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Santa's new spot, small world Holiday, snow on Main Street, and the weeks to go (and skip) — the whole season planned around nap time, for kids ages 2–8.
Six changes from Disney's 2026 holiday announcement that matter if you're bringing little kids.
Santa's Disneyland spot is now the Toontown Trolley Barn (Nov 13 – Dec 24) — steps from Runaway Railway and the play areas, so little kids can burn energy while you wait.
The Nightmare Before Christmas overlay turns 25, with an anniversary gingerbread music box in the ballroom scene.
Daisy's Holiday Pajama Party (breakfast and brunch) and Mickey's Christmas Carol Feast (dinner) take over Storytellers Café at the Grand Californian.
A new Encanto moment at DCA during the Festival of Holidays — a sweet stop for the Mirabel fans in your crew.
Mickey and friends debut new holiday looks — Town Square at Disneyland and Buena Vista Street at DCA are the photo spots.
Disney moved the 2026 start up to Nov 13, which means more pre-Thanksgiving weekdays with full decor and lighter crowds.
Everything here is included with regular park admission. Each one has our age call so you can skip what won't land with your crew.
The ride gets holiday lights, a new soundtrack mash-up of "Jingle Bells" and "Deck the Halls," and a glowing facade at night. It's on Lightning Lane Multi Pass — worth booking because holiday lines run long. Closed Oct 30 – Nov 12 while the overlay goes in, back Nov 13.
Jack Skellington's Christmas takeover — sillier and more colorful than the regular Mansion, but the Oogie Boogie scene still spooks some preschoolers. Runs through early January, then the ride closes Jan 8 – Feb 4, 2027 to remove the overlay.
Santa's sleigh, toy soldiers, and the Fab Five in the classic daytime holiday parade. Check the app for times and grab a shaded Main Street curb 25–30 minutes early — or use parade time to ride Peter Pan with shorter lines.
The gentlest nighttime show of the year, and it ends with snow falling on Main Street — the moment most kids remember. Fireworks are not nightly in every season, so confirm the date in the app calendar.
New location for 2026, Nov 13 – Dec 24. Go on a weekday morning in November for the shortest wait, and pair it with Runaway Railway next door.
The castle gets its icicle lights and the Main Street tree goes up — best photos are just after dark. Mobile-order a hot cocoa and take the loop slow.
The holiday version of the water show at Paradise Bay. Join the free virtual queue in the Disneyland app or book a dining package; front rows get wet, so bring a poncho for the kids.
Holiday food marketplaces around the park, ¡Viva Navidad! with Donald, Daisy, Panchito, and José (select days — check the calendar), and Mirabel's Gifts of the Season. Small-plate food booths are great for picky eaters who just want a bite.
Mater's and Luigi's get holiday versions with festive music and decor, and Radiator Springs is lit up for the season — Cars Land after dark is one of the prettiest spots in the resort.
DCA's Santa sets up at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, Nov 13 – Dec 24 — usually a shorter line than Disneyland's. The trail itself is closed Nov 1 – 12 while it's converted.
Storytellers Café (Grand Californian) runs Daisy's Holiday Pajama Party for breakfast and brunch and Mickey's Christmas Carol Feast for dinner. Goofy's Kitchen also does a holiday version (it costs more than the regular buffet). Reservations open 60 days out at about 6 AM Pacific and holiday dates go fast. Full details on our character dining guide.
Holiday menus start Nov 13 across both parks. The easy wins for kids: seasonal beignets in New Orleans Square and the small-plate marketplace booths at DCA's Festival of Holidays. Mobile-order everything — holiday food lines are long. More in our food guide.
Our week-by-week read for Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 6, 2027, built from past holiday seasons and this year's school calendars. It's a planning guide, not an official Disney forecast.
Anaheim in late November and December averages highs around 68–74°F and lows near 48–52°F. Kids go from T-shirts at noon to shivering at fireworks — pack a warm layer and a poncho. Our packing list has the rest.
One sample Disneyland day built around a midday nap. Swap pieces in and out — the order is what matters.
Holiday mornings are the calmest part of the day. Eat breakfast before you go, and dress in layers — mornings dip into the 40s.
Peter Pan isn't on Lightning Lane, so ride it first. Book small world Holiday on Multi Pass the moment you tap in.
Morning is the shortest wait. Let the kids run in the Toontown play areas afterward while one parent grabs Runaway Railway.
Head back to the hotel. Book your next Lightning Lanes from bed — Haunted Mansion Holiday if your kids are 5+.
Find a curb 25 minutes early, or skip it and ride Fantasyland while everyone's on Main Street.
Snow falls on Main Street after the fireworks. If the little one is fading, the Small World plaza is a calmer view with an easy exit.
Our itineraries cover 1–3 days with and without Lightning Lane, and the fireworks guide has the calm viewing spots.
1-day tickets are date-based, from $104 to $224. Mid-November weekdays include some of the cheapest dates of the season; the week before Christmas sits in the top tiers. Kids under 3 are free. Lightning Lane Multi Pass is about $35/person bought in advance. Details on our saving money page.
Disneyland Resort hotels are up to 20% off Sunday–Thursday nights through Dec 18, 2026 (book by Dec 15) — a nice fit for the Nov 16–19 and Dec 7–10 windows. Staying close makes the nap break easy.
For families with toddlers, small world Holiday is the highest-value Multi Pass booking of the season. Then Runaway Railway, and Haunted Mansion Holiday if your kids are 5+. Full strategy in the Lightning Lane guide.
Holidays at the Disneyland Resort run Nov 13, 2026 through Jan 6, 2027 at both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. Santa visits Nov 13 – Dec 24.
At Disneyland Park, Santa has a new spot this year: the Toontown Trolley Barn in Mickey's Toontown. At Disney California Adventure, Santa's Holiday Visit is at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. Both run Nov 13 – Dec 24, 2026.
Nov 16–19, 2026 (the Monday–Thursday after opening weekend) is the sweet spot — full decor, Santa is out, and crowds are lighter before Thanksgiving week. Nov 30 – Dec 3 and Dec 7–10 are strong runners-up. Avoid Thanksgiving week (Nov 23–29) and Dec 20 – Jan 1, when the parks often hit capacity.
It's sillier and brighter than the regular Haunted Mansion, but it's still dark, and the Oogie Boogie scene scares some 2–4 year olds. Most brave 4-year-olds and nearly all 6+ kids love it. If you're unsure, watch a ride-through video together first.
Disneyland has Believe… in Holiday Magic fireworks (with snow on Main Street afterward) and the A Christmas Fantasy parade. Disney California Adventure has World of Color – Season of Light and ¡Viva Navidad! on select days. Check the Disneyland app calendar, since show schedules vary by day.
No. Disney hasn't announced an after-hours holiday party (like the old Disney Merriest Nites) for 2026. Everything on this page is included with regular park admission, except character dining.
Yes — it's a small world is on Lightning Lane Multi Pass (about $35 per person bought in advance). During the holidays its standby line gets long, so it's one of the best Multi Pass bookings for families with toddlers.
Planning a different month? See the full 2026–2027 seasonal planner. Dates come from Disney's official holiday announcement; always confirm showtimes in the Disneyland app.