Holiday snack season has officially arrived at Trader Joe’s. As of November 4, the grocer has rolled out a fresh lineup of festive treats, bringing back fan-favorite staples alongside gift-ready sweets that practically wrap themselves. The timing is ideal for cozy movie nights, streaming marathons, and last-minute stocking stuffers.
Popular Instagram account @traderjoesobsessed spotlighted several of the new and returning items on shelves, and fans are already in full-on holi-yay mode. From peppermint-packed cookies to whimsical cocoa bombs, the seasonal selection leans hard into comfort, nostalgia, and easy entertaining.
While availability varies by location and everything is limited-time, the range this year checks all the big boxes: mint, chocolate, gingerbread, and a bit of salty-sweet crunch for balance. In other words, a ready-made snack board for your next holiday rewatch.
What’s New (and Returning) On Shelves
Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s return as the undisputed headliner. The beloved sandwich cookies feature a candy cane creme filling studded with crunchy peppermint pieces, tucked between chocolate wafers. They’re an instant crowd-pleaser straight from the box, and just as good chilled for extra snap or crumbled over ice cream for a festive sundae. If history is any guide, they won’t stay in stock for long.
Cookie Mug Hangers bring gingerbread cheer with a clever twist. These spiced, crisp cookies are shaped like mini gingerbread people that perch right on the rim of your mug. Whether you’re pouring hot cocoa, coffee, or a decaf tea for late-night binge-watching, they add a playful garnish that doubles as a dunkable treat.
Hot Cocoa Polar Bears are Trader Joe’s spin on the cocoa bomb, molded into an adorable polar bear made from milk and white chocolate. Drop one into a warm mug, watch it melt, and out pop mini marshmallows for an indulgent cup that tastes as good as it looks. They’re tailor-made for stockings and make an easy, single-serve dessert for family movie nights.
Astounding Multi-Flavor Mini Pretzels deliver variety for the snackers who like a bit of everything. The festive assortment mixes sweet, salty, and chocolate-dipped mini pretzels into one sharable package—an easy option for grazing boards, office exchanges, and that one friend who always shows up hungry during the holiday marathon.
Candy Cane Baton Wafer Cookies add an elegant note to the peppermint lineup. As Trader Joe’s describes them, they’re delicate rolled wafers filled with a luxurious peppermint creme. Lightweight and crisp, they’re perfect for stirring into hot chocolate or adding a minty crunch alongside coffee. Boxed and tidy, they’re also a reliable pick for teacher gifts or host thank-yous.
The Dark Chocolate Collection rounds out the slate with a polished gift box of European-style chocolates. It’s the fancy finisher your dessert spread didn’t know it needed—equally at home under the tree, on a coffee table during a holiday special, or saved for a quiet, end-of-the-day bite.
Limited-Time Drop, Maximum Convenience
Trader Joe’s seasonal releases are famously here-and-gone, and this year’s holiday batch is no exception. Inventory turns over quickly once word spreads, and social media buzz has already started. If something catches your eye, grabbing it on your next run is a smart move—especially if you’re planning a watch party or stocking up for December gift exchanges.
The appeal is twofold: these items are ready to serve straight from the package, and they layer together seamlessly for low-lift entertaining. A plate of Joe-Joe’s, a bowl of multi-flavor pretzels, and a stack of batons next to a steaming pot of cocoa is an instant spread that looks intentional without the time sink.
For gifting, it’s hard to miss with the Dark Chocolate Collection or a few well-chosen boxes that mix novelty (hello, polar bears) with classics (peppermint cookies forever). Even better, most of these picks pack and travel well—ideal for office desks, mailbox drops, and those mid-errand pick-me-ups.
Perfect Pairings For Holiday Watch Parties
Planning a seasonal movie marathon or catching a new streaming premiere? Pair Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s and baton wafers with hot chocolate for an easy mint-and-cocoa combo. Add Cookie Mug Hangers to turn basic mugs into centerpiece moments, and deploy the Hot Cocoa Polar Bears for a round of post-credits treats that double as a share-worthy moment.
If your group leans salty-sweet, the Astounding Multi-Flavor Mini Pretzels bring texture and crunch to balance the richer chocolate-forward picks. Finish with a few selections from the Dark Chocolate Collection for a bite-size dessert course that feels curated without requiring a bakery run.
From the first holiday rewatch to New Year’s week decompression, Trader Joe’s seasonal lineup is built for couch-friendly indulgence. With returns like Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s leading the charge and new gifting staples in the mix, it’s an easy win for snack tables, stockings, and every cozy night in between.
As always, availability is store-dependent and while supplies last. But if the early enthusiasm on social media is any indication, the most wonderful time of the grocery year is already underway.
