Last checked: November 2026, against each park’s official Christmas page. Programmes and prices can change, and tickets can sell out on busy dates, so check before you book. Prices are as listed on those pages in November 2026.
Several of Europe’s big theme parks turn into Christmas events from November, with lights, shows, markets and Father Christmas. Each one handles it differently. Some include most of the programme in the ticket, some charge for extras, and many are closed on key days. This guide collects the dates and the details we could confirm from the parks themselves. Parks are in date order, not ranked.
Quick answer
- First to open: Disneyland Paris, from 7 November 2026.
- Father Christmas in the entrance fee: Tivoli Gardens, from 13 November to 23 December.
- Father Christmas as a paid upgrade: Legoland Windsor, from £27.50 per child, plus entry.
- Closed on Christmas Day: Europa-Park and Phantasialand both close on 24 and 25 December.
Dates at a glance
| Park | Christmas dates | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Disneyland Paris | 7 Nov 2026 to 6 Jan 2027 | New festivities in World of Frozen |
| Tivoli Gardens | 13 Nov 2026 to 3 Jan 2027 | All rides open during Christmas, per Tivoli |
| Phantasialand | 14 Nov 2026 to 24 Jan 2027 | Closed 24 and 25 Dec, 1 Jan, and 12 and 13 Jan |
| Efteling | 16 Nov 2026 to 31 Jan 2027 | Outdoor coasters weather permitting |
| PortAventura Park | 20 Nov 2026 to 6 Jan 2027 | Christmas shows and street entertainment |
| Legoland Windsor | Selected dates, 21 Nov 2026 to 3 Jan 2027 | Selected rides and attractions |
| Europa-Park | 28 Nov 2026 to 9 Jan 2027 | Closed 24 and 25 Dec |
| Toverland | 28 Nov 2026 to 17 Jan 2027 | Selected days; check the calendar |
| Gardaland | 5 Dec 2026 to 6 Jan 2027 | Magic Winter season |
Disneyland Paris: Disney Enchanted Christmas
The official programme runs from 7 November 2026 to 6 January 2027 across both parks. New this year is World of Frozen at Disney Adventure World, with festive decorations and The Arendelle carollers. In Disneyland Park, the programme lists:
- Mickey’s Dazzling Christmas Parade, twice a day.
- The Magical Christmas Tree Lighting on the 78-foot tree in Town Square.
- “Let’s Sing Christmas!”, a musical show with Mickey and friends.
- Character encounters in festive costume. Some use a virtual queue and booking is required.
See our Paris and Disneyland Paris 5-day plan if you’re combining it with the city.
Tivoli Gardens: Christmas in Tivoli
Tivoli in Copenhagen opens for Christmas on 13 November at 11:00 and lights the Christmas tree at 16:30 that day. Tivoli says all rides are open during Christmas, and the Elf Train and The Forest Carousel are special rides for younger guests.
| What | When | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Visit Father Christmas | 13 Nov to 23 Dec | Included in entrance fee |
| Fireflies, Luminous planets, Magical Christmas Animation | 13 Nov to 3 Jan | Included in entrance fee |
| Tivoli Youth Guard Christmas parade | 21 Nov to 19 Dec | Check the programme |
| The Nutcracker | 26 Nov to 20 Dec | Tickets required |
| Tivoli Lucia Parade | 13 Dec, 17:30 | Check the programme |
| Christmas Fireworks | 25 and 26 Dec | Tickets required |
| New Year’s Eve Fireworks | 31 Dec, 23:00 | Included in entrance fee |
The Christmas market stalls sell decorations and gifts. Our rainy day Copenhagen guide has indoor ideas for the same trip.
Legoland Windsor: Christmas 2026
Legoland Windsor runs on selected dates from 21 November to 3 January 2027. Tickets start from £34 per person online, or £68 walk-up. The ticket covers festive shows and selected rides and attractions, and the park lists 24 by name. Shows include Elf Training Academy, Festival of Flurries, Nutcracker’s Marching Band and a Festive Opening Show.
You can meet LEGO Santa at his home in the park. The Father Christmas Visit upgrade, from £27.50 per child, adds a grotto visit and a LEGO gift, and it doesn’t include entry. Festive Sleepovers start from £85 per person, based on a family of four in a Woodland Village Lodge. See Legoland rides by height.
Europa-Park: Winter Magic
Europa-Park’s winter season runs from 28 November 2026 to 9 January 2027, open daily from 11:00 until at least 19:00, closed on 24 and 25 December. The park lists a Christmas market, the Christmas Circus, the Eurosat Mapping Show and shows at the Ice Arena, and it has FIS Snowkidz, a children’s ski school. It warns that attractions may close at short notice because of ice, snow, wind or low temperatures. On 10 January 2027, the park is open only to invited and overnight guests. See height restrictions at Efteling and Europa-Park.
Phantasialand: Wintertraum
Wintertraum runs from 14 November 2026 to 24 January 2027, from 11:00 to 20:00, and to 18:00 on New Year’s Eve. The park is closed on 24 and 25 December, 1 January and 12 and 13 January. Its winter list includes winterly rides, winter shows, Children’s Dream and the Berlin Ice Rink. Check the park’s app for ride status on the day.
Efteling, PortAventura, Toverland and Gardaland
- Efteling: Winter Efteling runs from 16 November 2026 to 31 January 2027, and outdoor roller coasters open weather permitting. Efteling has separate pages for Christmas and New Year’s Eve, so check them for details.
- PortAventura Park: Christmas runs from 20 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, with Christmas shows and street entertainment.
- Toverland: Winter Feelings runs from 28 November 2026 to 17 January 2027 on selected days. The ice rink is free with an all-day ticket, and skate rental costs €8.50 for the day. Rain or snow can delay or close attractions.
- Gardaland: Magic Winter runs from 5 December 2026 to 6 January 2027.
Before you book
- Check closed days. A trip built around 24 or 25 December won’t work at every park.
- Look at what’s included. A Santa visit can be in the entrance fee or a paid upgrade, so compare carefully.
- Watch the weather rules. Parks warn that outdoor rides can close in cold or windy conditions.
- Pack for cold. Read our cold-weather packing list for toddlers and theme park day bag list.
- Check under-3 rules. See theme parks where under-3s go free.
Next steps
For a wider view of winter opening, read theme parks open in winter in Europe. Prefer the real thing? See Christmas in Lapland with kids.
Frequently asked questions
When does Christmas start at Disneyland Paris in 2026?
Disney Enchanted Christmas runs from 7 November 2026 to 6 January 2027.
Is Tivoli open at Christmas?
Christmas in Tivoli runs from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Check daily hours on Tivoli's site.
Is Europa-Park open on Christmas Day?
No. It closes on 24 and 25 December 2026.
How much is Father Christmas at Legoland Windsor?
The Father Christmas Visit upgrade starts from £27.50 per child, and entry is separate.
Which parks have Santa included?
Tivoli says Visit Father Christmas is included in the entrance fee. At other parks, check the programme.
