What’s Happening at Disneyland in 2026

There's always something new happening at the Disneyland Resort, but in 2026, clients can look forward not only to returning annual festivals and seasonal celebrations but also to updated attraction experiences and an all-new show making a highly anticipated Disneyland debut.

As clients plan their 2026 Disneyland Resort vacations, here's how travel advisors can ensure they don't miss a thing.

Editor's Note: This story was originally published on Dec. 2, 2025. It was last updated on March 10, 2026.

Food & Wine Festival

The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival returns for 2026 with new food and drink menu items inspired by the flavors and cultures of the Golden State, along with a few returning fan-favorites, including the beloved Mickey-shaped chocolate and Snickers bar macaron.

According to Jeremiah Balogh, culinary director for Disney Parks, Experiences & Products, this year’s Food & Wine Festival features about 80 food and beverage offerings available at the eight festival marketplaces as well as 20 additional dining locations across the park.

“Where else can you discover some of the cultures and agricultural roots that really make California unique," Balogh said.

The chef then “picked his favorite child,” calling out the new Torta Ahogada made with braised pork carnitas, frijoles charros, pickled onion and salsa.

“You’re not going to be disappointed,” he promises. 

RELATED: Festivals at Disney California Adventure Showcase California’s Cultural Diversity

This year, Disneyland chefs also leaned into nostalgia, with one dish in particular—Ramen Mac & Cheese—already getting a lot of attention. The latest culinary twist on the festival’s annual macaroni and cheese dish is the addition of Furikake crumble, fish cakes, green onions and chile crunch (on the side for those who are spice-averse like myself).

“This dish is new to me, but it’s not new to Jimmy Weita, the executive chef of festivals and special events,” said John State, Disneyland Resort’s culinary director. “He’s an excellent storyteller, and one who’s capable of asking ‘why can’t these two go together?’”

State explained that as a “starving college student,” Weita recalled eating a lot of packaged ramen and boxed mac and cheese—as most college students do—but he made his instant ramen with some of the cheese packet in it.

“Think about these two together,” State said. “Two very iconic comfort foods mashed together in one bowl.”

The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival continues daily through April 27, with live entertainment, interactive cooking demonstrations and kid-friendly performances by the Jammin’ Chefs (featuring Pluto, Daisy Duck, Chip and Dale), Confection Purrfection with Disney Jr. stars, the Superkitties, and a chance to meet Chef Goofy.

Bluey's Disneyland Debut

Beginning March 22, 2026 (and continuing through the year), Bluey and her sister Bingo, stars of the popular animated series “Bluey” will take over Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland Park for Bluey's Best Day Ever, an immersive celebration featuring a troupe of comedic actors and musicians who will perform music from the show and lead kid-friendly games.

Clients will also be able to explore a life-size Gnome Village and Fairy Garden, step into the fair at Bluey’s school and sample themed foods inspired by the animated series at Troubadour Tavern.

RELATED: Kids Are Increasingly Influencing Travel — Here's How

Updated Attractions

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Disneyland and the fan-favorite Soarin’ ride in California Adventure are both getting updates in 2026.

Riders on Smugglers Run in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge are recruited for a mission onboard the iconic starship to transport valuable cargo for the Resistance, with guests assigned the job of pilot, engineer or gunner.

In 2026, an all-new mission based on "The Mandalorian and Grogu" will debut on May 22, the same date the film premieres in theaters. On their mission alongside bounty hunter, Din Djarin, and his youngling, clients will visit locations from the Star Wars universe, including Tatooine, Cloud City and the wreckage of the Death Star.

And that's not all. On April 29, the storytelling timeline for the Star Wars-themed land will be expanded as Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Han Solo and Darth Vader join existing characters Chewbacca, Rey, Ahsoka Tano, The Mandalorian, Grogu and R2-D2 on Batuu. Newera villain Kylo Ren will be departing Black Spire Outpost for Tomorrowland, where he will take over Darth Vader's meet-and-greet responsibilities. 

Also coming to Galaxy's Edge on April 29 is music from the Star Wars films composed by John Williams, including the iconic main title, which clients will hear as they pass through the tunnels to the land. Williams' beloved Cantina Band music will be heard inside Oga's Cantina.

As part of Disney’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the fan-favorite Soarin’ attraction will receive an all-American update on July 2, 2026, with its debut as Soarin’ Across America. Following Soarin’ Over California and Soarin' Around the World, the new version of the flying-theater-style ride will take guests on a flight across the U.S., showcasing some of the country’s most beautiful natural landscapes and iconic cities.

Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Celebration Continues

Disneyland kicked off its milestone 70th anniversary celebration in May 2025. Following a short break for Halloween Time and the holidays, the party is back in full swing, including the Wondrous Journeys fireworks spectacular and the Celebrate Happy Cavalcade.

Clients still have plenty of time to celebrate before the anniversary festivities conclude on August 9, 2026.

RELATED: Here’s How Disneyland Is Celebrating Its 70th Anniversary

2026 Disneyland Calendar

Disneyland’s 2026 calendar also includes the following limited-time festivals, seasonal celebrations, special events and after-hours parties.

Halloween Time (Aug. 21-Oct. 31)

The spookiest time of year kicks off Aug. 21, 2026, and continues through Halloween night, featuring not-so-scary seasonal attraction overlays, family-friendly entertainment and Halloween-themed food and drinks across the resort.

From Aug. 21 through Nov. 2, the annual celebration of Dia De Los Muertos returns to California Adventure at Plaza de la Familia, inspired by "Coco."

Holidays (Starting Nov. 18)

The Disneyland holiday season begins Nov. 18 with festive favorites, including jolly entertainment offerings, seasonal bites and sips, the Small World Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday attraction overlays and the Disney Festival of Holidays. 

In addition to enjoying the resort’s popular seasonal events, clients can play with Disney Jr. characters during the Disney Jr. Let’s Play! Party in California Adventure and Downtown Disney on Aug. 13-16.

2026 After Hours Events

Separately ticketed after-hours events at the Disneyland Resort offer shorter attraction wait times, exclusive food and beverage offerings and themed entertainment — plus park admission three hours before the party even begins.

Disneyland After Dark themed parties in Disneyland Park include returning fan-favorites Disney Channel Nite on April 12, 14 and 16; Star Wars Nite on four select nights in April and May (including May 4, "Star Wars Day") and Pride Nite on June 16 and 18.

On 33 select nights from Aug. 18 through Oct. 31 — more nights than ever before — Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party returns to California Adventure with seasonal spooks, including the Frightfully Fun Parade and highly themed treat trails showcasing iconic Disney villains.

Disneyland Summer Vacation Offers

Parents and grandparents can get a head start on their summer vacation planning with a limited-time Kids’ Summer Ticket Offer, available for purchase beginning Jan. 21, 2026, for visits between May 22 and Sept. 7, 2026.

And, beginning Jan. 21, 2026, clients planning a summertime visit can also save on 4-plus-night stays at one of the three Disneyland Resort Hotels. Advisors should keep in mind that there are more than 50 Disney-approved Good Neighbor Hotels that can be included in a Disneyland Resort vacation package, many of which are just a short distance from the parks.