Halloween Time at Disneyland: A Complete Guide (2024)

Get in the spooky spirit this Halloween and celebrate at Disneyland Resort!

Are you ready for some seriously spellbinding fun? Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort offers everything you need to get in the spirit –or welcome some ghostly spirits! –during the fall. Featuring autumnal (and slightly spooky) decor throughout the theme parks, thrilling ride overlays, fresh and fun character costumes, and of course plenty of themed treats to try, Halloween Time is one of the most exciting seasons.

What’s in store for Guests during the Halloween season? We’ve created a complete guide to Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort, covering everything from spooky ride overlays to the best seasonal treats and merch. Discover why Halloween is one of the best times of the year to visit Disneyland below!

  • Halloween at Disneyland Park
  • Halloween at Disney California Adventure Park

Experience Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort

What is Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort? Well, it’s a resort-wide celebration that includes festive and frightfully fun decorations, classic Disney characters in exciting Halloween costumes, and some villainous ride overlays and experiences. Oh, and did we mention there are special seasonal nighttime spectaculars, parades, and even Halloween events? It’s two months of ghoulish thrills, and it’s a great opportunity to see Disneyland, California Adventure, and the entire resort transformed (and yes, there are plenty of pumpkins!).

In addition to celebrating Halloween during the annual Halloween Time at Disneyland, the theme parks and larger resort also celebrate Día de los Muertos in the fall. Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, takes place on November 1 and 2. You can learn more about this holiday and join the celebrations at both Disneyland and California Adventure during Halloween Time.

When Does Halloween Time Begin at Disneyland and California Adventure?

Halloween Time begins on August 23, 2024 and runs through October 31, 2024. You’ll likely see Halloween and fall inspired decorations start popping up around Disneyland Resort in the days leading up to August 23 and the official start of Halloween Time!

Halloween at Disneyland Park

Halloween Time at Disneyland: A Complete Guide (1)

Photo by Dom Tabon

You’ll find plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween at Disneyland Park during Halloween Time. As soon as you arrive on Main Street, U.S.A., you’ll encounter the Main Street Pumpkin Festival, where hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins are scattered. And you definitely won’t miss the giant Mickey pumpkin!

As you explore Disneyland, you’ll encounter Halloween decor and theming that’s both beautifully autumnal and somewhat spooky. But Halloween Time is about more than just seasonal decorations. Keep reading to find out what special offerings are around only in September and October each year.

Halloween Ride Overlays

One of the most exciting details of Halloween Time at Disneyland Park is Haunted Mansion Holiday. This ride overlay takes the traditional Haunted Mansion attraction and transforms it into a festive celebration of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.

The mansion’s halls are decked with spooky and seasonal decorations, with the grim grinning ghosts taking joy in the arrival of Sandy Claws. You’ll be able to spot characters and iconic Halloween and Christmas touches throughout the attraction, including a special appearance by Sally at the ride’s end.

Halloween Shows and Entertainment

During Halloween Time, the nightly fireworks show is replaced with a more seasonally inspired one. For 2023, the Disney100 spectacular Wondrous Journeys went hiatus, and Halloween Screams will return.

Halloween Screams is a show that combines explosive fireworks with spooky, spirited projections featuring some of Disney’s classic villains –and, of course, some Halloween favorites! The eerie and exciting show features Jack Skellington as the “Master of Scare-omonies” and his dog, Zero. You’ll also spot Ursula, Maleficent, and other frightful faces. And keep an eye out for cool special effects like flames, rising ghosts, and more!

Halloween Character Meet and Greets

If you want to catch your favorite Disney characters in spellbinding new attire, you won’t want to miss the meet and greet opportunities during Halloween Time at Disneyland. Throughout this special season, you’ll be able to see both classic characters like Mickey and Minnie in special Halloween attire (and even costumes!) and new characters who come out to greet Guests only during this time of the year.

Jack Skellington, Sally, and even a villain or two can be found inside Disneyland Park in September and October at special meet and greet locations.

Halloween Food and Merchandise

Each year, the restaurants and snack spots throughout Disneyland Park offer up special menu items just for Halloween Time. You can expect everything from sweets to limited-time additions to table service spots –and there will be plenty to try!

