Hey Thrill Seekers,

Disney has officially unveiled the dates and first details for Disney Jollywood Nights 2026, and this year’s event comes with a major surprise.

For the first time since the event debuted, Disney Jollywood Nights will extend into January, giving guests even more opportunities to experience the glitz, glamour and festive cheer that has quickly made the event one of Walt Disney World’s most popular holiday offerings.

Returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on select nights from November through January, Jollywood Nights blends old Hollywood elegance with Christmas celebrations, rare characters, exclusive entertainment and lower wait times for some of the park’s biggest attractions.

If you’re planning a Christmas trip to Orlando, this is one event you’ll want firmly on your radar.

📅When Is Disney Jollywood Nights 2026?

Disney has confirmed the following event dates:

November 2026

• 7
• 14
• 16
• 21
• 23
• 28

December 2026

• 5
• 7
• 12
• 14
• 19
• 21
• 23

January 2027

• 3
• 5

The January dates are a notable addition and suggest Disney has growing confidence in the event following its increasingly positive reception from guests.

🐭What Exactly Is Disney Jollywood Nights?

Unlike Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom, Jollywood Nights offers a more sophisticated holiday atmosphere inspired by Hollywood’s golden age.

The event combines:

Disney describes the event as a blend of “old Hollywood glam and festive fun,” and that’s exactly what sets it apart from the more traditional family-focused celebrations found elsewhere at Walt Disney World.

🎬Disney Holidays in Hollywood Returns

One of the standout entertainment offerings is once again returning in 2026.

At the Theatre of the Stars, guests can enjoy Disney Holidays in Hollywood, hosted by none other than Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy.

The festive musical spectacular features appearances from:

• Mickey Mouse
• Minnie Mouse
• Belle
• Tiana
• Other Disney favourites

The show has become one of the event’s signature experiences and feels particularly special following the recent debut of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.

🩻Nightmare Before Christmas Fans Are in for a Treat

Returning for 2026 is:

What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along

Held inside the Hyperion Theater, the show celebrates the beloved holiday classic and allows guests to sing along with favourite songs while enjoying festive effects and “snowfall” throughout the venue.

For many guests, it’s become one of the most unique Christmas offerings anywhere at Walt Disney World.

❄️Glisten! Continues to Impress

Another returning favourite is:

Glisten!

This holiday skating spectacular takes place in front of the Chinese Theater and combines:

• Professional skaters
• Christmas music
• Projection effects
• Art Deco styling

It’s one of the most visually distinctive entertainment offerings Disney produces during the festive season.

🐶Rare Characters Return

One of the biggest draws of Jollywood Nights remains the character lineup.

Disney has confirmed appearances from:

• Phineas and Ferb
• Max Goof as Powerline
• Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers
• Stitch dressed as Santa
• Baloo and King Louie
• The Mandalorian and Grogu
• Chewbacca celebrating Life Day
• Lotso
• Partysaurus Rex
• Bing Bong
• Duffy
• Scrooge McDuck
• Mickey and Minnie
• Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto

And Disney has teased that additional characters will be announced later.

🔔Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Is Back

The event’s nighttime spectacular returns once again.

Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! combines:

The show follows Wayne and Lanny from Prep & Landing as they attempt to rescue Santa Claus and has become one of Disney’s most underrated Christmas fireworks experiences.

🎉Major Attractions Open During the Event

One of the biggest advantages of Jollywood Nights is the opportunity to experience popular rides with significantly shorter waits.

Disney has confirmed these attractions will be available:

• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Star Tours
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Toy Story Mania!
• Alien Swirling Saucers

For many guests, this alone can justify the cost of admission.

🎄How Is Jollywood Nights Different from Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?

This is one of the most common questions we receive.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

• Traditional Disney Christmas atmosphere
• Magic Kingdom
• Christmas parade
• Cookies and hot chocolate
• Family-focused entertainment

Jollywood Nights

• Hollywood glamour theme
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Cocktail lounges and specialty dining
• Rare characters
• More adult-friendly atmosphere
• Lower attraction wait times

Many visitors now attend both events during their Christmas holiday.

🎫Ticket Information

Disney has confirmed the following sales dates:

Early Access

9 July 2026

Available to guests staying at:

• Disney Resort hotels
• Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels
• Shades of Green

General Sale

16 July 2026

Jollywood Nights remains a limited-capacity event, and some dates are expected to sell out.

👉Discover Disney World Theme Park Tickets

🎬Our Take

When Disney first launched Jollywood Nights, many fans weren’t sure what to expect.

Fast forward to 2026 and the event has firmly established its own identity.

The extension into January, returning entertainment, expanded character offerings and access to some of Hollywood Studios’ most popular attractions suggest Disney sees Jollywood Nights as a key part of its holiday lineup moving forward.

For guests looking for something a little different from the traditional Disney Christmas experience, Jollywood Nights may now be the best holiday event at Walt Disney World.

Quick Facts

Topic	Details
Event	Disney Jollywood Nights 2026
Location	Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Dates	7 Nov 2026 – 5 Jan 2027
Event Hours	7:30pm – 12:30am
Early Entry	5:30pm
General Ticket Sales	16 July
Resort Guest Sales	9 July
Fireworks Included	Yes
Rare Characters	Yes
Attraction Access	Yes

❓Frequently Asked Questions

What is Disney Jollywood Nights?

A separately ticketed Christmas event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios featuring entertainment, characters, festive décor and reduced attraction waits.

When does Jollywood Nights start in 2026?

The first event takes place on 7 November 2026.

Is Jollywood Nights extending into January?

Yes. For the first time, Disney has announced January event dates.

What rides are open?

Major attractions including Rise of the Resistance, Tower of Terror, Slinky Dog Dash and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets will operate during the event.

Is Jollywood Nights worth it?

For guests who enjoy exclusive entertainment, rare characters and shorter attraction waits, many consider it one of Disney World’s best seasonal events.

📝Summary

Disney has announced that Disney Jollywood Nights 2026 will take place on 15 select nights between 7 November 2026 and 5 January 2027, marking the first time the event has extended into the new year. Guests can enter Hollywood Studios from 5:30pm, with festivities running from 7:30pm until 12:30am.

Returning experiences include:

• Disney Holidays in Hollywood featuring Kermit and Miss Piggy
• What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along
• Glisten! holiday skating spectacular
• Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! fireworks
• Rare character meet-and-greets
• Holiday-themed entertainment across the park
• Lower wait times on major attractions including Rise of the Resistance and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.

Tickets go on sale from 9 July for eligible Disney Resort guests and 16 July for all other visitors.

Smiles included…

Jamie

Written by the Orlando Attraction Tickets editorial team, bringing you the latest Walt Disney World news, Christmas event announcements and expert Orlando holiday planning advice.