Planning a visit to the Happiest Place on Earth? You may want to consider picking your dates based on specific Disneyland events! While the parks are delights unto themselves and reasons enough to visit, the Disneyland Resort offers a ton of fun annual and one-time events that may just be the cherry on top. Our Frog Family gets an extra leap of excitement during these special events. It's also good to know what events are hoppening when you visit because they can influence Disneyland crowd levels. In this guide to Disneyland events, we've also included a few of the more popular "unofficial" events, since they can impact crowd levels.

We have listed the confirmed events, as well as approximate dates for events that normally occur for your planning purposes. Use this guide to Disneyland events when you're checking out the best times to visit Disneyland and as a companion to planning your Los Angeles visit.

Schedule of Events at Disneyland in 2022 and 2023

Look at the dates carefully as some dates are 2022 and others are 2023 for events that have been announced.

SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 2022

Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort — Sept. 2 to Oct. 31, 2022

Halloween is a big-time affair at Disneyland Park, with plenty of decorations, entertainment and other goodies that typically take place from early September through Oct. 31. Main Street, U.S.A. is turned into a pumpkin festival, with hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins on display. You can gather with some of Disney's biggest villains, along with other favorite Disney characters, for meet-and-greets — in costumes, of course! Jack Skellington and Sally are popular in New Orleans Square. After they leave for the day, you can meet characters from the Haunted Mansion. Cruella de Vil and the Queen of Hearts stalk about Main Street and near the park entrance. We've spotted Maleficent and the Evil Queen near the castle too.

Guests can enjoy seasonal entertainment, plus special eats and drinks. There are also seasonal overlays to some of the resort's very best rides, including the Haunted Mansion Holiday hosted by Jack Skellington. The Halloween Screams show is now a projection and special effects show that will light up Disneyland Park most nights of the Halloween season. The show is enhanced with fireworks on select nights (typically weekends).

Disney California Adventure Park gets into the spirit too. Haul-O-Ween in Cars Land has the residents of Radiator Springs dressing in silly costumes and decorating their homes and shops. Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween and Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree are two ride overlays in Cars Land. Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission Breakout! also gets a Halloween overlay, becoming Guardians of the Galaxy — Monsters After Dark after 5 p.m. (4 p.m. on party days).

Disneyland Halloween Time festivities are included with regular park admission! We've got a full guide to Halloween Time, so be sure to check it out!

Oogie Boogie Bash — Select Nights from Sept. 6 to Oct. 31, 2022 (Sold out for 2022)

On select nights during Halloween Time, Disney California Adventure plays host to the Halloween Party — Oogie Boogie Bash. The whole family is invited to dress up in costumes and trick or treat throughout the park. Some of the treat trails are themed after villains and have a live villain to entertain you as you gather candy. The magical Villains Grove is a delight. The party takes place on select nights in September and October. You'll enjoy character encounters with Disney Villains and photo-ops with rare Disney characters and Pixar pals. Catch the Frightfully Fun Parade as it passes through the park with Jack Skellington, Mickey, Minnie and a gang of villains. Hop over to our post on Oogie Boogie Bash for more screaming details. 2022's event is sold out.

Plaza de la Familia — Sept. 2 to Nov. 2, 2022

Plaza de la Familia celebrates the Disney-Pixar film “Coco” and the bonds of family at Disney California Adventure. Taking place at Paradise Gardens, this celebration features Mariachi music, delicious Mexican foods, a Tree of Life interactive photo exhibit, wing photo walls, free coloring and crafts and the chance to meet Miguel. The highlight is “A Musical Celebration of Coco” — a show that features dancing, storytellers and original songs from “Coco,” along with an amazing puppet performance from Miguel and some dancing skeletons.

Disney+ Day — Sept. 8, 2022

Disney+ Day has moved to September. You can enjoy special complimentary photo-ops and Early Entry. Disneyland hotel guests can enter the park 60 minutes early this day! Disney+ subscribers and their travel party can enter the theme park 30 minutes early this day.

Keep an eye out for chalk art in Downtown Disney and at the Disneyland Hotel. Find photo-ops featuring Mater and Lightning McQueen in Hollywood Land. Guests staying at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort are invited to a special movie screening at the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

Disneyland is making it blue with blue food and beverage choices throughout the Disneyland Resort. Chomp on blue-dusted churros on Buena Vista Street and Grizzly Peak at Disney California Adventure Park, and near Sleeping Beauty Castle and Astro Blasters in Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park. At the Downtown Disney District, you can drink blue cocktails, including an Ocean Breeze at Naples Ristorante E Bar, Blue Hawaiian at Uva Bar & Cafe and a Tropical Margarita at Tortilla Jo’s.

