It may still be October, but Christmas planning at Walt Disney World is already in full swing — and for one of the season's most sought-after nights, the window has officially closed. The December 22 date for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party has sold out at Magic Kingdom, making it the second 2026 party date to go, following November 24.
The Final Party Night of 2026 Is Now Gone
According to an October 2 availability update, December 22 — the last scheduled party night of the season and the closest to Christmas Day — is no longer available. That puts it alongside November 24, which sold out on September 28, as the only two 2026 dates currently off the table.
Disney's official calendar lists 25 Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party nights running from November 8 through December 22. The event runs from 7 p.m. to midnight, with party ticket holders able to enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4 p.m. Disney notes that party admission does not require an additional theme park ticket or park reservation for entry at 4 p.m. or later.
What December 22 Tickets Were Priced At
December 22 sat at the very top of Disney's 2026 pricing range. Adult tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party are listed at $189 to $229 plus tax depending on the date, and December 22 carried the premium $229 adult price before selling out. For comparison, the November 24 Thanksgiving-week date was priced at $204 for guests ages 10 and older.
It's also worth noting that the lowest 2026 price point — $189 — represents an increase from the $169 floor offered on select dates in 2025, meaning the event's overall cost has risen year over year.
A Regular Magic Kingdom Ticket Does Not Get You Into the Party
This is an important distinction for families building their holiday itinerary. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is a separately ticketed event with its own date-specific admission. A standard Magic Kingdom ticket does not include access to the party's nighttime entertainment.
On party dates, Magic Kingdom operates as two distinct experiences: the regular daytime park and the separately ticketed evening event. Party season also produces early Magic Kingdom closures for daytime guests, so checking park hours carefully on any party date is especially important.
The flip side is equally useful to know: guests holding only a party ticket can enter Magic Kingdom beginning at 4 p.m. — three hours before the party formally kicks off — without purchasing a separate daytime admission.
What's Included With a Party Ticket
Disney markets Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party as a five-hour holiday celebration with special entertainment and seasonal extras. Highlights listed on Disney's official page include:
- Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
- Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks
- Holiday character appearances in festive attire
- Seasonal treats
There are also additional paid experiences available within the event. Disney offers a Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Dessert Party on select party nights, though Disney notes that a valid Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party ticket is required separately for that experience as well.
Holiday Magic Is Still Available — But Behind a Second Ticket
The sellout underscores how Walt Disney World has structured some of Magic Kingdom's marquee Christmas entertainment. Many of the park's signature holiday offerings — including Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom and Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney's Hollywood Studios — sit behind separately priced events.
That said, regular daytime guests aren't entirely without holiday cheer. Disney's seasonal overview lists decorations, Jingle Cruise, and Frozen Holiday Surprise among Magic Kingdom's offerings that don't require a party ticket.
For families purchasing multiple party tickets, the separate admission can add up to a significant additional vacation expense before food, lodging, or other add-ons are factored in.
What to Do If You're Still Planning a Christmas Week Visit
The December 22 sellout doesn't mean the entire Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party season is gone — it means one of the calendar's most strategically placed nights is no longer an option. Other dates between November 8 and December 21 may still be available, but availability can shift as the season approaches.
Disney itself warns that tickets are limited and may become unavailable on or before an event date. If you're considering a specific night, the best move is to check Disney's live ticket page directly rather than relying on older information.
And for daytime visitors, the planning lesson is just as important: always verify Magic Kingdom's operating hours before locking in a park day. A Christmas party date and a non-party date can produce very different evening experiences — and December 22 has now closed one door for guests hoping to spend the final party night of 2026 inside Magic Kingdom.