Your guide to upcoming Disneyland California events

Disneyland California hosts year-round events, from seasonal festivals and limited-time celebrations to after-hours ticketed parties. Some events are included with park admission, while others require separate tickets.

This page breaks down upcoming Disneyland California events by season, so you can plan your visit around what matters most.

Upcoming Disneyland California events in 2026

📅 Early 2026

Lunar New Year

Step into the vibrant sights and sounds of Lunar New Year, a tribute to Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese cultures! Dragons dance, festive music fills the air, and colorful lanterns light up the park. You can explore themed food booths, catch live performances, and meet favorite characters dressed in celebration attire. It’s a cultural celebration that feels like stepping into the heart of the holiday.

  • Date: January 23 to February 22, 2026
  • Timings: Park hours
  • Location: Disney California Adventure Park
  • Included with admission: Yes

Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite

Picture Disneyland in a rosy, romantic glow: twinkling lights, themed treats, and exclusive photo spots. Music sets the mood, and the crowds feel lighter than on a regular night. Whether you’re celebrating love, friendship, or just want a unique evening in the park, this special-ticketed night offers an intimate, magical twist on the usual Disneyland experience.

  • Date: January 22, 25, and 27; February 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, and 17, 2026
  • Timings: 9pm-1am
  • Location: Disneyland Park
  • Included with admission: No; book online; not available on the day of the event

Celebrate Soulfully!

Feel the rhythm and energy of music and culture brought to life across the resort. Live performances, vibrant displays, and cultural storytelling immerse you in a celebration of Black history and artistry. From the beat of the music to the flavors of specialty treats, every corner of the park resonates with soulful energy.

  • Date: All year long, with special focuses during Black History Month (February 2026)
  • Timings: Park hours
  • Location: Disneyland Resort
  • Included with admission: Yes

Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend

Even if you’re not racing, the excitement is contagious. The park pulses with runners in colorful gear, cheering crowds, and festive energy spilling into the streets. Early-morning runners get a first glimpse of rides and characters as they dash by, and even for spectators, it’s a fun, active way to experience the park in a different rhythm.

  • Dates: January 29–February 1, 2026
  • Timings: Varies by distance
  • Location: Disneyland Resort
  • Included with admission: No

Gospel at Downtown Disney District

Imagine strolling through Downtown Disney to the sound of uplifting gospel music, voices harmonizing under the lights. The energy is joyful and infectious, and it’s easy to pause, clap, and even dance along. Local choirs and performers bring a festival vibe that’s as much about community as it is about entertainment.

  • Dates: February 20, 21, 27, and 28, 2026
  • Timings: Park hours
  • Location: Disneyland Resort
  • Included with admission: Yes

Anaheim Ducks Day

Hockey fans and casual visitors alike get a thrill as the spirit of the Ducks comes alive. Expect themed entertainment, team interactions, and seasonal surprises that bring the excitement of the ice rink into the parks. It’s a lively, sporty twist on a regular Disneyland day that adds energy for families and fans alike.

  • Dates: February 22, 2026
  • Timings: Park hours
  • Location: Disney California Adventure Park
  • Included with admission: Yes

🌷 Spring

70 Years of Favorites Nite (Select March Nights)

This limited-ticket evening focuses on classic Disneyland characters, music, and experiences tied to the park’s history. Attendance is capped, which means shorter lines and more time for character encounters and photos. If you prefer experiencing Disneyland at night without daytime crowds and enjoy the nostalgia, this event gives you a calmer, more curated evening.

  • Dates: March 3 and 5, 2026
  • Timings: 9pm–1am
  • Location: Disneyland Park
  • Included with admission: No

Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival

Spring is when Disney California Adventure becomes a park you explore slowly. The Food and Wine Festival adds rotating outdoor booths with small plates and drinks inspired by California cuisine. You can snack between rides, watch live cooking demonstrations, and sample items you won’t find on regular menus. It’s ideal if food is part of how you like to experience a destination.

