Every Festival and Event at Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Resort Events: A Year-Round Celebration of Fun and Festivity

Visiting the Happiest Place on Earth is always an unforgettable experience, as the Disneyland Resort offers a variety of festivals and special events throughout the year. These events are complemented by festive decor, specialty food and drinks, fun character interactions, and unique merchandise. Whether it’s official events organized by the company or fan-created ones, there’s always something to look forward to.

Disneyland After Dark Events

In 2018, the Disneyland Resort introduced several special “After Hours” ticketed events with various themes. Inspired by the “Date Nite” events from the 1960s, these events have become a hit with fans. Each event features different entertainment, food, photo ops, music, special character appearances, and merchandise, offering guests a distinctive experience in the late hours of the night. With limited time, guests must be smart and proactive to see all they want. You can also enjoy little to no wait times for your favorite attractions.

Over the years, the resort has offered a variety of themed events. Throwback Nite was a retro-themed event inspired by the park’s early days. Princess Night was themed around Disney’s favorite royalty, with rare characters like Giselle from Enchanted appearing. Grad Nite Reunion had guests reminiscing about their high school days, while Disney Channel Nite celebrated the channel’s heyday of classic cartoons and popular original movies like High School Musical. Guests who love the antagonistic characters had fun with Villains Nite, and 80s Nite was a totally tubular look back at the decade.

In 2025, the most popular events returned. Sweethearts Nite centers on Disney’s romantic couples with amazing photo-ops and character meet and greets. Pride Nite celebrates the LGBTQ+ community, while 90s Nite features fun pop music and rare characters from the era like Hercules and Scrooge McDuck. Lastly, Star Wars Nite delights fans with a fireworks show set to classic John Williams themes, and never-before-seen characters like Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Padmé Amidala, Jawas, and Ewoks.

These events happen throughout the first six months of the year, with each upcoming slate and sale dates announced in January. See the official website for details.

Food and Wine Festival

What started as a niche event at Walt Disney World’s Epcot, the Food and Wine Festival was transported to the West Coast and has now become one of the most popular events at Disney California Adventure every year. The festival typically runs from the end of February through the end of April and offers guests a scrumptious array of culinary delights.

From sweet and savory dishes to specialty drinks of the alcoholic and non-alcoholic variety, this festival is for the foodies and visitors who love trying unique dishes different from the run-of-the-mill theme park food.

Several kiosks line the pathway past Carthay Circle through the Paradise Garden area, with offerings also at select dining locations. Prices and options vary, but the best value for frequent guests will be the Sip and Savor Pass, which gives you several tabs for food and drinks at an overall discounted rate. Menus are announced ahead of time, with the Disney Parks Blog being a good source. In the past few years, Soarin’ Over California has also returned during the festival, much to the delight of diehard fans.

Tikiland Day and Adventureland Day

Tiki and adventure enthusiasts will love the annual TikiLand and Adventureland Days that happen every Spring at Disneyland Park and the nearby Trader Sam’s at the Disneyland Hotel. These unofficial events began in 2019 by the TikiLand Trading Co., and include fun meet-ups, scavenger hunts, group photos, and more.

Celebrating all things Tiki, tropical, jungle, and adventure-related, the events encourage everyone to dress up. Some Disney-bound as appropriate characters like Indiana Jones, Jane from Tarzan, or Frank from Jungle Cruise, while others don tropical or Safari-esque attire. To participate in these events, you sign up for updates via text on their website.

Always Believe has several videos on Adventureland Day, including this one and this one, which highlight what a fun event this is. Likewise, check out TikiLand Day highlights on the channels It’s a Charming World, Dreamy Manda, and The Daily Woo.

Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and the Fourth of July

Disneyland has always shown reverence and appreciation for active, retired, or fallen members of the military. Likewise, Walt Disney infused his park with touches of the American past with respect and nostalgia. Consequently, these three U.S. holidays include moments and touches of honor and celebration.

On Memorial Day, several quick restaurants and hotels set up a Fallen Soldier Table, a small table covered in a white tablecloth, a single red rose, and other carefully chosen items, each symbolic of something meaningful. GentlemansDisney on Instagram shares what each item means. The daily Flag Retreat ceremony also adds a special moment of remembrance for the fallen.

On Veterans Day, the Flag Retreat Ceremony is extra special. Any Disneyland cast members who are retired or active military members march down Main Street. The past has also seen flyovers of the U.S. Air Force, with the Flag Retreat Ceremony including the Disneyland Resort Honor Security Guard, veterans, the Dapper Dans, and the Disneyland Band. Daps Magic showcases the 2024 ceremony.

