Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort: Complete 2026 Guide

Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort is my favorite time to visit. Honestly, anytime at Disneyland is a good time, but combining Disneyland with my favorite holiday makes it even better! The decorations, seasonal food, attraction overlays and nighttime atmosphere are so much fun.

Halloween Time runs from August 21 through October 31, 2026. Some seasonal food arrives as early as August 18, Oogie Boogie Bash begins August 18 on select nights, and Plaza de la Familia continues through November 2. This guide covers everything that has been confirmed for the 2026 season.

Planning a Disneyland Halloween trip? I put together a complete 2026 Disneyland Halloween Time Game Plan to make planning so much easier! It includes park plans for Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Oogie Boogie Bash and non-party nights, plus food tips, character information, packing lists, checklists and helpful bonuses. Take a peek inside the guide and find the perfect plan for your Halloween trip!

Disneyland Halloween 2026 Dates at a Glance

• Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort: August 21–October 31, 2026
• Seasonal Halloween food: Many items begin August 18; dates vary by location
• Plaza de la Familia: August 21–November 2, 2026
• Oogie Boogie Bash: 33 select nights from August 18–October 31, 2026

Don’t miss my guide to Disneyland Halloween crowds before your trip. I also have complete Disneyland guides for August, September and October with weather, closures, packing tips and crowd information.

Want help planning what to eat? Read my complete 2026 Disneyland Halloween Foodie Guide, then get the free printable foodie checklist here.

This article was updated with Disney’s confirmed 2026 Halloween information. Entertainment, menus and availability can change, so check the Disneyland app during your visit.

Save on Disneyland Tickets and Hotels

A valid ticket and a park reservation for the same date and park are required for entry. Ticket and hotel discounts change throughout the season, so I keep the current offers, deadlines and comparisons in my Disneyland Halloween Deals 2026 guide. Check it before you book to see which ticket or hotel offer fits your trip best.

You can also call 855-GET-AWAY and tell them Mix In Some Magic sent you. Use code MIX10 for an extra $10 off an eligible ticket-and-hotel package.

You can also browse my Disneyland hotel reviews here before choosing where to stay.

Disneyland Park

Disneyland Park is filled with pumpkins, characters in seasonal costumes, the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay and Halloween entertainment. Here’s what you’ll want to look for in 2026.

Characters

Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their friends will greet guests in Town Square wearing brand-new Halloween outfits for 2026. The costumes feature harlequin patterns, frilled details, candy-inspired swirls and classic shades of orange, yellow and black.

Seasonal character appearances can change throughout the day, so check the Disneyland app when you arrive. I always recommend stopping in Town Square during both the morning and evening because the character lineups may be different.

Haunted Mansion Holiday

Haunted Mansion Holiday returns on August 21, 2026. Jack Skellington has once again taken over the mansion with a merry macabre makeover inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. You’ll see Sally, Zero, Oogie Boogie and plenty of holiday surprises throughout the attraction.

Don’t miss the ballroom gingerbread house. A new design is created each year, and yes, you can actually smell the gingerbread as your Doom Buggy passes the scene.

Important 2026 update: The old Haunted Mansion virtual-queue information no longer applies. Check the Disneyland app for the current standby wait and Lightning Lane availability. This attraction becomes very popular during Halloween Time, so I recommend making it an early Lightning Lane Multi Pass selection if it is a priority.

Main Street Pumpkin Festival

Main Street, U.S.A. is covered in hundreds of uniquely carved pumpkins during the Main Street Pumpkin Festival. The giant Mickey pumpkin in Town Square is still the star, and you’ll find more pumpkins in windows, on rooftops and surrounding the Partners Statue.

New for 2026, look for pumpkins near the Partners Statue inspired by Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, including Chewbacca and the Millennium Falcon. Make sure you see Main Street during the day and again after dark when the lighting completely changes the atmosphere.

Halloween Screams

Halloween Screams runs from August 21 through October 31, 2026. This 10-minute nighttime spectacular features Jack Skellington, Zero, Disney villains, projections and Halloween music. The projections can be viewed on Sleeping Beauty Castle, Main Street, U.S.A., “it’s a small world” and the Rivers of America.

Fireworks are included on select nights only. On other nights, you’ll still get the complete projection and music show without fireworks. Check the Disneyland app for the exact showtime and look for “Halloween Screams with Fireworks” on the entertainment schedule.

The castle viewing area is the most crowded. I usually prefer watching near “it’s a small world” because you can still see the projections and generally don’t need to claim a spot as early.

Día de los Muertos at Disneyland

Near Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante, you’ll find a colorful Día de los Muertos display honoring loved ones who have passed. The installation includes marigolds, catrinas, calacas and traditional items inspired by ofrendas.

