Halloween is Returning to Disneyland and California Adventure Starting September 1st

May 31, 2023

Halloween is Returning to Disneyland and California Adventure Starting September 1st

Halloween time is returning to the Disneyland Resort this fall! Beginning Sept. 1, 2023, you’ll discover family-friendly fall fun and fare across the Happiest Place on Earth.

Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort

Halloween Time materializes across the Disneyland Resort from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31, 2023. If you’re a big Halloween fan, that means you can get an early start on the festivities!

Spirited seasonal décor and characters dressed in Halloween looks will appear in both theme parks, presenting countless photo opportunities – including the Main Street Pumpkin Festival at Disneyland park and the transformation of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park into Radiator Screams, where the local residents and establishments are decked out in their Haul-O-Ween best!

At Disneyland park, Jack Skellington and his friends from “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” will once again wreck the halls of Haunted Mansion Holiday. Another deliciously diabolical gingerbread house, created by the Disneyland Resort culinary team, will be displayed in the transformed attraction’s ballroom. Sandy Claws has kept this year’s design under wraps, but I promise I won’t tell if you take a little peek.

Each night through Oct. 31, the “Halloween Screams”nighttime spectacular will summon supernatural projections, special effects and music on Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, Rivers of America and in front of “it’s a small world.” MagicBand+ adds another devious dimension to the show with ominous illuminations and shivering vibrations. On select nights, fireworks will be conjured up in the skies above. To make way for “Halloween Screams,” the nighttime spectacular “Wondrous Journeys” is scheduled to make its last performance of the year on Aug. 31.

At Disney California Adventure park, three attractions will undergo seasonal transformations with Halloween spins – and drops. The family-friendly Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree in Cars Land and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters opt for happily hair-raising soundtracks to become Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree and Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween. For the first time, resident “car-acter” Guido will sport a ghoulish “car-stume” as he welcomes guests to the Casa Della Tires.

As the afternoon winds down each day, the thrills go up at Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! in Avengers Campus. The attraction transforms into Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark, a scream-worthy adventure to save Groot from creatures running amok in The Collector’s Fortress.

From Sept. 8 through Nov. 1, Disney character-themed pumpkins will be hidden around the Downtown Disney District for Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit; with the purchase of a map from participating locations, you can commemorate your search with a collectible keepsake. Downtown Disney District will also feature fall décor, entertainment and special offerings from select locations.

Treat yourself! This year’s array of Halloween merchandise will include apparel, home décor and collectibles with in-trend designs. Dining locations across the Disneyland Resort will serve up dozens of new and returning bites and beverages featuring fall flavors, like pumpkin fritters and a Halloween cake. Disney Eats will reveal all the fall fare closer to the season.

Plaza de la Familia and Tributes to Día de los Muertos

Honoring the Mexican traditions of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), the vibrant Plaza de la Familia cultural experience will bring brilliant marigolds, heartwarming entertainment and family crafts to Paradise Gardens in Disney California Adventure park from Sept. 1 to Nov. 2. At Paradise Garden Grill, you’ll be able to feast on menu items inspired by Mexican cuisine.

Throughout the experience, characters and music from Disney and Pixar’s Academy Award-winning “Coco” highlight eternal love and the everlasting bonds of family. Several times per day, “A Musical Celebration of Coco” will present a talented company of Folklórico dancers, plus Mariachi singers and musicians, that recount Miguel’s adventure to the Land of the Dead. You can also meet Miguel, dance along to Mariachi music, add remembrance notes to the Memory Wall, and more.

Over in Cars Land, Ramone will honor Día de los Muertos at his detailing shop with an “ofrenda” celebrating the town’s good friend, Doc Hudson.

Disneyland park will pay tribute to Día de los Muertos with its traditional, vibrant display in Frontierland, adorned with marigolds and banners of papel picado.

Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party

Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party will take over Disney California Adventure park for more nights than ever before, bringing rare characters, villains and spellbinding experiences on 25 select evenings between Sept. 5 and Oct. 31, 2023. Kids and trick-or-treaters of all ages are invited to wear their Halloween costumes for a wickedly fun evening of attractions (some of which have shorter wait times!), themed food and beverages, and more. Admission to the after-hours event also includes entrance to Disney California Adventure park three hours before the party begins and unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads from the party.

With treat trails and characters throughout the park, you may encounter new and familiar friends! Partygoers of all ages can also delight in special offerings just for Oogie Boogie Bash, such as “Mickey’s Trick and Treat” show, the “Frightfully Fun Parade” led by the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow, and the immersive Villains Grove.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on June 29 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT). On June 27 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT), a limited amount of Oogie Boogie Bash tickets go on pre-sale for Magic Key holders at Disneyland.com/OogieBoogieBash. Tickets are limited and guests may check out the website for important details and availability for the 25 nights: Tuesday, Sept. 5; Thursday, Sept. 7; Sunday, Sept. 10; Tuesday, Sept. 12; Thursday, Sept. 14; Sunday, Sept. 17; Tuesday, Sept. 19; Thursday, Sept. 21; Sunday, Sept. 24; Tuesday, Sept. 26; Thursday, Sept. 28; Sunday, Oct. 1; Tuesday, Oct. 3; Thursday, Oct. 5; Sunday, Oct. 8; Tuesday, Oct. 10; Thursday, Oct. 12; Sunday, Oct. 15; Tuesday, Oct 17; Thursday, Oct. 19; Sunday, Oct. 22; Tuesday, Oct. 24; Thursday, Oct. 26; Sunday, Oct. 29; and Tuesday, Oct. 31, Halloween night.

Fall celebrations will be here before you know it, so start getting your autumn outfits and pumpkin spice ready!

Want to celebrate spooky season at Disneyland? Contact me for a free vacation quote! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel and my services are complimentary.

Halloween is Returning to Disneyland and California Adventure Starting September 1st 1

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Sara

Sara is a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, a Disney Earmarked agency. She lives in Alaska with her husband and 3 kids. Due to her extreme dislike of winter, she travels often to warmer destinations during the colder months. She visits the Disney parks and resorts frequently with her family and loves helping other families plan magical vacations. Contact her here for help with your vacation!