  • Dates: March 6 to April 27, 2026
  • Timings: Park hours
  • Location: Disney California Adventure Park
  • Included with admission: Yes

Eggstravaganza

Eggstravaganza is a self-guided scavenger hunt that sends you across the parks searching for Disney character eggs hidden in plain sight. You move at your own pace, making it easy to fit between rides or meals. It’s especially popular with families, but it also gives repeat visitors a reason to slow down and notice details they usually walk past.

  • Dates: Multiple dates in March and April
  • Timings: Park hours
  • Location: Disneyland Resort
  • Included with admission: Yes

Earth Day Celebration

Around Earth Day, parts of the resort highlight conservation and nature-focused messaging through displays, character appearances, and seasonal touches. It’s not a standalone festival, but something you notice as you move through the parks. If you’re visiting in spring anyway, it adds a sense of occasion without requiring extra planning.

  • Dates: April 20, 2026
  • Timings: Park hours
  • Location: Disneyland Resort
  • Included with admission: Yes

Hyperspace Mountain Returns

This seasonal overlay transforms Space Mountain into a Star Wars mission, complete with a new soundtrack and visuals. The ride system stays the same, but the experience feels faster and more intense, especially at night. If Space Mountain is already a must-do for you, this version is worth prioritizing during your visit.

  • Dates: April 28, 2026
  • Timings: Park hours
  • Location: Disneyland Park
  • Included with admission: Yes

New Mandalorian & Grogu Adventure on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

This update adds a new story line inspired by The Mandalorian and Grogu, changing the mission you experience inside the Millennium Falcon cockpit. The controls, roles, and ride layout remain familiar, but the narrative feels more current and recognizable. For Star Wars fans, it gives Smugglers Run a reason to ride again—even if you’ve done it before.

  • Dates: Debuts on May 22, 2026
  • Timings: 8am–11pm
  • Location: Disneyland Park
  • Included with admission: Yes

☀️ Summer

Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite

Pride Nite is a separately ticketed, after-hours event that brings extended park access, special entertainment, and character appearances celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. Attendance is limited, which means lighter crowds and more time for rides, photos, and shows. If you want a nighttime Disneyland experience that feels celebratory without daytime congestion, this event is easy to build a trip around.

  • Dates: June 16 and 18, 2026
  • Timings: 9pm–1am
  • Location: Disneyland Park
  • Included with admission: No

Disney on the Yard: Yardfest

Yardfest brings music, dance, and community performances to the resort as part of Celebrate Soulfully programming. You’ll encounter live sets, pop-up entertainment, and cultural showcases that play out across public spaces rather than inside theaters. It’s an event you experience while moving through the park or Downtown Disney, adding energy to your visit without locking you into a schedule.

  • Dates: June 19, 2026
  • Timings: Park hours
  • Location: Disneyland Resort
  • Included with admission: Yes

D23 Day at the Disneyland Resort

D23 Day brings a one-day celebration built around special activities, character appearances, and fan-focused moments across the resort. Families can enjoy Disney Jr. Let’s Play! Party at Disney California Adventure, while Downtown Disney hosts extended festivities over several days, making this an easy trip anchor for Disney fans.

  • Dates: August 14–16, 2026
  • Timings: Park hours
  • Location: Downtown Disney District
  • Included with admission: Yes

Soarin’ Across America first flight

This limited-time version of Soarin’ features a hang-gliding-style ride that lifts you in front of a massive curved screen, simulating flight over California landmarks. Wind, scent, and motion effects enhance the experience. It’s a slower-paced, immersive attraction and a strong choice if you prefer scenic rides over thrill rides.

  • Dates: July 2, 2026
  • Timings: Park hours
  • Location: Disneyland Resort
  • Included with admission: Yes

🎃 Fall

Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party

Oogie Boogie Bash is a separately ticketed, after-hours event held at Disney California Adventure Park. It features treat trails with villains, Halloween-exclusive entertainment, character appearances, and shorter ride waits. Costumes are encouraged for all ages. If Halloween is your priority, this event offers a focused, crowd-managed way to experience it.