This is separate from Plaza de la Familia in Disney California Adventure, so you can experience meaningful Día de los Muertos touches in both parks.

The Halloween Tree

Stop by the Halloween Tree in Frontierland during your visit. The oak tree is covered in glowing jack-o’-lanterns and orange lights and is especially beautiful after dark. You’ll find it near the Golden Horseshoe.

The tree was inspired by Ray Bradbury’s book The Halloween Tree. It’s an easy detail to miss if you’re hurrying between attractions, so add it to your evening list.

Disney’s Happiest Haunts Tour

Disney’s Happiest Haunts Guided Tour returns for 2026. The two-hour walking tour includes Halloween history and Disney-inspired stories, Lightning Lane entry to Haunted Mansion Holiday, reserved viewing for Halloween Screams, a themed treat and a commemorative key.

The tour costs extra, and you’ll also need valid park admission and a park reservation. I’ve taken this tour and loved it! You can read my complete Happiest Haunts Tour review here.

Disney California Adventure Park

Disney California Adventure has some of the best Halloween transformations at the resort. Between Buena Vista Street, Radiator Screams, Monsters After Dark and Plaza de la Familia, I recommend giving yourself time to see the park during the day and after dark.

Halloween Décor

Oogie Boogie greets guests above the entrance while bats appear to swarm the Carthay Circle tower. The Headless Horseman statue on Buena Vista Street is another must-see photo spot, especially after it lights up at night.

Don’t rush straight past Buena Vista Street. The windows, music, lighting and little details make this one of the best areas to slow down and enjoy during Halloween Time.

Radiator Screams in Cars Land

Cars Land transforms into Radiator Screams for Haul-O-Ween. Lightning McQueen, Mater and their friends dress in “car-stumes,” and the land fills with playful details including car-achnids and a pump-kin patch.

Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree becomes Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree, while Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters becomes Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween. Both attractions receive seasonal soundtracks that are part of the fun.

Visit once during the day to see the decorations, then return around sunset for the nightly “Sha-BOO” moment when the neon lights flicker on. Cars Land feels completely different after dark.

Plaza de la Familia

Plaza de la Familia runs from August 21 through November 2, 2026, in Paradise Gardens Park. This celebration honors the everlasting bonds of family and the spirit of Día de los Muertos with experiences inspired by Pixar’s Coco.

The Storytellers of Plaza de la Familia Celebrate the Musical World of Coco! brings familiar songs to life, and live mariachi music is scheduled at the Paradise Garden Bandstand. You can also add a remembrance for a loved one to the Memory Wall.

Paradise Garden Grill will serve a special seasonal menu. Disney has confirmed the return of the Chilaquiles Carnitas Torta, with the complete Plaza de la Familia menu still to come.

Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark

Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark runs from August 21 through October 31, 2026. The regular Mission: BREAKOUT! version operates earlier in the day, and Monsters After Dark takes over beginning in the late afternoon.

During the Halloween version, Groot has been left behind and Rocket needs your help rescuing him from the monsters loose inside the Collector’s Fortress. It’s louder, darker and more intense than the daytime version, so it may be too scary for some kids.

If you’re using Lightning Lane Multi Pass, watch the return times early. Monsters After Dark return times can disappear quickly once they become available.

World of Color – ONE

World of Color – ONE returns to Disney California Adventure on August 10 and continues through the Halloween season. If you want access to the preferred viewing area, check the Disneyland app for the current virtual-queue details after you enter a park.

Oogie Boogie Bash

Oogie Boogie Bash is a separately ticketed Halloween party held at Disney California Adventure on 33 select nights from August 18 through October 31, 2026. The party runs from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and your event ticket lets you enter Disney California Adventure beginning at 3:00 PM without a separate daytime park ticket or reservation.

Tickets start at $139 per guest ages three and older and vary by date. Parking is not included, and Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Single Pass and Premier Pass are not available during the event. Unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads captured during party hours are included.

The 2026 party includes immersive treat trails, Villains Grove, special characters, shorter waits for select attractions and the new Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake – A Haunted Mansion Street Party. At select times, you may also see Ichabod Crane racing through the park while trying to escape the Headless Horseman.

This is a major change from previous years, so don’t plan around the old parade schedule. Read my complete 2026 Oogie Boogie Bash guide for all 33 dates, prices, costume rules and my recommended party plan.

Not attending Oogie Boogie Bash? Party nights can still have a big impact on your plans because Disney California Adventure closes early. I put together a full guide to what to do on Oogie Boogie Bash nights without a ticket, including which park I’d choose, whether Park Hopper is worth it and what to do after DCA closes.

Mickey’s Trick and Treat

Mickey’s Trick and Treat runs from August 21 through October 31, 2026, at the Disney Theater in Hollywood Land. This family-friendly interactive show includes Mickey, Minnie and their friends, original Halloween songs, dancing, bubbles, projections and a not-too-scary story.

