As someone who lived very close to Disneyland Resort for several years and visited multiple times a week during my Southern California residency, I can safely say that there is truly no bad time to visit the Happiest Place on Earth. But if you are looking to fill your time at Disneyland with some extra pixie dust, I have compiled a month-by-month guide for 2026, complete with the latest announcements of what the year to come has in store.
2026 is set to be another jam-packed year filled with fan-favorite seasonal events, new and returning after hour parties, and so much more. No matter what month you visit, something exciting will be happening — including the 70th Anniversary Celebration, which continues all the way through early August.
January
The year kicks off in a big way with one of my favorite Disney Parks food festivals around: Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure Park. The limited-time festival returns in 2026 from January 23 through February 22. 2026 is the Year of the Horse, and to celebrate, Horace Horsecollar will make appearances during the festival. Disney California Adventure’s Lunar New Year festival honors Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean traditions through tasty menu items available for purchase at festival booths, live entertainment, merchandise, character appearances, and more.
Disneyland Park will begin 2026 with a bang as well, with Disneyland Railroad guided tour returning on January 16, 2026. Bookings will be available starting on January 8. The Disneyland Railroad guided tours include a ride in the Presidential Car of the Disneyland Railroad, the Lilly Belle.
January also signals the start of several Disneyland After Dark events. Disneyland After Dark takes place after park closing time and includes rare character meet and greets, dance parties, and lower wait times on popular attractions. The first of the five themed after-hours events, Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite will take place on January 22, 25, and 27, with more dates available in February.
The Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend will take place at the end of January with race events taking place from January 29 through February 1. The Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend includes a 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon.
February
February has continuing celebrations that kicked off in January, but there are a couple of select limited-time events returning to Disneyland Resort just this month. Notably, that includes Celebrate Gospel, taking place at Downtown Disney February 20-21 and February 27-28. Celebrate Gospel brings community choirs from around Southern California to Disneyland for live performances, featuring headlining talent Hezekiah Walker (February 21) and Yolanda Adams (February 28).
Anaheim Ducks Day returns in 2026 as well on February 22 in California Adventure. The one-day celebration features appearances by select Anaheim Ducks players and Wild Wing, hockey-themed entertainment and activities, photo opportunities, and more.
Over at Disneyland Park, Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite continues with events on February 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 17. Disney California Adventure’s Lunar New Year Festival continues daily through February 22. February is a great month to visit Disneyland Resort if you are interested in checking out both of these events!
March
March is one of my favorite times of the year to visit Disneyland Resort, and I’m not just saying that because it’s my birthday month (though that does add a little extra dose of magic). My all-time favorite Disney Parks food festival, the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, returns on March 6 and continues daily through April 27. The Food and Wine Festival includes small bites and sips available for purchase at food booths around the park, cooking and beverage demonstrations, and more.
March 2026 is unique in that it also brings multiple new offerings to the resort. The next Disneyland After Dark event is themed to the resort’s 70th anniversary celebration called “70 Years of Favorites,” taking place on March 3 and 5. 70 Years of Favorites will include the return of characters and events have shaped and molded Disneyland Resort over the decades, including a Videopolis Dance Party at Tomorrowland Terrace.
At long last, Bluey and Bingo from the hit Disney+ series “Bluey” will begin making appearances at Disneyland Park starting on March 22 in a brand new stage show at Fantasyland Theatre.
The show, “Bluey’s Best Day Ever!” will be an immersive, family-friendly celebration starring Bluey and Bingo onstage with a cast comedic actors and musicians. Be on the lookout for themed foods inspired by the show available at the neighboring Troubadour Tavern.
With Easter taking place in 2026 on April 5, you are likely to come across some limited-time food and beverage items around Disneyland Resort starting in the month of March, as well as the Eggstravaganza Scavenger Hunt taking place across the resort.
April
Spring is a wonderful season to visit Disneyland Resort, with comfortable temperatures and continuing limited-time events. The Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival continues daily through April 27, giving you one final chance to use up those Sip and Savor Pass credentials (my choice is always whatever mac and cheese variation is on the menu).
