Gay Days is one of the most popular “unofficial” events at Disneyland. It draws crowds of over 30,000 people annually. We have the 2021 Disneyland Gay Days dates! It's a little earlier than usual this year, with Gay Days falling Sept. 17-19, 2021. It used to fall about the first Saturday in October, but it's migrating into September, which may make it less crowded. Then, more people come again in March for "Mini Gay Day." (It's for those who need a little red shirt boost in the spring.)

Disneyland Gay Days

There is a schedule of events for each day of Gay Days, with one park playing "host" each day during normal operating hours. The schedule is not complete yet, but Gay Days are expected to fall on Saturday Sept. 18 at Disneyland and Sunday Sept 19 at Disney California Adventure. But you'll see attendees park hopping as well. There are family-friendly events, in-park meetups, informal chats, celebratory cocktails, a concert and other events. You can find all of the fabulous details on the Gay Days Anaheim website. Whether you are planning to attend Disneyland Gay Days or just visit the parks this same weekend, here are some important details to get you ready!

The Gay Day events are not presented by Disney. Disney does not endorse any group that meets during regular park hours, and as such, does not offer information about the festivities. However, the resort is supportive of the events and the many guests it brings to their parks, hotels and restaurants. You'll see special merchandise for sale and even special photo-ops. Because this is an unofficial event, the parks are still open to the public. You don’t need a special ticket to visit the parks for Gay Days. Even though Disneyland does not present Gay Days, the event's sponsors include Disney’s Aulani Hotel, Adventures by Disney, Disney Vacation Club and Disney Pride, which is the company’s LGBT diversity group.

Gay Days and Crowds

Disneyland Gay Days do bring in quite a few people, and the impact it has on crowds is growing — along with the general higher crowds the parks see on weekends. The crowd levels can vary each year. When Gay Days aligned with Columbus Day weekend in 2018, there were massive crowds — we saw 300-minute waits for Haunted Mansion Holiday! But other years, such as 2019 when it did not collide with a holiday weekend, it is not as busy.

When Gay Days 2021 rolls around, an advance theme park reservations system will still be in place to control park capacity. There are no annual passes yet, and the date is mid-September, which is a more quiet time than early October (when Arizona schools are on break). This makes it hard to predict crowds this year. It's safe to say you should purchase tickets in advance and make your theme park reservations. If you are attending both days, a multi-day ticket can save you some green, especially if you purchase through your favorite froggy friends! Multi-day tickets can be used any available days within 14 days, even weekend days! Based on park hours, Disneyland usually plans for a busy weekend with long park hours, but again, 2021 is not a normal year.

If you already have vacation plans for the Gay Day weekends, don't let the promise of increased crowds stop you, but make sure to arrive ahead of park opening for each day of your trip. Take advantage of the lowest crowds early in the day by riding the most popular rides when you first arrive. (You can also take a peek at our tips for maximizing your time at Disneyland, which always come in handy, whether the park is crowded or not.)

If you're really concerned about the crowds and have a trip planned on these days, make sure to avoid the park that is hosting Gay Days. So, if Gay Days is at Disneyland Park on Saturday, then go to Disney California Adventure Park that day (although with popular Park Hopper tickets, those red shirts may hop between both parks). If Gay Days is held at Disney California Adventure on Sunday, avoid the crowds by visiting Disneyland Park. Even with more crowds, Gay Days create a fun, festive atmosphere.

Wear Red or Purchase Disneyland Gay Day Merchandise

There is an official Gay Days red T-shirt that you can purchase. But if you don’t have or want the shirt, the organizers suggest you stick to red shirts. The red shirts help Gay Days participants to identify each other and show their numbers. You’ll see a lot of rainbow colors! You can even purchase rainbow Mickey ear hats in the parks if you need the perfect Disney accessory for the event. We've seen a lot of Disney rainbow souvenirs sold in the parks, especially around Gay Days (and in June for Pride). It goes without saying, but you don't have to officially be part of the event to show your support!

Follow the Schedule

Gay Days participants can follow a schedule if they want to meet up with other participants. Consult the website to find out about parties, meals, scavenger hunts, group rides, group photos, discounts, teen events, concerts and free activities dedicated to families with children. Whether you are participating in Gay Days or not, knowing the general schedule can help you manage your time in the parks. The most important scheduling detail to know for all park guests is which park is scheduled for Gay Days. For example, the event is at the parks the following days:

• Saturday — Gay Days at Disneyland Park
• Sunday — Gay Days at Disney California Adventure Park

There are other Gay Days festivities Friday night, as well.

