Last updated on September 28th, 2026 at 08:40 am
Disney Festival of Holidays returns to Disney California Adventure November 13, 2026 through January 6, 2027 with festive food, live entertainment and holiday traditions celebrating cultures from around the world.
I go back to Festival of Holidays every year, and while the food gets a lot of attention, there is much more happening here than just the Festive Foods Marketplaces. You can spend a good portion of your California Adventure day eating, listening to live music, watching holiday entertainment and enjoying the seasonal atmosphere.
Use this guide for the 2026 Festival of Holidays dates, Sip & Savor Pass details, food marketplace tips and planning advice. For a deeper look at shows like Disney ¡Viva Navidad!, Mickey’s Happy Holidays and World of Color – Season of Light, head to my Disneyland Holiday Shows & Entertainment guide.
This article was originally published in 2022 and is updated annually for Disney Festival of Holidays.
Festival of Holidays 2026: Quick Guide
- Dates: November 13, 2026 through January 6, 2027
- Where: Disney California Adventure Park
- Regular Admission: Festival entertainment is included with valid park admission and a reservation.
- Food: Six Festive Foods Marketplaces plus additional seasonal items around the park
- Sip & Savor Pass: Optional; includes digital coupons for eligible food and nonalcoholic beverages
- My Tip: Don’t try to eat everything in one afternoon. Share dishes and spread Festival food and entertainment throughout your Disneyland vacation.
What Is Disney Festival of Holidays?
Disney Festival of Holidays is Disney California Adventure’s seasonal celebration of holiday traditions through food, music, dance, Disney Characters and live entertainment.
The festival highlights traditions connected to Christmas, Navidad, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day. While the entire Disneyland Resort celebrates the holidays, Festival of Holidays itself takes place at Disney California Adventure.
The festival is included with your regular Disney California Adventure admission. Food, beverages and merchandise cost extra.
Disney Festival of Holidays 2026 Dates
Disney Festival of Holidays runs November 13, 2026 through January 6, 2027, the same dates as the broader Holidays at Disneyland Resort celebration.
You do not need a special Festival ticket, but you do need valid Disney California Adventure admission and a park reservation for the same date.
Festival of Holidays Sip & Savor Pass
The Festival of Holidays Sip & Savor Pass is designed for guests who want to sample several festival dishes without paying for each eligible item separately.
For 2026, the pass includes 6 digital coupons loaded onto a scannable credential. Each coupon can be redeemed for one eligible tasting-size food item or nonalcoholic beverage at participating Festival Marketplaces and select dining locations.
This is different from older versions of Sip & Savor where you physically detached tabs from the pass.
How Does the Sip & Savor Pass Work?
How to Use Sip & Savor in 2026
- Purchase a Sip & Savor Pass.
- Choose an eligible festival item. Not every menu item qualifies.
- Have a Cast Member scan your pass.
- Enter the 4-digit code printed on the pass when you’re ready to redeem one digital coupon.
- Check your receipt to see how many digital coupons remain.
Can You Share a Sip & Savor Pass?
Yes. Disney specifically allows guests to share a pass, which is exactly how I like to do Festival of Holidays with family or friends. Sharing lets everyone taste more dishes without each person buying an entire pass.
Keep in mind that only one Sip & Savor Pass can be used in a single transaction.
Is There a Magic Key Discount?
Magic Key holders can receive a special Sip & Savor price and lanyard when they show a valid Magic Key pass at purchase.
Is the Sip & Savor Pass Worth It?
Don’t automatically assume the pass saves money. Look at what you actually want to eat first.
I like to compare the price of the pass with the individual prices of my top six eligible items. The best value usually comes from using your coupons on the more expensive eligible dishes rather than cheaper drinks or snacks.
My tip: Choose your food before redeeming anything. I’ve seen plenty of people use their first coupon on a lower-priced item and then realize later they could have saved more by paying cash for that item instead.