  • Dates: August 13–October 31, 2026
  • Timings: To be announced
  • Location: Disney California Adventure Park
  • Included with admission: No

Plaza de la Familia

This is a seasonal celebration inspired by Coco, centered around storytelling, music, and traditions connected to Día de los Muertos. You’ll find live performances, craft activities, and decorative displays in a dedicated area of Disney California Adventure. It’s a slower-paced experience that adds cultural depth to a park visit.

  • Dates: August 21–November 2, 2026
  • Timings: Park hours
  • Location: Disney California Adventure Park
  • Included with admission: Yes

Veterans Day at Disneyland Resort

Veterans Day at Disneyland is marked by patriotic touches woven into the parks, including ceremonial moments and themed tributes. The day maintains normal park operations, but the atmosphere reflects recognition and remembrance. For visitors traveling around this time, it offers a meaningful layer to an otherwise regular park day.

  • Dates: November 11, 2026
  • Timings: Park hours
  • Location: Disneyland Park
  • Included with admission: Yes

❄️ Holidays

Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail

This seasonal activity invites you to search for oversized, Disney-themed ornaments hidden throughout select areas of the resort. You explore at your own pace, spotting decorations and checking them off as you go.

  • Dates: November 18, 2026
  • Timings: Park hours
  • Location: Downtown Disney District
  • Included with admission: Yes

“it’s a small world” Holiday Lighting

During the holidays, this classic boat ride is transformed with seasonal music and décor representing winter celebrations from around the world. The attraction runs after dark, when the exterior lighting becomes part of the experience.

  • Dates: November 14, 2025–January 26, 2026
  • Timings: 8am–11pm
  • Location: Disneyland Park
  • Included with admission: Yes

Wintertime Enchantment at Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle

As evening falls, Sleeping Beauty Castle is illuminated with wintry lighting effects that gradually transition from dusk into night. There’s no showtime to plan around; guests naturally gather as the lights come on.

  • Dates: November 18, 2026
  • Timings: Park hours
  • Location: Disneyland Park
  • Included with admission: Yes

World of Color – Holiday

This nighttime water and projection show takes place at Disney California Adventure Park. During the holidays, the program incorporates seasonal music and imagery layered into the existing show format. Viewing areas can fill quickly, so it’s best planned around your evening schedule rather than as a last-minute stop.

  • Dates: To be announced
  • Timings: Park hours
  • Location: Disney California Adventure Park
  • Included with admission: Yes

Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl

This holiday overlay of Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters adds seasonal music and decorations to the ride’s choreographed vehicle movements. The ride remains gentle and suitable for all ages, but the holiday version gives it a fresh feel. It’s a short experience that works well when lines are long elsewhere.

  • Dates: November 18, 2026
  • Timings: Park hours
  • Location: Disney California Adventure Park
  • Included with admission: Yes

Mater’s Jingle Jamboree

Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree receives a holiday soundtrack and winter touches during this seasonal version. The ride itself doesn’t change mechanically, but the music and timing create a different rhythm. It’s a good option if you’re visiting with younger kids or want a festive break from larger attractions.

  • Dates: November 18, 2026
  • Timings: Park hours
  • Location: Disney California Adventure Park
  • Included with admission: Yes

Disney ¡Viva Navidad!

This holiday celebration highlights Latin American holiday traditions through music, dance, and live performances. You’ll encounter musicians, dancers, and character appearances throughout Disney California Adventure. It adds variety to the holiday season and is easy to experience while moving through the park.

  • Dates: November 18, 2026
  • Timings: Park hours
  • Location: Disney California Adventure Park
  • Included with admission: Yes

Meet Santa Claus

During the holiday season, Santa Claus makes scheduled appearances where guests can stop for photos and brief interactions. These meet-and-greets are especially popular with families and younger children. Lines can form quickly, so it’s worth checking times early in the day if this is a priority.

  • Dates: To be announced
  • Timings: To be announced
  • Location: Disneyland Resort
  • Included with admission: Yes

Frequently asked questions about Disneyland California events

Some events, like After Dark parties and Oogie Boogie Bash, require a separate ticket and include park entry for the same day. Others take place during regular park hours and require standard admission tickets only.

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