Disneyland 4th of July 2025 Crowds, Special Fireworks & Festivities

Spending the 4th of July at Disneyland can be a great way to celebrate the holiday with themed 4th of July fireworks and specialty food options. Disneyland always puts on a great 4th of July fireworks and it is one of the most popular days of the year to watch fireworks at Disneyland.

Celebrating the 4th of July at Disneyland is a popular choice so this holiday can bring lots of crowds into the parks especially locals that want to come out for the special fireworks show.

I have spent nearly every major holiday at Disney including the 4th of July so let's get into all our best tips on how crowded Disneyland is on the 4th of July along with my best tips on dealing with the crowds, where to watch the fireworks, and seasonal food items Disneyland offers for the holiday.

This article has been checked for accuracy for 2025 and updated with all currently available information. Some of the information from previous years has been kept here to give you a sense of what will likely be offered in 2025.

Is Disneyland Crowded On 4th of July Weekend?

Sometimes guests can wrongly assume that the 4th of July will be slow at Disneyland with the thought that guests will be at home having their own parties. This is not the case for any holiday at Disneyland, any day off work can lead many folks to take the day and go to Disneyland with their families and Disneyland 4th of July is no exception!

Since Disneyland has a large population of Magic Key holders, it can be helpful to check the blockout date calendar on Disney's website. In July, three of the five passes (Believe, Imagine, Enchant Key) are blocked out for the 4th of July. This means that Magic Key holders will have a significantly small impact on the parks aside from the higher tier passes which typically have zero to minimal block out dates. You can expect more tourists traveling to the parks at this time though so this doesn't mean that the parks will be empty but having two large groups of passholders blocked out from visiting will definitely help ease up the crowd levels in the parks.

Disneyland 4th of July doesn't come close to competing with much more popular holidays like Halloween or Christmas but you shouldn't expect a slow day. You can expect high or above average crowd levels but it should be manageable.

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Disneyland 4th of July Fireworks

Disneyland puts on a special 4th of July fireworks show to celebrate! This 4th of July Disneyland fireworks can only be seen on this one holiday so expect one of a kind display honoring America.

The show will focus on red, white and blue fireworks along with patriotic music as stars and stripes are projected on Sleeping Beauty's Castle. As you can expect, 4th of July fireworks will be especially popular at Disneyland with many locals turning out to see the show along with those there on vacation.

Where should I watch the Disneyland 4th of July fireworks?

You don't want to miss the special Disneyland 4th of July fireworks show! This is one of the best fireworks shows of the year and shouldn't be missed! Here's our top spots in Disneyland to catch the fireworks:

In front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle

This is easily the most popular spot to watch the fireworks show and will easily be the most popular. If you want to watch the fireworks show from in front of the castle, you need to prepare yourself to arrive at least three hours prior to the show on the 4th of the July to get a good spot. It's a long wait but it is worth it. You will get the full experience of the show with the projections on the castle and seeing the fireworks go off directly behind the castle. There's a reason this is the most popular spot- it really is the best!

Near Partners Statue

This spot is also quite popular but since it's a bit further back than directly in front of the castle you can sometimes get a good spot without waiting three hours in advance. You still want to dedicate at least two hours to lining up in this area. Pro tip: if you stand directly behind the Partners Statue, you won't have to worry about anyone's head obscuring your view and you can lean against the rail.

Main Street, U.S.A.

You can find a good spot to watch the fireworks from anywhere on Main Street and the projects will play on all the storefronts. This is also an easy place to grab a spot that doesn't require nearly the same amount of advance lining up that the castle does. Cast members will rope off certain areas to keep the traffic moving so make sure you're not saving a spot in one of these areas. I'd say you can grab a spot an hour before the show or less in this area.

In front of “it's a small world”

If you want to avoid crowds, the best place to watch the fireworks is in front of it's a small world. You won't see the castle but the same projections are displayed on the it's a small world facade with the same music. The fireworks will be going off just to the left of its a small world. You can usually walk right up a few minutes before the fireworks and get a good spot here.

Along the Rivers of America in Frontierland

If you happen to be catching the first showing of Fantasmic then stay right where you are to enjoy the fireworks which will happen right after it ends. The Rivers of America water screens will display the same projections that happen during the fireworks show.

Tomorrowland Skyline Lounge Experience

If you'd rather opt for reserved viewing, then there's always the Tomorrowland Skyline Lounge experience where you can enjoy desserts and both hot and cold non-alcoholic beverages. This isn't exactly the best view of the fireworks though and you won't see the projections so reviews of this experience are a bit mixed.

Disneyland 4th of July Food Guide

The 2025 Disneyland 4th of July food guide has not yet been announced yet, but you can see last year's offerings for reference. 

