ABC has set Monday, November 30, for this year’s The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular, and the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade is back on Christmas morning, Friday, December 25. The holiday special airs from 8 to 10 p.m. with new musical performances from Walt Disney World and Disneyland, where tapings were underway in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle just this week.
Disney announced details for its 2026 holiday programming, including “The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular” on Nov. 30 with new performances from Walt Disney World and Disneyland, and the “Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade” returning Dec. 25.
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) October 27, 2026
Full details: pic.twitter.com/vS5LVUrKps
The Holiday Spectacular takes the Monday after Thanksgiving again. Last year’s edition aired on Monday, December 1, and this year’s date simply lands a day earlier on the calendar. The rest of ABC’s holiday schedule, including Mickey’s Christmas Carol on November 25, is in the full 2026 lineup.
Aulani Isn’t Named This Year
Last year’s special drew performances from three places: Walt Disney World, Disneyland and Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa in Hawaii. This year’s description names only Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California, for both the Holiday Spectacular and the parade. Disney hasn’t said whether Aulani will appear at all.
The Disneyland side of the special is already in the can, at least in part. On Monday, the hub in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle was roped off for a day of tapings on a silver stage dressed with oversized gift boxes and Christmas trees. Madison Beer kicked off the taping that afternoon, while Alanis Morissette backed out after a Cast Member told us she wasn’t feeling well. An equipment case near the stage carried a handwritten “Disney Hol. Spec.” label.
Who’s Hosting And Performing
Disney and ABC haven’t announced hosts or a performer lineup for either special yet. Last year, Derek Hough hosted the Holiday Spectacular with narration from Ginnifer Goodwin, and Alfonso Ribeiro and Goodwin hosted the Christmas Day Parade.
When To Watch The Christmas Day Parade
ABC lists the parade at 10 a.m. Eastern on Christmas morning. The same listing gives 5 a.m. for both Mountain and Pacific time, which doesn’t line up with a 10 a.m. Eastern start, and it’s the same set of times Disney printed last year. If you’re on the West Coast, check your local ABC listing closer to Christmas before you set an alarm.
Streaming details haven’t been announced for 2026. Last year the parade streamed on Disney+, Hulu and Disney’s YouTube channel starting at 11 a.m. Eastern, 8 a.m. Pacific, and stayed up through January 4.
The parade itself still rolls down Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom, where Walt Disney World tapes its parade segments during daytime runs of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade on November 10 and 11. If you’re visiting Magic Kingdom on either of those days, plan for bigger crowds along the parade route.
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