Jollywood Nights is a separately ticketed evening event at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World, running on select nights from 7th November 2026 through to 5th January 2027 - including January dates for the first time. General sale tickets open on 16th July 2026, with Disney resort guests getting early access from 9th July. UK visitors can't purchase tickets directly through Disney's US website without a VPN, but they're available through FloridaTix and Attraction Tickets.
Article At A Glance
- What it is: A separately ticketed evening event at Disney's Hollywood Studios with festive shows, characters and shorter ride queues
- 2026 dates: Select nights from 7th November 2026 to 5th January 2027 - 21 event nights in total
- Resort guest ticket sale: 9th July 2026
- General ticket sale: 16th July 2026
- New for 2026: Running into January for the first time, with dates on 3rd and 5th January
- Event hours: Entry from 5:30pm, festivities 7:30pm - 12:30am
- UK booking: FloridaTix (recommended) or Attraction Tickets - Disney's own site requires a VPN from the UK
Check Jollywood Nights ticket availability on FloridaTix or browse Attraction Tickets here
Read on for the full show lineup, character appearances, which rides are open and whether the event is worth the extra spend for UK visitors.
What Is Jollywood Nights?
Jollywood Nights is Hollywood Studios' paid evening Christmas event - similar in concept to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom, but built around a 1930s Hollywood aesthetic rather than a traditional North Pole setup. The park gets a festive makeover after hours, capacity is limited, and all the entertainment is exclusive to the event.
The setup: buy a Jollywood Nights ticket, arrive from 5:30pm, and you've got until 12:30am. The main festivities kick off at 7:30pm, which leaves a nice window to get on the bigger rides before the evening fully gets going. The Jollywood Nights ticket covers your park entry for the evening - you don't need a separate Hollywood Studios day ticket alongside it. If you're already in the park with your 7 or 14-day Disney Magic Ticket, that perk isn't as useful, but it's there for those not using a UK ticket.
2026 Jollywood Nights Dates
The event runs across 21 nights from November through to early January. The full breakdown:
November: 7th, 14th, 16th, 21st, 23rd, 28th
December: 5th, 7th, 12th, 14th, 19th, 21st, 23rd
January (2027): 3rd, 5th
For families travelling from the UK, it's worth mapping these against school holidays. The 21st and 23rd December sit squarely within most English school Christmas breaks. The January dates - 3rd and 5th - fall just before most schools return after the Christmas period, which could suit families stretching their trip into the new year. The November dates are harder to align with the school calendar, given most English half terms wrap up in late October. Those evenings are better suited to couples, adults without children, or anyone with more flexibility around term time.
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How to Get Jollywood Nights Tickets from the UK
Jollywood Nights tickets are sold through Disney's US booking site, which isn't designed for UK purchases in the usual way. The most accessible option for most UK visitors is to go through a UK-based ticket agent.
FloridaTix is the recommended route - a well-established UK agent that carries Walt Disney World event tickets. Attraction Tickets is a solid alternative if you want a second option or prefer to compare.
If you'd rather book directly through Disney's own system, you'll need a VPN to access the US site. There's a full guide to doing that here.
Dates for your diary:
- 9th July 2026: Early access for guests staying at Disney Resorts Collection hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, and Shades of Green
- 16th July 2026: General sale opens for all other guests
Prices vary by date and haven't been confirmed in GBP at time of writing - December weekends tend to sit at the higher end of the range. Check current pricing on FloridaTix once the general sale opens on 16th July. Worth adding: this is a limited capacity event and the popular December dates do sell out - don't assume tickets will be available once you've landed in Florida.
For a broader look at Walt Disney World deals and money-saving options for UK visitors, the Walt Disney World offers guide covers the main options.
Shows and Entertainment at Jollywood Nights 2026
The entertainment lineup is the main draw, and there's a reasonable spread across the evening. Here's what's confirmed for 2026.
Disney Holidays in Hollywood
Held at the Theater of the Stars on Sunset Boulevard, this is a musical stage show co-hosted by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, with appearances from Mickey, Minnie, Belle and Tiana. It draws loosely on classic Hollywood holiday TV specials for its format. Multiple performances run through the evening, so there's flexibility on when to catch it.
What's This? - The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along
At the Hyperion Theater, this is a sing-along version of the Nightmare Before Christmas story with artificial snowflakes falling throughout the show. It blends Halloween Town and Christmas Town - a popular option for anyone after something a bit different from the standard festive fare. Songs include "What's This?" and "Sally's Song".
Glisten! - The Skating Show
Returning for 2026, this is a choreographed skating show performed on a synthetic rink in front of the Chinese Theater. It runs to a mix of classic holiday music and original Jollywood songs, with projections and Art Deco styling. Practical note for anyone coming from the UK: late-evening temperatures in Orlando in December and January can feel surprisingly cool once you're standing still for any length of time - worth having a layer handy before settling in for an outdoor show.
Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!
The headline nighttime spectacular of the event, set against the Chinese Theater facade. The show follows Wayne and Lanny - the elf operatives from Disney's Prep & Landing short film series - on a mission to rescue Santa, with scenes from Beauty and the Beast, Mickey's Christmas Carol and Nightmare Before Christmas woven through it. Fireworks, projections, lasers and artificial snowfall on Hollywood Boulevard.
