Holiday Highlights around Walt Disney World
- November 13, 2026– January 6, 2027
A trip to Walt Disney World is always magical, but there's something extra special about visiting during the winter holiday season. From the theme parks to Disney Springs and even the resort hotels, every corner of the resort is decked out in festive style. You'll find dazzling Christmas trees, grand garlands, and some of the most stunning gingerbread displays you’ve ever laid eyes on – all adding an extra layer of holiday cheer to your vacation.
Below, you'll find information on what's happening all across Walt Disney World during the holiday season!
Holiday Events around Walt Disney World:
Holiday Merchandise around the World
Holiday Dining around the World
Holiday Related Planning Articles:
- Grand Floridian's Iconic Gingerbread House is NOT Returning
- Disney Unwraps More Holiday Details for Walt Disney World in 2026
- EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays 2026 Dates & Details
- New Dates & Details: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2026
- Disney Jollywood Nights 2026: Dates, Details, & What to Expect
- 7 Reasons to Visit Disney World During the Holiday Season
- 5 Best Disney World Resorts to Stay at During the Holiday Season
- Free Holiday Magic to Experience at Walt Disney World
- Disney World’s Hard Ticket Events – Love ‘Em or Leave ‘Em?
- Why Disney Christmas Shops Are The Best
- The Holidays at Disney: Covering the Basics
- The Holidays at Disney: Planning Your Disney Parks Vacation During the Holiday Season
- The Holidays at Disney: How to Keep the Magic of the Holidays While on Vacation
- The Holidays at Disney: Managing Your Schedule With Flexibility
- Strategies for Surviving Christmas Week at Walt Disney World
- The Naughty and Nice of Christmas Week at Disney World
CHRISTMAS AT MAGIC KINGDOM
During the holidays, Magic Kingdom is home to 40 festively decorated trees, 147 wreaths and 590 garlands that measure a total of 5,188 feet! With jolly holiday trimmings and touches along Main Street, U.S.A. and throughout the park, guests can smile, snap, and share their perfect photos along a bright and merry Main Street.
On evenings when Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is not being held, Cinderella Castle takes on a festive appearance with special projection effects, providing a colorful backdrop for guests’ photos. Throughout the evening, bursts of holiday magic will transform Cinderella Castle with a rotating series of designs, followed by a stunning transition in which the iconic Magic Kingdom Park landmark will illuminate the night.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
What do you get when you mix a 65-foot, 30,000-pound Christmas tree with a 40-foot star, 5,500 twinkling lights, 430 feet of garland, and hundreds of festive touches like ornaments, candy canes, gingerbread cookies, and flickering candles? Add in your favorite Disney characters, and you’ve got the ultimate recipe for Christmas magic at Magic Kingdom!
The spectacular tree seems to touch the sky. With delightful
oversized toys displayed at it's base, it's an amazing
sight. What's that? Is there a hint of gingerbread and
cinnamon in the air? No detail is too small when Disney
magic is being made. More Info...
Frozen Holiday Surprise
Guests can join Frozen friends from Arendelle as Olaf and over 100 of his snowgie siblings add garlands, ornaments, wreaths, and more to Cinderella Castle during the Frozen Holiday Surprise.
Jingle Cruise takes over the Jungle Cruise
Guests can hear and see plenty of holiday-themed gags at the world-famous Jingle Cruise, which returns in 2026 for a festive yet familiar adventure, as a trusty skipper expertly navigates guests through some of the world’s most treacherous waters.
See Santa Claus
At Magic Kingdom during Mickey's Once Upon A Christmastime Parade, Santa Claus glides down Main Street, U.S.A., in his sleigh, led by prancing reindeer. Guests can also visit Santa's Christmas Carnival in Storybook Circus as it is transformed into a must-visit holiday destination filled with joyful Christmas cheer, friends from the North Pole – and, of course, Santa Claus.
Special Holiday Food at Magic Kingdom
Delight your taste buds with cheery dishes inspired by classic holiday cuisine.
CHRISTMAS AT EPCOT
- Holiday Kitchens located throughout World Showcase offer tasty treats of the season during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, taking place from November 27 to December 30, 2026.
- The Holiday Cookie Stroll offers a complimentary cookie as reward for completing the confectionary collection!
Candlelight Processional
There's nothing that's more inspirational than hearing the story of Christmas told by a celebrity narrator. This beautiful show evokes the true meaning of the holidays and is not to be missed.
Santa Claus
EPCOT guests can travel around the World Showcase to hear the stories of Christmas from Santas around the world. They can also share their Christmas wishes with Santa himself and get a heartwarming photo taken!
Living with the Land Glimmering Greenhouses
The seasonal Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses returns! Hop on a relaxing boat ride and soak in the decorated attraction while learning about foods produced in the greenhouses that play a part in the holiday celebrations around the resort.
