Halloween and Holiday Events at Disney and Universal in 2026: Dates, Parties and Tips for Kids

Fall is the season when theme parks put on a second costume. Pumpkins appear on Main Street, the Haunted Mansion gets a visit from Jack Skellington, and then, almost overnight, the pumpkins turn into wreaths and snow starts falling on a Florida evening. For families, it's one of the most magical times to go.

It's also the most confusing time to buy tickets. Some of the best-known events are separate, after-hours parties with their own price, while others are simply part of a regular park day. One is not meant for kids at all. Here's a clear rundown of the 2026 Halloween and holiday events at Disneyland, Walt Disney World and Universal, with dates from each resort as of October 2026.

The quick answer: ticketed party or included?

Sources are linked in each section below.

Walt Disney World

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

This is the classic: a separately ticketed evening party at Magic Kingdom with its own parade, fireworks, character meets and trick-or-treating. According to the Disney Parks Blog, the 2026 party runs on select nights from August 7 to October 31. Party guests can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4 p.m., and the party itself starts at 7 p.m.

The October nights still on the 2026 calendar after today are October 8, 9, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29 and 31. Prices vary by night, so check prices and availability on Disney World's Halloween party page before you plan around a date.

Costumes are encouraged but not required, and Disney asks guests to follow its official costume guidelines. Every guest gets a treat bag, costume or not.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

The holiday version runs on select nights from Sunday, November 8 to Tuesday, December 22, 2026. The Disney Parks Blog lists the dates as November 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 24, 25, 27, 29 and December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20 and 22.

Tickets are $189 to $229 per ticket, plus tax, depending on the night, and children ages 3 to 9 save $10 per ticket. Highlights include a holiday parade, a fireworks show and snow flurries on Main Street, U.S.A.

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

If an after-hours party doesn't fit your budget or your kids' bedtimes, EPCOT's festival is the gentler option. It returns November 27 to December 30, 2026 with holiday storytellers, seasonal food booths and the Candlelight Processional. Disney's planning Q&A notes that the festival happens during regular park hours, so a normal EPCOT ticket gets you in.

Disneyland Resort

Halloween Time

At Disneyland, the fall season is mostly part of a regular park day, which is great news for families with little ones. Halloween Time runs August 21 to October 31, 2026, and the Disney Parks Blog lists what's included with standard admission:

• Haunted Mansion Holiday, with Jack Skellington and characters from The Nightmare Before Christmas
• Mater's Graveyard JamBOOree and Luigi's Honkin' Haul-O-Ween in Cars Land
• Plaza de la Familia at Disney California Adventure, a Día de los Muertos celebration that runs a bit longer, through November 2
• Halloween Screams, the nighttime spectacular, with fireworks on select nights

Oogie Boogie Bash

Oogie Boogie Bash is Disneyland's ticketed Halloween party, held at Disney California Adventure from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on 33 nights between August 18 and October 31, with three hours of early admission to the park. Disney says the party includes trick-or-treating, character meets and unlimited PhotoPass downloads. It's a popular ticket and many nights sell out well ahead, so check Disneyland's Oogie Boogie Bash page before promising it to anyone.

Holidays at the Disneyland Resort

The holiday season at Disneyland runs November 13, 2026 to January 6, 2027, according to the resort's 2026 calendar on the Disney Parks Blog. That's a long, generous window, and the weeks before Thanksgiving and in early December are often a nice time to see the decorations.

Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood

Halloween Horror Nights: a grown-up night out

Halloween Horror Nights is Universal's huge after-dark Halloween event, with haunted houses and scare zones. In 2026 it opened at Universal Orlando on August 28 and at Universal Studios Hollywood on September 3, and both run on select nights into November 1. It needs its own ticket.

It's also the one event on this list that isn't built for kids. Universal's own event warning says Halloween Horror Nights may be too intense for young children and is not recommended for children under 13. If you have teens who love a scare, it can be a memorable night. If you have younger kids, plan a daytime park visit and let the grown-ups decide about the evening.

Holidays at Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando's holiday season runs November 14, 2026 through January 3, 2027, per the resort's announcement as reported by WFTV. It brings Christmas to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in all three parks, Grinchmas in Seuss Landing and Universal's holiday parade at Universal Studios Florida. New for 2026, Epic Universe adds holiday decor in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk.

The holiday celebration is part of a regular park day; Spectrum News 13's list of Universal's 2026 events puts it among the events included with admission. There is also a separately ticketed Universal Holiday Tour with reserved show seating and a reserved parade viewing area, which some families like for the guaranteed spot.

Tips for doing the season with kids

Decide: party night or regular day?

A party ticket buys you party-only shows, treats and a festive evening crowd. It also means a late night. Before you buy, ask:

• Can my kids handle a 4 p.m. to midnight evening? For toddlers, an included event during the day might be the happier choice.
• Is the party on a day we're already at that park? If so, many families skip the morning, rest at the hotel, and arrive at 4 p.m. fresh.
• Does the price make sense for our family size? Multiply by everyone 3 and up before you decide.

Plan around naps and bedtimes

Evening events and small children work best with a real midday break. Our post on theme park strategy with kids covers rope drop, Rider Switch and the midday rest, and our short video on planning a trip around nap times shows how we think about pacing a park day.

Costumes that work in a park

• Comfortable shoes, always (sneakers under the princess dress)
• Nothing that drags on the ground or blocks a child's view
• A layer for the evening; Florida and California nights can turn cool in late fall
• A sturdy bag for candy that won't spill on rides
• Check each resort's costume rules before you pack, especially for older kids and adults

Watch the calendar

Late October party nights and the weeks around Christmas are the busiest. If your schedule is flexible, the first weeks of the holiday season in mid-November, before Thanksgiving week, are worth a look. And if your family loves Disney history, Walt Disney World turned 55 on October 1, a fun story to share on the drive.

The bottom line

The fall and holiday season gives families two kinds of magic: the special parties that need their own ticket, and the decorations, overlays and festivals that come with a normal park day. Pick the one that fits your kids' ages and bedtimes, and lock in party tickets early if that's your plan.

Vacation Hub can hold your park days, party nights, reservations and everyone's packing list in one shared plan the family can see on their phones. If you have a question about the app, you'll reach a real person: the owner, Johnathon Lawson, answers support himself at [email protected].