If you have a MagicBand+ - Disney's interactive wristband that syncs with certain park experiences - it adds light effects on your wrist during the show. MagicBand+ is sold separately and available to buy or hire at the resort. It's optional rather than essential, but worth knowing about if you're already using one.
Other Entertainment Around the Park
The Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club takes place in the courtyard area around the Hollywood Tower Hotel - the Tower of Terror building - and features live holiday music in a 1930s-inspired setting. A good option for a quieter moment away from the main evening crowds.
Pixar Disco at Pixar Place is a dance party with Edna Mode, Frozone, Joy and Mike Wazowski. Useful to know about if you've got younger children who'd rather dance with animated characters than queue for Tower of Terror.
Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby is the more adult-orientated option - live music and food at the Brown Derby restaurant in a more relaxed setting away from the main action. Space is limited and advance reservations are recommended. Details are still being confirmed closer to the event, so keep an eye on Disney's site if this is something you want to plan for.
Character Greetings at Jollywood Nights 2026
The character lineup leans into the full Hollywood Studios roster rather than sticking purely to Christmas staples. Confirmed appearances so far:
- Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse
- Goofy and Pluto
- Donald Duck and Daisy Duck
- Stitch (dressed as Santa)
- Scrooge McDuck
- Chip 'n' Dale: Rescue Rangers
- Phineas and Ferb
- Max Goof as Powerline
- Baloo and King Louie
- The Mandalorian and Grogu
- Chewbacca (celebrating Life Day - the Star Wars in-universe winter holiday)
- Lotso (Toy Story 3)
- Partysaurus Rex
- Bing Bong (Inside Out)
- Duffy
Disney has confirmed more appearances will be announced closer to the event. The Life Day angle on Chewbacca is a nice detail for Star Wars fans - it ties into the holiday celebrations across Galaxy's Edge.
Check Jollywood Nights ticket availability on FloridaTix - general sale opens 16th July 2026.
Rides Open During Jollywood Nights
The limited capacity of the event means rides tend to have noticeably shorter queues than during a regular busy park day - and that alone is often worth factoring into the value calculation. The confirmed attraction lineup for 2026:
- 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!
Is Jollywood Nights Worth It for a UK Trip?
By the time flights, accommodation and regular park tickets are accounted for, Walt Disney World is already a significant outlay for UK families. An additional evening event adds to that, and whether it's worth it comes down to what kind of trip you're planning.
It often makes sense if the Christmas atmosphere is a core part of why you're going - if festive shows and a more intimate evening experience is what you want from a park night, this is where that lives. It also stacks up well if you've done Hollywood Studios before and want to experience it differently, or if shorter queues on Rise of the Resistance and the headline attractions is a real priority. The new January dates are also a practical fit for families staying into the first week of 2027.
It sometimes makes less sense if it's your first visit and you haven't covered the park properly in daylight yet - spending a paid evening at an add-on event before you've finished the main park is probably the wrong order of things. Similarly, families with young children who'll struggle with a midnight finish might not get full value from it, and if the budget is already tight an extra park day elsewhere in the resort could be a better use of the money.
Prices in GBP haven't been confirmed at time of writing. Check the latest pricing on FloridaTix once tickets go on general sale on 16th July. For a broader look at keeping costs down on a Walt Disney World trip, the WDW deals and discounts guide for UK visitors is a good starting point.
Jollywood Nights 2026: Your Questions Answered
Is Jollywood Nights included with a regular Hollywood Studios ticket?
No - it's a separately purchased ticket. Typically, the Jollywood Nights ticket serves as your park entry for the evening, so you don't need a separate Hollywood Studios day ticket on top of it. If you're already in the park during the day, you can usually remain for the transition. Confirm the current entry rules with Disney or your ticket agent when booking, as these can vary.
When do Jollywood Nights 2026 tickets go on sale?
Guests staying at Disney Resorts Collection hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, or Shades of Green can purchase from 9th July 2026. The general sale opens on 16th July 2026 for everyone else.
Can UK visitors book Jollywood Nights tickets?
Yes - the most accessible route is through FloridaTix or Attraction Tickets. Disney's US booking site isn't designed for UK purchases. If you want to book directly through Disney, you'll need to use a VPN to access the US site - there's a guide to doing that here.
What time does Jollywood Nights start and finish?
Entry is from 5:30pm. The main festivities begin at 7:30pm and run until 12:30am. The 5:30-7:30pm window is useful for getting on rides before the event crowd fully arrives.
Which Jollywood Nights dates are best for UK families over Christmas?
The 21st and 23rd December fall within most English school Christmas holidays. The 3rd and 5th January dates are new for 2026 and fall just before schools typically return, which could suit families extending their trip into the new year.
Is Jollywood Nights suitable for young children?
There's no minimum age, and much of the entertainment - character greetings, the Disney Holidays in Hollywood stage show, Pixar Disco - is family-friendly. The main thing to factor in is the late finish. The event runs until 12:30am, which is a long evening for younger children, and you'll likely get more out of it if they're old enough to manage that without flagging early on.
