Disneyland in 2024: The Top Disney Events and Festivals to Plan For

What's new or happening only for a limited time at Disneyland in 2024?

Here are some of the highlights coming to Disneyland in 2024, sorted by date (scroll down for more details on each event):

• Jan. 11 through Jan. 14: Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend

• Jan. 23 through Feb. 14 (select nights): Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts' Nite

• Jan. 23 through Feb. 18: Lunar New Year.

• Jan. 30: Pixar Place Hotel opening.

• Feb. 2: Magic Happens parade returns.

• Feb. 17 and 24: Celebrate Gospel.

• Feb. 22 and 23: Anaheim Ducks Days.

• March 1 through April 22: Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival.

• March 5 and 7: Disneyland After Dark: Disney Channel Nite.

• March 22 through April 14: Wondrous Journeys runs.

• April 5 through June 2: Seasons of the Force (a Star Wars-themed festival).

• April 16 through May 9 (select nights): Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite.

• April 26 through Aug. 4: Pixar Fest.

• May 24: Nighttime show Fantasmic will return.

• June 18 and 20: Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite.

• Aug. 8: D23 Day at Disneyland Resort.

• Aug. 23 through Oct. 31: Halloween Time.

• Aug. 23 through Nov. 2: Plaza de la Familia (a celebration of Día de los Muertos).

• Sept. 17: National Beignet Day celebrations at Beignets Expressed.

• Nov. 15 through early 2025: The holidays begin here. 

The launch of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is also expected sometime in 2024. The log flume-style ride will be a remake of Splash Mountain, but this time centered around the 2009 movie “The Princess and the Frog.”

And at the Downtown Disney District, the outdoor shopping and entertainment center neighboring the theme parks that doesn’t require a ticket to enter, all sorts of new restaurants opened in 2024. Many have already opened.

Paseo, Céntrico and Tiendita opened in May, bringing authentic Mexican fare by Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Gaytán. Menu items include ceviches and lamb barbacoa from Paseo. Céntrico highlights include quesabirrias and tlayuda (a Oaxacan shareable dish reminiscent of a pizza). Tiendita offers street-staples like esquites and chorizo breakfast burritos.

Din Tai Fung, a Chinese restaurant famous for its soup dumplings and noodles, opened over the summer.

Here are some key upcoming Disneyland events in 2024, sorted in order of date:

April 26 through Aug. 4: Pixar Fest

Pixar Fest puts the spotlight on all things Pixar throughout the resort, including limited-time decor, menu items and merchandise. The first Pixar Fest happened in 2018 and included a Pixar-themed fireworks show and Pixar Shorts film festival. It has only happened in intermittent years in between, but it’s set to return in April.

New this year: Disney plans to bring back its Pixar-themed fireworks show called “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” at Disneyland Park, but when it returns there will be new scenes that highlight some of Pixar's newer films including "Onward" and "Soul."

It’ll also roll out a new parade at Disney California Adventure Park called “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” The parade will star more than two dozen Pixar characters, including Red Panda Mei from "Turning Red" and Joe Gardner from "Soul."

Then at night, it's time to hit the dance floor. Disney California Adventure Park's Hollywood Backlot will turn into Club Pixar, featuring an interactive DJ. But that's not all the dancing. Over at Disneyland Park, the dance floor is targeted at the younger set, as guests of all ages can dance and play at the Pixar Pals Playtime Party in Fantasyland Theatre. That party features not just dancing, but a show and interactive games.

Food is also a highlight — and Disney is rolling out plenty of food options inspired by the Pixar films. Among the menu items to expect include Italian dishes inspired by the film "Luca." A pop-up marketplace booth called Gusteau’s To-Go will serve French dishes inspired by the film "Ratatouille."

Expect plenty of Pixar merchandise too, including Pizza Planet baseball caps and Mike Wazowski sweatshirts. One piece of merchandise comes with something edible: popcorn. Fans are expected to line up for the Pizza Planet truck from "Toy Story" which doubles as a popcorn bucket.

Aug. 8: D23 Day at Disneyland

The Disneyland Resort will host the first-ever D23 Day at Disneyland Resort on Thursday, Aug. 8. The day comes just ahead of the D23 event, which is a massive expo for Disney fans set for Aug. 9, 10 and 11 with events across the city of Anaheim.

