Disney World Holidays 2026: Changes, Confirmed Parties, and Events
The holidays at Walt Disney World Resort 2026 are now mapped out. Disney confirmed the full season on June 24, 2026, including two notable changes, both after-hours parties, and the festive offerings included with park admission. Here is everything confirmed so far, from the retired Grand Floridian gingerbread house to the expanded Christmas party dates.
What is confirmed for Disney World holidays 2026?
The 2026 holiday season at Walt Disney World runs November 13, 2026 – January 6, 2027. During that stretch, all four parks, the resort hotels, and Disney Springs get seasonal decorations, entertainment, and special food and drink.
Two separately ticketed parties headline the season. Plenty of seasonal fun also comes included with regular park admission. First, here are the changes you need to know about before you plan.
The Grand Floridian gingerbread house is retired for good
Disney has permanently retired the life-size gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. It will not return for the 2026 season or any future year.
The display debuted in 1999 and became one of the most-visited holiday stops at Walt Disney World. It stood in the Grand Lobby and took the culinary team months to plan and build each year. The house also skipped 2025 because of the lobby remodel that brought in The Perch lobby bar.
In its place, the Grand Floridian culinary team will create smaller gingerbread displays around the resort. Disney has not released details on those displays yet. Expect more information closer to the start of the season.
Cinderella Castle Dream Lights will not return
The Cinderella Castle Dream Lights will not light up Magic Kingdom for the 2026 holidays. Many guests asked Disney to bring back the icicle effect, but it stays retired this year. Instead, Disney will use projection effects on the castle for its nighttime holiday look.
Which gingerbread displays are still happening?
The retirement applies only to the Grand Floridian. Disney expects its other resort gingerbread traditions to continue, including these favorites:
- Gingerbread carousel at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Gingerbread Cinderella Castle display at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Gingerbread house at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
- Gingerbread animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Chocolate cabin at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Treat this list as expected rather than final. Disney usually confirms its gingerbread lineup, start dates, menus, and merchandise in late October or early November.
After-hours holiday parties confirmed for 2026
Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog
Two separately ticketed parties return for the 2026 season. Both need a special ticket on top of, or in place of, regular park admission. Tickets go on sale July 9 for Disney resort hotel guests and July 16 for the general public.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party returns to Magic Kingdom on 25 select nights, November 8 – December 22, 2026. The party runs 7 PM – 12 AM, and you can enter the park as early as 4 PM.
Confirmed party nights:
- 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
Highlights include Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade with its marching toy soldiers, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, the Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration castle stage show, snow flurries on Main Street, U.S.A., holiday ride overlays, and complimentary cookies and cocoa.
Prices vary by night. See Disney or the My Disney Experience app for current ticket pricing.
See our full Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2026 guide for every party night, the entertainment lineup, and character greetings.
Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog
Disney Jollywood Nights
Disney Jollywood Nights returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for its largest season yet. The event runs 15 nights, November 7 – January 5, 2027, and extends into January for the first time.
Confirmed party nights:
- November 7, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28
- December 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 23
- January 3, 5, 2027
This glitz-and-glamour party leans into vintage Hollywood. Confirmed entertainment includes the Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam! fireworks, the Glisten! ice show, Disney Holidays in Hollywood hosted by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, and a Nightmare Before Christmas sing-along. Themed party zones return, including the Tip Top Club near Tower of Terror. Special character greetings include Duffy, Santa Stitch, and Disney Afternoon characters.
Prices vary by night. See Disney for current ticket pricing. The limited-time food lineup has not been released yet.
See our full Disney Jollywood Nights 2026 guide for every party night, the shows, and the character lineup.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog
The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays returns November 27 – December 30, 2026, included with park admission. The festival celebrates seasonal traditions from around the world across World Showcase. See our full EPCOT Festival of the Holidays 2026 guide for the Candlelight Processional, Holiday Kitchens, and more.