Gay Days — Sept. 16-18, 2022

Gay Days is an independently organized, three-day event that typically takes place in the fall. There are off-site events and parties associated with Gay Days Anaheim, but there are also days when attendees hit the parks. Participants wear red shirts. In 2022, the official Gay Days are Saturday, Sept. 17 at Disneyland Park and Sunday, Sept. 18 at Disney California Adventure Park. This event can affect crowd levels. You can read all about Gay Days here.

NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER

Dapper Day Fall Outing — Nov. 5-6, 2022

The second Dapper Day event of the year usually takes place early to mid-November. In 2022, the weekend-long event will fall on Nov. 5 and 6. The Saturday event includes an Expo at the Disneyland Hotel, where you can find all your dapper duds. The actual Dapper Day in the park is usually on Sunday.

Mickey's and Minnie's Birthday — Nov. 18, 2022

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse have the same birthday. While this is not a planned event that you'll find on any schedule, if you hoppen to visit Disneyland this day, you might get treated to some birthday surprises to celebrate these special characters. Disneyland has been known to hand out free special birthday buttons. In 2021, there was also a special birthday cavalcade. Mickey and Minnie might even put on their birthday celebration outfits.

Holidays at the Disneyland Resort — November 2022 to Early January 2023

Like Halloween, Disneyland goes all out during Christmas. The parks transform into a winter wonderland from mid-November until early January. This is one of the biggest Disneyland events! Sleeping Beauty Castle is alight in sparkling icicles and thousands of shimmering lights. Snow falls nightly. Beautiful Main Street, U.S.A. is decked out in fabulous holiday décor. Jack Skellington's takeover continues at Haunted Mansion Holiday. The "it's a small world" overlay is the merriest cruise that ever set sail. Once the sun goes down, the façade turns into one of the most beautiful holiday lights displays you'll ever see … be sure to catch the ceremonial lighting and projection show each evening! You'll definitely want to stay for A Christmas Fantasy Parade and the Believe … in Holiday Magic fireworks show too! Santa Claus greets guests in both parks. You can find more details in our guide to Holidays at Disneyland.

Across the way at Disney California Adventure Park, Buena Vista Street and Cars Land are decorated for Disney's Festival of Holidays, which offers many festival booths with tasty treats and musical selections representing several cultures.

There is a nightly Christmas tree lighting on Buena Vista Street, as well as a special holiday World of Color. You’ll want to join Mickey, Minnie and the Three Caballeros at the Disney Viva Navidad! Street Party. Two Cars Land rides receive holiday overlays: Mater’s Jingle Jamboree and Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl both have exciting holiday songs. The celebration wraps up with Three Kings' Day in early January.

Candlelight Ceremony — Dec. 3-4, 2022

The Disneyland Candlelight Ceremony usually takes place the first weekend in December. It has two shows per night on Saturday and Sunday. It is a religious ceremony, but with an inclusive message to all who watch. It is set up in Town Square and can affect entertainment times that day for the parade and fireworks. Chairs are set up for invited guests, and other parkgoers can stand around the outside and watch. If there are empty seats, cast members may invite others to fill them in before the show starts. The later showing is less crowded.

The ceremony has a famous narrator (shown here is Sterling K. Brown in 2021), choirs and musicians. For the first showing, the choir proceeds down the parade route from "it's a small world" to Town Square. For the second ceremony of the night, they walk from the Hub to Town Square. No matter which religion you may or may not observe, it is a beautiful sight to see.

JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2023

Three Kings' Day — January 2023

When the Christmas season has come to a close, there is still more to celebrate in the new year. The twelfth day of Christmas is celebrated in Mexico and South America. At Disney California Adventure, you can celebrate Three Kings' Day with decorations, coloring, creating a custom jeweled crown, listening to stories or trying traditional treats such as Rosca de Reyes cake.

Disney 100 Years of Wonder — Kicking Off Jan. 27, 2023

Disney 100 Years of Wonder celebration will begin in Disneyland Resort and include new décor, specialty food and beverages, character experiences and more to commemorate 100 years of the Walt Disney Company. Characters get new costumes, and two new nighttime spectaculars will thrill guests: Wondrous Journeys fireworks at Disneyland Park and World of Color — One at Disney California Adventure.

