Shanghai Disneyland Rings in Year of the Horse with Festive Events

Shanghai Disney Resort has unveiled its plans for celebrating the Lunar Year of the Horse in 2026. According to local press, the resort will launch a special New Year festival from January 28 through March 3, 2026, marking the Chinese New Year season with themed decor, shows, and merchandise. Mickey, Minnie, and all the Disney friends will don brand-new Spring Festival costumes inspired by Chinese traditions, and the entire park – including Mickey Avenue and Gardens of Imagination – will be adorned with horse-themed lanterns, banners, and installations to create a festive atmosphere.

The centerpiece of this year’s celebration is the debut of a brand-new Pixar/Disney character: “Little Horse Red Heart” (known in Chinese as 小马红心). This original horse character, tied to the Toy Story franchise, will make his first appearance at Shanghai Disneyland on January 28. Little Horse Red Heart is slated to star in the resort’s New Year entertainment. The character’s debut will take place at a special “Spring Celebration Party” on the first day of the festivities, staged at the Disneytown Pepsi Stage. After his introduction, the new horse will join daily performances throughout the festival: he will co-host the nightly “Spring Drum Ceremony” with Duffy and friends, and will also appear for meet-and-greets inside Toy Story Land, where guests can say hello to this new Lunar New Year friend. The Red Heart motif will even be included in the park’s 12 Zodiac Friends mural (“十二朋友园”) as a symbol of good luck for the Year of the Horse.

In addition to character appearances, Shanghai Disneyland plans a full slate of themed entertainment for Chinese New Year. During the holiday period, the park will feature special stage shows and parades. For example, a new “Shanghai Swing Dance” show will light up Mickey Avenue, blending Disney music with local dance styles. In the evenings from New Year’s Eve through the Lantern Festival (February 24, 2026), the nighttime spectacular “Spring Celebration: This is Your Home” will return. This show, which includes fireworks over the castle, was a hit in previous years and is being temporarily reinstated to crown each evening’s festivities with a spectacular finale. Guests can expect the usual fanfare – fireworks, fountains, and music – centered around themes of family and homecoming for the new year.

The Year of the Horse festival extends beyond entertainment. Shanghai Disney Resort will offer a variety of limited-time goods and menus. Special merchandise lines will include new Spring-themed apparel, plush toys, and collectibles featuring Mickey & friends, Duffy & friends, and other Disney franchises decked out for the holiday. Traditional Chinese treats and snacks will appear across the parks and at resort hotels, and even the hotels themselves will feature horse-themed decorations and room offerings. For example, both the Toy Story Hotel and the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel will introduce horse-year decor packages and activities for families staying during Lunar New Year. Disneytown’s Marketplace will host Lunar New Year markets with cultural performances and crafts.

This announcement from Shanghai Disney sets the stage for one of the park’s largest seasonal events. (Notably, this falls shortly after the park’s 10th anniversary celebrations in 2023 and the coming Winter Festival in December 2025.) By bringing in a new character and fully embracing Chinese New Year traditions, Shanghai Disneyland aims to blend Pixar storytelling with local culture. As one reporter noted, guests can look forward to enjoying “colorful horse-themed decorations” while the resort invites families “to share the joy of the season” together.

Until next time, keep believing in magic. — Behind the Wish