Disneyland lists ’25 special events

A Disney California Adventure parade led by movie character Mulan is part of the park’s Lunar New Year festivities honoring Vietnamese, Chinese and Korean traditions from Jan. 17-Feb. 16. Jeff Gritchen — Staff Photographer

The annual Anaheim Ducks Day at Disney California Adventure on Jan. 24 will bring current and former players from the Anaheim NHL team. Courtesy of Disneyland

The Celebrate Gospel festival returns Feb. 8 and 15 to the Fantasyland Theatre at Disneyland. Courtesy of Disney

Madison Aguilera and Sonny Brock sip cocktails during this year’s Disney Food & Wine Festival. The 2025 edition is Feb. 28-April 21. Jeff Gritchen — Staff Photographer

Star Wars Nite, a separate-admission event, will happen over various nights April 8-May 6. Courtesy of Disney

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By Brady MacDonald

bmacdonald@scng.com

The Disneyland calendar will be bursting with seasonal events, from the Lunar New Year to the Christmas winter holidays, as the Anaheim theme park rolls out its lineup for the year ahead.

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure have released details for each of the seasonal celebrations, special events and limited-time offerings planned for 2025.

Lunar New Year

California Adventure,

Jan. 17-Feb. 16

The annual food festival paying tribute to Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese traditions returns. Mulan’s Lunar New Year procession and musical performances will celebrate the Year of the Snake.

Sweethearts’ Nite

Disneyland,

Various dates Jan. 21-Feb. 13

The Disneyland After Dark after-hours, separate-admission event will feature a Main Street, U.S.A. cavalcade and a Royal Ball.

Anaheim Ducks Day

California Adventure,

Jan. 24

Current and former players from the pro hockey team will take part in a cavalcade parade with an Overtime fan zone with plenty of photo opportunities in Downtown Disney.

Celebrate Gospel

Disneyland,

Feb. 8 and 15

The annual tribute to gospel music returns to the Fantasyland Theatre with a pair of headliner musicians and a host of Southern California community choirs.

Downtown Disney

Early 2025

The new Parkside Market dining hall and refreshed Disney Wonderful World of Sweets candy shop are scheduled to open in the first few months of the new year.

Avengers Campus

California Adventure,

Feb. 8

The Red Car Trolley will close Feb. 8 in preparation for construction of the Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab attractions, which will double the size of the Marvel themed land.

Disney Food & Wine Festival

California Adventure,

Feb. 28-April 21

The fest returns with California-centric food, beer and wine; celebrity chefs; and Disney characters dressed in their best foodie attire.

Fans of Soarin’ Over California will get another chance to hang-glide over Napa Valley, Monterey Bay and Redwood Creek when the classic version of the flight simulator ride returns during the food fest.

90s Nite

Disneyland,

March 4 and 6

The Disneyland After Dark after-hours, separate-admission event will feature nods to past “Lion King” and “Mulan” parades.

Season of the Force

Disneyland,

March 28-May 11

The annual “Star Wars” celebration returns to Tomorrowland and Galaxy’s Edge for a six-week run on either side of May 4 — the unofficial holiday of the epic saga.

The “Fire of the Rising Moons” nighttime spectacle, featuring a “Star Wars” symphonic soundtrack, will be played nightly in Galaxy’s Edge, with fireworks on select nights.

Hyperspace Mountain will be back in Tomorrowland along with specialty “Star Wars”-themed food, drinks and merchandise.

Star Wars Nite

Disneyland,

Various dates April 8-May 6

The Disneyland After Dark after-hours, separate-admission event will feature photo ops with “Star Wars” characters and themed food.

70th Anniversary Celebration

Disneyland and California Adventure,

May 16 through summer 2026

The new “World of Color Happiness” water show at California Adventure will be inspired by Walt Disney’s 1955 opening day dedication speech.

Two parades will also return for the 70th anniversary celebration: “Paint the Night” in Disneyland and “Better Together” at California Adventure.

The “Wondrous Journeys” nighttime spectacle will also be back with fireworks on various nights.

‘Walt Disney — A Magical Life’

Disneyland,

May 16

The world’s first Walt Disney audio-animatronics figure will debut at the Main Street Opera House as part of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration.

Disneyland visitors will be able to sit down in Walt Disney’s office and listen as the visionary who created the Anaheim theme park talks about how he got started, his thoughts on his career and his dreams for the future.

Pride Nite

Disneyland,

June 16 and 18

The Disneyland After Dark after-hours, separate admission event will feature rainbow-colored streets, buildings, attractions, dance parties and photo opportunities with Disney characters in a celebration of all things LGBTQ.

Disney Junior Let’s Play

California Adventure and Downtown Disney,

Summer date to be announced

Disneyland will bring back the Disney Junior festival geared toward kids ages 2 to 7 as a one-day event at California Adventure and for two days at Downtown Disney.

The fest will feature entertainment, activities and Disney Jr. character meet-and-greet photo ops.

Oogie Boogie Bash

California Adventure,

Various dates Aug. 17-Oct. 31

The biggest of the separate-admission, after-hours parties returns with the earliest start date ever.

The wildly popular Halloween event has sold out in hours in past years.

Halloween Time at Disneyland and Plaza de la Familia at California Adventure kick off Aug. 22.

Winter Holidays

Disneyland and California Adventure,

Nov. 14-Jan. 7, 2026

The Christmas season has become one of the busiest times of the year at the Disney parks, with holiday decor and live entertainment.

The Disney Festival of Holidays will return to California Adventure in 2025.