Santa Claus moves to a new home at Disneyland park this year, and his Disney California Adventure trail is already closed for setup. These are the spots to find him starting Nov. 13.
Santa Claus is getting ready to set up shop at Disneyland Resort, and this year he’s got a new address. Disneyland’s holiday season starts Friday, Nov. 13, and Santa will be greeting guests from that day through Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, according to Disneyland’s official Santa page.
The prep work has already started. Redwood Creek Challenge Trail at Disney California Adventure is now closed so crews can get Santa’s spot ready, WDW News Today reported Monday. The roped-off trail even has a sign saying it’s unavailable “due to bear activity,” which is a very Grizzly Peak way of saying “elves at work.”
Where is Santa at Disneyland park in 2026?
This is the big change. At Disneyland park, Santa is moving to Mickey’s Toontown Trolley Barn, a new location near Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, according to the Disney Parks Blog’s holiday guide.
Last year, Santa greeted guests at Fantasyland Theatre at Disneyland park, WDWNT reported in 2025. So if you’ve got muscle memory pointing you toward Fantasyland, steer toward Toontown instead.
Where is Santa at Disney California Adventure?
Over at Disney California Adventure, Santa returns to Redwood Creek Challenge Trail for “Santa’s Holiday Visit!” That’s the same area where he set up last season, and the trail reopens with the meet-and-greet on Nov. 13, per WDWNT.
The trail spent the fall as Villains Grove during Oogie Boogie Bash, so it’s had a busy year.
Here’s a look at both Disneyland Santa spots from last season, from the Mix In Some Magic channel:
Can you meet Santa at the Disneyland hotels?
Yes. Santa is also scheduled to stop by all three Disneyland Resort hotels at select times this season, according to Disneyland’s Santa page and the Parks Blog:
Pixar Place Hotel, in the main lobby
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, in the Great Hall
Disneyland Hotel, in the main lobby
Disney hasn’t posted hotel dates or times yet. Last year, the hotel visits started Nov. 27, WDWNT reported, so don’t be surprised if they begin closer to Thanksgiving again.
Do you need a reservation to meet Santa at Disneyland?
You don’t need a separate Santa booking, based on Disney’s page. For the in-park spots, Disney says you need valid theme park admission and a park reservation for the same park on the same date.
Disney hasn’t published Santa’s hours. Its page says the schedule is subject to change, so check the Disneyland app on the day of your visit for times.
What else is new for the holidays at Disneyland?
The holiday season runs Nov. 13, 2026, through Jan. 6, 2027, per the Disney Parks Blog. Here’s some of what Disney has confirmed:
“A Christmas Fantasy” Parade at Disneyland park, with Santa in the finale
“Believe... In Holiday Magic” fireworks
Haunted Mansion Holiday, with its gingerbread house celebrating 25 years
“it’s a small world” Holiday, with 400,000 exterior lights
World of Color, Season of Light at Disney California Adventure
Mater’s Jingle Jamboree and Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl in Cars Land
Disney Festival of Holidays, with six Festive Food Marketplaces
New this year, Mickey, Minnie and friends get alpine and travel-themed holiday outfits. There’s also a Mickey Train light-up popcorn bucket and a Holiday Stitch tree novelty, according to the Parks Blog.
What is there to do at Downtown Disney for the holidays?
Downtown Disney gets a nightly “snowfall” and Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Ornament Trail, according to Disney. The Grand Californian also puts out a 7-foot gingerbread display, and holiday character dining runs Nov. 16 through Jan. 3 at spots including Goofy’s Kitchen and Storytellers Cafe.
When does Disneyland’s holiday season start?
It starts Friday, Nov. 13. WDWNT reported back in July that the resort moved the start up by a week from its first announcement.
So mark the calendar, practice your wish list and maybe give the kids a heads-up about the new Toontown spot. Santa moved, and nobody wants a meltdown at an empty Fantasyland Theatre.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
WDW News Today (Nov. 2, 2026), the Redwood Creek closure and reopening
Disney Parks Blog (Aug. 26, 2026, updated Oct. 2), holiday guide and Santa spots
Disneyland Resort, official Santa page, dates and park rules
WDW News Today (Nov. 19, 2025), last year’s Santa locations
Mix In Some Magic, Santa meet-and-greet video
AI Disclosure: All articles are assigned, edited and reviewed by an experienced human editor before posting. Like most modern newsrooms, WebReef Media uses a variety of AI tools to help with accuracy and efficiency. Ways AI may be used in article creation include research, grammar, fact-checking and ideation, as well as occasional AI generated or enhanced thumbnails or graphics. No articles are generated or posted without human oversight or involvement.