The Disneyland 4th of July food guide features a few notable themed treats available at candy locations around the resort along with a variety of NEW themed drinks in Downtown Disney.

Disneyland Resort 

Available at Various Candy Locations Across Disneyland Resort Including Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff, Candy Palace, and Trolley Treats (Available June 30 through July 4; mobile order available) 

Downtown Disney District  

Disneyland Nighttime Spectaculars

There's plenty of other nighttime spectaculars you can enjoy at Disneyland 4th of July while waiting for the fireworks! Some of these shows happen right before the fireworks happen so you can reserve your spot for one and stay in that same spot for the fireworks show.

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic! takes place at 9PM on the Rivers of America and if you opt for a dining package, you will have front row viewing for both the show and the fireworks that start at 9:30 immediately after Fantasmic! ends making for a nice line up for both shows. This can be a great strategy for managing the Disneyland 4th of July crowd levels. Fantasmic! is a wonderful nighttime show full of Disney magic from classic films featuring Mickey Mouse, daring stunts, fireworks, fire, projections and more.

World of Color

World of Color is a nighttime spectacular that takes place in California Adventure which tells the stories of beloved Disney movie on larger than life water fountains in front of Pixar Pier. This is a dazzling show and is a must see. It doesn't exactly line up neatly with the fireworks so if you can see it on a different night, then that's your best bet. However, it's possible to try and catch the second show that starts at 10:15PM if you hustle out of Disneyland (and you have a park hopper ticket!) and into California Adventure after the fireworks end.

Military Musicians

In a tradition Walt Disney started, the Disneyland Resort has long supported the military and even has a Business Employee Resource Group (BERG) called SALUTE, dedicated to advocating for cast members who are actively serving or have served. With recent events like “Go for Broke Spirit,” in partnership with COMPASS (the Asian American and Pacific Islander BERG), at which two Japanese WWII veterans from the 442^nd Army Regiment shared their stories, SALUTE provides opportunities for cast members to become more involved with the community and learn about military history.

“Military bands have a long history of tradition, excellence and precision,” shares Marine veteran and SALUTE BERG leader, Ariel Elias. “During my time in the military, I was always in awe and felt proud that our military bands had a longstanding history since the inception of the military branches. Now, our cast members and guests will have the special opportunity to see and hear those bands that inspired us many times before.”

Overall, these bands bring entertainment and celebration to the guests, thanks to the cast members who welcome them to the Disneyland Resort in this time-honored tradition.

If you happen to be visiting Disneyland Resort during the Fourth of July weekend, be sure to check out these performances. And, be sure to visit throughout the year to see future performances from additional military bands!

Military performances that may take place over the 4th of July celebrations include California Army National Guard’s 40^th Infantry Division Band, and 1^st Marine Division Brass Band, and 1^st Marine Division Groups – Popular Music Group, Brass Band, & Ceremonial Band.

Disneyland 4th of July Patriotic Attractions

There's also some great patriotic attractions and ceremonies you can find around the parks to celebrate America on your Disneyland 4th of July day.

Flag Retreat Ceremony

Each day at Disneyland you have the chance to view The Flag Retreat Ceremony at Disneyland at the end of Main Street, U.S.A. which is one of the ways that Disney honors our past and current military members. This is just one of the many way's that Walt Disney's patriotism is kept alive in the parks,

“Actually, if you could see close in my eyes, the American flag is waving in both of them and up my spine is growing this red, white, and blue stripe.” -Walt Disney

The Flag Retreat happens daily but check the daily Disneyland calendar for the most current times as these can change. Guests are asked to join in the Pledge of Allegiance before the Flag Retreat begins, followed by a chorus of “God Bless America” with the crowd removing their hats and putting their hands over their hearts. Current service members and veterans are invited to come stand by the flag during the ceremony. The Color Guard lowers the flag while the National Anthem is performed. After the ceremony, the Color Guard and cast members have a short procession down Main Street, U.S.A.

Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln

This show begins with a film about President's Lincoln's life followed by a realistic audio-animatronic Lincoln taking the stage to deliver highlights from his greatest speeches. Every detail is presented to be as realistic as possible. This is also a great way to take a midday break in the air conditioning while also enjoying some American history plus a nice little nod to Disney history.

Tom Sawyer's Island

Designed by Walt Disney himself, the island was designed to be a place to step into Mark Twain's novels with bridges, pirate caves, and plenty of areas to explore.

Mark Twain's Riverboat

Take a ride around the Rivers of America in this 19th century themed paddleboat.

Sailing Ship Columbia

You can also enjoy a ride on the Sailing Ship Columbia which was modeled after the original Columbia ship from the 19th century.

Disneyland Railroad

Enjoy a grand circle tour around Disneyland and celebrate the Western frontier.

Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes

Take a paddle around the Rivers of America and celebrate the American legend Davy Crockett!

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