Disneyland in Anaheim, California, is known as a magical place filled with beloved Disney characters, thrilling rides, and family entertainment.
However, what many visitors may not realize is that throughout the year, Disneyland also hosts a wide variety of special events to enhance the Disney experience.
From extravagant seasonal celebrations to exclusive after-hour parties, Disneyland events add an additional layer of magic for guests.
These special happenings provide rare character interactions, themed food and decor, unique entertainment offerings, and opportunities to enjoy the parks in exciting new ways.
Whether attending with family, friends, a special someone, or even solo, Disneyland events allow guests to see Disneyland in a whole new light.
In this article, we will explore some of the most popular, beloved, wondrous Disneyland events that transform the Disneyland Resort into an even more festive atmosphere that keeps devoted Disney fans returning year after year.
From Halloween Time celebrations in the fall to holiday winter wonderlands, Disneyland offers no shortage of events for everyone to enjoy.
Klook.comRunDisney Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend
Date: 30 January to 2 February, 2025
Timings: 5 am Pacific Time
Location: Disneyland Resort, Anaheim
Description:
Visitors get a unique and excellent opportunity to join their favorite Disney Characters, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, for a Half Marathon across Disneyland Resorts.
Visitors running this 5K marathon will meet their favorite Disney characters, cheering for them as they run across the iconic theme parks.
Participants will receive a participant shirt, race bib, Downloadable finisher certificate, and on-course and post-race refreshments.
Lunar New Year
Date: 17 January through 16 February, 2025
Timings: 12.45 pm, 2.30 pm and 5 pm
Location: Paradise Gardens Park, Disneyland California Adventure Park
The Lunar New Year event is a multicultural celebration filled with gracious wishes for health, luck and prosperity for everyone in the new year.
The highlights of the events include Mulan’s Lunar New Year procession, an exceptionally crafted Asian cuisine menu, and special appearances by Disney characters dressed in beautiful costumes.
With eye-sparkling festive decorations and kid-friendly crafts and activities, there is something for everyone at this Disneyland California special event.
Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite
Date: 21, 23, 28 January and 4, 6, 9, 11 and 13 February, 2025
Timings: 9 pm to 1 am
Location: Disneyland Park
Witness love in the air at Disneyland Park as it transforms into a celebration of love with one-of-a-kind entertainment, rare characters, and specialty food.
Enjoy beverages and attractions with shorter wait times with your beloved wife, partner, love interest, or best friend.
Tickets to this event include Disneyland entry tickets in California, as early as 6 pm, three hours before the event starts.
Celebrate Gospel for Black History Month
Date: 8 February and 15 February
Timings: 2.30 pm to 7 pm
Location: Fantasyland Theatre
Celebrate Gospel is an annual tribute to gospel music.
It brings together award-winning gospel greats and community choirs with distinct styles from all over Southern California.
February 17 features Marvin Sapp and the show on the 24th features Tasha Cobbs Leonard.
Villains Day: Stalk Around the Park
Date: 26 January, 2025
Timings: 10 am
Location: Disneyland Resort
Villains Day is an unofficial theme day at the Disneyland Resort, where visitors are encouraged to showcase their villainous side.
Dress in Disney-inspired villain-themed costumes and makeup and join other like-minded visitors on a fun day.
Entry tickets to both parks are required, and since it is an unofficial theme day, it is not in formal association with the Walt Disney Company.
Mini Gay Day
Date: 1 March, 2025
Location: Disneyland Resort
Mini Gay Day is another informal celebration at Disneyland Resort and other Disneyland parks.
This event is associated with more significant LGBTQ+ celebrations and is often associated with Gay Days at Disneyland Parks.
People and supporters of the LGBTQ+ communities wear red shirts or t-shirts in solidarity with the cause of LGBTQ+ rights.
Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival
Date: 28 February to 21 April, 2025
Location: Disneyland California Adventure Park
Sip wine, savor delicious eats, and participate in a beautiful, family-friendly experience at the Disneyland California Adventure Food and Wine Festival.
All guests aged 21 and above can enjoy this event with a valid Disneyland California Adventure entry ticket.
Get the best culinary treats and all dining options, characters, and entertainment options included in the Park tickets.
Klook.comSeason of the Force
Date: 28 March to 11 May, 2025
Location: Disneyland Park
The Season of the Force is a special Star Wars event that will take place in Disneyland Park.
One of the several Disneyland California special events, it is a must-do for all Star Wars lovers, with Hyperspace Mountain, themed food and beverage, and merchandise being the event’s highlight.
Event visitors can embark on new and exciting adventures aboard Star Tours.
Star Wars Nite at Disneyland
Date: 8, 10, 22, 24, 29 April and 1, 4, 6, May, 2025
Location: Disneyland Park
Star Wars Nite at Disneyland will take place along with the Season of the Force at Disneyland California.
Star Wars fans have more nights for this event, where they can experience a galactic adventure like never before.
