Disney Jollywood Nights is Hollywood Studios in a tuxedo. For five hours on select evenings, Disney’s Hollywood Studios trades its daytime hustle for snowfall on Hollywood Boulevard, a skating show in front of the Chinese Theater, a jazz-age lounge in the courtyard of the Hollywood Tower Hotel and a fireworks-and-projection finale that turns a movie palace into a screen. Characters you rarely see anywhere else turn up in Pixar Plaza, nine popular attractions keep running with short lines, and the whole thing wraps up well after midnight.
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Jollywood Nights 2026 is the fourth year of the event, and it is the biggest yet: 15 nights between November 7, 2026 and January 5, 2027, including two January dates for the first time. Tickets run from $169 to $199 per person plus tax, which makes it one of the pricier evenings on the Walt Disney World calendar. That price raises a fair question for experienced travelers, namely what exactly you get for it. This guide answers that question in full, covering every show, character, ride, drink, snack and souvenir that is part of Jollywood Nights 2026, and it ends with honest strategy about who the party suits best. If you are also weighing the Magic Kingdom alternative, read our guide to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2026 alongside this one.
2026 status check: Details below were checked on November 13, 2026 against Disney’s official Jollywood Nights page, the Disney Parks Blog and published showtimes. Several nights have already sold out, and Disney notes that tickets may not be available on the day of the event. Showtimes, menus and character lineups can change, so confirm everything in My Disney Experience on your event date.
Jollywood Nights 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | Confirmed 2026 information |
|---|---|
| Location | Disney’s Hollywood Studios |
| Dates | 15 select nights, November 7, 2026 through January 5, 2027 |
| Event hours | 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. |
| Early entry | From 5:30 p.m. on your event date, with no separate park ticket or park reservation required |
| Ticket price | $169 to $199 per person, plus tax, depending on the date |
| Discounts | Children ages 3 to 9 save $10; Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members save $10 on any event night |
| Included with ticket | Event entry, shows, character experiences, shorter attraction waits and Disney PhotoPass downloads |
| Not included | Food, drinks and merchandise, all of which cost extra |
| Where to buy | The official Disney World event page or Disney Central at 407-934-7639 |
Jollywood Nights 2026 Dates and Ticket Prices
Jollywood Nights is a limited-capacity event, and Disney prices each night separately. The calendar leans on Saturdays and Mondays in November, adds Wednesdays in late December, and finishes with a Sunday and a Tuesday in January.
| Date | Day | Ticket price (plus tax) |
|---|---|---|
| November 7 | Saturday | $179 |
| November 14 | Saturday | $179 |
| November 16 | Monday | $169 |
| November 21 | Saturday | $189 |
| November 23 | Monday | $194 |
| November 28 | Saturday | $199 |
| December 5 | Saturday | $194 |
| December 7 | Monday | $194 |
| December 12 | Saturday | $199 |
| December 14 | Monday | $199 |
| December 19 | Saturday | $199 |
| December 21 | Monday | $199 |
| December 23 | Wednesday | $199 |
| January 3 | Sunday | Check Disney’s ticket page |
| January 5 | Tuesday | Check Disney’s ticket page |
Budget Watch: A family of four with two children under 10 pays roughly $650 to $780 before tax for tickets alone, and every drink, snack and souvenir is extra. Children ages 3 to 9 save $10 per ticket, and Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members save $10 on any night, so those discounts are worth claiming but they do not change the basic math.
How Tickets and Entry Work
Jollywood Nights is a separately ticketed event, which means your event ticket is the only admission you need. You do not need a daytime theme park ticket or a park reservation, and your ticket lets you walk into Disney’s Hollywood Studios as early as 5:30 p.m. on your date. Until the party begins at 7:30 p.m., the park is shared with regular daytime guests, and that two-hour window is a useful time to ride, eat dinner and claim a good spot before the shows begin.
Capacity is capped, and sellouts are common. Opening night on November 7 and several other dates have already been reported sold out, while some December evenings still had tickets at last check. Tickets originally went on sale July 9 for guests at select Disney Resort hotels, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin and Shades of Green, with general sale following on July 16. If your trip dates are fixed, check the official ticket page today rather than waiting for a better deal that Disney rarely offers.
Shows and Entertainment at Jollywood Nights
Entertainment is the real product at Jollywood Nights. Disney leans on Hollywood Studios’ own identity, with a stage-and-screen theme instead of copying the Magic Kingdom formula, and most of the evening is built around shows, music and dancing rather than rides. Here is every headline offering for 2026.
Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! (The Nighttime Spectacular)
The finale is a fireworks, laser and projection show staged on the facade of the Chinese Theater. It stars Wayne and Lanny from Prep & Landing and weaves in scenes from classic Disney holiday films and Tim Burton favorites. Snowfall drifts down Hollywood Boulevard during the show, and MagicBand+ effects sync to the music for guests who wear one. It plays once a night at 10:00 p.m. according to published schedules, so plan your evening around it.