The castle will be adorned with festive bunting and the three Good Fairies who illuminate it with shimmering pixie dust. The moat will receive two water fountains on either side. To top it off, you can make a wish on the wishing star sparkling from the tower. You can expect special food, beverage, merchandise and more. The parks will be decorated in shining platinum. Mickey, Minnie and pals will be sparkling in their new celebration outfits. Keep hopping back to learn of new magical moments yet to be announced.

Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway Opening — Jan. 27, 2023

Remember ... it all started with a mouse. Just in time for the 100th anniversary celebration, a new ride themed after Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse opens in Toontown. This ride opens ahead of the renovated Toontown, which reopens in spring. The ride will have a queue that differs from the ride in Disney's Hollywood Studios at Disney World.

Lunar New Year — January to February 2023

The Lunar New Year Celebration is a multi-cultural event that includes food, authentic performances and your favorite Disney characters. This event takes place at Paradise Gardens inside Disney California Adventure. Colorful lanterns and other décor welcome you, while hanging banners written in English, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese wish you a Happy Lunar New Year. You can join the time-honored tradition of writing wishes of good fortune and happiness for your friends and family, receive customized Chinese calligraphy and brush art, color, do free crafts and purchase some traditional Lunar New Year treats. You can find delectable Asian meals at Paradise Garden Grill, or try a sampling of Asian cuisine from the Lunar New Year festival marketplace kiosks and other participating restaurants.

Lunar New Year is a well-attended event. You can meet characters (such as Mickey, Minnie, The Three Little Pigs, Mulan or Mushu) dressed in their Lunar New Year’s best. In 2022, we celebrated the Year of the Tiger, so for the first time, Tigger joined in the festivities. Raya from "Raya and the Last Dragon" also appeared for the first time at Disneyland Resort. (2023 will be the Year of the Rabbit!) Hosted by Mulan and Mushu, Mulan's Lunar New Year Procession celebrates the Lunar New Year with colorfully costumed dancers, a dragon and drummers.

Super Bowl Surrounding Days — Feb. 9-13, 2023 

Most years, Super Bowl Sunday tends to be a significantly more crowded day. Depending on the location of the Super Bowl and the team that wins, there can be a Super Bowl Cavalcade the day after the Super Bowl (sometimes it hoppens at Disney World). The day after the Super Bowl may affect crowd levels and park entertainment for the day … or not. There is no way to plan for this, but there is usually an announcement right after the big game. If you are in town the day after the Super Bowl, you might want to take these factors into consideration when planning your itinerary.

With the 2022 game being played at SoFi Stadium in the Los Angeles area, it brought the game to nearly Disneyland's backyard. That meant, the Super Bowl Championship cavalcade hoppened at Disneyland the very next day. There were so many guests in Rams jerseys. Many fans flocked to the park to celebrate too; although being a local team, many people came just for the cavalcade and left after, so it did not seem to affect ride wait times. It was frogciting to see the players with Mickey on a float and all the confetti flying down Main Street U.S.A.

The 2023 Super Bowl will be played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 12. Maybe Disneyland will get to host another cavalcade (our froggy fingers are crossed), but this is not usually announced until after the game.

New in 2022, ESPN hosted a five-day Super Bowl Tailgate party at Disney California Adventure and in Downtown Disney. ESPN broadcasted news, analysis and commentary segments in front of Paradise Bay at Disney California Adventure in the days leading up to the game on Feb. 13, 2022. ESPN broadcasted from California Adventure between 12 and 6 p.m. on Feb. 9-12 and 8-11 a.m. on Super Bowl Sunday. Guests needed a theme park ticket and reservation to watch.

Guests also enjoyed an outdoor Super Bowl fan experience at Downtown Disney from 1 to 7 p.m. Feb. 10-13, 2022. There were free games, activities and giveaways, which were available on a first-come, first-served basis, as well as a limited number of free giveaways.

Valentine’s Day Celebrations — First Half of February (Including Feb. 14)

Love is definitely in the air at Disneyland! You can expect special food and beverage offerings all around the resort, including the Downtown Disney district, in the first half of February.

Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts' Nite — Usually February (TBD in 2023)

The popular Sweethearts' Nite returned in 2022 to make Disneyland the most romantic place on earth — and we hope it comes back in 2023! Plan a date night with your sweetheart at Disneyland. This separately ticketed event inside Disneyland Park takes place after the park closes, with access to the park starting at 5 p.m. (no park reservation required). You can expect:

• A special themed fireworks show
• Projection effects on Sleeping Beauty Castle and Main Street, U.S.A.
• A jazz ensemble aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat and more live entertainment
• Selfies with some of your favorite Disney couples
• Opportunities to meet darling Disney couples, including Cinderella and Prince Charming, Aladdin and Jasmine, and, of course, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse
• Romantic photo-ops themed after sweet scenes from iconic Disney films, plus unlimited digital PhotoPass downloads
• Valentine's-inspired décor, food and beverage offerings

Celebrate Soulfully for Black History Month — February 2023

Disneyland celebrates Black History Month with musical acts, art and more. In 2022, festivities included:

• Celebrate Gospel! at the Fantasyland Theater in Disneyland Park: Award-winning Gospel singer, Kierra Sheard performed with a capella Gospel group Sacred Groove. And the Grammy award winners, Jonathan McReynolds and Mali Music, along with The Singers of Soul, took the stage.
• Troubadour Tavern opened up to sell snacks, including an apple hand pie. Families did crafts and shared their thoughts on a gratitude wall at the back of the theater.

• At Downtown Disney, nightly outdoor concerts featured R&B, Gospel, reggae, funk and jazz music throughout February. The groups included Island Reggae, Del Atkins and the LYFE Band, Midnight Hour, Philly Phonics, Forward Motion, StandardMel & Friends, Urban Music Society and LALA Brass.
• Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen offered nightly live jazz piano music.
• Chalk muralist Marcella Swett created a new chalk mural each week.
• The Post 21 cart offered a collection of modern merchandise from Black-owned businesses, curated by a Los Angeles-based mother and daughter duo. On Feb. 27, Post 21 had a book signing with Channing and Chelsea Moreland, authors of “B is for Black Girl.”
• At Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, The Mood Indigo Group played live jazz in the lobby each evening, and guests enjoyed a special menu of wine, beers and spirits from a Black-owned business at the Hearthstone Lounge.

Villains Day: Stalk Around the Park — Early February

This unofficial fashion theme day is one in which fans of villains show off their villain-themed attire (all following the Disneyland guidelines for costumes and attire, of course). So polish your apple and sharpen your horns to join their flock for group photos, rides and other dark fun. This is not put on by Disney but by other parkgoers.

Magic Happens — Spring 2023

This "EARidescent" magical parade ran for just two weeks before the pandemic shuttered the park, but we are hoppy to say it comes back in March 2023! It brings many magical Disney moments to life and has a catchy song that you'll be singing for days after you see this toadally awesome parade.

Reopening of Mickey's Toontown —Spring 2023

Toontown is undergoing a renovation. Look for new eateries and park-like spaces.

Donald's Boat and Goofy's House have been reimagined with plenty of sensory experiences for tadpoles and people of all ages. They will be reopening with some new additions. Goofy's How-To-Play Yard is a playground perfect for tadpoles of all ages with a soft, spongey ground, an elevated clubhouse and a sound garden. Donald's Duck Pond has a splashy play area featuring giant spinning water lilies, balance beams and rocking toys.

Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival — March to April 2023

This is a California foodie's paradise, and one of the top Disneyland events! Taking place each year during March and April, Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival offers guests the chance to partake in delicious food and wine offerings every day, plus special seminars, tastings and experiences on the weekends. Tad and Lily loved meeting Chef Goofy and decorating cupcakes at the new "Alice's Wonderland Bakery" Unbirthday Party in 2022.

Guests can visit Festival Marketplaces themed around different tastes and drinks of California and reserve their seats at a Winemaker's Reception. You’ll also encounter musical entertainment and special character meet-and-greets, including opportunities to meet some rarely seen characters. You can do some shopping, with a new line of festival-themed headwear, apparel, décor and cooking gadgets.

Eggstravaganza — March to April 2023

Hop over to the Disneyland Resort for the biggest Easter egg hunt around! In 2022, it hoppened in three locations. You can participate at Downtown Disney, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. Eggstravaganza is a fun (but low-key) scavenger hunt that sends guests scurrying around the Disneyland Resort to find hidden eggs during April. The location may vary per year.

Guests can purchase a game board map and stickers ($9.99) and record their finds by placing the corresponding egg sticker on their map to represent that location. Returning your map to a redemption location is a rewarding experience. In normal years, keep your eye out for Easter Bunny meet and greets in the park during this season, as well as springtime balloons and treats!

Dapper Day — April 16, 2023

Some of the "unofficial" Disneyland events are the best. There are two Dapper Days each year at Disneyland. Guests dress up in their vintage “DisneyBound” to pay homage to the way guests used to dress when Disneyland first opened in the 1950s. These events are unofficial and independently organized, but they do affect crowds. The Dapper Day Expo is at the Disneyland Hotel on April 15-16, 2023, and you'll likely see people dressed up on both days in the parks that weekend.