D23 is set to bring huge festivities (and huge crowds) to the parks given its limited-time offerings. That includes a cavalcade (which is basically a mini parade) featuring 23 characters and select Disney Legends, who are celebrities within the Disney universe. Other rarely-seen characters will also roam around the park, such as Max from "Goof Troop."

Plus, park guests will receive complimentary Mickey Mouse ear hats (while supplies last).

Aug. 23 through Oct. 31: Halloween Time

Halloween Time is a massive event for the Disneyland resort, as almost every corner gets decked out in autumn decor. That includes a charming pumpkin festival on Disneyland's Main Street, U.S.A. Some attractions get Halloween-themed overlays too. Most notably is the Haunted Mansion, which temporarily becomes Haunted Mansion Holiday, themed to "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas."

Also part of Halloween Time is an after-hours, separately-ticketed evening Halloween party called Oogie Boogie Bash. Held at Disney California Adventure Park, it'll run on select nights in fall 2024 and offers trick-or-treating around the park.

Aug. 23 through Oct. 31: Plaza de la Familia (a celebration of Día de los Muertos)

Running concurrently with the Halloween festivities is a celebration of Día de los Muertos. The festival recognizes Day of the Dead, which is a holiday to remember loved ones that have passed. At Disneyland, there will be decorations in and round El Zócalo Park.

Over at Disney California Adventure Park, the festivities lean on the film "Coco." That includes storytelling and singing based on the film, plus meet-and-greets with the film’s main character, Miguel.

Sept. 17: National Beignet Day celebrations at Beignets Expressed

Thought it's recognized nationally, the headquarters for this "holiday" of sorts is at Downtown Disney. In 2024, the National Day Archives granted National Beignet Day, September 17 to New Orleans-based restaurateur Ralph Brennan. More specifically, the designation goes to Beignets Expressed, which is a counter-service spot that's part of the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group.

The restaurant, which is located in the theme park's outdoor shopping district, serves up beignets in creative flavors such as bananas foster, strawberry shortcake, snickerdoodle, apple pie, hazelnut and s’mores.

Nov. 15 through early 2025: Holidays

Not long after Halloween ends, the winter holidays at Disney begins. Details for 2024 are limited, but in 2023 the winter holiday festivities included a lights display on “it’s a small world” and Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle.

Seasonal entertainment included A Christmas Fantasy Parade, “Believe … In Holiday Magic” Fireworks, and World of Color – Season of Light. Over at Disney California Adventure park, the Disney ¡Viva Navidad! celebration is a fiesta showcasing holiday traditions from Mexican and Brazilian cultures.

Disney also uses the holidays to lean into limited-time food offerings, including Mickey-shaped gingerbread. Churros hit on pretty much every possible seasonal flavor, including gingerbread churros, chestnut churros, chocolate sugar churros with peppermint dipping sauce, mint chip churros and sugar plum churros with marshmallow dipping sauce.

The following events already happened, but we're still sharing them here in case you're curious about what you missed earlier this year:

Jan. 11 through Jan. 14: Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, Disneyland's Half Marathon weekend is back. It's four days of fitness-related activities, including a 5K, a 10K and a half marathon. There's also a big expo with tons of vendors.

New this year: This weekend is set to feature a brand-new offering to runDisney events at Disneyland Resort, which is an early morning yoga from inside Disneyland Park. Attendees will partake in a 5 a.m. yoga class, which will have a view of Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Jan. 23 through Feb. 14 (select nights): Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts' Nite

Disneyland After Dark is part of the theme park's lineup of separately-ticketed, themed evening events. The first in the series for 2024 is called Sweethearts’ Nite. In addition to giving attendees access to the rides with wait times that are typically shorter than usual wait times, the after-hours parties also include one-of-a-kind festivities that you'll only experience at the party.

For Sweethearts' Nite, that includes unique projections on the castle and other focal points, a ball where you can dance alongside Disney prince and princesses, and a royal cavalcade, which is essentially a parade.

