ABC has locked in its 2026 holiday lineup, and both Disney Parks specials have their dates. The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular airs Monday, November 30th, with the Christmas Day Parade on Christmas morning. Both shows feature performances from Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. Magic Kingdom guests can even catch the parade in person weeks before it airs.
ABC Disney Parks Holiday Specials 2026: Air Dates & Times
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- Air dates and times for both Disney Parks holiday specials on ABC.
- When Magic Kingdom tapes the Christmas parade, and where to watch in person.
- The Disney holiday films airing on ABC around both specials.
Every holiday season, ABC brings the Disney Parks home with two specials full of music and characters from the resorts. This year’s pair follows a familiar pattern, with the Holiday Spectacular airing the Monday after Thanksgiving and the parade filling Christmas morning.
ABC also surrounds both shows with Disney films, including the broadcast premiere of Mufasa: The Lion King. All evening times below are Eastern and Pacific.
- Wednesday, November 25, 8:00pm to 8:30pm: Mickey’s Christmas Carol
- Thursday, November 26, 8:00pm to 11:00pm: Mary Poppins
- Sunday, November 29, 7:00pm to 11:00pm: The Sound of Music
- Monday, November 30, 8:00pm to 10:00pm: The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular
- Wednesday, December 23, 9:00pm to 11:00pm: The Santa Clause
- Thursday, December 24, 8:00pm to 10:15pm: Home Alone
- Friday, December 25, 10:00am Eastern: Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade
- Sunday, December 27, 8:32pm to 11:00pm: Mufasa: The Lion King (broadcast premiere)
Holiday Spectacular Airs November 30th
The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular fills two hours of prime time on Monday, November 30th, from 8:00pm to 10:00pm. Disney keeps the description short, saying the annual special “will feature new musical performances from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California.” ABC hasn’t named a host or any performers yet. Last year, Disney shared the full performer lineup about three weeks before the special aired.
That 2025 lineup spread performances across all four Walt Disney World parks. Bebe Rexha sang on the Cinderella Castle stage, Coco Jones performed beneath the Tree of Life, and Trisha Yearwood took over World Celebration Gardens at EPCOT. Good Charlotte played in front of the Millennium Falcon at Hollywood Studios. Host Derek Hough and narrator Ginnifer Goodwin tied it together, and the special streamed the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
Last year’s description also listed Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii, where Iam Tongi performed. This year’s listing names only Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort, though that could change once Disney shares performance details.
Christmas Day Parade Airs December 25th
The Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade returns Friday, December 25th, at 10:00am Eastern and 9:00am Central. ABC lists a 5:00am start for Mountain and Pacific viewers, the same early slot it used for last year’s 40th anniversary broadcast. Disney promises star-studded performances from both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort.
Fans don’t have to wait until Christmas to see part of the show. Walt Disney World scheduled 2:00pm daytime performances of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade on November 10th and November 11th. Those dates line up with the annual ABC taping. The parade normally rolls down Main Street USA only for Very Merry Christmas Party guests after dark. These afternoon performances give day guests a look without a party ticket.
During the 2024 taping, Disney cleared Main Street USA of guests, so Frontierland and Liberty Square should offer better odds of a view.
Air dates and episode descriptions are as follows (all times listed are Eastern/Pacific):
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 25
8:00-8:30 p.m. — The Wonderful World of Disney Presents “Mickey’s Christmas Carol”
Mickey, Donald, Goofy and all their pals star in an all-time Christmas classic. Ebenezer Scrooge is far too greedy to understand that Christmas is a time for kindness and generosity, but with the guidance of some newfound friends, Scrooge learns to embrace the spirit of the season.
THURSDAY, NOV. 26
8:00-11:00 p.m. — The Wonderful World of Disney Presents “Mary Poppins”
Mary Poppins flies out of the windy London skies and into the home of two mischievous children. The spirited nanny turns every chore into a game and every day into a “Jolly Holiday” to reconnect the children with their parents.
SUNDAY, NOV. 29
7:00-11:00 p.m. — The Wonderful World of Disney Presents “The Sound of Music”
An annual holiday tradition: Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer star in the Oscar®-winning film that features fan-favorite songs by Rodgers & Hammerstein, including “Edelweiss,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and “The Sound of Music.”
MONDAY, NOV. 30
8:00-10:00 p.m. — “The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular”
The annual seasonal celebration will feature new musical performances from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California.
10:00-11:00 p.m. — “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town”
In the perennial favorite created in 1970 by Rankin-Bass Productions, Fred Astaire narrates this timeless tale of Kris Kringle (Mickey Rooney), a young boy with an immense desire to do good things for others.
TUESDAY, DEC. 1
8:00-9:00 p.m. — “Dancing with the Holidays”
The ballroom comes alive with holiday magic as “Dancing with the Stars” celebrates the season with 12 all-new festive-themed routines, dazzling holiday decor and heartwarming moments with the cast.
9:00-10:01 p.m. — “CMA Country Christmas”
Filmed in Nashville in front of a live audience, the 17th annual “CMA Country Christmas” will feature one-of-a-kind musical performances of festive classics from country music’s biggest stars.