New Orleans Square Mardi Gras — Spring 2023 (Date Varies Each Year)

While it's always festive inside New Orleans Square at Disneyland Park, the area gets decorated even more for Mardi Gras. New Orleans Square gets festooned with beads and masks, and the restaurants offer themed foods and free beads for guests to wear. In 2022, the real party hoppened at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney, where guests enjoyed Mardi Gras decorations and a special menu that included Fat Tuesday specials, colorful Mardi Gras Bread Pudding and some discounted drinks.

You can always put on your Mardi Gras Minnie Mouse ear headband and celebrate Mardi Gras year-round by eating the New Orleans-inspired foods inside Disneyland and trying to catch beads when the bands play in New Orleans Square. You can also hop aboard the Mark Twain and maybe even meet or dance with characters from "The Princess and the Frog!" Look for special menu items at French Market or sometimes Cafe Orleans. This is not a big event at Disneyland.

Mini Gay Day — March 2023

Gay Days at Disneyland are traditionally held in the fall (now around mid-September), but there is a mini Gay Day casual meet-up in March. This is not an official Disney event, but it can affect crowds, and you’ll see a number of rainbow-colored Disneyland treats. Expect to see folks wearing red shirts in celebration!

MAY AND JUNE

Bats Day Fun in the Fun Park — May 7, 2023

You can expect to see guests dressed in goth, steampunk, Halloween, rockabilly and more for Bats Day. Bats Day, like Dapper Day, is independently organized and usually takes place in May. This event always makes me long for my frog goth phase. There have been rumors that Bats Day organizers may be ending Bats Day, but it's still hoppening in the park. (The events that occur outside the park are canceled). You bet this frog squad will show up all in black!

Grad Nites — May and June 2023

Throughout May and June, you may see daytime crowds surge with high school seniors in both parks for local high school Grad Nite celebrations. After 9 p.m., the parties move to a location in Disney California Adventure Park, but Grad Nite celebrators may be in either park during the morning and throughout the day. You can check the Disneyland Calendar up to six weeks in advance to confirm which days host Grad Nites in 2023.

Grad Nite dates for 2023 are:

• May 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 25, 30 and 31
• June 2, 4, 7, 9, 14 and 16

Black Music Month — June 2023

In 2022, we enjoyed daily live entertainment and specialty food offerings, art and more at Disneyland Resort. At Disney California Adventure Park, daily live music celebrates Black music genres from Doo-Wop to Motown. Get caught up in the nostalgia of Carthay Circle and enjoy Philly Phonics, an a capella group that performs snazzy, jazzy, tunes from the 1920s through today. Five & Dime also sings '20s and ‘30s tunes! In the evening, the Hollywood Backlot hosts a special block party, featuring nightly live musical acts.

At Downtown Disney, the art exhibit, “The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure” can be found adjacent to the Star Wars Trading Post. You can also enjoy nightly music and a DJ on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. There are crafts and other activities taking place in Downtown Disney.

JULY

Fourth of July 

Disneyland Park celebrates America's independence on July 4 with red, white and blue decorations, special eats and drinks and "Disney's Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky." This can be one of the busiest days of the year. Disney California Adventure also usually has some fireworks in a patriotic salute before World of Color.

Disneyland’s Birthday — July 17, 2023

"To all who come to this happy place; welcome." Disneyland opened on July 17, 1955. Every year on this anniversary, the park celebrates Disneyland’s birthday. We'll be celebrating 68 years of Disneyland in 2023! There are usually special souvenirs available on that day, and some people choose to dress dapper for the occasion. You may expect a birthday cavalcade or other form of entertainment with many Disney characters at points throughout the day. You may be able to take pictures holding birthday signs. Some people try to attend every year despite the crowds. Even though Disneyland does not actively promote this day (except on large anniversary years), everyone seems to be hopping in droves to the park to join this birthday party. If you plan to attend this day, arrive early and expect typical summer crowds.

Hop over to our post on the Disneyland birthday celebration for tips on celebrating and to see the birthday merchandise.

Thanks for reading our guide to events at Disneyland! It's always a great time to visit the parks, but especially with so many terrific Disneyland events. Have you visited during any of these events? Share your memories in the comments below. Have a question about any of the events? Ask away!

Related: Best Time To Visit Disneyland

Related: 10 Best Disneyland Snacks and Where to Find Them

Hoppy planning!