On the Fourth of July, expect festive patriotic decor, treats, and a fireworks show to classic Americana music.

Disneyland’s Birthday

Disneyland officially opened on July 17, 1955. Every year since, the Resort has celebrated this auspicious occasion with parades, cavalcades, fireworks shows, and commemorative merchandise.

In recent years, the Birthday Cavalcade, led by Mickey Mouse, has included dozens of characters, lively music, and a tribute to Walt Disney with excerpts from his opening day speech.

Choc Walk

The Walt Disney Company contributes to and participates in many charitable organizations and events. One of the most notable is the CHOC Walk, an incredible and massive fundraiser that benefits the Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

Walkers donate to participate, many creating teams, encouraging outside donations, and setting fundraising goals. The event takes place in the early morning before the park opens, with a set route taking participants through both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

Along the way, you’ll see characters and cast members cheering you on. It’s a fun, unique, and rewarding experience that I was fortunate enough to participate in as a member of Team CheezyPop in 2018. Check out that year’s event, as well as 2024’s with Lindsey Land.

Dapper Days

Of all the unofficial events at Disneyland, Dapper Day is the most popular and beloved- not to mention stylish. Two weekends a year (one in the Spring and one in the Fall), Dapper Day encourages participants to come dressed to the nines in vintage-style apparel.

The most common wardrobe we see is fashion inspired by the 1940s to the 1960s. Many also get creative with their outfits, taking inspiration from Disney characters, films, and attractions. At the park, there are a few meet-ups on the Mark Twain Riverboat and King Arthur’s Carousel.

Additionally, Dapper Days includes an expo filled with retro-themed vendors, Photo Booths, dancing, and more. 2025 marked the last year, at least for the unforeseen future, the expo will be at the Disneyland Hotel. Check out DapperDay.com for more information.

Gay Days

Officially, Disneyland celebrates Pride in June, including a few Pride Nite events. Unofficially, every September, there are “Gay Days,” a three-day event celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and allies.

Being an unofficial event, there are no special treats or merchandise. However, there are meet-ups and off-site offerings. Many also come to the park in red T-shirts in solidarity. Those interested can find more info on their website.

Halloween Time

In recent years, Halloween at the Disneyland Resort has become one of the busiest times of the year. Guests love the fun food options, spooky decor, entertainment, and attraction overlays. Indeed, the decorations in Disneyland and DCA go above and beyond, creating an experience truly unique.

The entrances to both parks immediately immerse you. Disneyland has giant pumpkins made to look like the classic characters Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy; at DCA, there’s an elaborate facade of Oogie Boogie. Disneyland’s Main Street has fun pumpkins everywhere, while Cars Land is decked out with creative spooky decor.

During the Halloween season (and through the Holidays), the Haunted Mansion gets a spectacular Nightmare Before Christmas-themed overlay. Similarly, Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout becomes Monsters After Dark, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree transforms into a Graveyard Jam-BOO-ree, and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters turns into Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween.

In Disneyland, don’t forget to check out the Fab Five in Halloween-themed outfits, the “Halloween Tree” in Frontierland, in honor of Ray Bradbury, and the Fireworks and projections show “Halloween Screams.” The Halloween season runs from mid-August through October 31.

Oogie Boogie Bash

The Disneyland Resort once had a similar party to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party from Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. Mickey’s Halloween Party ran from 2005-2009 in DCA and 2010-2018 in Disneyland. In 2019, the Oogie Boogie Bash debuted to rave reviews with guests loving the theming, character interactions, and parade.

Indeed, of all the “After Hours” events at the Resort, you get the most bang for your buck. Several treat trails are located throughout all of DCA with a designated villain and candy station. Over the years, guests have interacted with Maleficent, the Evil Queen, the Mad Hatter, Dr. Facilliar, Mother Gothel, Madame Mim, Cruella, Hades, Judge Doom, and Ernesto de La Cruz, to name a few.

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail transforms into Villains Grove, a dazzling and immersive wonderland of lights, fog, music, and projections themed around numerous Disney villains. The “Boo to You” parade is another winner with fans, with two showings at every party.

Oogie Boogie Bash runs from mid-August through October 31, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Having attended twice, I can confidently say what a wonderful experience the Oogie Boogie Bash can be.

Plaza de la Familia

In DCA at Paradise Gardens, the Plaza de la Familia celebrates Dia de Los Muertos and centers around the Pixar film Coco. Like the movie, the area features colorful and authentic decor and music that adds to the experience.