Additionally, Disney typically releases a special merchandise collection that’s available in the theme parks. Last year, the 2023 collection featured a spooktacular new spirit jersey, a fun pumpkin ear headband, and more. Take apeek right here!

Halloween at Disney California Adventure Park

Halloween Time at Disneyland: A Complete Guide (2)

Oogie Boogie greets guests throughout Halloween at California Adventure. Photo by Abby Richardson

If you’re more of a spooky and scary fan, you won’t want to miss Halloween Time at Disney California Adventure Park. This theme park is transformed into a frightful yet fun world, with bewitching decor like swarming clouds of bats and menacing statues (like the Headless Horseman, who you’ll spot over on Buena Vista Street) to welcome you.

You’ll find fewer pumpkins and more frights awaiting here –and you definitely won’t want to overlook the incredible details awaiting you in Radiator “Screams.” You can celebrate Haul-O-Ween with the residents of Radiator Springs, all decked out in costumes and spooktacular decorations for the season. Keep reading to find out what special offerings are around only in September and October each year.

Halloween Ride Overlays

Three attractions get a special Halloween Time treatment over at California Adventure: Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, Luigi’s Rollickin Roadsters, and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree.

Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! is transformed into Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark with a special seasonal overlay. In this version of the attraction, you’ll team up with Rocket to save Groot. And along the way, you’ll experience a different ride story… in the dark!

Over in Cars Land, Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween features eerie music and cars dancing along to seasonal twists like “Terror-antella” and “The Chop Top of Carsoli.” Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree also gets a spooky makeover and becomes Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree for the Halloween season. This kid-friendly attraction will twirl you around to Halloween tunes like “Welcome to Radiator Screams” and “Monster Truck Smash.”

Halloween Shows and Entertainment

At California Adventure, you’ll find entertainment themed around Día de los Muertos at Paradise Gardens. During Halloween Time at Disneyland, you can catch A Musical Celebration of Coco throughout the day. Told by the Storytellers of Plaza de la Familia, this performance features songs from Coco (including the Oscar-winning “Remember Me”) and see characters from the movie come to life.

Halloween Character Meet and Greets

Just like over at Disneyland Park, California Adventure offers seasonally-inspired character costumes and attire. You may not see as many villains roaming Buena Vista Street or Redwood Creek (well, not during the day, at least!), but you can spot classic Disney characters getting into the spirit of Halloween with costumes of their own.

One can’t-miss character opportunity is found in Radiator “Screams” during September and October. Your favorite Cars characters –including Lightning McQueen and Mater –put on their Halloween costumes to greet Guests. You won’t want to miss their spooky fun takes on their usual appearances over by the Cozy Cone Motel!

Halloween Food and Merchandise

Each year, the restaurants and snack spots throughout California Adventure Park offer up special menu items just for Halloween Time. You can expect everything from sweets to limited-time additions to table service spots –and there will be plenty to try!

Additionally, Disney typically releases a special merchandise collection that’s available in the theme parks. Last year, the 2023 collection featured a spooktacular new spirit jersey, a fun pumpkin ear headband, and more. Take apeek right here!

Halloween Special Events

Each year, California Adventure is home to a wonderfully spooky Halloween special event: Oogie Boogie Bash. This separately-ticketed party includes villain sightings, special character meet and greets, trick-or-treat trails, and plenty of scream-inducing fun! Held on select nights in September and October, the bash is one event you don’t want to miss.

Note: Tickets are sold out for Oogie Boogie Bash 2023. Next year’s tickets will likely go on sale during the summer, so keep an eye out for the on-sale date if you’re interested in attending the 2024 party!

Halloween at Disneyland Resort Hotels and Downtown Disney

The Halloween Time fun extends beyond the theme parks and into the larger Disneyland Resort. From autumnal, pumpkin-filled decor to special treats and merch designed just for fall, you’ll be able to explore some limited-time offerings throughout Downtown Disney as well as at the three Disneyland Resort hotels. Primarily, you’ll want to keep an eye out for special treats and menu items at Downtown Disney and hotel restaurants.

Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit

During Halloween Time, Disneyland Resort offers a scavenger search for fun Disney pumpkins. Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit ran from September 8 to November 1 (or until supplies last) in 2023. You can pick up a game board and set of stickers at select hotel and Downtown Disney locations. To play, you’ll need to find the decorative pumpkins hidden throughout the resort. Once you’ve found them all, you can turn your game board in for a keepsake!

Halloween Time at Disneyland: A Complete Guide (2024)

FAQs

Is Halloween Screams every night at Disneyland? ›

At Disneyland Park, all guests can enjoy the nightly (through October) Halloween Screams projection show! Fireworks are included on select nights (typically weekends and holidays). Check the calendar to see show times and if fireworks are included during your visit.

What is the most frequently asked question at Disneyland? ›

Frequently Asked Questions According to Disneyland Park Operations
  • Does [insert name of attraction] have FASTPASS Service?
  • Where's the best place to see the parade?
  • What are the park hours?
  • Where's Mickey Mouse?
  • Where's the nearest restroom?
Jul 6, 2010

How long is Halloween up at Disneyland? ›

Halloween Time begins on August 23, 2024 and runs through October 31, 2024. You'll likely see Halloween and fall inspired decorations start popping up around Disneyland Resort in the days leading up to August 23 and the official start of Halloween Time!

What time is the Oogie Boogie parade? ›

The Frightfully Fun Parade at Oogie Boogie Bash

Parade times may be about 7:50 p.m. and 10:05 p.m. Both parades travel in the same direction. The parade begins down by Silly Symphony Swings and ends near Guardians of the Galaxy.

Does Magic Kingdom do fireworks during Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party? ›

Watch the skies come alive with a Halloween spectacular featuring lasers, fireworks and more!

Where is the best place to watch Halloween Screams at Disneyland? ›

The viewing areas may vary slightly, depending on whether you are viewing the show on a fireworks night or a projection-only night. Halloween Screams is one show that we say to wait in front of the castle if you can. The extra pyrotechnics, flying Zero and projections are worth seeing up close.

Which Disneyland Park is best for Halloween? ›

You can find frightfully fun activities to do in both parks at the Disneyland Resort. But in our opinion, Disneyland Park is the best place to celebrate Halloween at Disneyland 2024 outside of the special ticketed Halloween party Oogie Boogie Bash.

Is Halloween a busy day at Disneyland? ›

Halloween Time at the resort generally tends to draw in more crowds and when you add in Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon Weekend participants, you've got a weekend that's likely to be a bit busier than usual.

Can adults wear costumes to Disneyland on Halloween? ›

Costumes may not be worn by Guests 14 years of age or older.

How hard is it to get oogie boogie bash tickets? ›

Regardless, if you're wondering why so many Disneyland fans are anxiously awaiting the release of Oogie Boogie Bash tickets, that's it. Because missing the announcement and start of sales could very well mean not even having the chance to buy tickets this year. They usually sell out quickly!

Can you trick or treat at Oogie Boogie Bash? ›

Oogie Boogie Bash is a special extra-ticket event held select nights at at Disney California Adventure during the Halloween season. The party includes an exclusive Halloween parade with an appearance by a horseback-riding headless horseman, trick-or-treating, and more.

Are all rides open during Oogie Boogie Bash? ›

What rides are open during Oogie Boogie Bash? Most of the attractions at Disney California Adventure Park will be open for the party if they are also open during the day. However, in the past, there's one attraction that was only open at night during Halloween Time and only at Disney California Adventure Park.

Does Disneyland do fireworks every night in October? ›

Fireworks occur on select nights only. Halloween Screams is subject to cancellation without notice due to weather or other circ*mstances. Please check our Entertainment Schedule or the Disneyland app for dates and showtimes; nights featuring fireworks will be listed as Halloween Screams with Fireworks.

Does Disneyland do anything special on Halloween night? ›

Disneyland does several special things for Halloween. There are special Halloween decorations like the giant pumpkin on Main Street, themed Halloween treats, rides with Halloween overlays, the nighttime show Halloween Screams, and more.

What time does Disney's Not So Scary Halloween start? ›

On event nights, Mickey's Not-So-Scary-Halloween Party begins at 7 p.m. and lasts until midnight. Ticket holders may enter the park on their party ticket as early as 4 p.m., and entry at the tapstiles will close to those without party tickets at 6 p.m.

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