When Is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2026? (Dates, Prices and Tips)
Updated: 5 hours ago
Second Star Wishes is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency, and this is your guide to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2026 (often shortened to MVMCP). It's a separately ticketed holiday party at Magic Kingdom with a Christmas parade, holiday fireworks, festive rides, and free cookies and cocoa. Here are the dates, prices, and our tips for the best night.
By Andrea Napiontek, Founder and CEO | Last Updated: October 2026 | Dates and prices checked against Disney's 2026 party announcement on October 7, 2026
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In This Guide
When Is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2026?
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2026 runs on 25 select nights from November 8 through December 22, 2026 at Magic Kingdom. The party runs from 7 p.m. to midnight, and your party ticket lets you into Magic Kingdom as early as 4 p.m. that day.
2026 party nights:
November: 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 24, 25, 27, 29
December: 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22
MVMCP Quick Facts
What time does the party start? 7 p.m., but party guests can enter Magic Kingdom at 4 p.m.
Is a regular park ticket needed? No. The party ticket is separate and gets you in from 4 p.m. on your party night.
Do party nights sell out? Often, yes, especially early November and the nights closest to Christmas.
Jump to: Ticket prices | What you'll see | Is it worth it
How Much Are Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets?
Tickets for 2026 cost $189 to $229 per person plus tax, depending on the night. Kids ages 3 to 9 pay $10 less.
Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members save $10 per ticket on select nights (November 8 to 20 and November 29 to December 3).
When tickets went on sale: July 9, 2026 for guests staying at Disney Resort hotels and select partner hotels, and July 16, 2026 for everyone else.
Here's the part that trips people up: the party is NOT included in your regular park tickets or vacation package. It's a separate ticket for one specific night.
What Do You See and Do at the Christmas Party?
The party is packed with holiday-only entertainment you won't see during the regular park day:
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade: toy soldiers, dancing reindeer, gingerbread friends, and Santa himself.
Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks: a holiday fireworks show over Cinderella Castle.
Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration: a stage show with music, dancing, and characters in their holiday best.
Holiday character meet and greets: Anna and Elsa, plus Mickey, Minnie, Sally, and Santa Jack in their festive outfits.
Santa's Christmas Carnival in Storybook Circus, the perfect stop for little ones.
Free treats: complimentary cookies and hot cocoa around the park, plus "snow" falling on Main Street, U.S.A.
Which Rides Are Open During the Party?
Most of Magic Kingdom's big rides stay open, and several get a holiday makeover just for party nights:
Holiday versions: Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Speedway, Mad Tea Party, the Jungle Cruise (as the "Jingle Cruise"), and Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor.
Fan favorites that stay open: Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Haunted Mansion, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin.
Disney can adjust which rides are open each year, so we'll confirm the final list for your night.
Is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Worth It?
For families who love Christmas and want the holiday parade and fireworks, yes. The party gives you a less crowded park at night, holiday entertainment you can't get any other way, and those snowy Main Street photos.
But honestly? If your kids crash by 8 p.m. or you're on a tight budget, it may not be the right fit. Magic Kingdom still has holiday decorations during the regular day, and Disney usually adds some free Christmas entertainment the week of Christmas. Your Travel Specialist can help you decide.
What Should You Know Before You Go?
A few tips that make a big difference:
Use your 4 p.m. entry. Knock out rides or line up for popular characters before the party officially starts.
Plan your parade and fireworks spots. The parade travels from Frontierland to Main Street, U.S.A., so there are lots of good viewing areas.
Dress in layers. Florida nights in November and December can get chilly.
Plan for that holiday card photo. Snowy Main Street makes a perfect backdrop.
Book early. Popular nights sell out, so lock in tickets as soon as you know your dates.
TIP: Disney has offered a separately priced fireworks dessert party during the Christmas party in past years. Ask your Travel Specialist whether it's available for 2026 and if it's worth it for your crew.
Looking for Disney's own party preview? Our free Disney Pocket Guides page links to Disney's official party guide.
Planning more than the party? Our Disney World Christmas 2026 guide covers holiday fun in every park, the Candlelight Processional narrators, Jollywood Nights, and the least crowded weeks to go.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Can you go to Magic Kingdom earlier in the day and stay for the party?
Only if you have a regular park ticket for that day too. The party ticket alone lets you in at 4 p.m.
What is the least crowded night of the Christmas party?
Early and mid-November nights are often a bit lighter, but they're also popular with locals and can sell out. Your Travel Specialist can help you pick.
Are the cookies and hot cocoa really free?
Yes. Complimentary cookies and hot cocoa are included with your party ticket at stations around the park.
Is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party good for toddlers?
It can be, with a plan. The parade, Santa's Christmas Carnival, and character meets are toddler-friendly, but the party runs until midnight, so plan on naps.
Meeting characters at the party? Our Tips for Meeting Disney Pals in the Parks shows exactly what to say so every meet feels real, not awkward.
Want to know the exact morning your dining reservations open? Try our free Disney Dining Reservation Calculator. Just enter your trip dates.
How Can a Second Star Wishes Travel Specialist Plan Your Christmas Party Night?
We help you pick the best party night for your trip, line up your tickets, and map out your evening so you catch the parade, fireworks, and must-see characters without running in circles. We'll also share any room discounts available for your holiday Disney World stay.
Looking for a Disney World travel agent? That's us. Your Second Star Wishes Travel Specialist plans Walt Disney World holiday trips for families everywhere from our home base in Daphne, Alabama, on the Gulf Coast.
Tell us your travel dates and who's coming, and we'll help you plan a merry night.
Let us turn your holiday Disney wishes into reality!
📧 info@secondstarwishes.com
☎️ 800-365-3130
About the Author: Andrea Napiontek, CTA
Andrea is the founding owner and CEO of Second Star Wishes, a boutique travel agency she started in 2015 in Daphne, Alabama. She's a Certified Travel Associate (CTA), a Magellan Award recipient, and an ASTA member and mentor, with specialist training in Disney destinations, Mexico, the Caribbean, Alaska, and Europe. Before travel, she worked in education and counseling, which is why every plan starts with really listening. Home base is the Gulf Coast with her husband and three kids...when she's not off on a new adventure. Second Star Wishes is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency.
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