Disney World Announces 2026 Christmas Party Dates
Disney World has announced the 2026 dates for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights.
Both are separately ticketed events held after the parks close to regular guests. Your normal park ticket does not include admission, but you do not need a regular park ticket if you are only attending the party.
There are no Lightning Lanes during party hours. Rides use standby lines, and attendance is limited, but the real reason to buy a ticket is the unique entertainment, characters, shows and holiday atmosphere.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Dates
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party returns to Magic Kingdom from November 8 through December 22, 2026. Guests can enter Magic Kingdom at 4:00 PM. The party runs from 7:00 PM until midnight.
November 2026
November 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 24, 25, 27 and 29
December 2026
December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20 and 22
Very Merry is the traditional Disney Christmas party. It includes Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, holiday stage shows, special characters, attraction overlays and included cookies and drinks.
This is the better choice for families looking for the classic Magic Kingdom Christmas experience: the castle, parade, fireworks and fake snow on Main Street.
Your child gets a Christmas movie moment. Your credit card gets a supporting role.
Disney Jollywood Nights Dates
Jollywood Nights returns to Hollywood Studios from November 7, 2026, through January 5, 2027. Guests can enter Hollywood Studios at 5:30 PM. The party runs from 7:30 PM until 12:30 AM.
November 2026
November 7, 14, 16, 21, 23 and 28
December 2026
December 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21 and 23
January 2027
January 3 and 5
Jollywood Nights has more of an old-Hollywood holiday atmosphere. The event includes live music, specialty food and drinks, rare characters and party-exclusive entertainment.
Returning offerings include Disney Holidays in Hollywood, the Nightmare Before Christmas sing-along, Glisten!, the Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club, Pixar Disco and Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!
Hollywood Studios attractions are also expected to operate, including Slinky Dog Dash, Rise of the Resistance, Tower of Terror and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
No Lightning Lanes During the Parties
Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass are not available during party hours. Everyone uses standby.
Limited attendance can lead to lower waits, but I would not buy either ticket only to ride attractions. You are paying for entertainment that is not available during a normal park day.
Use shorter ride lines to fill gaps between shows, parades and character appearances. Spending the entire party riding things you could do on a regular day is an expensive way to look at Christmas decorations from a moving vehicle.
Which Party Should You Choose?
For families with young kids, I would lean toward Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. It has the parade, fireworks, castle shows and the traditional Disney Christmas atmosphere.
Jollywood Nights is a better fit for adults, older kids and repeat visitors looking for something different. It has stronger nightlife energy, more live entertainment and a better thrill-ride lineup.
Very Merry is cookies, characters and Main Street snow. Jollywood is holiday drinks, jazz and Tower of Terror.
When Do Tickets Go on Sale?
Tickets go on sale July 9, 2026, for guests staying at select Disney Resort hotels, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels and Shades of Green. General ticket sales begin July 16, 2026.
Popular dates near Thanksgiving and Christmas can sell out, so do not wait until the last minute if one night is especially important to your trip.
Bottom Line
Both Disney Christmas parties are paid add-ons, and neither includes Lightning Lane during the event.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party offers the classic Magic Kingdom Christmas experience. Jollywood Nights offers a more stylish Hollywood holiday with live entertainment, rare characters and thrill rides.
Pick the party based on the entertainment your group actually wants to see. The rides are a bonus. The exclusive holiday experiences are what you are paying for.