The parties also feature limited-time food options. This one is set to include fried heart-shaped ravioli at the Cafe Daisy and a shortbread cookie churro with strawberry cheesecake dipping sauce.

Jan. 23 through Feb. 18: Lunar New Year

As it’s done in years past, Disney California Adventure Park will host Lunar New Year celebrations, this time ringing in the Year of the Dragon. Expect an influx of Asian-inspired food and beverages for sale, as well as a procession (basically a mini-parade) themed to “Mulan.”

Jan. 30: Pixar Place Hotel opening

Pixar Place Hotel is not exactly a new hotel, but rather an extensive overhaul of the hotel formerly known as the Paradise Pier Hotel. Rooms feature nods to Pixar Animation Studios, like lighting reminiscent of the Pixar Lamp and pillows inspired by the Pixar Ball. The hotel's centerpiece, found in the lobby, is a massive version of the iconic Pixar Lamp balancing atop its ball.

Also on the ground floor is a new restaurant, Great Maple.

» Learn more: See what Travel Nerd Meghan Coyle thought of the Pixar Place Hotel in her review

Feb. 2: Magic Happens parade returns

Magic Happens is a daytime parade at Disneyland featuring music by Todrick Hall. The parade debuted on Feb. 27, 2020 with an incredibly short-lived run given the theme parks closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It only finally returned in February 2023, but went on hiatus in October 2023 to make way for "A Christmas Fantasy Parade." It'll come back (again) on Feb. 2, 2024.

Feb. 17 and 24: Celebrate Gospel

Over at Disneyland’s Fantasyland Theatre, two gospel concerts will be held, blending performances by popular musicians (Marvin Sapp on Feb. 17 and Tasha Cobbs Leonard on Feb. 24) with local choirs.

Feb. 22 and 23: Anaheim Ducks Days

A two-day celebration within Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure Park will celebrate the Anaheim Ducks Hockey Club’s 30th anniversary in an event set to include appearances by team players.

March 5 and 7: Disneyland After Dark: Disney Channel Nite

Disneyland After Dark is part of the theme park's lineup of separately-ticketed, themed evening events. The second in the series for 2024 is called Disney Channel Nite. In addition to giving attendees access to the rides with wait times that are typically shorter than usual wait times, the after-hours parties also include one-of-a-kind festivities that you'll only experience at the party.

For Disney Channel Nite, that includes a "High School Musical" pep rally, plus karaoke and Disney Channel trivia activities.

The parties also feature limited-time food options. This one is set to include mini banana burritos and tropical banana punch at Red Rose Taverne, plus chili cheese loaded nachos, and s’mores donut skewer from Café Daisy. 

March 1 through April 22: Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival

This annual event puts the spotlight on food with cooking demonstrations and pop-up food stalls that serve small bites that tend to be a bit more creative than your standard theme park meal. Among the more than 100 new, temporarily-available dishes for the festival include carnitas-style pork belly with esquites corn mac salad from LA Style, cheeseburger bao from California Craft Brews, carbonara garlic mac and cheese from D-Lish and chicken musakhan from Paradise Garden Grill.

While items can be purchased a la carte, you might also find it easier (and sometimes more financially lucrative) to purchase a Sip and Savor Pass. There's a four-coupon option and an eight-coupon option, which is basically a token for select food items or nonalcoholic beverages. If you're visiting multiple days, you could use the pass across all those days, and they don't necessarily need to be used by the same person either.

Additionally, Soarin’ Over California, which is a version of the ride known as Soarin', will run for a limited time during the festival.

And even if you don't want to buy a theme park ticket, there's some free entertainment and special menu items at restaurants over at Downtown Disney District, which is the free shopping district adjacent to the theme park.

March 22 through April 14: Wondrous Journeys

Wondrous Journeys is a nighttime show that uses focal points in the park, including Sleeping Beauty Castle and the buildings on Main Street, U.S.A. to provide the backdrop for customized projections. Originally created as a tribute to the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company in 2023, the show also includes fireworks and other lighting effects.

April 5 through June 2: Seasons of the Force

This event sprinkles touches of Star Wars throughout Disneyland with unique food and entertainment offerings. For example, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, which is a simulator-type ride, will feature new additions inspired by the Disney+ series “Ahsoka,” “Andor” and “The Mandalorian.”

