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  • On Dec 9, 2025
    Teresa from NC Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I cannot find any information on when small world will be closing to remove the holiday overlay for jan 2026. Additionally when will paint the night return in January.

    Greetings, Teresa, and welcome to planDisney! I love that you'll be kicking off the new year with a January visit to the Disneyland Resort.

    The Hours & Events Calendar is typically updated on a rolling basis to highlight park hours, entertainment schedules, and upcoming refurbishments as far as six weeks out. That said, information is sometimes added a little later, especially when the Resort is transitioning from one season to the next. Check it periodically as your trip approaches to get the newest information.

    According to the Paint the Night webpage, this dazzling nighttime parade is scheduled to return on January 30, 2026. I can't wait – it's one of my favorites. The Paint the Night Dining Package will also return to Plaza Inn starting on the same date. If you'll still be in town, consider this package, which comes with a tasty lunch and a voucher to watch the parade from a reserved viewing location.

    Other 70th Anniversary entertainment is picking up again in January as well. Wondrous Journeys will return on January 8, 2026 – it seems to me that there will be projections and fireworks on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (weather permitting), and projections on other nights. The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade will resume on January 9, 2026.

    It's still a little early to know the exact details about "it's a small world." It's true that it will temporarily close sometime after the holiday season ends to transition back to the regular version of the attraction. On the "Day View" of the Hours & Events Calendar, scroll down to the "Closed for Refurbishment" section. At the time of writing this, the calendar goes out as far as January 23, 2026, and "it's a small world" is still not listed there. Also, hours are still showing on the "it's a small world" Holiday page through this date, rather than the regular attraction page. This makes me think the refurbishment will come later, perhaps in the last week of January. It's also possible that it will be sooner in January, and the information just hasn't been added to the system yet. All this to say, check these pages and the calendar in about a week and a half to see if anything has changed. 

    If you'll be at the Resort near the end of January, don't miss the Lunar New Year celebration, which kicks off January 23, 2026. There will be festive decorations, marketplace booths with creative menu options, special entertainment, and more in California Adventure. 

    Teresa, the Happiest Place on Earth awaits! If you think of any other questions as you plan your trip, please reach out. We're always happy to help here at planDisney!

    Wishing you magic,
    Kriss
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Meet the Panelist: Kriss, California

Hi, there! I’m Kriss, a wife, mom of two mini Mouseketeers, and lifelong Orange County local. As a Magic Key holder who visits the Disneyland Resort often, you have a friend in me when it comes to tips and tricks for making the most of your magical visit. Plant-based dining, navigating the parks with kids, transportation, pin trading, itineraries for various preferences – I’ve got you covered! Learn More About Kriss

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