This year is sure to be amazing with all the events, new parade and new Avengers Campus opening in 2020 at the Disneyland Resort. Keep this post bookmarked because I will be adding and updating this post as Disney announces more events and fun. Let’s see what’s happening around the parks this year!

Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year celebration in Disney California Adventure – year of the MOUSE January 17th through February 9th. This event includes “Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession” with a Chinese dragon puppet, brave warriors, bold drummers, elegant dancers, Mulan and her loyal sidekick, Mushu. Plus check out the 4 delicious Asian marketplaces serving Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cuisine.

Sweethearts’ Nite

Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite – Feb 12 or 13 at Disneyland, a separate ticketed event. Tickets still available for February 12th but February 13th is sold out. This After Dark Event is from 9 pm – 1 am with a limited amount of tickets sold. Guests have special after-hours park access to dancing, Character Greetings, photo ops, entertainment, event-themed menu selections, limited-release merchandise, attractions, commemorative keepsakes and more. Plus there is a mix-in that starts at 6 pm where party guests can go inside the park early.

Valentine’s Day

This year the heart photo prop is back on Main Street just in time for Valentine’s Day. Also there will be Valentine’s treats in Candy Palace, Pooh’s Corner and Trolley Treats like cake pops, rice crispy treats, chocolate covered strawberries and more. Some other treats have popped up at Clarabelle’s in DCA as well. A yummy strawberry macaron and cute ice cream bar. Then on February 14th, Valentine’s Day there will be Princes out with their corresponding Princesses for meet and greets. You will find these rare couples throughout Disneyland on Valentine’s Day.

Magic Happens parade

The new parade Magic Happens debuts February 28th at Disneyland! The parade features several distinct “stories,” with a delightful mix of characters. Watch Moana ride the crest of a beautiful wave in her voyager canoe, followed by Coco’s guitar-strumming Miguel, who’s joined by his dog Danté and other fantastical spirit animals. This is just a little of what’s in store, can’t wait for this new addition to Disneyland. It’s been 10 years since Disneyland had a new parade! According to the Disneyland website the parade times will be at 3:30 pm and 6:00 pm. You can check the Disneyland calendar before your visit to see the times for the day you plan to visit. If you would like some parade tips including where to view the parade, when to find a seat and more head to this post!

If you want to experience the parade in a reserved seating area (normally in front of the train station) you can now book a delicious lunch at the Plaza Inn and enjoy reserved viewing of the “Magic Happens” Parade. The package includes one lunch entrée, one drink, one voucher for access to the parade’s reserved viewing area and one Plaza Inn credential. For the adults, your entrée will include slow-cooked short rib, fried chicken thigh, pesto-infused mashed potatoes, roasted seasonal vegetables, corn relish, and dessert. For the kids, fried chicken tenders, mashed potatoes, corn relish and your choice of applesauce or baby carrots, and dessert as well as your choice of a small Dasani water or small lowfat milk. To check reservations or book your dining package click here or call 714-781-DINE.

The voucher that you receive is for the day’s second performance of “Magic Happens.” This is a great way to view the parade without the need to save your spot. But don’t wait until the last minute to show up at the reserved viewing area.

Food and Wine Festival

Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival from February 28th to April 21st. From innovative small plates to California craft beer, you can discover a wide range of specialty bites and beverages. Also the Jr. Chef show is for aspiring young chefs who want to cook with Chef Goofy! And the Jammin’ Chefs perform daily at Paradise Gardens Park. More information to come as we get close to this event in another post!

Disney also announced that during this event they are bringing back Soarin’ Over California, a fan favorite!

PIXAR Nite

Another Disneyland After Dark: PIXAR Nite on March 5th at Disney California Adventure. This separately ticketed event allows guests park access to dancing, Character Greetings, photo ops, entertainment, event-themed menu selections, limited-release merchandise, attractions, commemorative keepsakes and more. 8:00 pm to Midnight and Disney California Adventure Park mix-in begins at 5:00 pm.

Easter

Easter celebrations are usually a few weeks before Easter. I will update when they announce the dates. Disney has offered in the past an Eggstravaganza scavenger hunt at the Disneyland Resort. This fun, egg-themed scavenger hunt takes place across Disneyland park, Disney California Adventure park and the Downtown Disney District. Then usually the week before Easter you can also meet the Easter Bunny in Town Square.