Glisten! The Holiday Skating Show
World-class skaters perform on a synthetic rink in front of the Chinese Theater, set to holiday music and surrounded by projections. New in 2026, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Genie join the cast. Published times for the show are 8:10, 9:10, 10:30 and 11:10 p.m. and midnight. Because the rink sits outdoors, a warm drink in hand makes it far more enjoyable on a cool Florida night.
Disney Holidays in Hollywood
This musical stage show at Theater of the Stars is hosted by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Belle and Tiana joining in. It is the most traditional, seated, sit-down show of the night, and a good break for tired feet. Published times are 8:15, 9:15, 11:00 p.m. and midnight.
What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along
At the Hyperion Theater, Jack Skellington leads a sing-along that blends Halloween Town and Christmas Town. Published times run 7:30, 8:30, 9:30 and 11:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. Fans of the film tend to love it, and it works as a lively, low-effort way to start the night.
Pixar Disco
In Pixar Plaza, Edna Mode, Frozone, Joy and Mike Wazowski host a dance party. It runs from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. and again from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. according to published schedules.
Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club
In the courtyard of the Hollywood Tower Hotel, a live band plays holiday music in a 1930s-style jazz lounge setting. Drinks cost extra, and alcohol requires valid ID for guests 21 and older. Published sets begin at 7:30 p.m. and repeat through the night, with the last at 11:50 p.m. For adult travelers, it is the most atmospheric corner of the event.
Echo Lake Holiday Celebration
Echo Lake hosts a nostalgia-themed party built around 1990s and 2000s music, giving the event a lighter, throwback feel alongside the elegant jazz-age offerings.
Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby
For an adult-oriented evening, The Hollywood Brown Derby hosts a jazz-and-cocktails experience with an exclusive menu of light bites and craft cocktails. Capacity is limited, and Disney strongly recommends reservations. We cover the menu in the food section below.
Checkin’ It Twice Lounge (New for 2026)
Animation Courtyard is home to a brand-new lounge with a live DJ, specialty drinks and entertainment throughout the evening. It is the newest addition to the event, and its five-drink menu is listed below.
Pace & Rest Strategy: Five hours sounds long until you try to fit in a ride, a dinner, three shows and the finale. Pick two must-see shows and the 10:00 p.m. finale, then use the remaining time for rides while waits are short. Sitting shows such as Disney Holidays in Hollywood and the sing-along are ideal for resting between walking stretches.
Character Experiences at Jollywood Nights
Disney advertises more than 20 unique character experiences, and the lineup mixes party regulars with characters you seldom meet at a normal park day. Confirmed for 2026:
- Classic favorites: Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald and Daisy Duck, Goofy and Pluto, and Scrooge McDuck
- Holiday looks: Stitch as Santa, Duffy as Santa, and Chewbacca celebrating Life Day
- Pixar and Toy Story: Lotso, Partysaurus Rex, Bing Bong, Joy, Edna Mode, Frozone and Mike Wazowski in Pixar Plaza
- New in 2026: George Sanderson and Needleman from Monsters, Inc. make their Jollywood Nights debuts, and Mike Wazowski returns to Pixar Plaza
- Rarely seen: Phineas and Ferb, Max Goof as Powerline, Chip ’n’ Dale in their Rescue Rangers look, Baloo and King Louie, and The Mandalorian and Grogu
Disney says additional appearances may be announced, and locations and times appear in My Disney Experience. Rare characters tend to draw the longest lines of the night, so reach them early.
Attractions Open During Jollywood Nights
One of the event’s biggest selling points is ride time with far shorter lines. Disney lists these attractions as running during Jollywood Nights 2026, subject to change:
- Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Slinky Dog Dash
- Alien Swirling Saucers
- Toy Story Mania!
Experienced Disney fans will notice what is missing, since the list is shorter than a normal day. Disney is clear that admission does not guarantee access to any attraction, so treat the list as a strong likelihood, not a promise. Published expectations are for low to moderate waits on the headliners and near walk-on lines for Tower of Terror, Runaway Railway and Toy Story Mania. If you have not yet ridden the reimagined coaster, our report on Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets explains what changed.
Food and Drinks at Jollywood Nights 2026
Disney released the full Jollywood Nights foodie guide in October, and it covers restaurants, counter-service locations, lounges and carts across the park. None of the food or drink is included in your ticket, so budget accordingly. Below are the highlights, organized by where you will find them.