THURSDAY, DEC. 3
8:00-9:00 p.m. EST – Celebrity Family Feud: “‘American Idol’ Men vs ‘American Idol’ Women”
Hosted by Steve Harvey, this holiday special brings together the best of “American Idol” alumni to compete for their selected charities.
SUNDAY, DEC. 6
7:00-8:02 p.m. EST – America’s Funniest Home Videos: “Festive Flops, Santa’s Knee, and Holiday Hijinks”
Stuff your stockings with the laughs in this special “AFV” holiday episode, featuring Santa mishaps, sledding wipeouts and gift goofs. Plus, nine of the season’s best compete for the $100,000 grand prize.
8:02-11:00 p.m. — “Die Hard”
A New York cop trapped in a high-rise during a Christmas Eve heist must fight to save his wife and everyone inside.
TUESDAY, DEC. 8
8:00-11:00 p.m. — “2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony”
Recorded live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, this year’s ceremony features rare once-in-a-lifetime performances and moments celebrating the legacy and influence of this year’s Inductees: Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Sade, Luther Vandross and Wu-Tang Clan in the Performer category; Celia Cruz, Fela Kuti, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte and Gram Parsons for the Musical Influence Award; Linda Creed, Arif Mardin, Jimmy Miller and Rick Rubin for the Musical Excellence Award; and Ed Sullivan for the Ahmet Ertegun Award.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 9
8:00-8:31 p.m. — Scrubs: “My Wonderful Life” (Season Finale)
Over Christmas, J.D. and Dr. Cox work together on a tricky case. Meanwhile, Elliot manages an ER overflowing with patients and a surprising amount of holiday cheer.
8:31-9:02 p.m. — Abbott Elementary: “Parents” (Midseason Finale)
Jacob’s parents visit for the holidays, while Barbara contends with some of her students falling behind.
THURSDAY, DEC. 10
8:00-9:00 p.m. — Press Your Luck: “Holiday Extravaganza IV: Oh My Gracious!”
Host Elizabeth Banks is hoping for a little holiday cheer as contestants play for the BIG BUCKS and try to avoid that mean ol’ WHAMMY!
SUNDAY, DEC. 13
8:33-11:00 p.m. — “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” (World Premiere)
In a retro-futuristic world, Marvel’s First Family must defend the planet.
THURSDAY, DEC. 17
8:00-10:00 p.m. — “iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2026”
The season’s iconic holiday music event, with performances by this year’s top artists and star-studded appearances, returns to ring in the holiday cheer.
SUNDAY, DEC. 20
8:33-11:00 p.m. — “Father of the Bride” (35th Anniversary)
A father has a hard time letting go of his daughter when she wants to wed.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 23
9:00-11:00 p.m. — The Wonderful World of Disney Presents “The Santa Clause”
On Christmas Eve, Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) and his son discover Santa Claus has fallen off their roof. When Scott takes the reins of the magical sleigh, he finds he is now the new Santa and must convince a world of disbelievers, including himself.
THURSDAY, DEC. 24
8:00-10:15 p.m. — The Wonderful World of Disney Presents “Home Alone”
Accidentally left behind when his family rushes off on a Christmas vacation, 8-year-old Kevin McCallister gets busy decorating the house. But he’s not decking the halls with tinsel and holly — he has to defend his home from two bumbling burglars.
FRIDAY, DEC. 25
10:00 a.m. EST / 9:00 a.m. CST / 5:00 a.m. MST / 5:00 a.m. PST — “Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”
Disney’s annual celebration returns Christmas morning with magical star-studded performances from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California.
SUNDAY, DEC. 27
7:00-8:00 p.m. — “AKC National Championship Dog Show Special”
Held each December in Orlando, Florida, the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin is the largest dog show in North America. More than 5,000 dogs will compete for the coveted title of Best in Show.
8:32-11:00 p.m. — The Wonderful World of Disney Presents “Mufasa: The Lion King” (World Premiere)
Explore the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 30
9:00-11:00 p.m. — “The Year: 2026”
Relive the year’s most unforgettable moments all in one unmissable night. “Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts and ABC News’ popular, year-end franchise “The Year” return in December for the 16th consecutive year. The two-hour annual primetime special “The Year: 2026” features ABC News’ award-winning anchors, correspondents, hosts and more and is network television’s most comprehensive and star-studded look back, with the headlines that shaped the world and celebrity and pop-culture moments that had everyone talking — all leaving an indelible mark on 2026.
THURSDAY, DEC. 31
8:00 p.m.-4:00 a.m. — “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2027”
“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” is the preeminent destination for viewers to ring in the new year. For the first time ever in the history of the iconic franchise, the special will simulcast live on ABC and Disney+, giving audiences an exciting new way to experience America’s biggest, most-watched New Year’s celebration. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest live from Times Square, the show celebrates the year’s very best in music, featuring a night of superstar performances. Rita Ora returns to co-host from New York’s Times Square, Julianne Hough and Rob Gronkowski will return to Las Vegas to lead celebrations from the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” and Druski will join as co-host from Chicago.
Keep Reading
- Catch the parade before Christmas with our guide to the 2:00pm daytime performances at Magic Kingdom, including how the parade has changed since 2024.
- Revisit last year’s Holiday Spectacular lineup, with every performer and filming location.
- Planning a party night? Our Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party guide gathers 2026 dates, ticket prices, and entertainment in one place.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!