Guide: Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2026
Jollywood Nights is an extra-ticketed event that’s offered during the holiday season at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The holiday party offers a unique blend of entertainment, rare character appearances, and exclusive dining experiences. In our guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know for Jollywood Nights in 2026, including event dates, entry times, what’s new this year, and tips for making the most of your evening. It’s going to be one festive holiday party!
It is important to note that this guide will be updated throughout the 2026 season. Some information provided is from our experience at previous events.
2026 Jollywood Nights Dates
Disney Jollywood Nights returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on select evenings in November and December.
- November: 7, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28
- December: 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 23
- January: 3, 5
Jollywood Nights dates for 2026 were announced on June 24, 2026. We have a separate chart with ticket prices by date for the 2026 Jollywood Nights event. We’ve also started a separate list of sell-out dates for Jollywood Nights in 2026.
Guests can enter the park as early as 5:30 p.m. This gives more time to soak up the atmosphere, dine, or experience attractions before the party officially starts at 7:30 p.m. The event lasts from 7:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. This gives you up to 7 hours to enjoy the park, but exclusive party events won’t begin until 7:30 p.m.
New at Disney’s Jollywood Nights in 2026
The following new offerings have been announced for this year’s event.
- Two New Characters from Monsters, Inc. will debut at Disney’s Jollywood Nights. Guests can expect to scare up some smiles with George Sanderson and Needleman!
- Checkin’ It Twice Lounge: This new lounge will be held in Animation Courtyard during Jollywood Nights. Per the announcement, the lounge will feature specialty beverages, a DJ, and entertainment.
Jollywood Nights Entertainment
The following events will return to Jollywood Nights in 2026.
- Disney Holidays in Hollywood
- What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along
- Glisten! Skating Show
- Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!
Disney Holidays in Hollywood
Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy host this festive stage show at the Theater of the Stars on Sunset Boulevard. (This is where Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage is offered during the day.) Expect appearances by Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Belle, Tiana, and more! This darling performance blends classic Hollywood flair with a holiday twist.
Showtimes: 8:15 p.m., 9:15 p.m., 11:00 p.m., and 12:00 a.m.
What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along
This charming sing-along invites guests to step into Halloween Town and Christmas Town at the Hyperion Theater. (This is where the Frozen Sing-Along is held during regular park hours.) With Jack Skellington as your host and a gentle “snowfall” setting the scene, you’ll join in to sing favorites like What’s This and Sally’s Song.
Showtimes: 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 11:30 p.m., and 12:30 a.m.
Glisten! Skating Show
Glisten! brings holiday magic to the plaza in front of the Chinese Theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Watch world-class skaters glide, twirl, and jump rope on a glowing synthetic rink! The scene is set to classic holiday tunes and original Jollywood songs! Where else can you see skaters perform outdoors in Central Florida?
Showtimes: 8:10 p.m., 9:10 p.m., 10:30 p.m., 11:10 p.m., and 12:00 a.m.
Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!
This high-energy fireworks spectacular is exclusive to Jollywood Nights. Each evening at 10:00 p.m., watch the sky above the Chinese Theater light up with projections, lasers, fireworks, and more! Starring Wayne and Larry from Prep & Landing, the show follows their mission to save Santa. It also features scenes from Beauty and the Beast, Mickey’s Christmas Carol, and The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Dance Parties and Street Gatherings
- Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club
- Pixar Disco lights up Pixar Plaza
- Holiday Fiesta en la Calle
Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club
This 1930s-style jazz lounge allows guests to enjoy a few tunes and take a spin around the courtyard. On party evenings, you can find the Tip Top Club in the courtyard of the Hollywood Tower Hotel.
Live Music Performances: 7:30 p.m., 8:10 p.m., 8:50 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 10:30 p.m., 11:10 p.m., and 11:50 p.m.
Pixar Disco in Pixar Plaza
Step onto the dance floor in Pixar Plaza with characters like Edna Mode, Frozone, Joy, and other Pixar favorites.
