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Credit: Cory Doctorow, FlickrOn Thursday, the Disney Parks Blog announced the official return of Disneyland After Dark events for 2026, and the line-up includes the return of the popular Pride Nite, the first official celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community at Disneyland Resort. The Southern California Disney park also announced an all-new after-hours event honoring its 70th anniversary, featuring several rare character meet-and-greets and other blasts from the past.
Disneyland After Dark: 2026 Event Line-Up
On November 20, Disneyland Resort announced that five after-hours events would take over Disneyland Park from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on select nights from January to June 2026. These special-ticketed events include character meet-and-greets, staged photo opportunities, themed entertainment, exclusive food and beverages (for purchase), access to most attractions, complimentary Disney PhotoPass downloads, a commemorative event guide, and early entry into the park from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
2026 @Disneyland After Dark Dates and Details Revealed! 🎉🌙 Disneyland After Dark is back, bringing the magic after sunset with five unforgettable themed events running select nights January through June 2026. http://di.sn/601679FRg
Both Sweethearts’ Nite and 70 Years of Favorites Inspire Key pre-sale tickets available Dec. 9, 2025; all Magic Key pre-sale tickets available Dec. 10, 2025; and general public tickets on sale starting Dec. 11, 2025. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more details coming in 2026 🎟️
2026 @Disneyland After Dark Dates and Details Revealed! 🎉🌙 Disneyland After Dark is back, bringing the magic after sunset with five unforgettable themed events running select nights January through June 2026. https://t.co/BobPGWOQHc
Both Sweethearts' Nite and 70 Years of… pic.twitter.com/3yZE1LwGHD
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) November 20, 2025
Tickets to two of the six events, Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite and 70 Years of Favorites, will go on sale for Magic Key holders between December 9 and 10, 2025, and to the general public on December 11. Ticket information for the other three after-hours events, including Pride Nite, Disney Channel Nite, and Star Wars Nite, will be available early next year.
Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite
Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite will bring lovers and friends together at Disneyland Park on January 22, 25, and 27, and February 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, and 17. This returning fan-favorite event will feature several new offerings, including the “Celebrate Love Cavalcade,” the “Once Upon a Dream – A Musical Journey Through the Disney Songbook” show, and the Disney Duets festive karaoke experience.
It wouldn’t be an after-hours event at Disneyland Resort without themed food and beverages! This year, Sweethearts’ Nite is introducing the triple berry slushy with a Mickey-shaped glow cube at Galactic Grill, and bringing back popular offerings like the Surf ‘n’ Turf Loaded Fries at Red Rose Taverne and the Mickey-shaped Strawberry Cream Puff at Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante.
A select amount of pre-sale tickets for Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite go on sale for Inspire Key holders on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, and all other Magic Key Pass holders on Wednesday, December 10. The general public can access tickets on Thursday, December 11, but beware, availability is limited. Historically, this event is one of the first to sell out.
70 Years of Favorites
Disneyland After Dark: 70 Years of Favorites is an all-new after-hours event celebrating the 70th anniversary of The Happiest Place on Earth, taking place on March 3 and 5, 2026. Throughout the park, guests can enjoy nostalgic, decade-themed entertainment, like line dancing at The Golden Horseshoe and the Videopolis Dance Party at Tomorrowland Terrace.
In a short video, Disneyland President Thomas Mazloum teased the return of several characters for the event, including Mother and Father from The Carousel of Progress attraction, the dancing monkeys from Fantasmic!, Flik and Atta from A Bug’s Life (1998), friends from “The Disney Afternoon,” and Merlin from The Sword in the Stone (1963).
Disneyland President Thomas Mazloum teases the characters coming to Disneyland After Dark: 70 Years of Favorites! 👀
• Merlin
• Fantasmic! monkeys
• Mother and father
• Disney Afternoon friends
• Flik
Disneyland President Thomas Mazloum teases the characters coming to Disneyland After Dark: 70 Years of Favorites! 👀
• Merlin
• Fantasmic! monkeys
• Mother and father
• Disney Afternoon friends
• Flik https://t.co/HWR9KhcSN8 pic.twitter.com/uTaQGOotWM— Drew Smith (@DrewDisneyDude) November 20, 2025
Exclusive food and beverage offerings will include the mushroom Philly sandwich (plant-based) and maple bacon cinnamon roll at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe, birria mac and cheese in a bread bowl at Refreshment Corner, Gaston Brew at Red Rose Taverne, and the blackened New York steak and prawns at River Belle Terrace (reservations required).
A select number of pre-sale tickets for Disneyland After Dark: 70 Years of Favorites also go on sale for Inspire Key holders on December 9, 2025, with a general Magic Key Pass holder sale on December 10. A general sale will take place on December 11.
Disney Channel Nite
Disneyland After Dark: Disney Channel Nite returns to Disneyland Park on April 12, 14, and 16, 2026. This retro-themed event is a tribute to ’90s and 2000s kids, featuring exclusive food and beverages, character meet-and-greets, and themed entertainment inspired by the beloved eras of the iconic TV channel.
Ticket sales for Disneyland After Dark: Disney Channel Nite are expected to begin in early 2026.
Star Wars Nite
May the Fourth Be With You! Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite returns on April 28 and 30, and May 4 and 6, 2026. This thrilling evening celebrates the magic of Lucasfilm with photo-ops, themed bites and drinks, and gatherings of characters from a distant galaxy.
Disneyland Resort promised to share the ticket on-sale dates for Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite sometime next year.
Pride Nite
Finally, the first official LGBTQIA+ event at Disneyland Resort returns on June 16 and 18, 2026. Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite is a family-friendly celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies, with plenty of rainbow-themed food and beverages and unforgettable entertainment. Put on your favorite outfit and get ready for a festive evening with your fellow fans!
Additional details on admission for Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite will be announced in early 2026. Stay tuned for updates on ticket on-sale dates, special merchandise collections, illustrious photo ops, and more coming to The Happiest Place on Earth.
Which Disneyland After Dark event are you most excited about? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments!