Disneyland Park has several special events throughout the year, many of which make this already charming park even more festive (and lovely!).
Some of the events require payment, whereas many others are free.
Take a look and see if any of the events interest you.
UPDATE: The information below may be impacted by current reopening procedures. Please visit our Disneyland reopening guide for the most up-to-date information.
Holidays
Halloween Time
Sept. 3-Oct. 31, 2021
Starting in early September through the entire month of October, Disneyland Park celebrates Halloween.
There isn’t a special after-hours party, but there are still plenty of other ways to enjoy the holiday, including:
- Costumed Characters: Meet classic Disney characters in their Halloween costumes, including Mickey and Minnie Goofy. Guests can also see Jack and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas.
- Haunted Mansion Holiday: The Haunted Mansion transforms into the Haunted Mansion Holiday with decorations and a story inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas.
- Main Street Pumpkin Festival: Encounter a variety of Disney-themed pumpkins on Main Street, U.S.A., including the giant Mickey pumpkin that is smiling on one side and winking on the other.
- Halloween Screams: A fireworks and projection show featuring Jack Skellington, Zero, and Disney villains. You can watch the show at Sleeping Beauty Castle on Main Street (highly recommended), “it’s a small world” in Fantasyland, and Rivers of America in Frontierland. Fireworks only happen on weekend nights, so be sure to check the entertainment schedule.
- Halloween Time Food & Beverage: There are many Halloween-themed food and beverage items across the park.
Día de los Muertos
Sept. 3-Nov. 2, 2021
Also known as the Day of the Dead, this Mexican celebration happens daily in Frontierland in El Zócalo Park.
Experience bright decorations and flowers, a musical trio of skeleton figurines (aka “calacas”), and traditional Mexican cuisine at Rancho del Zócalo Restaurante.
Christmastime
Nov. 12, 2021-Jan. 9, 2022
The holidays begin in early November and last through early January at Disneyland.
There is an after-hours party, along with a variety of festive events, like the previously mentioned Haunted Holiday Mansion plus:
- A Christmas Fantasy Parade: A parade featuring favorite Disney characters and Santa Claus.
- “Believe…In Holiday Magic” Fireworks: Held nightly and lasts for 15 minutes over Sleeping Beauty Castle.
- “it’s a small world” Holiday: The classic attraction is transformed with holiday decorations and traditional holiday tunes, in addition to “It’s A Small World (After All)”.
- “it’s a small world” Holiday Lighting: Every night, the attraction’s façade lights up for the holidays and throughout the night a projection show occurs every 30 minutes on the exterior with holiday colors and images.
- Wintertime Enchantment at Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle: The castle is covered in icicles, wreaths, and other décor for the duration of the holidays. Every night, the castle lights up accompanied with falling snow and music.
- Christmas Tree: Located on Main Street, U.S.A., the tree lights up daily around 4:55 p.m.
Valentine’s Month
2022 Dates TBD
Valentine’s Month (usually starts in late January and runs through most of February) originated in 2018 and celebrates love across the park with special photo spots, food and beverage items, and Minnie’s Valentine’s Surprise scavenger hunt, in which Minnie has hidden secret valentines for Mickey throughout the park.
The scavenger hunt requires guests to purchase a commemorative map and stickers.
Once complete with stickers, participants can redeem the map at the listed location to receive a special Valentine’s surprise.
Egg-stravaganza
2022 Dates TBD
All you have to do is pick up a board game and stickers (around $7.99 plus tax) at select retail locations, as you hunt for hidden Disney-themed “eggs” and place the corresponding stickers on your game board.
Even if you choose not to hunt for the eggs, simply return your board game to either the designated location(s) for a prize, which is usually one of six collectible eggs.
New Year’s Eve
Dec. 31, 2022
Disneyland usually has New Year’s Eve “Fantasy in the Sky” Fireworks at 9 p.m. and at midnight. Main Street makes for the best view.
Paid Special Events
Disney Merriest Nites
Nov. 11, Nov. 16, Nov, 30, Dec. 7, and Dec. 9, 2021
Disney Merriest Nites is a holiday After Hours event taking place at Disneyland Park.
The limited-capacity event includes special characters, food, beverages, and merchandise, along with six different parties hosted by characters across the park.
There’s also the chance to ride select attractions with low wait times and even see Santa Claus and snow on Main Street, U.S.A.
You can purchase tickets starting Sept. 14, 2021 no earlier than 9 a.m. on Disneyland.com or via the Disneyland app.
Disneyland After Dark
TBD
Disneyland After Dark is a specially-ticketed event. A future After Dark event includes Star Wars Nite. Events usually include special themed-entertainment, food, beverages, merchandise, character meet and greets, photo opportunities, and more.
Star Wars Nite in Disneyland has been postponed. Current ticket holders will automatically be eligible for the rescheduled event option (the new date hasn’t been announced). If you don’t want to keep your tickets, call (714) 781-4636 for assistance.
Grad Nights
2022 Dates are as follows (2023 Dates TBD)
May: 13, 14, 18, 20, 21, 25, 26, 31
June: 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 17
Grad Nights are a special event for high school seniors celebrating graduates at both Disney California Adventure and Disneyland.
There are three ticket options:
- Disneyland Grad Nite Private Party Experience at DCA ($89 per person): After 9 p.m., Grads get exclusive access to DCA as it transforms into an immersive, once-in-a-lifetime celebration. Grads will get to enjoy this evening event with other Grads.
- Full day at DCA plus admission to the Disneyland Grad Nite Private Party Experience ($119 per person) later in the evening in the same park.
- Park Hopper experience to both parks plus admission to the exclusive Disneyland Grad Nite Private Party Experience at DCA ($179 per person): Grads can access both Disneyland and DCA on the same day during normal operating hours, then wrap up the night at the exclusive private party experience with other Grads.
Registration is available online. For more information, contact Group Travel Operations 1-800-232-7980 or email [email protected].
CHOC Walk In the Park
2022 Dates TBD
CHOC Walk in the Park benefits Children’s Hospital of Orange County and is presented by Disneyland Resort. Participants form teams to walk a 5K through Disneyland and DCA.
With every step, funds are raised for CHOC Children’s programs and services in need, including health care programs, education, and research. In order to register, each participant must pay a fee.
Those who raise the fundraising minimum also receive discounts, including specially priced park tickets.
Free Special Events
Bats Day
May 8, 2022
Bats Day used to be an entire weekend, but this unofficial event now it occurs one day a year at Disneyland.
Participants do not need to purchase separate tickets in order to attend, but they do need a park ticket and park reservation to enter Disneyland.
Bats Day is a special day for the Dark Subculture community, including Deathrock, Goth, Industrial, Steampunk, Rockabilly, Psychobilly, and Halloween.
The community gathers to celebrate each other and have fun at the happiest place on earth.
4th of July
July 4, 2022
Disneyland celebrates the Fourth of July with “Disney’s Celebrate America! — A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” featuring fireworks and patriotic songs.
Gay Days
Sept. 17-19, 2021
Gay Days celebrates the LGBTQ community annually with several days of events. This is an unofficial Disneyland event and the park remains open to the general public.
A special ticket doesn’t need to be purchased to attend, but participants will need a ticket and park reservation to enter the park.
Gay Days participants are also encouraged to wear red shirts. Disneyland sometimes even releases limited-time Rainbow treats and merchandise around Gay Days as well.
Mini-Gay Day
2021 Dates TBD
In the spring, there is Mini-Gay Day, another unofficial Disneyland event that lasts only one day compared to an entire weekend and once again serves as a meet-up for the LGBTQ community.
Dapper Day Fall Outing
Nov. 14, 2021
Organized by the Dapper Day organization, individuals attend the unofficial Disneyland event in their best vintage “DisneyBound” and Sunday best to honor the way guests used to dress when Disneyland opened in 1955.
All participants need is a park ticket and park reservation to enter.
The Dapper Day Fall Outing is currently planned for Nov. 14, 2021. The Dapper Day Expo is also set to happen from Nov. 13-14 at the Disneyland Hotel. You can also book special hotel rates through Dapper Day.
Per the website, “Due to the unknowns of 2021, this year’s Expos may be presented differently from previous events. Please join our newsletter to be kept up to date on developments.”
Dapper Day Spring Outing
2022 Dates TBD
This event is similar to the fall outing, but takes place in the spring. Details haven’t been released yet for the Spring event, so stay tuned!
Disneyland’s Birthday
July 17, 2021
Disneyland will turn 66 on July 17, 2021 (the park opened in 1955). The park is known for celebrating with the “Happiest March on Earth” down Main Street featuring a slew of characters and the Dapper Dans singing “Happy Birthday.”
Plus, as a special treat, part of Walt Disney’s opening day speech is usually played.