Disney4me Posted November 27, 2025 Report Posted November 27, 2025 The new year is nearly upon us, and so are some pretty big Disneyland milestones and events! Sleeping Beauty Castle! Disneyland is in the middle of some pretty big expansion plans, as well as its 70th Anniversary Celebration. All of that will continue into 2026, along with several events you should mark on your calendar if you plan to visit “The Happiest Place on Earth” before 2027! While TONS of stuff are slated to happen at Disneyland in 2026, any diehard (or casual) Disney fans should be aware of these five dates that could impact your next Disneyland vacation. After Dark Events Disneyland recently revealed its 2026 After Dark Events and dates! These after-hours events are separately ticketed themed events held at Disneyland Park, and feature unique entertainment, special character encounters, event-specific food and beverages, shorter ride wait times, limited-edition merch, and more! ©Disney These events take place from 9 PM until 1 AM, but guests with tickets can enter the park at 6 PM. That’s not all — Disneyland is also introducing a NEW theme this year in addition to its four returning themes! Of note, expect the park to close early on these days for non-event guests. Let’s take a look at the parties and their 2026 dates! Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite Thursday, January 22nd Sunday, January 25th Tuesday, January 27th Tuesday, February 3rd Thursday, February 5th Sunday, February 8th Tuesday, February 10th Thursday, February 12th Tuesday, February 17th ©Disney Disneyland After Dark: 70 Years of Favorites (NEW) Tuesday, March 3rd Thursday, March 5th ©Disney Disneyland After Dark: Disney Channel Nite Sunday, April 12th Tuesday, April 14th Thursday, April 16th Kim Possible and Rob Stoppable Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite Tuesday, April 28th Thursday, April 30th Monday, May 4th Wednesday, May 6th ©Disney Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite Tuesday, June 16th Thursday, June 18th ©Disney Season of the Force While specific dates have yet to be announced, Disneyland’s Season of the Force Star Wars celebration will be returning to the park with nighttime experiences, limited-time offerings, and more! Stunning! 2025’s Season of the Force included Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga — a projection show that turned the spires of Batuu into a “canvas for the legendary story of the Skywalkers.” As well as… Shadows of Memory Fire of the Rising Moons — a different Star Wars-themed view of the Disneyland fireworks, with “galactic” music filling the air! Keep an eye out for plenty of new Star Wars souvenirs and snacks, as well! Death Star Popcorn Bucket This specially themed season will likely take place in the spring, and we’ll let you know about those dates as soon as they’re announced! New Smugglers Run Experience Disney announced that Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will feature characters from The Mandalorian in 2026! New missions will be added to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers run in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort featuring the Mandalorian and Grogu. New missions with the Mandalorian and Grogu will be added to the attraction in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in both Disney World and Disneyland starting May 22nd, 2026! Death Star ruins on the new version of Smuggler’s Run ©Disney New destinations will also be added, including Bespin, Tatooine, the ruins of the Death Star, Coruscant, Beggar’s Canyon, and more! ©Disney Most importantly, for the first time ever, you and your crew get to CHOOSE the destination of your adventure! The responsibility falls to the Engineer in your party, who will select where you go. ©Disney During your journey, you’ll team up with the likes of the Mandalorian, Grogu, and Hondo. ©Disney The story will involve Hondo Ohnaka discovering a deal on Tatooine between ex-Imperial officers and some pirates, and your job is to “borrow” the Millennium Falcon and track down a lucrative bounty. ©Disney The new version of the ride will coincide with the release of The Mandalorian and Grogu, a new Star Wars film debuting in theaters. D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event Plenty of Disney fans will head to Anaheim for the D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event from August 14th through the 16th! ©D23 This fan event — held at the Anaheim Convention Center and the Honda Center — will be a weeklong celebration with a couple of events at Angel Stadium and Disneyland Park before it culminates in a major expo and showcase on the 14th, 15th, and 16th! The showcase floor at the convention center will have plenty of unique shopping opportunities paired with Disney exhibits revealing future plans and Disney secrets. D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event At the Honda Center, get ready for three nights of big-time Disney reveals that focus on Disney entertainment, Disney Parks and experiences, and more! Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary End Date We previously mentioned that Disneyland is currently celebrating its 70th anniversary, and that party will continue into the summer of 2026! 70th Anniversary Castle Tribute in Disneyland The celebration — which includes special entertainment, decorations, ride overlays, limited-time treats, exclusive merch, and more — does not have an end date yet, but we know it won’t be around in the latter half of the year. It’s so cute At this point in time, we can only speculate when the event will end (which will likely be before Halloween Time starts in mid-to-late August). So if you want to catch the famous Paint the Night Parade — a beloved nighttime parade that has returned specifically for this event — one last time, we recommend doing so well before then. Paint the Night Parade There’s a lot going on at Disneyland, and still so many dates to be revealed! We’re constantly ready for those announcements, so keep it posted right here at the Disney Food Blog for all the latest updates! NEW After Hours Event Announced for Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Which 2026 Disneyland events intrigue you the most? Let us know in the comments! View the full article Quote
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