Villains Nite

Another Disneyland After Dark: Villains Nite on April 30th at Disney California Adventure. This separately ticketed event allows guests park access to dancing, Character Greetings, photo ops, entertainment, event-themed menu selections, limited-release merchandise, attractions, commemorative keepsakes and more. 9:00 pm to 1:00 am and Disney California Adventure Park mix-in begins at 6:00 pm.

Grad Nite

The Disneyland Resort Grad Nite will return on the following select dates in May and June 2020:

May 8, 9, 15, 16, 20, 26, 27, 29, or 30
June 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 12, or 13

Grad nite takes place in Disney’s California Adventure. It’s a special ticket that school groups can purchase. Some tickets allow them to visit BOTH parks on a specified dates above and then head over to DCA for a special extended hours portion. Or some tickets only allow grads into DCA. On these days DCA will close early to the public at 9 pm. You can hop over to Disneyland if you have park hopper tickets.

Avengers Campus

A whole new land, Avengers Campus, will open on July 18, 2020! Super heroes will be looking for new recruits to try out their immersive technological advancements and experiences, plus a new attraction called WEB-SLINGERS:A Spider-Man Adventure, supersized food at Pym Test Kitchen, heroic encounters and more according to the Disney Parks Blog.

4th of July

On the 4th of July you can meet Mickey Mouse in his patriotic finest! Find him in Town Square. After the regular fireworks show there is a special patriotic finale on the 4th of July only.

Disneyland’s Birthday

On July 17th Disneyland will celebrate 65 years! Birthday celebrations include a fun Birthday Celebration Cavalcade with so many different and rare characters you will only see on this day! Plus I’m sure there will be more celebration fun on this day. More to come.

Star Wars Nite

Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite August 27th 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM in Disneyland a separate ticketed event. Tickets are SOLD OUT! The ticket for this event also includes admission to Disneyland Park before the party begins, starting at 6:00 PM.

🌠 Event Highlights include 🌠
✨ Galactic Dance Party
✨ Character Encounters – meet some of your fave Star Wars Characters.
✨ Star Wars Fireworks
✨ Fun Photo Ops with event-themed backdrops.
✨ Stellar Tunes – Listen to sensational music throughout the night.
✨ Themed Eats – at select Disneyland Park locations.
✨ Limited-Release Merchandise: Purchase Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite items, while supplies last.
✨ After-Hours Access to Attractions: Ride some of the park’s classic attractions throughout the event, usually with shorter wait times. (Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will not be available during this event due to required maintenance time.)
✨ Memorable Keepsakes: Receive a commemorative credential and event guide as well as unlimited downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos taken during the party.

You can find more information on the Disneyland website here.

Halloween

Both parks celebrate Halloween time. It usually starts the first full weekend in September. When I know for sure I will update this post.

The parks are decorated, characters are dressed up in Halloween costumes, you can get a photo in front of the giant Mickey pumpkin on Main Street! There are 4 rides that change to a Halloween overlay … Haunted Mansion Holiday in Disneyland. Then over in DCA, Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree, Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween and Guardians of the Galaxy: Monsters After Dark. Fireworks show, Halloween Screams is nightly at Disneyland plus there are Halloween treats and other exclusive food all over the parks.

Last year they offered the first ever Oogie Boogie party at Disney California Adventure. This exciting Halloween party is returning again this year. It’s only on select nights. Tickets will go on sale as early as April for this fall event. I will update when Disney shares the dates.

Christmas

Last but not least my favorite time of year at the Disneyland Resort, Christmas time. This event usually starts the second full weekend in November. I will update this post once those dates are announced.

Here are some highlights during this magical time. Watch it “snow” on Main Street, see the tree lighting each night, watch the Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks, see the castle lighting with snow each night. Ride on exclusive Christmas overlay attractions like Haunted Mansion Holiday, It’s a Small World Holiday, Mater’s Jingle Jamboree and Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl. Watch the Christmas Fantasy Parade, eat delicious holiday treats, meet characters dressed up in their festive Christmas outfits and visit Santa in many locations. Celebrate ¡Viva Navidad! in Disney California Adventure with entertainment, characters and food! And don’t miss the Festival of Holiday booths serving multicultural foods in Disney California Adventure. There is so much to see and do. Put this event on your must attend list!

For more tips about planning your trip during these special events check out this post.

If you anticipate going at all in 2020 you can purchase discounted tickets and or hotel rooms from Get Away Today. And this is why I use Get Away Today! Plus, you can get an additional $10 off your vacation package when you use promo code TOURGUIDE. I do make a small commission when you purchase through my links with no extra cost to you.