Kids receive a small treat at the end. Performance times vary, so check the Disneyland app and arrive a little early if this is important to your family.

Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit

Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit runs from August 21 through October 31, 2026, or while supplies last. You can search for 13 character-inspired pumpkins throughout Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney.

1. Purchase a map and stickers for $11.99 plus tax at a participating merchandise location.
2. Search for the hidden pumpkins and place the matching stickers on your map.
3. Return the map to a redemption location for a keepsake. You can still redeem it even if you don’t complete the search.

One map equals one keepsake, and the experience is available while supplies last.

Halloween Time Food & Beverage

The 2026 Disneyland Halloween food guide is officially here, and there is a lot to try! Many seasonal items begin August 18, before Halloween Time officially starts, while other menus begin August 21. Dates and availability vary by restaurant.

I put every confirmed item, location, date and mobile-order note into my complete Disneyland Halloween Foodie Guide 2026. It covers Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney and the resort hotels.

My recommendation: Print the guide before your trip and mark the foods you really want to try. Keep it with you in the parks and check everything off as you go so you don’t forget a must-try item.

👉 Get the free Disneyland Halloween Foodie Guide printable here.

Halloween Time at Downtown Disney

You don’t need a park ticket to enjoy Halloween at Downtown Disney. The district will have seasonal decorations, limited-time food, Halloween merchandise and plenty of places to shop for a fall outfit or souvenir.

The Downtown Disney LIVE! stage and lawn will host fall movie nights on select evenings along with live musical performances. Exact dates and entertainment times will appear in the Disneyland app and on the Downtown Disney schedule.

Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit is also available here, which makes Downtown Disney a fun option on your arrival day. We often spend a few hours shopping and eating dinner before heading back to our hotel.

Halloween at the Disneyland Resort Hotels

The Disneyland Resort hotels are getting more Halloween touches in 2026. Pixar Place Hotel will feature new décor inspired by Monsters, Inc., while Disneyland Hotel will add Haunted Mansion-inspired details. Look for large confection displays at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disneyland Hotel too.

Seasonal character dining includes Mickey’s Autumn Adventures for breakfast and brunch at Storytellers Cafe, Clarabelle’s Enchanted Halloween Dinner in the evening, and Goofy’s Kitchen Celebrates Halloween throughout the day. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Adults 21 and older can find a Halloween cocktail menu at Broken Spell Lounge. Tenaya Stone Spa will also offer seasonal hair, makeup, nail and spa services for an additional cost.

Tips for Visiting Disneyland During Halloween Time

Halloween Time is extremely popular, but a little planning makes a huge difference. These are the things I would prioritize for a 2026 visit.

• Arrive for rope drop. The first hour is still the best time to experience several attractions with shorter waits. Use my Disneyland rope-drop guide to choose a plan.
• Know your Oogie Boogie Bash date. On party nights, Disney California Adventure closes to guests without event tickets at 6:00 PM. Disneyland often becomes busier as those guests park hop, so check the calendar before choosing your park days.
• Use Lightning Lane Multi Pass strategically. Haunted Mansion Holiday and Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark are very popular during this season. Book important return times early and remember that Lightning Lane Multi Pass includes PhotoPass downloads from your park day. Read my complete Lightning Lane Multi Pass guide.
• Mobile order early. Seasonal food can sell out, and popular return times may disappear. If a must-try item offers mobile order, look for a time earlier in the day.
• Prepare for heat. Late August and September can be very hot, and October can still be warm. Use my Disneyland heat guide and plan an indoor break during the hottest part of the afternoon.
• Pack what you need. My park bag essentials and Disneyland Amazon list will help you avoid overpriced last-minute purchases.
• Bring your own snacks if needed. Outside food is allowed within Disney’s guidelines. Here’s my guide to bringing food into Disneyland.
• Use Rider Switch with young children. Check my Disneyland height requirements and Rider Switch guide before your trip.
• Plan your outfit for the weather. My what-to-wear guide includes practical packing suggestions. Oogie Boogie Bash has separate costume rules for adults and children, so review those before wearing a costume.

Halloween Time at Disneyland really is one of the most magical seasons of the year. Give yourself time to enjoy the details instead of rushing from one attraction to the next, and make sure you see both parks after dark.

Need more help planning? Start with my complete Disneyland planning guide.

You can also use my downloadable touring plans if you want a step-by-step plan for your park day.

Make sure to check out my YouTube videos for helpful info and my podcast for lots of Disney planning information! You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Just search for “Mix In Some Magic” Follow me on Instagram or Facebook for lots of Disney tips and fun and make sure you join my Disney planning Facebook group! It’s a great place to ask all your Disneyland planning questions and get expert help.