Starting in September, Disneyland Resort in California welcomes the fall season with the return of exciting Halloween Time and Plaza de la Familia festivities. For Halloween fans eager to get into the spirit early, a plethora of family-friendly entertainment and limited-time offerings will be available.

At Disney California Adventure Park, Plaza de la Familia pays tribute to the traditions of Día de los Muertos, celebrating eternal love and the enduring bonds of family. From September 1 to November 2, 2023, guests can indulge in mouthwatering Mexican cuisine and enjoy beloved entertainment featuring characters and music from Disney and Pixar’s Academy Award-winning film, “Coco.”
Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, taking place from September 1 to October 31, 2023, promises an array of new and returning seasonal treats throughout the park. Notably, Mickey Mouse and his pals will debut enchanting Halloween outfits at Disneyland Park. Additionally, the ever-popular Haunted Mansion Holiday will continue its tradition of displaying a delightfully diabolical gingerbread house in the ballroom.

For those seeking a spooktacular experience, Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party returns to Disney California Adventure on 25 select nights between September 5 and October 31, 2023. This separately ticketed event will bring rare characters, villains, and thrilling entertainment to the park. Magic Key holders will have a special opportunity to purchase pre-sale tickets from June 27, while tickets will be available to the general public on June 29.*
With the fall season around the corner, Disneyland Resort invites visitors to embrace the magic of Halloween and immerse themselves in a world of enchantment and celebration.
Halloween Time At Disneyland
Get ready for the spook-tacular Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, where spirited seasonal décor and characters donned in Halloween attire will create countless photo opportunities in both theme parks. At Disneyland Park, the Main Street Pumpkin Festival will enchant visitors with a collection of hand-carved gourds, including the iconic giant Mickey Mouse Pumpkin. Over at Disney California Adventure Park, Halloween decorations and projections will evoke an air of eeriness along Buena Vista Street, while Cars Land will transform into “Radiator Screams,” with its residents and establishments getting decked out in their Haul-O-Ween best.

Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and their pals at Disneyland Park will cast a ghostly glow with new outfits made from luminescent fabrics and adorned with bat details. Meanwhile, Jack Skellington and his friends from “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” will once again take over Haunted Mansion Holiday, with the attraction’s ballroom showcasing the latest rendition of the annual bespoke gingerbread house.
Nightly, from now until October 31, the supernatural “Halloween Screams” nighttime spectacular will come alive with projections, special effects, and music in various locations like Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, Rivers of America, and in front of “it’s a small world.” MagicBand+ will add an extra devious dimension to the show with ominous illuminations and shivering vibrations. On select nights, fireworks will illuminate the skies above. As a result, the nighttime spectacular “Wondrous Journeys” will conclude its run for the year on August 31 to make way for “Halloween Screams.”

Disney California Adventure Park has a few surprises in store too, with three attractions undergoing seasonal transformations. Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree in Cars Land will have a happily hair-raising soundtrack and become Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree. Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters will take guests on a wicked whirl as Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween, with Guido the “car-acter” wearing a ghoulish “car-stume” to welcome guests to the Casa Della Tires.
As the afternoon winds down each day, the thrills go up at Avengers Campus’ Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! This attraction transforms uniquely during Halloween Time into Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark, an adrenaline-pumping adventure to save Groot from creatures running amok in The Collector’s Fortress.
From September 8 through November 1, guests can take part in Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit at the Downtown Disney District. Disney character-themed pumpkins will be hidden around the district, and with the purchase of a map from participating locations, guests can commemorate their search with a collectible keepsake. The Downtown Disney District will also feature fall décor, entertainment, and special offerings from select locations.

Dining locations throughout the Disneyland Resort will serve up frightfully flavorful food and beverages, such as pumpkin fritters and Halloween-themed cakes. Don’t miss out on the exciting array of Halloween merchandise, including apparel, home décor, and collectibles, all featuring trendy designs. So, join in the festivities and embrace the Halloween spirit at the Disneyland Resort!
Plaza de la Familia and tributes to Día de los Muertos
From September 1 through November 2, the lively Plaza de la Familia cultural experience at Disney California Adventure Park will once again honor the cherished Mexican traditions of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). With brilliant marigolds, heartwarming live entertainment, and engaging family crafts, Paradise Gardens will come alive with the spirit of this beloved celebration. Paradise Garden Grill will also offer a celebratory menu inspired by authentic Mexican cuisine.

Throughout this immersive experience, characters and music from Disney and Pixar’s Academy Award-winning film, “Coco,” will take center stage, celebrating the everlasting bonds of family. Multiple times a day, “A Musical Celebration of Coco” will captivate audiences with the talents of Folklórico dancers, Mariachi singers, and musicians as they recount Miguel’s mesmerizing adventure to the Land of the Dead. Guests will have the opportunity to take photos with Miguel, enjoy the soul-stirring melodies of Mariachi music, and add heartfelt remembrance notes to the Memory Wall, among other interactive activities.
Over in Cars Land, Ramone will create an “ofrenda” at his detailing shop, paying tribute to the life and career of the town’s beloved friend, Doc Hudson, in a heartwarming display of appreciation and remembrance.
Not to be outdone, Disneyland Park will also join in paying homage to Día de los Muertos with a traditional and vibrant display in Frontierland, adorned with marigolds and papel picado banners. This colorful photo location will feature a musical trio of larger-than-life skeleton figurines, adding to the festive and heartfelt ambiance of the celebration. More details can be found at Disneyland’s site here.
Oogie Boogie Bash
Join in the spook-tacular fun at Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party, a separate-ticket, limited-capacity event held at Disney California Adventure on 25 select nights between September 5 and October 31. This wickedly delightful party invites kids and guests of all ages to don their Halloween costumes and immerse themselves in an evening of thrilling attractions, special food and beverages, entertainment, including:

- Entrance to Disney California Adventure Park three hours before the party begins at 6 p.m. PT. Areas throughout the park, including Avengers Campus, will remain open during the after-hours event, with shorter wait times for select attractions.
- Treat trails and character sightings, where guests may encounter villains or rare characters. Favorite friends such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Donald Duck join the fun too.
- Unique entertainment, including the not-so-scary “Mickey’s Trick and Treat” show and the “Frightfully Fun Parade.” Led by the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow, the “Frightfully Fun Parade” features a procession of floats, Disney characters and villains.
- Redwood Creek Challenge Trail turns into the immersive Villains Grove. Inspired by Disney villains, this ethereal wonderland of imagery unfolds in the darkness of night through lighting, projections, sounds and special effects.
- Unique and themed photo opportunities, with unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads from the party included with admission.
***NOTE – Presale tickets for the 2023 Season have all sold out for this event, but Disneyland HAS in the past sold limited amounts of tickets at the gate for the night of the individial parties, so if you’re planning to be at Disneyland in the Fall, it’s definitely worth checking if there are any available!***
It’s Almost Here!
So, as September approaches, and the magic of fall descends upon Disneyland Resort in California, get ready to embrace the spirit of the season as the enchanting festivities kick off at Disneyland Resort!