Visiting Disneyland in December 2026: Holidays at the Disneyland Resort, and more!
If you love the holidays, you will love Disneyland in December! No one does the holidays like Disney, and the entire Disneyland Resort is filled with holiday decor and festivities. It should be no surprise that this month sees an increase in crowds, especially as winter breaks begin and Christmas approaches. But with a little bit of pre-planning, December can be a magical time to visit the Disneyland Resort!
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Planning a Disneyland vacation in 2026? Be sure to check out our guide to all that the Disneyland Resort has to offer this year, including the Disneyland Half Marathon, special ticketed events, holiday festivities, and more!
December At-a-Glance
- The weather in December is a bit cooler. Evenings will almost definitely require some layering as they can be quite chilly. Rain will also be a factor, as this is considered a rainy month for California.
- December is one of the busiest months of the year. So if you’re planning on visiting the Disneyland Resort to enjoy the holidays, be prepared for crowds. That being said, weekdays during the first two weeks of the month will be less busy when compared to later in the month.
- The holidays are such a fun time to visit the Disneyland Resort! You will want to visit with a plan due to the crowds, however. And be sure to make dining reservations early!
December Events
November 28 through Early January – Holidays at Disneyland Resort: Throughout the season, the entire resort is transformed into a winter wonderland. Guests can enjoy the Christmas Fantasy Parade, take a holiday-themed ride through “it’s a small world,” watch the stunning “Believe…In Holiday Magic” fireworks show, admire the magical Wintertime Enchantment at Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, and check out the spooky-but-festive Haunted Mansion Holiday, along with many other Disney holiday experiences.
California Adventure embraces the holiday season as well with festive decorations, including a 50-foot Christmas tree on Buena Vista Street. Cars Land gets a holiday makeover with special overlays like Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl, where cars dance to holiday tunes, and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree, complete with festive decor and music.
November 18 through Early January – Disney California Adventure Festival of the Holidays: Celebrate the holiday season at California Adventure with seasonal overlays, food booths, and international flavors.
December Refurbishments & Closures
*We’ve included all current refurbishments here on this list… even ones that may be open in time for December 2026. (Please note that this list could change at a moment’s notice.)
Disneyland Park
- Jungle Cruise is currently closed for refurbishment. No opening date has been announced.
- Disneyland Monorail will be temporarily closed beginning March 30, 2026.
- Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin will be temporarily closed beginning March 30, 2026.
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters will be temporarily closed beginning April 13, 2026.
California Adventure Park
- Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! has permanently ended.
- Grizzly River Run is closed for refurbishment. A reopening date has yet to be announced (likely spring as the weather warms up).
- Toy Story Midway Main will be closed beginning April 6, 2026. An opening date has yet to be announced.
- Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! will be permanently closing in 2027 to make room for a new Avatar-themed area.
December Weather
The weather in December is a bit cooler. The average high is 67 degrees, and the low is typically around 48 degrees. Evenings will almost definitely require some layering as they can be quite chilly. Rain will also be a factor, as this is considered a rainy month for California. Bringing ponchos to the parks would be an excellent idea, especially if you don’t want to pay a premium price for ponchos or umbrellas inside the parks.
December Disneyland Crowds
Crowd calendars are very popular, but they can also be a bit unpredictable. While they can be a big help in planning your trip, keep in mind that they are predictions at best. When anticipating future crowds, we take a look at events, school calendars, ticket prices, park hours, holidays, and typical monthly patterns. Unfortunately, our estimates cannot predict other things such as weather, travel advisories, pandemics, or last-minute openings or closings of shows and attractions.
Disneyland will be busy in December. If you want to avoid the worst of the crowds, try to visit during the first two weeks of the month and on weekdays if possible. Weekends throughout the month will be busy as many locals try to take advantage of the holiday festivities. Winter break will also be very busy, so be prepared for Christmas crowds!
Ready to Start Planning Your Visit to Disneyland in December?
Here are some resources to help you get started!
Disneyland Dining Guides:
Disneyland Attraction Guides:
Planning your first Disneyland vacation? Be sure to visit my step-by-step guide to get started!
