Disneyland After Dark Returns for 2026

Last Updated: April 6, 2026

Get ready for the return of Disneyland After Dark for 2026! And this year, there’s a new theme, plus the return of four favorites.

What is Disneyland After Dark?

Disneyland After Dark events are separately ticketed, themed evenings that feature access to Disneyland and select attractions after-hours, unique entertainment, character encounters, special food and beverages, merchandise collections, and so much more!

The parties take place on select nights January through June 2026.

Each Disneyland After Dark event starts at 9:00 p.m. and continuing until 1:00 a.m. That is 4 hours after the park closes! But there is some extra time for the event, because admission to Disneyland After Dark also includes entry to Disneyland from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., giving you a three-hour before the party begins to enjoy the park!

Guests also get unlimited digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos captured during the party. In addition your admission ticket also includes a commemorative keepsake and event guide map.

Let’s take a look at this year’s events!

Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite

New for 2026, the “Celebrate Love Cavalcade” will glide down Main Street, U.S.A., honoring loved ones: best friends, soulmates, and family alike.

Also new for 2026, the romantic “Once Upon a Dream – A Musical Journey Through the Disney Songbook” show is a musical look at love and romance, featuring live singers and a variety of Disney royalty that culminates in a nighttime ball.

There’s also the new Disney Duets festive karaoke in the Golden Horseshoe in Frontierland.

And you’ll find Donald Duck and Daisy Duck at the Valentine’s Dance Party at Tomorrowland Terrace.

Plus there will be photo backdrops throughout the park inviting you to “step into the scenes” of fan-favorite films such as Walt Disney Animation Studios’ The Aristocats, Tangled, Aladdin, Lady and the Tramp, and more.

Sweethearts’ Nite 2026 Dates

• Thursday, Jan. 22
• Sunday, Jan. 25
• Tuesday, Jan. 27
• Tuesday, Feb. 3
• Thursday, Feb. 5
• Sunday, Feb. 8
• Tuesday, Feb. 10
• Thursday, Feb. 12
• Tuesday, Feb. 17

Sweethearts’ Nite Tickets

Magic Key pre-sale: On Tuesday, December 9, 2025 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT), Inspire Key holders may purchase from a select number of pre-sale tickets for Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite. Then on Wednesday, December 10, (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT) all Magic Key holders will have the opportunity to purchase from a select amount of pre-sale tickets.

General: On Thursday, December 11, 2025 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT), tickets will go on sale to the general public.

Disneyland After Dark: 70 Years of Favorites

This all-new theme, 70 Years of Favorites, will commemorate seven decades of Disneyland. Remembrance of Disneyland moments past will be all around you, with offerings that pay tribute to the park’s history.

Guests will be able to enjoy swing dancing at Royal Theatre in Fantasyland. 

Or maybe you want to visit the Videopolis Dance Party at Tomorrowland Terrace. The can’t-miss dance party of the ‘80s features a live DJ, nonstop ‘80s tunes, and iconic retro décor.

Or maybe you want to try line dancing at The Golden Horseshoe at this tribute to “Woody’s Round Up.’ The show graced the Frontierland stage in the late ‘90s and early 2000s.

There will also be photo opportunities staged throughout Disneyland that will harken back to past entertainment such as “Mad T Party,” “Main Street Electrical Parade,” and Club Buzz, as well as some favorite attractions.

You’ll even be able to reminisce with characters from days gone by, like favorite “Long Lost Friends” from Disney Afternoon, “Mother” and “Father” from Carousel of Progress, Merlin, Flik and Atta, and the Fantasmic! Monkeys.

70 Years of Favorites 2026 Dates

• Tuesday, March 3
• Thursday, March 5

70 Years of Favorites Tickets

Magic Key pre-sale: On Tuesday, December 9, 2025 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT), Inspire Key holders may purchase from a select number of pre-sale tickets for Disneyland After Dark: 70 Years of Favorites on Disneyland.com. Then on Wednesday, December 10, (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT) all Magic Key holders will have the opportunity to purchase from a select amount of pre-sale tickets.

General: On Thursday, December 11, 2025 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT), tickets will go on sale to the general public. Tickets are limited and subject to availability.

Disneyland After Dark: Disney Channel Nite

Disneyland After Dark: Disney Channel Nite returns, with a blend of entertainment, characters, and music celebrating beloved eras of the iconic TV channel.

New this year, Penny Proud from “The Proud Family”makes her Disneyland Resort debut at this event. She joins fellow Disney Channel characters Kim Possible, Lilo & Stitch and many more.

