10 Ways To Celebrate Halloween at Disneyland Resort

We LOVE Halloweentime at Disneyland Parks. Mainly because we love seeing Chip and Dale roaming the streets of the park in their costumes, but there’s more than just character sightings! What better way to ring in the Halloween season than with spooks and sweets at the happiest place on Earth? From Halloween ride overlays to new Halloween snacks, shows, fireworks, and the Oogie Boogie Bash there is plenty to do for Halloween at Disneyland and California Adventure this Halloween season.

When is Halloween at Disneyland Resort?

Running Aug. 23 through Oct. 31, 2024 and through Nov. 2, 2024, for Plaza de la Familia, we’re sharing all the special events, performances and more for Halloween at Disneyland. This time of year brings to the parks  Halloween decorations, ride overlays, shows, and more. From the Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney’s California Adventure to the Haunted Mansion overlay at Disneyland Park, there are plenty of reasons to head to warm and sunny Anaheim, California this Halloween. 

Hoping to get close to the Halloween action at Disneyland Resort? Check out the 15 Hotels Within Walking Distance of Disneyland for the best access to both parks without the need for additional transportation. 

What Happens for Halloween at Disneyland Park?

Halloween at Disneyland Resort includes special parties, performances, costumed characters, snacks, and decorations to help welcome the spooky season. However, some events do come at a cost! Here’s all the things to look forward to on your visit to Disneyland for Halloween. 

Mickey and Friends in Halloween Attire

Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and the whole gang get dressed up in their Halloween best. Even better, this time of year brings out rare Disney characters, Jack Skellington and Sally, from Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas! Perfect for some Halloween fun in the parks. However, for Disney characters that have lines, be prepared to wait. Jack and Sally routinely have long lines throughout the season, but are worth the wait! Be sure to add these character meet and greets to your lineup! Mickey and Minnie Mouse debut a new look every year! This years is covered in orange, purple, green and black! 

Main Street Pumpkin Festival 

Disneyland’s Main Street USA decks all the halls this time of year, with amazing pumpkin displays. In unique carved designs, you can see pumpkins all over Main Street during the Pumpkin Festival. Meanwhile, sitting central to the action is the giant Mickey pumpkin, perfect for photo ops! 

Headless Horseman at Disneyland 

You can also head to Buena Vista Street to see the Headless Horseman statue throughout the day. In the evenings, the horseman’s pumpkin head lights up for a spooky feel across the town square. So, grab your best Sleepy Hollow outfit and get ready for pics, because this one is a sight to behold. 

Haunted Mansion Holiday *NEW with Virtual Queue*

The Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland Park can be found in New Orleans Square. And during the Halloween season, Haunted Mansion gets a makeover. Covered in Halloween and Christmas, this ride’s Nightmare Before Christmas overlay is a MUST-SEE!  Pumpkin King Jack Skellington dresses up the Haunted Mansion with frightfully festive touches perfect for the spooky and Santa seasons. This ride also features an annual debut of a new Gingerbread House on the table inside the ball room each season. So be sure to keep an eye out for it! 

NEW for 2024, the Haunted Mansion will reopen with a Virtual Queue. So, expect to pop into your My Disney Experience App for Disneyland to claim a spot in line. Virtual Queue typically opens at 7 AM for Disney Resort Guests, and 9 AM for all other guests. During the busy times of year, having early virtual queue access may make the case for staying on property at Disneyland instead. 

Mickey’s Trick and Treat Show *NEW Daytime Show*

Typically only shown at the Oogie Boogie Bash, this Mickey’s Trick and Treat Show can now be seen throughout the day at Disney Theater in Disney’s California Adventure during the season! Filled with music, this sing and dance along show is perfect for little ones. 

Halloween Screams & Fireworks Show 

Halloween at Disneyland is made all the more fun with the Disney Villains in this Halloween Fireworks Show that projects onto the Sleeping Beauty Castle and send fireworks shooting into the sky. . The Halloween Screams Fireworks Show at Disneyland Park runs 10 minutes and is only shown on select nights throughout the season.

However, throughout the season, you can also just see the Halloween Screams projection show, which features spooky scenes on the castle, it’s a small world, rivers of America and along Main Street USA too. Check out the Disneyland Entertainment Schedule to see if this is showing during your vacation. 

Halloween at Disney’s California Adventure

Disney’s California Adventure is home to the Oogie Boogie Bash, and a slew of Disneyland Ride overlays for Halloween. Be aware that on nights when the Oogie Boogie Bash is happening, Disney’s California Adventure closes at 6 pm to non-party guests. While guests of the party can begin arriving as early as 3 PM, we highly recommend that if you are not going to the Oogie Boogie Bash, that you choose Disneyland Park for your park day instead.

Radiator Screams in Cars Land

All dressed up for the season, the Cars Land area of Disneyland gets covered in bats, spiders, and ghouls. And the cars, and rides, get dressed up in their Halloween best too! 

• Radiator Screams: Head to Cars Land to see your favorite Radiator Springs Racers all decked out in Halloween attire. 
• Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween: Celebrate Luigi’s favorite holiday at the honkin’est dance party in Radiator Screams.
• Maters Graveyard Jam-BOO-ree: Another Halloween overlay in Cars Land, this ride features high-spirited Haul-O-Ween music.

