Your Complete Guide to 2026 Holidays at Walt Disney World
It's happening — the most magical time of year at Walt Disney World is almost here, and I could not be more excited to break it all down for you. Between Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, the brand-new-ish Jollywood Nights, and the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, there is SO much to plan for. So grab your coffee (or your peppermint mocha, let's be honest) and let's get into it.
Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 holiday season at Disney World — dates, tickets, and all the details.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2026
This one is the OG, friends. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party has been a Magic Kingdom holiday tradition since 1983, and it's still one of the most magical nights you can have in the parks.
Dates: Select nights from November 8 through December 22, 2026 (25 nights total)
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
Party Hours: 7:00 PM to midnight, with early entry to Magic Kingdom starting at 4:00 PM (this means if you are spending the day at this park and do not have party tickets, you will be required to leave by 7:00 PM).
Ticket Prices: $189–$229 per person, plus tax (pricing varies by date). Kids ages 3–9 save $10 per ticket, and Annual Passholders/DVC Members save $10 per ticket on select dates (Nov 8–20 and Nov 29–Dec 3).
When Tickets Go On Sale:
July 9, 2026 — for guests staying at select Disney Resort hotels, Swan and Dolphin, and Shades of Green (Yes, TOMORROW!!!)
July 16, 2026 — for everyone else
What's Included:
Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration stage show
Frozen Holiday Surprise
Snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A.
Rare character meet-and-greets (including Jack Skellington as Santa!)
Complimentary cookies and hot cocoa throughout the night
Holiday overlays on Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise, and more
Katie's Tip: Every single night sold out in 2025, so don't wait on this one, friends. If you know your travel dates, I'd start locking in your party ticket the moment your window opens.
Disney Jollywood Nights 2026
If you haven't experienced Jollywood Nights yet, this is the more grown-up, glamorous sister to MVMCP over at Hollywood Studios — and this year it's running longer than ever.
Dates: Select nights from November 7, 2026 through January 5, 2027 (15 nights total) — the first time this event has ever run into January!
Party Hours: 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM, with early entry to Hollywood Studios starting at 5:30 PM
Ticket Prices: $169–$199 per person, plus tax. Kids ages 3–9 save $10 per ticket, and Annual Passholders/DVC Members save $10 per ticket on all event nights.
When Tickets Go On Sale:
July 9, 2026 — for select Disney Resort hotel guests
July 16, 2026 — for everyone else
What's Included:
"Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!" nighttime spectacular over the Chinese Theater
"Glisten!" — a dazzling ice-skating show set to holiday music
"Disney Holidays in Hollywood" hosted by Kermit and Miss Piggy
The Nightmare Before Christmas sing-along at the Hyperion Theater
Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club (1930s swing vibes, y'all)
Character lineup including Stitch as Santa, Chewbacca celebrating Life Day, and The Mandalorian with Grogu
Nine open attractions with shorter waits, including Rise of the Resistance and Slinky Dog Dash
Katie's Tip: This party leans a little more toward date nights or adult trips with all the craft cocktails and swanky lounges — but it's still totally family-friendly too. If you want a quieter, less crowded holiday party vibe compared to MVMCP, this might be your pick.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays 2026
This one is my personal favorite for a slower, more soul-filling kind of holiday magic. Unlike the two ticketed parties above, this festival is included with your regular EPCOT admission!
Dates: November 27 through December 30, 2026 (starts the day after Thanksgiving)
Cost: Included with regular EPCOT park admission. Food and beverages at the Holiday Kitchens are an additional cost.
What's Included:
Candlelight Processional — a heartfelt retelling of the Christmas story with a celebrity narrator, full orchestra, and mass choir at America Gardens Theatre (2026 narrators haven't been announced yet, but I'll update you when they are!)
Holiday Storytellers throughout World Showcase, sharing traditions from countries around the world
Gingerbread Spaceship Earth display with the Celebration Countdown light show every 15 minutes
Holiday Cookie Stroll — buy five qualifying cookies, collect stamps, and redeem for a treat
Living with the Land: Glimmering Greenhouses holiday boat ride overlay
JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season — gospel, jazz, and R&B performances celebrating Christmas and Kwanzaa
Santa appearances throughout World Showcase, including Père Noël in France and Barn Santa in Norway
Holiday Kitchens with festive food and drinks from around the globe
Katie's Tip: Because this one doesn't require a separate ticket, it's such a great option if you're budget-conscious but still want that full holiday experience. Pair an EPCOT day during the festival with dinner at one of the Holiday Kitchens and you've got yourself a magical (and reasonably priced) night.
So... Which One Should You Choose?
If I had to break it down simply:
Want the classic, iconic Disney Christmas experience? Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is your pick.
Want something a little more glam, adult, and less crowded? Jollywood Nights is calling your name.
Want holiday magic without the extra ticket price? The EPCOT Festival of the Holidays is a must.
Honestly? If your trip lines up right, I always encourage my clients to try to experience more than one. Each one brings something completely different to the table, and together they make Walt Disney World feel like an entirely different kind of magical during the holidays.
Ready to Plan Your Holiday Trip?
Tickets for both MVMCP and Jollywood Nights open July 9 for Disney Resort hotel guests and July 16 for everyone else — and if last year is any indication, dates will sell out fast. If you want help navigating all of this (because friend, I know it's a lot), this is exactly what I'm here for.
xoxo,
Katie
Ready to plan your 2026 holiday trip to Walt Disney World? Reach out and let's start building your magical holiday itinerary.