Disneyland Park hosts two separate Disneyland After Dark events in the month of April. The first is Disney Channel Nite, a returning favorite featuring dance parties, character meet and greets, and more inspired by the many eras of the iconic TV channel. Disney Channel Nite takes place on April 12, 14, and 16.
Star Wars Nite begins in April as well, with the after hours event taking place on April 28 and 30 (with dates continuing into the month of May). As you might imagine, Star Wars Nite features characters from a galaxy far, far away, themed food and beverage offerings, and more.
No official word as of this writing concerning Season of the Force, but Disney has stated, “Stay tuned for even more exciting news about Star Wars experiences at Disneyland, coming soon, including the return of Hyperspace Mountain for a limited time beginning April 28.”
May
As any Star Wars fan would guess, the month of May at Disneyland Park is about all things…well, all things Star Wars! The month begins with the continuation of Star Wars Nite, taking place on May the Fourth (May 4) as well as May 6.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is set to see its biggest change since the land first opened: a brand new storyline debuting at Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run! The changes will go live on May 22 with a new story centered around Din Djarin, a.k.a. the Mandalorian and Grogu. The new storyline coincides with the release of the film The Mandalorian and Grogu.
The new storyline also comes with enhanced tasks and responsibilities for the three roles onboard Smugglers Run. This includes changes to the back seat Engineer position, who will now be responsible for looking after Grogu.
READ MORE: ENHANCED TECHNOLOGY IS ON THE WAY TO DISNEY PARKS IN 2026
June
The start of the summer season is another great time to visit Disneyland Resort. June has my beloved “June gloom” weather, but don’t worry — those morning clouds typically burn off in time for lunch. June has some popular offerings as well, including the final Disneyland After Dark event of the year: Pride Nite, which will take place on June 16 and 18.
Disney On the Yard – Yardfest: Powered by Celebrate Soulfully returns for its second year on June 19 at Downtown Disney. The daytime event is filled with music, including drum majors and Drum Major Mickey Mouse accompanied by a drumline.
July
Summer is in full swing by July at Disneyland Resort, and summer 2026 will bring with it special limited-time offerings in celebration of America 250. Most notably, Soarin’ Across America debuts at Disney California Adventure on July 2. This new version of Soarin’ will bring passengers to some of the nation’s most iconic landmarks.
I’m sure that America’s 250th anniversary will come with even more limited-time offerings on and around the Fourth of July holiday, so be sure to follow along as we learn more details as we get closer to the summer season.
READ MORE: A NEW SOARIN’ WILL DEBUT AT DISNEYLAND AND DISNEY WORLD IN CELEBRATION OF AMERICA 250
August
August is historically a very busy month at Disneyland Resort, so if you’re looking to pack your calendar with limited-time and seasonal events, this is a great month to do so! The final days of the Disneyland 70th Anniversary Celebration take place this month, with the festivities winding down on August 9. That means August 9 will be your last chance to catch the 70th Anniversary-themed events including “The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade,” “World of Color Happiness!,” and “Tapestry of Happiness.”
That launches us into the biennial D23 Ultimate Fan Event, taking place in 2026 at the Anaheim Convention Center from August 14 through 16. Surrounding the Ultimate Fan event is D23 Day at Disneyland Resort, returning on August 13, as well as Disney Jr. Let’s Play! Party available from August 13 through 16.
Halloween arrives at Disneyland Resort in August, starting with the return of Oogie Boogie Bash.
In 2026, Oogie Boogie Bash will have more event dates than ever before, with a grand total of 33 dates spanning August, September, and October at Disney California Adventure. Tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash typically go on sale in early summer. Here are the dates for the month of August:
- Tuesday, August 18
- Thursday, August 20
- Sunday, August 23
- Tuesday, August 25
- Thursday, August 27
- Sunday, August 30
The remainder of the Halloween offerings return to Disneyland Resort starting on August 21, including seasonal decorations, entertainment, food and beverage items, and, of course, Haunted Mansion Holiday. Plaza de la Familia also returns to Disney California Adventure Park on August 21 and runs through November 2.
READ MORE: LOOK BACK AT EVERY MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE 2024 D23 ULTIMATE DISNEY FAN EVENT
September
The big highlight of September at Disneyland Resort is the continuation of the Halloween season as well as Oogie Boogie Bash. I love Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort…just be prepared for those soaring high temperatures! Late summer and early fall is typically the hottest time of the year in Southern California.