Festival of Holidays Tasting Passport
The Tasting Passport is different from the Sip & Savor Pass.
The Tasting Passport is a free festival guide that traditionally includes marketplace menus, a map and other seasonal details to help you keep track of what you’d like to try.
Disney Festival of Holidays Food
Food is a huge part of Festival of Holidays. In 2026, Disney has confirmed six Festive Foods Marketplaces featuring new dishes and returning favorites inspired by holiday traditions and flavors.
Disney has not released every final 2026 menu detail yet, so I’m not going to fill this guide with last year’s menu and make you guess what’s returning.
Once the full 2026 menus are released, I’ll update this section with my favorites and photos from this year’s festival.
In the meantime, you can see my full guide to Disneyland holiday desserts and Festival of Holidays treats.
How to Save Time at the Festival Food Marketplaces
Don’t miss this tip: you don’t necessarily have to order each dish at the booth where you’ll pick it up.
Disney allows guests to purchase available Festive Foods Marketplace items from one participating marketplace and then take the receipt to the individual marketplace pickup windows.
That means you can sometimes place several food orders at once instead of standing in a separate ordering line at every booth.
My Festival Food Strategy
- Look at menus before you’re hungry. Decide what you actually want instead of ordering whatever booth you happen to reach first.
- Share dishes. Festival portions are made for tasting, and sharing lets you try more.
- Order ahead when available. Buy eligible marketplace items at one booth and pick them up from the appropriate locations.
- Use Sip & Savor strategically. Redeem coupons on higher-priced eligible foods when possible.
- Don’t save everything for dinner. Spread snacks and small plates throughout the day.
Some of My Favorite Festival of Holidays Food
The menu changes every year, so consider these inspiration rather than a promise that every dish will return in 2026.
I’ve eaten my way through quite a few Festival of Holidays menus over the years, and these are some of the dishes I’ve photographed and enjoyed.
Beef Brisket Slider and Chorizo Queso Fundido are the kind of savory marketplace dishes I love because they’re easy to share and feel more substantial than another holiday dessert.
Braised Pork Belly Adobo has also been a winner for marketplace dishes from past seasons.
Barbacoa Tamal de Res is another great example of how Festival of Holidays goes well beyond traditional Christmas flavors.
And yes, you’ll usually find some kind of comforting mac and cheese creation somewhere in the festival lineup.
Holiday Mash Bowls and other Thanksgiving-inspired combinations also tend to show up throughout the season.
The important thing is that Festival of Holidays menus change every year. Use these photos to get an idea of the type of food offered, then check the current year’s menu before deciding where to spend those Sip & Savor coupons.
Festival of Holidays Entertainment
Festival of Holidays is not just a food festival. Disney California Adventure also has live music, character entertainment and cultural performances throughout the season.
For 2026, confirmed entertainment includes Mickey’s Happy Holidays, Holiday Toy Drummers, live performances at Paradise Garden Bandstand, Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season, A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel and Disney ¡Viva Navidad!.
I’ve moved my detailed viewing strategies into one dedicated guide so this article can stay focused on the overall festival.
See my complete Disneyland Holiday Shows & Entertainment guide here.
Mickey’s Happy Holidays
Mickey Mouse and friends dance through California Adventure to the rhythms of the Holiday Toy Drummers during Mickey’s Happy Holidays.
I especially like watching around Carthay Circle. I’ve found it easier to get a good view there without spending a huge amount of time waiting.
Holiday Toy Drummers and Live Music
Holiday Toy Drummers and rotating musical groups perform throughout Festival of Holidays, including live entertainment at Paradise Garden Bandstand.
I don’t usually schedule my entire day around these smaller performances. One of my favorite Festival of Holidays experiences is simply grabbing something to eat and sitting near whatever live music is happening nearby.
Disney ¡Viva Navidad!