Guardians of the Galaxy Monsters After Dark

Just in time for Halloween, you can join friends from the Guardians of the Galaxy for spooky fun at Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout. The storyline for the season, is that the guardians have left Groot behind! And they have to find a way to distract the creatures that have been released so they can rescue him! Hold onto your seats, there’s a big drop coming!

Goofy’s Kitchen Halloween 

Head to Goofy’s Kitchen at Disneyland Hotel for characters in costumes and themed foods to the spooky season! Featuring Goofy and pals, this Character Dining at Disneyland is all about adding a little extra fun to your Halloween Season. 

Storyteller’s Cafe Autumn Brunch

New to the lineup of Halloween things to do at Disneyland, is the Storytellers Cafe Brunch at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel. Featuring seasonal decor and autumn flavors, there is a new menu special for Halloweentime at Disneyland. 

Plaza de la Familia 

Celebrate the Day of the Dead at Disneyland from August 23- November 2, 2024 with Coco. Honoring Family and the Spirit of Día de Los Muertos in Disney’s California Adventure Park, you can experience this cultural event with food, song, and special events. 

• Memory Wall and the Mexican Árbol de la Vida Photo Op
• Miguel Meet and Greet
• Paradise Gardens Decor and Crafts
• A Musical Celebration of Coco Show, performed several times daily. 

Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween Party

Offered select nights Oogie Boogie Bash returns to California Adventure this Halloween season. Running from 6:00 pm- 11 pm, guests can get access to Disney’s California Adventure at 3:00 pm. Read all about the Oogie Boogie Bash at Disneyland Resort. Here are all the things you can do at the Disneyland Oogie Boogie Bash. 

• Early Admission to Disney California Adventure Park
  Early admission to Disney California Adventure Park beginning at 3:00 PM—no theme park reservation required.

• Limited-Capacity Admission to Disney California Adventure Park
  This event lets a limited number of Guests explore the park after it closes, offering shorter wait times at some favorite attractions. Plus, no theme park reservation is required for the park mix-in and event with your event ticket.
• Commemorative Keepsakes
  Receive a souvenir credential and event guide, and unlimited downloads of Disney PhotoPass digital photos taken during the party. (Credentials and guides are limited to one per ticketed person.)

Oogie Boogie Bash Events and Entertainment

• Immersive Treat Trails
  Collect goodies—M&Ms, SKITTLES, SNICKERS and other Halloween favorites—along trails offering Halloween-inspired music, fun decor and the Villains themselves, as they oversee the festivities from their thrones. You may even spot more familiar faces.
• Character Experiences
  Seize the chance to meet some of Disney’s most popular Characters decked out in their Halloween costumes.
• Special Decor and More
  Enjoy unique decorations, lighting, music and effects sure to set a not-too-spooky, family-friendly tone.
• Frightfully Fun Parade
  Don’t miss this spirited masquerade cavalcade starring Mickey, Minnie and some of your fave Disney Villains!
• Mickey’s Trick and Treat
  Watch Mickey and friends as they headline a live show filled with not-so-scary Halloween tales.
• Villains Grove
  Explore Redwood Creek Challenge Trail like never before as the worlds of Disney Villains unfold via ethereal scenes replete with hauntingly beautiful color, sound, light and shadow.
• Carthay Circle
  Hold onto your hats as clouds of black bats coil ‘round Carthay Circle’s Bell Tower while spellbinding effects transform the building.

Halloween at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel

Every year sees a brand new Halloween Display at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel. Check out this larger-than-life Oogie Boogie treat made from rice krispie treats and covered in 15 Hidden Mickeys. You can find it through the season in the lobby of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel. This sculpture is made up of loads of ingredients and stands at over 4 feet tall on top of a stage. You can find treats for sale at the counter next to this display. 

Halloween at Downtown Disney

If you’re headed to Disneyland Resort, then you can skip the park tickets, by simply heading to Downtown Disney. As home to so many New Things at Disneyland, you can find restaurants, access to the Disneyland Resorts, Shops and spaces that are unique to Disney, without paying a dime! This means you get first access to Halloween snacks, Disney Halloween Merchandise and special performances offered through the fall months at Downtown Disney.

Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit 

Peruse the Downtown Disney District to pinpoint a pleasant patch of pumpkins and pick up a spooky surprise. This is a scavenger hunt game that you can buy at participating shops, and then turn it in for a prize! Pumpkins are hidden throughout the shopping center and can be marked off on a map as you go. Read all about Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit in Downtown Disney. This scavenger hunt is usually offered starting late September through October. 

Halloween Snacks at Disneyland Resort

Snacks at Disneyland Resort typically arrive in late August, after Disneyland Pixar Fest, and ahead of Halloween at Disneyland. You can find snacks at Disneyland Park, California Adventure, and the Disneyland Resorts. We’ll be sure to add all the new snacks at Disneyland Resort as soon as they are announced. Coming Soon!

What’s Happening at Disneyland for Halloween?

There you have it! Everything happening at Disneyland for Halloween! Filled with seasonal decorations, snacks, and things you can only see this time of year it’s a great way to ring in the spooky season. Want to avoid seasonal crowds? Head to the park early in September for the lowest crowds at Disneyland Park. And, as always, aim for a weekday.