What to KnowThe Holidays at Disneyland ResortNov. 14-Jan. 7, 2026AnaheimDecorations, themed foods and drinks, nighttime spectaculars, Haunted Mansion Holiday, it’s a small world lights, Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure Park, and more merriment is on the scheduleA theme park ticket and reservation are required
Holidays at Disneyland Resort begin: The magnificent and mondo Main Street U.S.A. tree will soon be aglow, Mickey and Minnie are wearing their whimsical wintry wear, and the Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure Park will savorily spotlight seasonal foods from around the globe. A nearly two-month-long to-do at The Happiest Place on Earth starts Nov. 14, complete with the beloved Christmas parade, peppermint-tastic treats, and Haunted Mansion Holiday (it’s still open, hurray).
Enchanted Forest of Light: Exploring a “magical route” lit by all sorts of surprising illumination sources, from stained-glass structures to glowing tulips, is part of the fantastical and festive fun of this annual Descanso Gardens event. The outdoor happening opens for its multi-week run Nov. 16, and visitors should keep in mind that this is very much a “rain-or-shine” offerings. Bundle up, buy a hot cocoa, and explore this incandescent realm.
Remembering Room 8: If you were a student at Elysian Heights Elementary School back in the later part of the 1950s or for much of the 1960s, you likely knew Room 8, the beloved school cat. An uplifting celebration of this one-of-a-kind feline will trot into Tail Town Cat Cafe in Pasadena Nov. 16, with a documentary screening on the schedule and discussion of a brand-new Room 8-inspired book. Tickets are available on the Tail Town site.
LA Zoo Lights Animals Aglow: Opening weekend at this bulb-strong, oh-so-popular event will be on the soggier side, so do keep an eye on the weather forecast and the LA Zoo social feeds. It’s set to glimmer into the start of 2026, oh joy, with large lanterns depicting all sorts of critters popping up along the animal park’s winding pathways. Other holiday sights are part of the merriment, and warm drinks and bites will be for sale. It begins to roar Nov. 13.
Halloween isn’t over, not just yet: A live play inspired by the legendary indie film “Paranormal Activity” will begin haunting the Ahmanson Theatre Nov. 13 (the story is a new one, oh goosebumps) and the Frida Cinema in Santa Ana is throwing a Halloween Hangover Weekend with all sorts of scary flicks in terrifying tow; “Corpse Bride,” “Re-Animator,” and other spooky classics are on the weekend-big schedule.