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Two periods transform the resort enough to decide your dates on their own: Halloween Time in the autumn, and the holiday season that follows. These overlays are not cosmetic. They change entire attractions.

Halloween Time

In 2026, from 21 August to 31 October. The transformation covers both parks, the Downtown Disney District and the hotels. In Disneyland Park the Mickey Pumpkin returns to Main Street, U.S.A., characters appear in costume, and the Haunted Mansion becomes Haunted Mansion Holiday, redressed in the style of The Nightmare Before Christmas.

After dark, Halloween Screams takes the sky with projections and, on select nights, fireworks. Check the day's schedule, because it does not run every evening.

Cars Land transforms too

Across the esplanade, Cars Land turns into Haul-O-Ween: Mater's Junkyard Jamboree becomes Mater's Graveyard JamBOOree, and Guardians of the Galaxy switches to its Monsters After Dark version once night falls. Oogie Boogie's silhouette greets guests at the entrance to Disney California Adventure.

Oogie Boogie Bash, separate ticket

The resort's Halloween costume party is sold separately from day admission and sells out well in advance. If it interests you, it has to be booked before the rest of the trip rather than after.

The holiday season

It takes over in the autumn. « it's a small world » switches to its Holiday version, A Christmas Fantasy Parade comes down Main Street, and the sky lights up with Believe… in Holiday Magic. On the Disney California Adventure side, World of Color plays its Season of Light version, Buena Vista Street lights its tree, and Viva Navidad brings its street party. The castle takes on its winter dressing.

What this means for your dates

The seasonal overlays are among the most cited reasons to come in November or December rather than summer. Crowds rise in exchange. Exact dates change every year and firm up closer in: your Magic Maker confirms them before you book flights.

Read next

The rides affected by the overlays are covered on Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. Oogie Boogie Bash is sold separately, and tickets and park reservations explains how to handle it. To build your dates around a season, see getting there from Canada. Back to Disneyland Resort in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

In 2026, from 21 August to 31 October. Dates shift each year and firm up closer in, but the period usually covers late summer and the whole autumn.
The Haunted Mansion completely redressed in the style of The Nightmare Before Christmas, from autumn into January. The ride closes for a few weeks while it is installed, then reopens in its seasonal version.
No. It is a separate-ticket event, sold independently of day admission, and it sells out well in advance. Book it before the rest of the trip.
Not necessarily. The night show and fireworks are scheduled on select evenings only. Check the schedule on the day.
Both genuinely transform the resort. Halloween changes more of the rides, with Haunted Mansion Holiday and Haul-O-Ween in Cars Land. Christmas changes more of the shows, parades and lighting. Crowds rise either way.
Yes, and the Downtown Disney District and the hotels as well. In Disneyland Park the Haunted Mansion and « it's a small world » change version. In Disney California Adventure, Cars Land transforms and World of Color switches show.
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