Savory Highlights
- Fairfax Fare (Sunset Boulevard): Yuletide Ham Popover with honey-glazed ham, mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry chutney, and a Holiday Turkey Popover
- ABC Commissary: Street Corn Chicken Empanada, Birria Taco with consommé, Arepas de Choclo and a plant-based Cauliflower Taco
- Backlot Express (Echo Lake): Hickory Holiday Mac, Jolly Jam Slider and a plant-based Sleigh Bell Brussels Sprouts dish
- Dockside Diner: Meatball and Polenta and plant-based Loaded Samosas
- Market (Pixar Plaza): Teriyaki Chicken Pot Stickers, new for 2026
- Baseline Tap House: Macaroni & Cheese Croquettes
Sweet Treats
- Hollywood Scoops: A Kermit Chocolate-Pistachio Sundae and a Miss Piggy Strawberry Sundae, each served in a souvenir cup while supplies last
- Fairfax Fare: A TWIX on a Classic Pie, new for 2026
- Market: The Partysaurus Rex Brookie, a chocolate chip cookie brownie with white chocolate ganache
- Dinosaur Gertie’s Ice Cream of Extinction: The Christmas Gertie Cookie, a Gertie-shaped sugar cookie wearing a Santa hat
- Ice Cold Hydraulics: Salted Caramel Mini Churros
- Epic Eats: Cookie Butter Croissant Beignets
- Backlot Express: Blitzen Banana Bread Pudding
Specialty Drinks and Lounges
The drink program is where Jollywood Nights leans most heavily toward adults. Several cocktails come in souvenir cups or flutes while supplies last.
| Location | Featured drinks |
|---|---|
| Checkin’ It Twice Lounge (new) | Candy Cane Cooler (non-alcoholic), Fizz the Season, Lump of Coal, Not-So-Hot-Toddy, Snow-hopper |
| Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club | 1939 Royale and Top Floor Daiquiri in souvenir flutes, plus sparkling cider and Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut |
| Tune-In Lounge (Echo Lake) | The Bauble & Bright (souvenir cup), The Tinsel Twist, Sugar Cookie Martini, In Holiday Fashion |
| The Hollywood Brown Derby | Cranberry-Jalapeño Margarita, Spiced Pear Martini, Poinsettia Fizz, Old Fashioned, and the non-alcoholic Sleigh Bell |
| Market (Pixar Plaza) | Bing Bong Candy Lemonade and Caramel-Apple Cider, with an optional moonshine version |
| Fairfax Fare | Eggnog (with or without Fireball whisky) and the Mistletoe Martini |
| Backlot Express | Frozen Hot Cocoa, with or without Baileys, and the Seas and Greetings Colada |
Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby
The Brown Derby menu is the event’s most grown-up dining option, with light bites including Char-grilled Chicken Yakitori, Charcuterie, Chorizo Arancini, Hamachi, Jazzy Sliders, Pork Belly Bao, Shrimp Cocktail and a plant-based Tofu Bao. Space is limited, so book as early as reservations allow.
Dietary Note: Plant-based options include the Cauliflower Taco at ABC Commissary, Sleigh Bell Brussels Sprouts at Backlot Express, Loaded Samosas at Dockside Diner, Tofu Bao at the Brown Derby and Gingerbread Bites at The Trolley Car Café. Disney lists allergy-friendly options on a separate page, and guests with allergies should check it before the event. Annual Passholders also get an exclusive snack cart across from Beverly Sunset Boutique serving a Golden Gimlet and a non-alcoholic Golden Cheer.
For the full lineup, see the official Foodie Guide on the Disney Parks Blog. Prices were not published in the guide, so expect typical Hollywood Studios pricing and check menus in My Disney Experience.
Merchandise Only Sold During the Event
Event merchandise is available only during Jollywood Nights, at a dedicated shop near Frozen Fractal Gifts, and a wristband with valid event admission is required to buy it. Items are sold while supplies last. The 2026 collection stars Gertie the dinosaur, Duffy dressed as Santa and Ollie the gingerbread man:
- 2026 Jollywood Nights pullover with sleeve sparkles and a Gertie print
- Gertie Loungefly bag and a Gertie sweater
- 2026 Jollywood Nights headband with a detachable bow and double-sided ears
- Gertie ornament
- Duffy as Santa mug
Disney PhotoPass and Holiday Décor
Your ticket includes Disney PhotoPass photos and videos taken at the event. Downloads remain available for up to 45 days, though you must register online and link them to your Disney account. Decor is built around Ollie the gingerbread man, and the park’s architecture, palm trees and neon take on a glamorous glow after dark, which makes for striking photographs. For the history of Hollywood Studios itself, see our look at the day Disney-MGM Studios opened.
