Let’s Discuss Disneyland’s Schedule in 2026

The Happiest Place on Earth recently turned a spry 70 years old.

This place is the envy of septuagenarians everywhere, as it just keeps getting better.

That’s especially true this year, as Disneyland has big things in store for its fans.

Let’s discuss the Disneyland schedule for 2026.

A Big Start to the Year

Last month, I discussed why you’ll love Disneyland in 2026. Today, I’ll focus more on what’s coming.

For starters, we enter the year with Disneyland 70 ongoing. This party will last through August 9^th.

So, you’ve still got plenty of time to enjoy all the special nighttime presentations, parades, and so forth.

Disneyland 70 is quite literally a once-in-a-lifetime event featuring returning spectacles and limited-time events.

The Paint the Night Parade and Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration are back on the menu!

Meanwhile, guests can watch World of Color: Happiness and the Wondrous Journey fireworks.

All these events will remain at the park from now through early August, giving you plenty of time to celebrate Disneyland’s birthday!

Disneyland After Dark

This year’s events are already selling out at a historic pace.

Before I even discuss them, I’ll warn you that it’s already too late for at least one.

So, anyone with any interest in going should stop what you’re doing and buy tickets now!

Disneyland After Dark comes in five different versions this year, each of which hold significant appeal.

You’ve already missed Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite, which sold out in a flash.

The 2026 version will occur on seven nights, starting on January 22^nd and ending on February 17^th.

Then, in March, you can attend Disneyland After Dark: 70 Years of Favorites.

As the name hints, this is another celebration of Disneyland’s 70^th birthday.

Guests can participate in retro activities like the Videopolis Dance Party. That name takes you back, doesn’t it?

Disney will also offer line dancing at the Golden Horseshoe (!) and unique character greetings.

When I say “unique,” I mean it, too! Mother and Father from Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress will appear!

In April, Disneyland After Dark: Disney Channel Nite returns for its second run.

You should already know the deal there, as I lavished praise on this event in 2024.

Later in April, a returning favorite arrives. I don’t need to sell you on Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite.

I will tell you the hype will be larger this year due to the impending arrival of The Mandalorian & Grogu.

Finally, Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite returns for two dates in June.

Last year’s event featured a visit from the Governor of California, which speaks to its societal significance.

Lunar New Year

This year’s Lunar New Year event debuts the day after Disneyland After Dark.

From January 23^rd through January 31^st, guests can ring in the (other) new year at Disney California Adventure.

MickeyBlog has already shown you some of the merchandise and food for this year’s event.

One look at it may be enough to get you on a plane. Plus, this is always such a fun exhibition.

The Haunted Mansion Updates

I’ve got a bit of bad news for you. Haunted Mansion Holiday has closed for the 2025/2026 season.

There’s good news hidden within the bad news, though, as Haunted Mansion will reopen on February 23^rd.

Then, we can relish the original version of the ride for next six months until its replacement debuts.

That will be the next version of Haunted Mansion Holiday, which we usually get in mid- to late-August.

So, you can plan your Disneyland visits based on your Haunted Mansion preferences.

Personally, I’m a strong proponent of “Why not both?”

Speaking of Late February…

You’ll find two other limited-time activities at Disneyland Resort in late February.

Celebrate Gospel will return on February 20^th and 21^st.

Note that there’s a change this year, though. The annual series of concerts will move to Downtown Disney.

This move gives guests more room to spread out and celebrate. Also, Yolanda Adams will appear!

Then, on February 22^nd, Mighty Ducks fans can attend Anaheim Ducks Day at Disney California Adventure.

On February 27^th and 28^th, we get another batch of Celebrate Gospel concerts.

So, you’ll find plenty to do during the final few days of February, making it a sneaky-great time to visit.

An Eventful March

Two huge events arrive at Disneyland Resort in March, one of which you already know.

The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival will run from March 6^th through April 27^th.

I don’t need to sell you on that one, as you’re going no matter what.

To my mind, the bigger deal in March is the arrival of Bluey’s Best Day Ever!

This event is exactly what it sounds like: a Bluey character experience at Disneyland.

You’ll find the adorable Heeler pup and members of her family at Troubadour Tavern. Oh, and you can play Keepy-Uppy!

The moment Bluey officially sets foot in Disneyland, everything changes.

Other than Disneyland 70, I consider this the most impactful event on the 2026 calendar.

The Force Awakens

In a last-minute surprise, we also learned something else happening at Disneyland this spring!

On April 29th, Disneyland Park will make a change at one of its most popular locations. 

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will drop its stringent timeline in favor of a more guest-friendly untimed style.

From now on, Star Wars Land will host characters from various eras of the Star Wars universe.

You can feasibly interact with Luke & Leia and then Rey on the same day!

Or, you can run from Darth Vader AND Kylo Ren if that’s your choice. Everything will be on the table from now on.

Disney is promising updates that “enable you to experience the Galactic Civil War and New Republic, as well as the Age of the Resistance and First Order.”

Black Spire Outpost will become multi-generational in late April, and that’ll make your visit even better. 

The New Rides

Disneyland will add two new rides today or maybe what I should say is that we’re getting two ride overlays.

We recently learned that Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run isn’t quite what it was supposed to be.

Disney fully intended this attraction to feature multiple missions, but we only got one…before now.

On May 22^nd, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run adds a second mission, one you’re gonna love.

The Mandalorian and Grogu debut, and they’ll interact with you on this new experience.

Do the details really matter, though? I had you at Baby Yoda, didn’t I?

Well, that’s not the only change coming to a popular Disneyland Resort attraction.

Soarin’ will add a patriotic ride overlay in honor of America’s 250^th anniversary.

This new experience, Soarin’ Across America, will debut on July 2^nd, just in time for America’s birthday!

Spending the Holidays at Disneyland Resort

Finally, we end the year at Disneyland Resort, and there’s no better place to spend the holidays.

This year’s events occur in three phases, two of which almost entirely overlap.

I’m referring to Disneyland Halloween Time, which officially runs from August 21^st through October 31^st.

Meanwhile, Plaza de la Familia at Disney California Adventure Park also starts on August 21^st.

Due to the Day of the Dead holiday, the Coco party lasts until November 2^nd.

A few days later, Disneyland enters its 2026 endgame with the Holiday Season at Disneyland Resort.

The epic Christmas entertainment begins on November 18^th and continues until the calendar says 2027.

So, there’s all the highlights coming to Disneyland Resort over the next 11 ½ months.

Presuming that any of it appeals to you – and ALL of it should! – you know what to do.

Contact a MickeyTravels agent to determine the best Disneyland deal for your family.

Remember that MickeyTravels never charges for its services and knows all the best deals.

You can rely on this Diamond Earmarked travel agency to take care of all your vacation needs.

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Feature Photo: Disney