Here are the September dates for Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure:
- Tuesday, September 1
- Thursday, September 3
- Sunday, September 6
- Tuesday, September 8
- Thursday, September 10
- Sunday, September 13
- Tuesday, September 15
- Thursday, September 17
- Sunday, September 20
- Tuesday, September 22
- Thursday, September 24
- Sunday, September 27
- Tuesday, September 29
READ MORE: AN ULTIMATE GUIDE TO DISNEYLAND’S LIGHTNING LANE SYSTEM
October
Like September, you’re going to be swimming in Halloween offerings if you’re visiting Disneyland Resort in the month of October. If you visit later in the month, however, you may start to see the first signs of winter and holiday offerings, especially merchandise, begin to appear around Disneyland Resort.
Here is the list of dates for Oogie Boogie Bash if you’re planning to visit in October:
- Thursday, October 1
- Sunday, October 4
- Tuesday, October 6
- Thursday, October 8
- Sunday, October 11
- Tuesday, October 13
- Thursday, October 15
- Sunday, October 18
- Tuesday, October 20
- Thursday, October 22
- Sunday, October 25
- Tuesday, October 27
- Thursday, October 29
- Saturday, October 31
November
Disneyland quickly switches gears from Halloween to the holiday season in the month of November. The official kickoff of the Holidays at Disneyland Resort will take place on November 18, 2026.
This also brings with it the start of the Disney California Adventure Festival of the Holidays. Like the park’s other festivals, the Festival of the Holidays features limited-time food and beverage items available for purchase, merchandise, entertainment, and more.
December
The Holidays at Disneyland Resort continue in the month of December, typically ending in the first week of January. So there’s no need to worry about missing out on any holiday offerings if you’re planning a December visit!
December includes the Candlelight Processional, a holiday tradition started by Walt Disney that dates all the way back to the earliest days of Disneyland! The Candlelight Processional is a two-night event at Disneyland Park that historically takes place over the first full weekend of December. This is a limited-capacity event that is usually reserved for invited guests, but anyone visiting that weekend can usually watch the choir make their way through the park.
Ways to save on a 2026 Disneyland Resort vacation
If you’re like me, you’ve reached the end of Disneyland’s 2026 calendar of events and are wondering how many flights you can reasonably fit into one year. Trust me, I wish I was still living close to Disneyland so I can experience all of them! Thankfully, there are a few promotions that may help you in budgeting your 2026 Disneyland trip:
Discounts on hotels at Disneyland Resort
- Guests can save up to 25% on stays of three or more nights from January 1, 2026 through May 21, 2026, at a Disneyland Resort hotel, subject to availability and restrictions.
- Guests can save up to 25% on stays of four nights or more from May 22, 2026 through September 7, 2026 at a Disneyland Resort hotel (reservations beginning on January 21, 2026), subject to availability and restrictions.
Discounts on theme park tickets
- Eligible California residents can purchase a 3-Day Park Hopper ticket for as low as $83 a day per person for a total cost of $249 or a 3-Day Park Hopper ticket with Lightning Lane Multi Pass for as low as $117 per person per day for a total cost of $351. This offer is available for visits between January 1 through May 21, 2026. Savings based on regular-priced Adult 3-Day Park Hopper Ticket. These tickets go on sale beginning December 3, 2025.
- Traveling with kids next summer? A limited-time Kids’ Summer Ticket Offer will be available to purchase beginning January 21, 2026, for visits between May 22 through September 7, 2026. Children ages 3 through 9 can visit Disneyland Resort for as low as $50 per child per day with 1-Day, 2-Day and 3-Day Park Hopper ticket options. Add Lightning Lane Multi Pass for an additional fee.
No matter when you choose to visit Disneyland Resort in 2026, you are sure to have a memorable time and have fairly high odds at visiting the same time as one of the listed events above. Be sure to follow along for more of the latest news from Disneyland Resort and beyond!
READ MORE: THE BEST TIME TO VISIT DISNEYLAND OR DISNEY WORLD IN 2026
A Month-By-Month Guide to Disneyland Resort in 2026 was originally published on The World of Spark.