Find Gay Days Menu Items

Over the years, we have seen (and enjoyed!) special Gay Days dessert menu items, and even some meal packages at several quick-service restaurants in each park all weekend. The culinary team created these special Gay Days rainbow food items for Oct. 4 to 6, 2019 (we hope they return for 2021):

• Rainbow Rock Shake with rainbow cereal at Schmoozies
• Mickey Rainbow Rice Crispy Treats at Candy Palace, Hunny Spot, Trolley Treats, Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff and Marceline’s Confectionery
• Rainbow Sugar Cookies at Jolly Holiday Bakery Café, Plaza Inn, Market House, Alien Pizza Planet, Galactic Grill, Hungry Bear Restaurant, Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Café, Pacific Wharf Café, Pacific Wharf Gourmet Coffee Cart and Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta
• The Rainbow Macaron Box (taste the rainbow with strawberry, orange, lemon, green apple, blueberry and grape macarons) at Jolly Holiday Bakery Café, Plaza Inn, Market House, Alien Pizza Planet, Galactic Grill, Hungry Bear Restaurant, Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Café, Pacific Wharf Café, Pacific Wharf Gourmet Coffee Cart and Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta
• Rainbow Cheesecake at Jolly Holiday Bakery Café, Harbour Galley and Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta
• Rainbow Cake at Plaza Inn, Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta, Paradise Garden Grill, Flo’s V8 Café and Cocina Cucamonga
• Specialty Rainbow Beverage with Grenadine, blue curaçao, coconut rum, silver rum, piña colada mix, and coconut water at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel: Surfside Lounge, PCH Grill and The Sand Bar
• Rainbow Funnel Cake Fries topped with rainbow-colored icing, rainbow cereal, and whipped cream at Award Wieners
• Rainbow Bread Pudding with birthday cake-flavored bread pudding at Pacific Wharf Café
• Hoppy Pride Pilsner at Bayside Brews, Paradise Garden Grill and Angry Dog
• Mimosa Flight at Lamplight Lounge – upstairs only
• Fabulous Freeze with rum runner slush and rainbow glow cube at Hollywood Lounge
• Rainbow Cotton Candy at outdoor vending carts

Check out our favorite quick-service restaurants in Disneyland and California Adventure for some ideas on where to eat. Since you can expect weekend crowds in the parks, you might also make an advance reservation at a table-service restaurant to secure your table.

Look for Photo-Ops and Entertainment

In doorways, restaurant entrances or storefronts, keep an eye out for fun photo-ops with signs and giant photo frames. You might find a rainbow Mickey, a rainbow Disneyland sign or a rainbow picture frame. You can have a cast member take your picture to commemorate the day. If you follow the official Gay Days schedule, you can also jump in some group photos (in each park). That sea of red shirts in front of the castle just keeps growing and growing each year!

Outside of the amusement parks, there are pool parties, mixers, live music, DJs, dancing, brunch and other events in Downtown Disney and the hotels. Some require tickets, but many are free.

Enjoy Halloween Time, But Watch out for Oogie Boogie

Gay Days in the fall also hoppen to fall during Halloween Time at Disneyland, so there is a lot going on in the parks that weekend. This can also affect your planning. In 2019, the Disneyland Halloween Party, Oogie Boogie Bash, shortened the regular park hours at Disney California Adventure on Sunday, October 6. Party guests started arriving at 2 p.m. The park closed at 6 p.m., so we used our park hopper ticket to hop over to Disneyland about 2 p.m. In 2021, we do not yet know the dates of Oogie Boogie Bash.

Some people like to extend their trip to make a long weekend of Gay Days. If that is your plan, keep in mind that Halloween parties fell Thursday before and the Tuesday after Gay Days weekend in 2019. Disney California Adventure closed at 6 p.m. those days, as well. Plan ahead by checking the schedule for future Gay Days.

All Halloween parties were sold out for 2019. But no worries; you can have plenty of Halloween fun in the regular operating hours. In case you missed it, Undercover Tourist is now selling discount 2-day, 3-day, 4-day or even 5-day Disneyland Resort tickets. If you still need tickets for Gay Days weekend (or any day of the year), you can get a jump on savings.

If you are interested in other unofficial events at Disneyland, check out our post on Dapper Day. These unofficial days at Disneyland offer a unique way to experience the parks and meet other people. They can also affect crowds. Knowing about them can help you join the fun or plan the best time for your family to visit.

Have you visited Gay Days in the past? if you have any tips or questions, please leave them in the comments below. If you are looking for discount lodging in the Anaheim and Los Angeles areas, Undercover Tourist now books discount hotel rooms for Disneyland Resort hotels and many more Los Angeles area hotels!

Related: Full Schedule of Disneyland Events

Hoppy planning!