Guests can write messages to loved ones who have passed away and add them to the Memory Wall and Tree of Life, aka the Árbol de la Vida. Parkgoers can also enjoy a lively show that celebrates the award-winning music of Coco, as well as a fun interaction and photo op with Miguel, thanks to the magic of puppetry.

Guests can visit Plaza de la Familia from late August until early November.

Holiday Time

From early November through the first week of January, the Disneyland Resort becomes even more magical as both parks transform into winter wonderlands. Indeed, even more so than the Halloween season, the decorations are beautiful and extensive. Main Street has the most, from a stunning, massive Christmas tree to garlands that extend across the street. The normal ragtime music becomes Christmas carols, and the characters all don special costumes.

One of the most stunning sights during Christmas is It’s a Small World. The outside facade is covered in thousands of colored lights, while the inside is adorned with little holiday touches. The famous song is also replaced with upbeat versions of “Deck the Halls” and “Jingle Bells.”

Buena Vista Street at DCA also features a large tree, Mickey wreaths, and 1930s and '40s Christmas classics from the likes of Bing Crosby and Glenn Miller. The Redwood Creek also features lots of festive touches and a meet and greet with Santa Claus. Cars Land also gets in on the fun with Mater’s becoming the Jingle Jamboree and Luigi’s Joy to the World.

On the entertainment front, Disneyland dazzles guests with “A Christmas Fantasy Parade,” “Believe…In Holiday Magic” fireworks show, and a stunning projection on It’s a Small World set to the “Nutcracker Suite.” There’s also “Wintertime Enchantment,” a beautiful and peaceful visual transformation of Sleeping Beauty Castle, and a nightly “snowfall.” It's actually soap suds released into their air, so fans have affectionately deemed it “snoap.”

At DCA, visitors can celebrate numerous cultures with ¡Viva Navidad! This small parade features a saturation of color, fun, and upbeat holiday tunes, such as “Feliz Navidad” and “Wonderful Christmas Time.” Another hit with guests, don’t miss the Marching Toy Soldiers and their incredible drum routine.

Festival of the Holidays

During the Holiday Season, Disney California Adventure features another unique food festival. The Festival of the Holidays is similar to the Food and Wine Festival, with kiosks lining the walkway towards Paradise Gardens. Likewise, the Sip and Savor pass is available for guests planning on visiting several times.

The differences lie in the food and drink offerings. With multiple cultures and holidays represented, the festival celebrates diversity through the art and beauty of food.

Candlelight Processional

One of Disneyland’s most beautiful, moving, and longstanding traditions is the Candlelight Processional, which happens every holiday season. Typically held on the first weekend in December, this event (which began in 1958) includes several choirs joining together to sing Christmas carols, while a celebrity host reads the traditional Christmas story.

The choirs proceed down Main Street in their regalia, ending at the train station. The close-up seats are reserved for special guests and VIPS, but everyone else can gather in the area to watch and listen.

I had the great joy of seeing the processional in 2012 with Edward James Olmos as the narrator. Past narrators include Viola Davis, Brie Larson, Chris Hemsworth, Kathryn Hahn, Sterling K. Brown, Ginnifer Goodwin, Chris Pratt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, John Stamos, Cary Grant, Rock Hudson, and James Stewart. The area will be quite crowded during the ceremony, but it’s well worth it.

New Year’s Eve

Many parkgoers and average tourists do not know that New Year’s Eve at the Disneyland Resort feels like one giant party. Unlike other “After Dark” ticketed events, New Year’s Eve festivities come at no extra charge.

There are special fireworks shows at Disneyland and DCA, photo-ops, complimentary party hats and noise makers, and DJ-hosted dance parties. One note: New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest days of the year, so crowds will be significant.

Lunar New Year

In January and February of each year, Disney California Adventure has numerous offerings to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Like the Festival of the Holidays, the Lunar New Year features authentic food, decor, and entertainment from the Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese Asian cultures.

Expect to see colorful lanterns and banners, and procession of Disney characters dressed in Asian wares with Mulan and Mushu at the center. One of the finest offerings has guests writing down wishes for their loved ones and placing them on the “Wishing Wall.” In return, they receive a piece of hand-painted Chinese calligraphy for free.

Eggstravaganza

Compared to Halloween and Christmas, Disneyland does not do much for the Easter holiday. You can see Mickey and Minnie in Springtime outfits, as well as Thumper, and the White Rabbit as the Easter Bunny in festive attire.

The one significant Easter offering is the Eggstravaganza. On this Easter egg scavenger hunt, guests search for large eggs painted like Disney characters, hidden high among the buildings throughout the Park. Guests can pick up a map with stickers to keep track of their progress. At the end, you’ll receive a special gift.