Theme Park Scope

Two of Disneyland’s most beloved holiday ride overlays are officially returning for the 2026 holiday season.

Disneyland Resort has confirmed the return of Haunted Mansion Holiday and “it’s a small world” Holiday for the 2026 holiday season, bringing back two of the resort’s most iconic Christmas attraction overlays.

If you’re planning a trip to Disneyland Resort during the holidays, two fan-favorite seasonal attraction overlays are officially making their return.

Disney has confirmed that both Haunted Mansion Holiday and “it’s a small world” Holiday will once again transform classic Disneyland attractions during the 2026 holiday season. These limited-time overlays have become beloved traditions for Disneyland guests and are among the most anticipated holiday offerings at the resort each year. The Disneyland Resort holiday season is scheduled to begin on November 18, 2026, bringing festive entertainment, decorations, seasonal food, and attraction overlays throughout the resort.

One of the most iconic holiday transformations is Haunted Mansion Holiday, where Jack Skellington, Sally, Zero, and the residents of Halloween Town from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas take over the classic attraction. The overlay blends Halloween and Christmas into a unique experience featuring themed décor, holiday surprises, and a massive gingerbread house displayed inside the mansion’s ballroom scene. Disney has already confirmed that Haunted Mansion Holiday is scheduled to return beginning August 21, 2026, allowing guests to enjoy the attraction throughout both Halloween Time and the holiday season.

Since debuting in 2001, Haunted Mansion Holiday has become one of the most popular seasonal attraction overlays in Disney Parks history. For many Disneyland fans, experiencing Jack Skellington’s takeover of the mansion has become a yearly tradition and one of the defining experiences of both Halloween and Christmas at the resort.

Also returning is the beloved “it’s a small world” Holiday overlay. During the seasonal transformation, the classic Fantasyland attraction receives festive decorations throughout the ride, with dolls dressed in holiday-inspired costumes representing celebrations from around the globe. The attraction’s famous soundtrack is also enhanced with holiday music woven into the classic “it’s a small world” melody, creating one of the most recognizable Christmas experiences at Disneyland.

Outside the attraction, guests can once again expect the iconic façade to sparkle with tens of thousands of holiday lights. The illuminated exterior has become one of Disneyland’s most photographed holiday displays and serves as a centerpiece of the resort’s seasonal decorations each year.

These attraction overlays continue to be a major part of the Disneyland holiday experience, joining other returning seasonal offerings such as festive décor throughout the resort, holiday entertainment, seasonal treats, special character appearances, and the beloved “Believe…In Holiday Magic” fireworks spectacular.

For many guests, the holiday ride overlays represent the perfect blend of nostalgia and seasonal magic. Whether you’re sailing through a globe-spanning celebration aboard “it’s a small world” Holiday or exploring Jack Skellington’s merry macabre version of the Haunted Mansion, these attractions continue to deliver experiences that can only be found during the holidays at Disneyland Resort.

With the 2026 holiday season set to begin on November 18, Disneyland fans have even more reasons to start planning their holiday vacations now.

Be sure to keep checking Theme Park Scope for more Disneyland Resort holiday announcements, attraction updates, entertainment news, seasonal foodie guides, and everything you need to know before the holidays arrive at Disney Parks.