Step Into a World of Disney Magic After Hours with Disneyland’s New Events

Published on November 24, 2025

Disneyland California has announced extra after-hours magic for the park in the form of Disneyland after Dark events. Specially ticketed events are scheduled for the first six months of 2026. Visitors are granted access to the park after hours and can enjoy themed evenings featuring exclusive entertainment. They can also encounter different Disney characters and enjoy some tasty Disney food and drinks.

Among Disney fans visiting the park over the years, Disneyland After Dark events have gained a reputation for offering and providing a unique way of enjoying the exclusive and intimate Disneyland experience. This 2026 season kicks off with the event’s 5 new and already established themes, promising to provide a memorable offering to the park’s visitors and fans of Disney and the event.

What are Disneyland After Dark Events all About?

Disneyland After Dark events are described as hosting some of the most themed after-hours events in Disneyland. These events are specially designed to create a themed experience in the park exclusive to the event. Disney characters are themed to fit the evening. This evening, after park hours, is designed to provide visitors with a quieter less crowded experience, to let them enjoy the park at a more relaxed pace.

Disneyland After Dark events grant guests access to opening hours-only attractions and rides. In addition to access to rides and attractions, guests are able to participate in exclusive activities, purchase exclusive merchandise, and enjoy activities centered on food and drink celebrations as well as tailored entertainment (including shows, performances, etc.). All this taken together, spending the night in the park will certainly provide guests and participants the opportunity to create Disney magic*n. Admission to the park is required and is separate from the event tickets.  

Themed Nights 2026  

For the 2026 Disneyland After Dark season, guests can expect four returning themes prior years as well as the addition of one new theme, continuing to provide guests with multiple options. Here’s a description of the themes returning to Disneyland After Dark in 2026:  

Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite. This event offers an opportunity for a Romantic Disney night for couples and fans. Participants can enjoy themed food and drink, various performances, Disney character meet and greets, and photo ops with Disney couples (Mickey and Minnie, Cinderella and Prince Charming). Participants can celebrate with friends and enjoy a Disney-themed date.

Disneyland After Dark: Villains Nite – Disneyland transforms into Villains Nite, where guests can meet Maleficent, the Evil Queen, and Captain Hook. There is also themed merchandise and cuisine available.

Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite – This is a Star Wars themed event where attendees can access Star Wars themed attractions, meet and take pictures with Darth Vader and Chewbacca, and buy exclusive Star Wars merchandise.

Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite – This event promotes and celebrates Disneyland’s LGBTQ+ community with entertainment, special performances, and colourful celebration. The Pride Nite event promotes inclusivity and diversity with themed food and drinks, along with exclusive merchandise celebrating pride.

New Theme for 2026: Disney’s Heroes and Heroes Nite – This is the most recent Theme in Disneyland After Dark, where Disney’s extensive list of heroes and heroines will be the main focus. Aladdin, Mulan, and Hercules are just a few of the star performers for the night of action-packed adventurues. There will be hero themed meals, exclusive merchandise, and performances.

Exclusive Access to Attractions and Entertainment

During Disneyland After Dark events, patrons enjoy exclusive access to Disneyland rides and attractions. Popular rides such as the Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad tend to experience shorter wait times. and therefore, allow attendees to experience the rides’ full offerings.

Unlike other entertainment offerings at Disneyland, the After Dark events feature exclusive, live, and themed entertainment offerings. Special events that can take place include big parades, choreographed dance parties, and unique character performances. Concession foods and beverages also feature the special theme and treats made just for these events.

Ticket Purchases and Reservations

Tickets for the Disneyland After Dark events do not include other attractions at the theme park and can be acquired from the Disneyland website as well as other authorized resellers. Given the popularity of these events, attendees should secure reservations and ticket purchases well in advance.

For those planning to go to several events across the year, Disney also has options where guests can buy packages that include tickets to multiple themed nights at a lower price.  

Conclusion: Distinct Experiences at Disneyland  

The Disneyland After Dark events create a unique experience for guests who want to enjoy the theme park differently. With themed parties, reduced wait times for rides, and special entertainment, they make Disney’s magic a little more exclusive. Some of the guests can enjoy themed parties celebrating sweethearts at Sweethearts’ Nite, or partner with the Disney villains at Villains Nite, and celebrate Disney’s heroes and heroines. These nights enchant Disney Parks with a new magic.  

The new 2026 Disneyland After Dark season will be welcoming its fair share of tourists hoping for a unique experience to remember. For guests of the theme park or those planning a Disneyland trip, this exceptional after-hours event creates a memorable experience.