Disneyland’s Big Events For 2025: When Experts Say You Should Visit

Disneyland aims to keep visitors busy in 2025 with a full lineup of festivals. The Happiest Place on Earth announced an entire year's worth of events, which includes many returning fan favorites. However, the lion's share of attention will revolve around Disneyland's 70th anniversary celebration, which takes up most of the year and extends into 2026.

Much of the latest Disneyland news focuses on the resort's future, as Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro unveiled during this past summer's D23 Fan Event in Anaheim, California. In the coming years, Disneyland will open a new land inspired by the Avatar franchise, the first-ever ride themed after the Pixar film Coco, and the first significant expansion to Avengers Campus, complete with two new rides.

Before work begins on the bulk of those projects, however, Disneyland will throw a 70th birthday party. The celebration, in addition to everything else on the calendar, makes 2025 a year worth planning a trip around, says theme park experts.

70th Anniversary Celebration Starts May 16

Disneyland turns 70 on July 17, but the party kicks off two months prior. Starting May 16, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park will introduce limited-time entertainment to commemorate the anniversary. The lineup includes the return of fan-favorite shows like the "Paint the Night" nighttime parade and "Wondrous Journeys" fireworks spectacular. California Adventure will debut a brand-new version of its long-running nighttime show World of Color, called "World of Color Happiness!"

Disney's history of anniversary celebrations stands out to Gavin Doyle, founder of Mickey Visit and best-selling author of Disneyland Secrets. He explains, "They often focus on nostalgic elements," reflected in the various offerings seen during the celebrations, including merchandise.

The festivities run through the summer of 2026, giving guests a solid year to experience the celebration. "This is similar to the approach that Walt Disney World used for its 50th anniversary, with the celebration lasting over a year so guests could enjoy it," says Doyle. "If that's any indication, this celebration might be just as big of a deal!"

The Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration also marks the opening of a new attraction in Disneyland Park. "Walt Disney – A  Magical Life" debuts on May 16 at Main Street Opera House and promises to deliver Walt Disney's nostalgia in ways never seen before. The show starts with a film looking back on Walt Dinsey's life before the audience finds themselves face-to-face with the first-ever Audio-Animatronic figure of Walt himself.

Doyle emphasizes the perfect timing of the show's opening coinciding with the start of Disneyland's 70th anniversary celebration. "This is sure to be a special experience for all guests," he notes. Doyle says a show such as this belongs at Disneyland, "the only Disney theme park that Walt himself set foot in."

Theme park journalist Megan duBois sees "Walt Disney – A Magical Life" as a game-changer for Disney attractions. "The show is going to feature Walt Disney Imagineering's most advanced animatronic yet. As a Disney fan, this show is sure to bring a lot of joy."

Fan-Favorite Seasonal Events Return 

In addition to the 70th anniversary celebration, Disneyland filled its 2025 calendar with a robust lineup of returning seasonal events and festivals. Each month brings something unique to the parks, including the return of Disneyland After Dark, the fan-favorite after-hours events with rare character meet and greets, exclusive food and merchandise, and special parades. Disneyland will offer Sweetheart's Nite, 90s Nite, Star Wars Nite, and Pride Nite as the four After Dark options in the first half of 2025.

For theme park dining aficionados, Disneyland's three long-running food-centric festivals return in 2025. The year starts with the Lunar New Year celebration in January and February, followed by the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival in March and April. The Festival of the Holidays runs alongside Disneyland's holiday season in November and December.

Speaking of seasons, Disneyland will offer multiple long-running overlays for fans to enjoy. In the spring, Disneyland Park brings back the popular Star Wars Season of the Force, complete with ride overlays like Hyperspace Mountain, a Star Wars-inspired version of the classic Space Mountain coaster. Mid-August marks the beginning of Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort, with the beloved after-hours party Oogie Boogie Bash returning for a record 31 evenings.

"Disneyland's decision to release all of their events demonstrates their continued commitment to becoming a multi-day destination," says Doyle. "They'll continue to create events, targeting locals, but do it in a way that allows people who want to travel in to enjoy them also." Through this method, Disneyland's 2025 calendar allows type-A vacation planners to get to work early on booking reservations.