Held Nightly During Jollywood Nights from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and then again from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Holiday Fiesta en la Calle
This year, the Holiday Fiesta en la Calle moves to the Coaster Courtyard on Sunset Boulevard. This lively fair brings the party to life. Expect live music, colorful decorations, and some pretty fun characters! José Carioca and Panchito Pistoles return from The Three Caballeros, joined by Miguel from Coco, who’s making his Jollywood Nights debut!
Characters
Disney has confirmed the following characters will return in 2026:
- George Sanderson and Needleman from Monsters, Inc.
- Baloo or King Louie from TaleSpin
- Lotso from Toy Story 3
- Bo Peep from the Toy Story movies
- The Mandalorian and Grogu
- Joy from Inside Out
- Phineas and Ferb
- Max Goof as Powerline
- Chip ‘n’ Dale from Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers
- Stitch dressed as Santa
- Duffy dressed as Santa
- Edna Mode and Frozone from The Incredibles
- Mike Wazowski from Monsters, Inc.
- Donald Duck and Daisy Duck
- Scrooge McDuck
- Goofy and Pluto
- Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse
Attractions
The following attractions are expected to be available during this year’s event.
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Slinky Dog Dash
- Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After
- The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure
- Alien Swirling Saucers
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Star Tours: The Adventure Continues
- Toy Story Mania!
Dining During the Party
We’ll add more dining details as they’re announced.
Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby
If you love The Hollywood Brown Derby, you’ll probably enjoy Jazzy Holidays. This reservation-recommended event allows guests to relax and enjoy craft cocktails and small plates from an exclusive menu. A live pianist sets the mood as you enjoy festive flavors in an elegant setting. Reservations are now available here on Disney’s website.
Specialty Food and Beverage
Disney will announce a food and beverage guide for Jollywood Nights later.
Merchandise
Disney has provided a special preview of this year’s Jollywood Nights merchandise. Items feature Ollie the gingerbread man, Gertie the dinosaur, and Santa Duffy. We’ve put together a look at 2026 Jollywood Nights merchandise so you know what to expect.
Final Thoughts
At nearly four years in, Jollywood Nights is still a young event, nowhere near as set in stone as Mickey’s Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. That said, the party offers a chance to enjoy a charming evening in a park we believe should always stay open late, especially at Christmas. With the glowing neon lights, jazzy holiday tunes, and nostalgic Christmas vibes, you can definitely have a good time. The rides, characters, and entertainment are a bonus. That is, if you love Hollywood Studios as we do.
If you’re going for the attractions, you can likely do well. We personally haven’t ridden anything on the evenings we’ve attended the party. Those who love characters will be delighted to find rare fan-favorites like Max Goof, Phineas and Ferb, and Santa Duffy, among others. You might not be delighted to find long lines. Our experience was extreme, but I think that’s common when you go on the first night of an event. I’ve seen plenty of reports where guests met characters with minimal waits. Your experience may vary, depending on the evening you attend.
If you’re trying to decide between Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights, that’s a tough call. I would have a hard time missing the Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. As I mentioned above, Jollywood Nights is more about the vibe and extras, while the Christmas Party entertainment truly commands the ticket price. I’m not saying that the entertainment at Jollywood Nights isn’t great. But you won’t get an incredible parade or heartwarming holiday fireworks that everyone can enjoy. (Jollywood Nights does offer fireworks.)
That said, if you’ve done the party plenty of times over the years, Jollywood Nights might be a fresh change. Who knows? You might enjoy the evening, but end up wistfully missing the Christmas Party. Sometimes it’s good to take a break and come back later with a fresh perspective.
Overall, both seasonal events offer great characters and shorter-than-average waits at attractions. If those are your “big things,” compare the two and choose the event that offers the most bang for your travel party. Regardless of what you choose, we hope you have fun!
For more Disney World planning tips, hotel guides, and holiday coverage, visit Resorts Gal again soon.
In the Comments
Are you attending Jollywood Nights this year? Let us know in the comments below or on our social media.