Visiting Disneyland in November 2026: Holidays at the Disneyland Resort, and more!
The holidays arrive at Disneyland in November! Typically, during the second week of the month, the holiday decor arrives, and it feels a lot like Christmas in the California theme parks. Holiday overlays, parades, shows, and even “snow” can be found throughout the entire Disneyland Resort. Weekends will likely be busy, and the crowds will definitely pick up as it gets closer to Thanksgiving. But with a little bit of pre-planning, November can be a wonderful time to visit Disneyland!
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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!
November At-a-Glance
- Disneyland in November will be cooler, but pleasant. Layers are an excellent way to be prepared for warmer afternoons and cooler evenings. It is also worth noting that this month marks the beginning of the rainy season. Ponchos may be a good item to bring with you!
- Disney typically begins the festivities during the second week of November. So if you want to enjoy the holidays without the crazy Christmas crowds, November (before Thanksgiving) can be a wonderful time to visit.
- The holidays at the Disneyland Resort are very popular, and crowds should be expected. That being said, November should be less crowded than December. Weekends will be busier with locals, Veterans’ Day Weekend could also see an increase in crowds, and Thanksgiving week will be very busy.
November Events
Veteran’s Day is honored at Disneyland each year with a larger flag retreat ceremony. This features the Dapper Dans and the Disneyland Band and is held daily in the park. But for Veterans’ Day, the festivities include Disneyland Cast Members who are veterans (or are in the reserves). Sometimes a military band is also in attendance.
Thanksgiving: Even though it seems as if Disneyland goes straight from Halloween to Christmas, Thanksgiving does not get forgotten. Thanksgiving meals are offered at select fine dining locations.
Dapper Day arrives at Disneyland on November 22, 2026, and active and retired service members are encouraged to wear their dress uniforms! This is an unofficial event at the park with a “pop-up shop” at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel held November 21-22.
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.
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 Refurbishments & Closures
*We’ve included all current refurbishments here on this list… even ones that may be open in time for November 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.
November Weather
Disneyland in November will be cooler, but pleasant. The average high is 70 degrees, and the low is typically around 53 degrees. Layers are an excellent way to be prepared for warmer afternoons and cooler evenings. It is also worth noting that this month marks the beginning of the rainy season. Ponchos are a great way to be prepared!
November 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.
The holidays at the Disneyland Resort are very popular, and crowds should be expected. That being said, Disney typically begins the festivities during the second week of November. So if you want to enjoy the holidays without the crazy Christmas crowds, November (before Thanksgiving) can be a wonderful time to visit. Weekends will be busier with locals, and Thanksgiving week will be very busy.
Ready to Start Planning Your Visit to Disneyland in November?
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!