Dapper Day
Date: 13 April, 2025
Location: Disneyland Hotel
Dapper Day is an organization that organizes fashion-based events at various locations, and Disneyland is one of them.
Visitors joining this outing will need a valid Park ticket and Park reservations.
Dapper Day is not an official Disneyland event.
Dapper Day Fall Outing
Date: Mid-November
Location: Disneyland Resort
Dapper Day Fall outing typically occurs in mid-November, but the exact dates are unknown.
You can find all the Dapper duds at the Dapper Day Expo at Disneyland Hotel.
Pixar Fest
Date: 26 April through 4 August
Location: Disneyland Resort
Pixar Fest is a massive celebration at Disneyland Resort with a nighttime spectacular, daytime parade, and Pixar-themed character encounters.
Together Forever, one of the most admired Disneyland attractions and a Pixar Nighttime Spectacular, is returning with more added shows.
Better Together, a day-time parade will be making its debut too.
Bats Day Fun in the Fun Park
Date: 27 April, 2025
Location: Disneyland Resort
Bats Day is also known as Goth Day or Bats Day at Disneyland.
It is yet another unofficial event that has taken place at Disneyland for more than two decades.
Bats Day celebrates the goth, industrial and deathrock clubs.
Grand Nites
Date: 9, 12, 18, 21, 22, 27, 28 May and 30 and 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, and 13 June, 2025
Location: Disneyland Park and California Adventure Park
High school seniors visit Disneyland California to celebrate the Grad or Graduation Night.
They are found across both parks throughout the day.
However, after 9 pm, the party usually shifts to California Adventure Park.
Klook.comPride Nite
Date: 16 and 18 June, 2025
Timings: 9 pm
Location: Disneyland Park
Pride Nite is one of the several Disneyland California special events under “Disneyland After Dark.”
Pride Night is a nighttime celebration with entertainment, Disney special characters dressed in colorful costumes, and more.
Pride Night tickets may cost $159 per person.
Fourth Of July
Date: 4 July
Location: Disneyland Resort
Celebrate America’s Independence like never before on the 4th of July.
Witness the red, white, and blue decorations at the Parks.
Disneyland also organizes a Fireworks show on this occasion with soulful patriotic songs.
Disneyland’s Birthday
Date: 17 July
Location: Disneyland Resort
Disneyland’s Birthday celebrates its birthday on July 17.
On this day, visitors find the park beautifully decorated with characters appearing.
You can also see the Birthday special parade on this day.
CHOC Walk
Location: Disneyland Park and California Adventure Park
CHOC Walk is a popular fundraising program organized in Disneyland, California.
You can join this program that brings around $3 million towards programs, education, and research in children.
This program involves walking 5K across Disneyland Park and California Adventure Park.
2025 Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon Weekend
Date: 4 to 7 September, 2025
Location: Disneyland Resort
Disneyland California organizes Halloween-themed events at the parks for four to five days.
Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon is a 5K marathon during such Halloween-themed celebrations across the parks.
Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort
Date: 22 August through 31 October, 2025
Location: Disneyland Resort
Halloween is a great time to visit Disneyland because you can see Halloween-themed decorations at the park.
Special characters appear in scary costumes; you can click pictures with them.
Visitors should check the Disneyland App on the day of their visit to learn about accurate schedules and locations of appearances.
Oogie Boogie Bash
Date:
- 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28, 31, August
- 2, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30, September
- 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, 31, October
Location: California Adventure Park
The Oogie Boogie Bash is a Halloween-themed event scheduled to take place at California Adventure Park.
Oogie Boogie Bash is a family-friendly event with after-hours park treat trail access, picture opportunities, entertainment attractions, and fun decorations.
Magic Key Holders can also get access to unique offerings during event nights.
Plaza de la Familia
Date: 22 August through 2 November, 2025
Location: Paradise Gardens Park at California Adventure Park
It is an immersive celebration at California Adventure Park, where the well-known film Coco comes to life.
Enjoy a musical show with heartwarming tales by Plaza de la Familia storytellers.
You can also take pictures with characters like Miguel.
Mickey and Minnie’s Birthday
Date: 18 November
Location: Disneyland Park
Mickey and Minnie share their birthdays on November 18 and head out to celebrate with the guests.
It is not an officially scheduled holiday, but guests can find Mickey and Minnie dressed in their birthday outfits at the park.
They may also offer some free handout gifts to the visitors.
Holidays at Disney Resort
Date: 14 November 2025 to 7 January 2026
Location: Disneyland Resort
Watch Disneyland turn into a winter wonderland around the Holidays as the Holiday-themed decor goes up.
It is one of the most significant events at Disneyland and is one of the best times to visit the park.
The iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle is decorated with icicles and shimmering lights, providing jaw-dropping views.
Candlelight Ceremony
Date: first weekend in December
Location: Town Square, Disneyland Park
It is one of the rare religious ceremonies held at Disneyland California.
This is mainly for invited guests who get seats, but other parkgoers may stand aside and watch.
There is a narrator with choirs and music, and the group walks past certain areas in the park.
Klook.com