Meanwhile, the standard fireworks display will go on. But if you watch it from Galaxy's Edge, which is Disneyland's Star Wars land, you'll watch a version called “Fire of the Rising Moons."

And come hungry, as you'll be able to order themed food and beverages like the Toydaria Swirl, Dewback Chili Noodles and Bantha Burger.

April 16 through May 9: Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite

Not long after the Disney Channel Nite is another Disneyland After Dark event, this one themed to Star Wars. This one, which is held on a smattering of dates in April and May, will run concurrently with the aforementioned Season of the Force. Consider it a version of the daytime festival, but on Star Wars steroids.

Expect tons of Star Wars merchandise and food, plus unique entertainment such as a lightsaber instructional and the Fans of the Force Costume Cavalcade.

Tickets start at $159 and get you admission to Disneyland Park as early as 6 p.m. on the day of the event. The party formally starts at 9 p.m. (that's when general admission guests get kicked out) and runs until 1 a.m

May 24: Fantasmic returns

Fantasmic is a nighttime show held on the Rivers of America in America. After a fire broke out during a showing in April 2023, performances ceased. But more than a year later, it'll return.

This time around, there will be new special effects. In addition, a "Peter Pan" scene, which was replaced with a "Pirates of the Caribbean" scene, will once again return.

June 18 and 20: Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite

Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite debuted for the first time in 2023, and it's coming back in 2024.

The separately-ticketed, themed evening event will run during two nights of Pride month. In addition to giving attendees access to the rides with wait times that are typically shorter than usual wait times, the after-hours parties also include one-of-a-kind festivities that you'll only experience at the party.

For Pride Nite in 2023, that included country line dancing at the Golden Horseshoe.

The news of Disney releasing its entire event lineup follows a similar change announced earlier in 2023 that visitors can now make theme park reservations as far out as 180 days in advance — an increase from the previous 120 days.

That change makes it easier for travelers to plan and pay for their next Disneyland vacation, particularly those who plan months in advance. (Planning early is generally considered a best practice in travel.)

After all, the lack of notice in previous years was sometimes frustrating for planners. For example, when the inaugural Pixar Fest kicked off in April 2018, dates were only announced six months in advance. For international visitors with a penchant for Pixar, a good airfare deal may have already passed.

According to flight alerts website Going, the best airfare deals are usually found one to three months in advance for domestic flights and two to eight months in advance for international tickets. By knowing what events are happening throughout the year, Disneyland fans now have more time to subscribe to flight alerts so they can take advantage of deals within those critical booking windows.

The increased notice might also give travelers who tightly budget more time to save for a vacation — and perhaps even to apply for a travel credit card. For people who time credit card applications around vacations to take advantage of increased spending rewards or introductory offers, the previous announcement window may have been insufficient time to maximize credit card rewards.

Having a calendar for all of 2024 should make it easier to plan (and budget for) a Disneyland vacation.

Disney is running a few ticket discount promotions, including:

• Tickets for kids as low as $50: Disneyland is running a 2024 summer ticket offer for 3-day, 1-park tickets, that apply to visits starting June 10 through Sept. 26, 2024. The 3-day tickets start at $149 for children and $249 for adults, which breaks down to as little as $50 per child and $83 per adult. The drawback? They only apply to visits on Monday through Thursdays, and you're committed to three days at Disney. But who says three days at Disney is a bad thing?

• A weekend ticket offer that's not bad either: If you want to visit on a weekend, the deal is still pretty good. There's a similar 3-day ticket offer to the one above, but it's valid on any day of the week, including weekends. That one is $199 for children and $299 for adults. Tickets for this offer and the one above went on sale beginning May 29, 2024.

• Up to 25% off Disney-owned hotels: While the hotels at the Disneyland Resort are notoriously expensive, stays on certain nights at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the Disneyland Hotel or The Villas at Disneyland Hotel spanning four nights or longer are going for 25% off. The deal is valid for most nights between June 10 and Sept. 26, 2024.

If you can’t take advantage of those ticket offers, you can still do Disneyland on a budget.