ARTICLE: Good Golly, Glimmering Greenhouses! Living With The Land’s Holiday Overlay
JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season
Witness a beautiful, high-energy tribute to Christmas with Gospel, R&B and holiday songs at “JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season.”
Special Holiday Food at EPCOT
Guests can taste delicious delights around the park from sumptuous seasonal meals to delectable holiday treats.
CHRISTMAS AT ANIMAL KINGDOM
Decorations around the park will showcase day-into-nighttime experiences. Beginning after dark each night, experience a dazzling visual display full of bright colors and animated imagery as the “Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition” lights up Animal Kingdom. Mickey and Minnie Mouse will greet guests at Adventurers Outpost wearing their holiday outfits.
Merry Menagerie
Come face to face with beautiful artisan-sculpted puppets of artic animals such as penguins, reindeer, foxes, and polar bears that come to life around Discovery Island during the Merry Menagerie.
Disney also announced that artist Rob Kaz will make appearances at Island Mercantile from November 1 through November 22, 2026.
Special Holiday Food at Animal Kingdom
We'll share details on special holiday menus at Animal Kingdom once they're officially released.
CHRISTMAS AT DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
Guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will enjoy holiday decor throughout the park. All the holiday decorations at Hollywood Studios have a retro style and are inspired by the 1950s. Tinsel town takes on a whole new meaning during the holidays. Echo Lake and the surrounding area is the merriest of places with extra-large ornaments (even some that float!), colorful garlands, and a giant 65-foot tall Christmas tree with a 25-foot base.
Jam out to the Holiday Spirit Band on one of their many performance spots and enjoy a hot pretzel. Keep an eye out for new festive acts throughout the park, including spirited holiday musicians and juggling elves!
Disney Jollywood Nights is the hard-ticketed holiday event at Hollywood Studios with a holiday vibe like you’ve never felt before. Sights of sparkling décor, sounds of modern beats over classic holiday songs, tastes of craft cocktails and decadent dishes. It’s nostalgic and it’s glitz and glam galore. LEARN MORE
The Echo Lake area of the park has some of the best holiday decorations – enjoy five minutes of the lovely atmosphere in the Disney Park Bench video below!
Sunset Seasons Greetings
Gather on Sunset Boulevard and experience holiday magic transform the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel into a Muppets gingerbread masterpiece, a Toy Story toy hotel, a snowy corner of Arendelle and a Dickensian village from Mickey’s Christmas Carol.
Minnie's Holiday Dine - Hollywood & Vine
Deck the halls at a dazzling dinner party filled with holiday cheer and the joy of the season! Guests can see Minnie Mouse and friends at Hollywood & Vine during Minnie’s Holiday Dine. This reservation-only dinner features sensational soirees with festive music, decor, and tantalizing menu items.
Make reservations online here or by calling (407) WDW-DINE.
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
Hyperion Theater invites guests to sing along as the Royal Historians of Arendelle recount the frosty story of their enchanted kingdom in For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along.
See Santa Claus
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests will be able to meet Santa and take festive photos. Location details will be announced as we get closer to the event.
Special Holiday Food at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Indulge in eye-catching eats and treats returning in 2026. Plus, enjoy delicious new additions!
CHRISTMAS AT DISNEY SPRINGS
At Disney Springs, Christmas and holiday cheer can be found around every corner. The Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll presented by AdventHealth brings elaborately decorated Disney Christmas trees to the neighborhoods throughout Disney Springs. Each of the twinkling trees will be themed to personify beloved Disney characters, stories, and celebrations.
Special festive décor and live holiday performances will add an extra touch of wonder to holiday shopping. And in the evening, guests visiting Town Center will experience a magical snowfall, bringing the spirit of the North Pole to Central Florida.
For the perfect wrap-up to a holiday visit to Disney Springs, visit Jock Lindsay’s Holiday Bar; back by popular demand, this seasonal favorite brings yuletide touches alongside festive food and craft cocktails – there’s something on the menu for everyone!
Santa meets guests near Disney’s Pin Traders, with a virtual queue available via the My Disney Experience app.
CLICK HERE for more festive fun at Disney Springs!
Holiday Magic Shots Around the World
The PhotoPass photographers that can be found all across Walt Disney World have hidden surprises in their cameras - we call them Magic Shots and they can add just a bit of Pixie Dust to the photos you have taken. Some of the photographers will automatically add them, but don't count on it. We recommend asking each photographer because you never know what can happen and it's always fun to see the surprise when you view your photos for the first time.
Here are just a few examples of some of the Magic Shots that have been available in the past:
HOLIDAY MERCH AROUND THE WORLD
Fun and creative offerings will be available for purchase all across the Walt Disney World Resort for the holiday season and including new ear headbands, trading pins, plush toys, ornaments, and so much more!
