Get ready to deck the jungle! Disney’s Animal Kingdom is officially dressed for the holidays, and this year’s Animal Kingdom Christmas decor is as wild and wonderful as ever. From a towering Christmas tree to rooftops full of glowing critters, there is festive fun around every corner.
The Disney’s Animal Kingdom entrance decorated with holiday garland.
The Animal Kingdom Christmas Tree Is Up
The star of the show sits right on Discovery Island. The park’s giant Christmas tree is loaded with ornaments, and many of them are animals, mixed in with stars, moons and other sparkly touches.
The Animal Kingdom Christmas tree decorated for the holidays.A close look at the ornaments on the Disney’s Animal Kingdom Christmas tree.Animal-themed ornaments hang on the Animal Kingdom Christmas tree.
Don’t forget to peek at the bottom of the tree! Huge wrapped presents and toys are piled around the base, and some favorite friends from the Hundred Acre Wood are hanging out there too. Look for Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore, plus a snow globe, a toy train car and a bright green alligator.
The Christmas tree at Disney’s Animal Kingdom with oversized gifts around its base.The 2026 Christmas tree at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Discovery Island.Piglet and Tigger figures sit on wrapped gifts at the base of the Animal Kingdom Christmas tree.An Eeyore figure among the gifts at the base of the Animal Kingdom Christmas tree.A snow globe decoration among the gifts at the base of the Animal Kingdom Christmas tree.A toy train car decoration at the base of the Animal Kingdom Christmas tree.A green alligator toy decoration among the gifts under the Animal Kingdom Christmas tree.Colorful toy decorations under the Animal Kingdom Christmas tree.
Merry Menagerie Critters Take Over the Rooftops
The Merry Menagerie is back, and it is one of our favorite holiday traditions in the park. Lantern-style deer, foxes, squirrels, owls, ducks and birds line the rooftops around Discovery Island in bold reds, greens, blues and yellows.
The Riverside Depot clock tower on Discovery Island with Merry Menagerie animal lanterns on its roof.Riverside Depot on Discovery Island decorated with holiday garland and animal lanterns.Merry Menagerie animal lanterns line a rooftop on Discovery Island.Merry Menagerie lanterns along the roofline of a blue building on Discovery Island.Merry Menagerie animal lanterns hang along a roofline above a Discovery Island walkway.Deer and other animal lanterns sit along a Discovery Island roof.An owl lantern and other Merry Menagerie animals on a Discovery Island rooftop.
Island Mercantile is dressed up too, with garland wrapped around its sign and even more lantern animals perched up top.
The Island Mercantile sign framed by holiday garland and lanterns at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.Island Mercantile on Discovery Island decorated for the holidays with garland and animal lanterns.The Island Mercantile entrance at Disney’s Animal Kingdom during the holiday season.
Keep your eyes peeled as you wander. A crane decoration spreads its wings in front of a bright blue wall, and more birds are tucked into the greenery.
A crane decoration spreads its wings in front of a blue building on Discovery Island.A crane decoration with outstretched wings on Discovery Island.Bird decorations set among the plants on Discovery Island.
Festive Garland Around the Park
The holiday cheer doesn’t stop at Discovery Island. Colorful garland hangs over shop entrances, the Pin Station and Tusker House Restaurant in Harambe, and a gorgeous wreath with flowers and fruit adds a natural touch that fits the park perfectly.
A shop entrance at Disney’s Animal Kingdom trimmed with colorful holiday garland and masks.The Pin Station at Disney’s Animal Kingdom decorated with colorful holiday garland.Tusker House Restaurant in Harambe decorated with garland and lights for the holidays.A holiday wreath with flowers, fruit and natural accents at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Diwali Celebrations in Asia
Over in Asia, the lanterns above the plaza by Feathered Friends in Flight get extra flair for Diwali, the five-day festival of lights celebrated in Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and some Buddhist traditions. Diwali runs from November 6 through November 11 this year, and the lanterns pick up flower pom-poms, beads and bells for the occasion.
The Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom during the 2026 holiday season.
Our Thoughts
We can’t get enough of how Animal Kingdom celebrates the season. Nothing beats spotting a glowing fox on a rooftop or finding Eeyore hiding under the Christmas tree. If you’re visiting this holiday season, slow down and look up, because the critters are everywhere!