You’ll also want to make sure you stop at this mashup street show! “High School Musical – ZOMBIES Pep Rally,” celebrates songs from “High School Musical” and “ZOMBIES.”

And you also won’t want to miss the “DescenDANCE” party along the Rivers of America.

Looking for a concert? The “Disney Channel Rocks” show will celebrate hit songs from the channel’s most popular movies and shows. Or stop by The Golden Horseshoe for “Camp Rock Sing-Along”.

Disney Channel Nite 2026 Dates

• Sunday, April 12
• Tuesday, April 14
• Thursday, April 16

Disney Channel Nite Tickets

Magic Key pre-sale: On Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT), Inspire Key holders may purchase from a select number of pre-sale tickets for Disneyland After Dark: Disney Channel Nite on Disneyland.com.

Then on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT), all Magic Key holders will have the opportunity to purchase from a select amount of pre-sale tickets.

General: On Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT), tickets will go on sale to the general public. Tickets are limited and subject to availability.

Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite

Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite returns in 2026. Enjoy a thrilling evening with impressive character gatherings, illustrious photo ops, and more.

Prepare to witness Captain Phasma and her elite First Order Stormtroopers in search of Resistance spies, as “The March of the First Order” returns to Tomorrowland.

In addition, Guests can activate their lightsaber and learn the way of the Jedi at a Lightsaber Instructional. Master instructors will show the correct way to handle a lightsaber as well as present a series of defensive and offensive maneuvers.

Looking for music? The Cantina Band will make special appearances throughout the night on the Rivers of America.

You’ll also find Darth Maul at Tomorrowland Terrace! That should be a fun experience!

Want something a little less Dark Side? Hug an Ewok, barter with a Jawa, or show your allegiance to Queen Amidala. There will be heroes and villains throughout this event!

Star Wars Nite 2026 Dates

• Tuesday, April 28
• Thursday, April 30
• Monday, May 4
• Wednesday, May 6

On-sale dates and additional details for Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite are forthcoming and we’ll have details as they are released.

Star Wars Nite Tickets

Magic Key pre-sale: On Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT), Inspire Key holders may purchase from a select number of pre-sale tickets for Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite on Disneyland.com.

Then on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT), all Magic Key holders will have the opportunity to purchase from a select amount of pre-sale tickets.

General: On Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT), tickets will go on sale to the general public. Tickets are limited and subject to availability.***.

Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite

Join together in this celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community, bringing allies and community together for a festive evening featuring rainbow projections, lively décor, dazzling entertainment, and more.

Look up to the skies for a sparkling fireworks show known as “Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite Fireworks – WELCOME.” Dazzling lights and music come together for a celestial celebration illustrating Walt Disney’s inspirational message to the world, “To all who come to this happy place: Welcome.”

There will also be the Welcome Pride Cavalcade which will make its way down Main Street, U.S.A. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dress in vibrant, multicolor outfits during this festive promenade.

Near “it’s a small world,” listen to the live performances of “Be You with Pride!: A Musical Celebration.”

There will also be three separate dance parties:

• Pride Nite Dance Party at Rivers of America – featuring popular club tracks.
• ‘Ohana Dance Party at Tomorrowland Terrace Stage – make some joyful moves with Stitch and Angel to celebrate family and the spirit of ‘ohana.
• Country Line Dancing at The Golden Horseshoe – enjoy a community spirit with western flair.

Pride Nite 2026 Dates

• Tuesday, June 16
• Thursday, June 18

Pride Nite Tickets

Magic Key pre-sale: On Tuesday, April 7, 2026 and Wednesday, April 8, 2026 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT), all Magic Key holders may purchase from a select number of pre-sale tickets for Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite on Disneyland.com.

General: On Thursday, April 9, 2026 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT), tickets will go on sale to the general public. Tickets are limited and subject to availability.

Connect With Us

Follow A Disney World After All for all the latest Disney news and tips.

But now, I want to know your thoughts. Which Disneyland After Dark event do you want to attend? You can share with me in the comments or on social! Find me on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, Threads,  BlueSky, and TikTok.

Book Your Next Trip!

Want to book a Disneyland Resort vacation? Jocelyn Martins at The Magic For Less Travel specializes in the art of personalized vacation planning. She provides a guest-driven, concierge level planning service. Best of all, Jocelyn’s service is provided free of charge. Click here to get your free, no-obligation quote today! (Yes, that’s an affiliate link. I would greatly appreciate that if you would like to book a vacation you consider clicking and helping me!)