box]

Wristband Distribution

Once you arrive at Magic Kingdom, you’ll want to get a wristband showing you are attending the event. Since there is an overlap between when party guests arrive, and when regular guests are still at the park, you will need to show your wristband once the park closes to regular guests. There will be various checkpoints where you can receive your wristband, including at the park entrance upon entry.

 Pro Tip:

  • If you get to Magic Kingdom right at 4 PM, it’s easiest to get your wristband at entry.   
  • If you spent the day in Magic Kingdom prior to 4 PM, there will be other locations throughout the park where you can get your wristband showing you have a ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Entertainment

mickey's very merry christmas party, mickey's once upon a christmastime parade

Photo by Laurie Sapp

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade 

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade will be returning in 2026. The party-exclusive parade includes appearances from beloved characters in their festive costumes, including Mickey, Minnie, gingerbread men, and even Santa Claus! The parade typically place twice a night from Frontierland all the way down Main Street, U.S.A., so there are multiple viewing locations. Prime viewing is usually on Main Street, U.S.A., so it can be worth waiting around for a good viewing spot.

Typically, we’ve found the first showing to be a bit more crowded, so it can be worth waiting until the second showing if you want to avoid more of the crowds.

Typical Showtimes: 8:30 PM, 11:00 PM

Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration 

Gather around Cinderella Castle for an exciting stage show that features Disney characters, music, and even snowflakes in the air! The show typically takes four times throughout the night, so don’t worry if you miss the first showing. We have found the third or fourth show of the night to be particularly less crowded, but the amount of people can also depend on the weather for the night.

Typical Showtimes: 7:40 PM, 9:25 PM, 10:35 PM, and 11:55 PM

Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks

As part of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you can enjoy the party-exclusive Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks. Host Minnie Mouse will invite you to enjoy the exciting fireworks display, which includes festive colors and holiday carols. The fireworks can be viewed throughout Magic Kingdom, with the best viewing near Cinderella Castle to see the projections. If you’re fine skipping out on the projections, hanging around closer to Liberty Square will still give you a great view of the fireworks.

Typical Showtimes: 10:00 PM

Frozen Holiday Surprise

Gather around Cinderella Stage for a very special presentation from your favorite Frozen characters. You can join in on the celebration as Olaf and more than 100 of his Snowgie siblings decorate Cinderella Castle for the holidays. Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and Kristoff will all appear on the Cinderella Castle stage in new looks, each bringing something for the gathering.

mickey's very merry christmas party, frozen holiday surprise

Photo by Laurie Sapp

Typical Showtimes: 6:15 PM (pre-party), 8:15 PM

Club Tinsel and Disney Junior Jingle Jam

Throughout the night, there are two dance parties taking place. In Tomorrowland, you can find Club Tinsel, while Disney Junior Jingle Jam takes place at Storybook Circus. Disney Junior Jingle Jam is a great event to visit for younger partygoers, as they’ll get to meet characters like Fancy Nancy, Vampirina, Doc McStuffins, and The Lion Guard.

Typical Showtimes:

  • Club Tinsel: Intermittently 7 PM to 12 AM at Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland
  • Disney Junior Jingle Jam: 7 PM to 12 AM at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe

Reindeer Wranglers

You can also check out the Reindeer Wranglers over in Frontierland! You can enjoy the Dapper Dans in their holiday get up singing beloved festive tunes.

Typical Showtimes: 7:15 PM, 8:05 PM, 9:30 PM, 11:40 PM

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2026 Party Exclusive Snacks

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party also includes specialty snacks exclusive to the party! The food guide contains items that are exclusive to the event, along with those that are also available during regular park hours.

Find a FULL guide to the 2025 food below (2026 has not been released yet!).

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Food Guide

Complimentary Cookies & Drinks 

Along with exclusive snacks, you’ll also have access to complimentary cookies and drinks including hot cocoa, eggnog, and apple cider. You can find these snacks (including allergy-friendly options), at the following locations:

  • Tortuga Tavern (Adventureland) 
  • The Lunching Pad (Tomorrowland) 
  • Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe (Tomorrowland) 
  • Pinocchio Village Haus (Fantasyland) 
  • Columbia Harbour House (Liberty Square) 

Character Meet and Greets

The party is not only filled with entertainment and treats but also plenty of characters to meet! For the full list, you’ll be able to take a look at the party map guide. Typically, you’ll get the chance to meet Santa Claus, along with Mickey, Minnie, and more in their festive costumes. Here’s a full list of confirmed characters for 2026:

Princess Fairytale Hall
  • Anna and Elsa
Town Square Theater
  • Jack Skellington as Santa and Sally
  • Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in their finest holiday looks

You can also meet Santa at Santa’s Christmas Carnival! The meet and greet is located near Dumbo the Flying Elephant and The Barnstormer.

Attraction Overlays

Along with shorter wait times at the rides, you’ll also get the chance to experience several attraction overlays! These include Space Mountain – Holiday Run!! which features holiday tunes, and Jingle Cruise, filled with holiday-themed puns and decor. Additionally, Mad Tea Party, Tomorrowland Speedway, and Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor will have special overlays.

This year, you’ll also have the opportunity to join a party-exclusive virtual queue for TRON Lightcycle / Run to experience the incredibly popular new attraction!

Exclusive PhotoPass Opportunities 

At the event, there will be special PhotoPass opportunities to take advantage of. Magic Kingdom will be decked out with holiday decor which makes the perfect background, and there will be multiple PhotoPass photographers around the park to take your picture. There will be special Magic Shots available as well, with more details still to come!

 

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Posts by Morgan Flaherty

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Morgan Flaherty, Disney World Expert | Morgan has been visiting Disney World for over 30 years, and has become an expert on the resort's theme parks, hotels, and surrounding area. As a Disney expert, Flaherty has been writing about the Disney Parks, history, and films for six years, covering everything from the latest breaking news to trip planning. She is a writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience, and you can find her work at Scary Mommy, Well + Good, The Everymom, and other outlets.
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Authored by Morgan Flaherty

Morgan Flaherty, Disney World Expert | Morgan has been visiting Disney World for over 30 years, and has become an expert on the resort's theme parks, hotels, and surrounding area. As a Disney expert, Flaherty has been writing about the Disney Parks, history, and films for six years, covering everything from the latest breaking news to trip planning. She is a writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience, and you can find her work at Scary Mommy, Well + Good, The Everymom, and other outlets.
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