Jollywood Nights vs. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Disney World now runs two hard-ticket Christmas parties, and the best choice depends on what you want from the evening. Jollywood Nights is more glamorous and adult in tone, while the Magic Kingdom party leans on the classic holiday look many families picture first.
| Feature | Jollywood Nights 2026 | Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Park | Disney’s Hollywood Studios | Magic Kingdom |
| Number of nights | 15 | 25 |
| Hours | 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. | 7:00 p.m. to midnight |
| Ticket price | $169 to $199 | $189 to $229 |
| Food and drink in ticket | None; everything costs extra | Free cookies and festive beverages at designated locations |
| Signature entertainment | Skating show, projection and fireworks finale, lounges and live music | Parade, castle show and fireworks |
| Best suited to | Adults, couples, teens and families without very small children | Families who want the classic Christmas experience |
Our full Magic Kingdom guide covers the other side of that comparison, and our piece on the overnight Halloween-to-Christmas transformation explains how the resort flips its decor each November. Disney Tourist Blog’s preview guide called Jollywood Nights a tough sell for young families because of the price and late hours, and it suggested first-time family visitors weigh the Magic Kingdom party first.
Who Jollywood Nights Is Best For
- Couples and adult travelers: The Tip Top Club, the Brown Derby and the lounges give the event a grown-up evening that few other Disney offerings match
- Teens and tweens: Pixar Disco, the skating show and short ride lines suit older kids
- Rare-character collectors: More than 20 character experiences include several that appear rarely
- Repeat visitors: Guests who have already done Hollywood Studios’ headline rides will appreciate low waits and fresh entertainment
Comfort Check: This is a long night on your feet that ends after midnight. Wear broken-in shoes, bring a light jacket because outdoor shows run late on cool evenings, and plan a sit-down show every hour or two. Arrive early for the outdoor shows you care most about, since viewing space fills as showtime approaches.
Strategy: How to Spend Your Five Hours
- Enter at 5:30 p.m.: Use the shared pre-party window to ride a headliner and eat dinner before the party crowds arrive
- Ride early or very late: Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash and Smugglers Run draw the longest lines, so head there first, then return after the shows
- Pick two shows and the finale: Choose among the stage show, the sing-along and the skating show, and make sure to see Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! at 10:00 p.m.
- Hit rare characters first: The most unusual meet-and-greets draw the longest queues
- Reserve the Brown Derby early: Space is limited and Disney strongly recommends reservations
- Register your PhotoPass: You have 45 days to download event photos and videos once they are linked to your Disney account
- Do not skip the merch: Event items are sold only during the party, while supplies last, so shop on your first pass if something is a must-have
If your trip lands in the final week of December, remember that the resort is at its busiest, and our guide to Disney World crowds between Christmas and New Year shows how that affects daytime planning. Day guests may want to avoid Hollywood Studios on event evenings, since the earlier 5:30 p.m. entry changes the usual flow.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Jollywood Nights 2026?
Jollywood Nights 2026 runs on 15 select nights from November 7, 2026 through January 5, 2027. November dates are the 7th, 14th, 16th, 21st, 23rd and 28th. December dates are the 5th, 7th, 12th, 14th, 19th, 21st and 23rd. January dates are the 3rd and 5th.
How much do Jollywood Nights tickets cost?
Tickets cost $169 to $199 per person plus tax, depending on the date. Children ages 3 to 9 save $10, and Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members save $10 on any night.
Do I need a park ticket for Jollywood Nights?
No. Your event ticket is all you need, and it lets you enter Hollywood Studios as early as 5:30 p.m. No separate theme park ticket or park reservation is required.
Is food included with a Jollywood Nights ticket?
No. All food and beverages cost extra, unlike the Magic Kingdom party, which includes free cookies and festive beverages. PhotoPass downloads, however, are included.
What rides are open during Jollywood Nights?
Disney lists nine attractions, including Rise of the Resistance, Smugglers Run, Tower of Terror, Slinky Dog Dash and Toy Story Mania, though attractions are subject to change and admission does not guarantee access.
What is new at Jollywood Nights in 2026?
The event adds two January dates, the Checkin’ It Twice Lounge, new appearances by George Sanderson, Needleman, Donald, Daisy and Genie, and more than two dozen new menu items.
Final Thoughts on Jollywood Nights
Jollywood Nights is not a bargain, and Disney does not pretend otherwise. What it offers is a different kind of Disney evening, one built around glamour, music, skating, cocktails and a finale that uses the Chinese Theater as a screen, with enough ride time to make the ticket feel like more than a show. For couples, teens and seasoned adult travelers, that mix can be worth the price. For families with young children who want the classic Christmas look, the Magic Kingdom party is likely the stronger match. Either way, check availability soon, because the best dates are going quickly.
Sources: Disney’s official Jollywood Nights page, the Disney Parks Blog announcement and Foodie Guide, Disney Tourist Blog, ResortsGal and WDW Prep School were used for 2026 details. Prices, showtimes and menus are subject to change.