Disney ¡Viva Navidad! celebrates Latin American holiday traditions with music, dance, Disney Characters and food in Paradise Gardens Park.
The Street Party is one of my absolute favorite holiday shows, but since I’ve now combined my full Viva Navidad review and viewing strategy into my entertainment guide, read all of my Viva Navidad tips here.
Meet Santa During Festival of Holidays
Santa Claus visits Redwood Creek Challenge Trail during the holiday season through December 24.
I’ve met Santa here several times and like this location because the woodsy setting and surrounding activities make it feel like more than a quick photo stop.
See all Disneyland Santa locations and my meeting Santa tips here.
Three Kings Day at Disney Festival of Holidays
Festival of Holidays ends with Three Kings Day on January 6, 2027.
Head to Paradise Gardens for décor and a photo opportunity commemorating Día de los Reyes Magos and the tradition of the Three Wise Men.
This is especially useful to know if you’re visiting after Christmas. The holiday season isn’t over on December 26—Festival of Holidays continues into early January.
How Much Time Should You Spend at Festival of Holidays?
You could easily spend several hours experiencing Festival of Holidays, especially if you want to sample food and watch multiple performances.
I don’t recommend treating it like an attraction checklist where you have to complete everything.
How I Fit Festival of Holidays Into My Day
- Morning: Focus on attractions while lines are shorter.
- Late morning: Look over the marketplace menus and decide what you want to eat.
- Lunch and afternoon: Share Festival foods and catch live entertainment nearby.
- Weekend visit: Make Disney ¡Viva Navidad! a priority if it’s on your list.
- Evening: Finish with World of Color – Season of Light if you’re staying in California Adventure for the night.
Is Disney Festival of Holidays Worth It?
Yes, especially if Disney California Adventure is already part of your Disneyland holiday trip.
You don’t have to purchase a Sip & Savor Pass or spend your entire day eating to enjoy the festival. The live entertainment, decorations and cultural celebrations are included with admission.
I think Festival of Holidays works best when you let it enhance your park day rather than trying to make every food booth and performance another item on your to-do list.
Disney Festival of Holidays FAQ
When is Disney Festival of Holidays in 2026?
Disney Festival of Holidays runs November 13, 2026 through January 6, 2027 at Disney California Adventure Park.
Is Disney Festival of Holidays included with admission?
Yes. Festival entertainment and activities are included with valid Disney California Adventure admission and a park reservation. Food, drinks and merchandise cost extra.
How many Festival of Holidays food marketplaces are there in 2026?
Disney has confirmed six Festive Foods Marketplaces for the 2026 Festival of Holidays.
What is included with the Sip & Savor Pass?
The 2026 Sip & Savor Pass includes six digital coupons that can be redeemed for eligible tasting-size food items and nonalcoholic beverages at participating Festival Marketplaces and dining locations.
Can two people share a Sip & Savor Pass?
Yes. Disney allows guests to share a Sip & Savor Pass. Only one pass can be used in a single transaction.
Do I need the Sip & Savor Pass to eat Festival food?
No. You can purchase Festival of Holidays food individually without buying a Sip & Savor Pass.
Is Disney ¡Viva Navidad! part of Festival of Holidays?
Yes. Disney ¡Viva Navidad! is part of the holiday celebration at Disney California Adventure. The Street Party is scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays during the 2026 holiday season.
Does Festival of Holidays continue after Christmas?
Yes. Festival of Holidays continues through January 6, 2027, ending with Three Kings Day.
Plan Your Disneyland Holiday Trip
Festival of Holidays is one part of a much bigger holiday season around Disneyland Resort.
Start with my Disneyland Holidays guide for an overview of everything happening around the resort, or use my Holiday Shows & Entertainment guide to plan the parade, fireworks, Viva Navidad and World of Color.
And if food is your priority, don’t miss my Disneyland holiday desserts guide.
Compare Disneyland ticket prices with my partners at Get Away Today here.