Confirmed offerings include:
- Candlelight Processional (the Nativity story told by a celebrity narrator with a live orchestra and mass choir)
- Holiday Storytellers around World Showcase
- Holiday Kitchens food booths
- Holiday Cookie Stroll
- JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season
- Voices of Liberty Dickens Carolers
- Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition scavenger hunt
- Gingerbread Spaceship Earth display and countdown
- Glimmering Greenhouses overlay on Living with the Land
Disney will announce the Candlelight Processional narrator list and the Holiday Kitchens menus at a later date. We will update this guide once those drop.
Holiday offerings included with park admission
You can skip the after-hours parties and still find plenty of seasonal fun across the resort. Here is what Disney confirmed at each park.
Magic Kingdom
Two favorites return with regular admission. The Jingle Cruise gives the Jungle Cruise a madcap holiday makeover. A Frozen Holiday Surprise brings a stage show and projection mapping to Cinderella Castle. On non-party nights, the Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away parade continues to run.
Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Sunset Seasons Greetings returns to Sunset Boulevard with snow flurries and projection mapping on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Festive decor and seasonal character appearances round out the park.
Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The Merry Menagerie returns to Discovery Island with artisan-crafted animal puppets. After dark, the Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition lights up with seasonal projections and music. Mickey and Minnie greet guests in holiday outfits at Adventurers Outpost. Artist Rob Kaz will appear at Island Mercantile from November 1 – November 22.
Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog
Holidays at Disney Springs
Disney Springs needs no ticket or park admission, and it returns as a festive shopping and entertainment stop. Confirmed offerings include the Christmas Tree Stroll with trees inspired by Disney, Pixar, and Star Wars, nightly snowfall in Town Center, live music at the AdventHealth Waterside Stage, and Santa appearances. Seasonal menus return at Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar.
Holiday room and package offers for 2026
Disney confirmed several ways to save on a holiday stay with the Disney Resorts Collection. Here are the current offers and the dates they cover.
Disney+ Perks members: save on select packages
Disney+ Perks members save up to 25% on rooms and get free Park Hopper benefits added to their ticket. The deal applies when you buy a 4-night, 4-day room-and-ticket package at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels. It covers the holiday season plus select fall dates. Valid for stays most nights:
- September 25 – October 8, 2026
- October 19 – 31, 2026
- November 15 – 28, 2026
- December 13 – 24, 2026
Get the full offer details from your travel agent.
Save up to 20% on rooms
Save up to 20% on select rooms with the Disney Resorts Collection this holiday season. Valid for stays:
- Most Sunday to Thursday nights, October 4 – November 19, 2026
- Most nights including weekends, November 22 – December 24, 2026
Your travel agent can provide the full offer details and availability.
Florida residents: save up to 25% on rooms
Florida residents save up to 25% on select rooms with the Disney Resorts Collection this holiday season. Valid for stays select nights from October 19 – December 24, 2026.
Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog
What this means for your holiday trip
Book your parties early. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights both sell out dates most years, so mark July 9 and July 16 on your calendar. If a stop at the Grand Floridian gingerbread house was on your list, swap it for the Beach Club carousel or the Contemporary castle display this year.
For exact ticket pricing on a given night, check the My Disney Experience app, since party prices vary by date.
Related holiday guides
Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2026 Disney World holiday season?
The season runs November 13, 2026 – January 6, 2027.
What are the 2026 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party dates?
The party runs 25 select nights, November 8 – December 22, 2026, from 7 PM to 12 AM.
What are the 2026 Disney Jollywood Nights dates?
Jollywood Nights runs 15 nights, November 7 – January 5, 2027, and extends into January for the first time.
When do holiday party tickets go on sale?
Tickets go on sale July 9 for Disney resort hotel guests and July 16 for the general public.
What holiday offerings are included with park admission?
Plenty, including the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, the Jingle Cruise and A Frozen Holiday Surprise at Magic Kingdom, Sunset Seasons Greetings at Hollywood Studios, and the Merry Menagerie at Animal Kingdom.
Are there discounts for the 2026 Disney World holidays?
Yes. Disney confirmed room and package offers, including a Disney+ Perks package deal, a save-up-to-20% room offer, and a Florida resident room offer. See the offer details linked above.
Is the Grand Floridian gingerbread house coming back?
No. Disney has permanently retired it. Smaller gingerbread displays will appear around the resort instead.