2023 Disneyland After Dark Events Announced – Everything You Should Know
Disneyland After Dark are specially themed events that take place after park hours at Disneyland all featuring entertainment, food, photo ops, merchandise, and more all pertaining to their perspective themes!
The ticketed events grant guests access to either Disneyland or California Adventure after closing depending on which park is hosting the event. Select attractions to remain open for the event making this a great chance to ride key rides with little to no wait. You will also receive unlimited digital downloads of all your PhotoPass photos from the event plus commemorative keepsakes including a souvenir credential and event guide map.
Here are all the Disneyland After Dark events! Scroll down for the 2023 Disneyland After Dark events.
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2023 Disneyland After Dark Events
Disneyland After Dark events include unlimited digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass Photos for event photos, commemorative keepsakes, and three hours of pre-access to the theme park before the party beings.
Two more Disneyland After Dark events have been announced for 2023 at Disneyland. Tickets will go on pre-sale for Magic Key holders beginning Feb. 21, 2023 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT). General public tickets will go on sale on Feb. 23, 2023 (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT).
Pride Nite—NEW in 2023!
June 13th and 15th at Disneyland Park
As part of the Disneyland after Dark events, Disneyland will introduce its first ever Pride Nite to the park. Highlights include:
- live DJ entertainment, featuring a Ohana Dance Party at Tomorrowland Terrace with Stitch in celebration of ohana (family)
- country line dancing at the Golden Horseshoe
- a Pride Nite Cavalcade, featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Clarabelle, Donald, Daisy and Goofy down Main Street
- photo backdrops with inspirational messages and access to unlimited PhotoPass downloads
- after-hours access to rides like Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones Adventure and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- speciality menu items
- event merchandise
Tickets will go on sale April 18th at 9am for Magic Key holders and April 20th at 9am for the general public.
Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite
May 2, 4, 8 & 11 at Disneyland Park
Star Wars Nite will be the ultimate Star Wars extravaganza, packed with galactic fun on four separate nights at Disneyland park in May. Highlights of Star Wars Nite include:
Read all details on the Star Wars Nite at Disneyland in our specific guide.
- An amazing pyrotechnical spectacle that will illuminate the skies with a Star Wars-themed fireworks show
- A Galactic dance party
- Sightings of various Star Wars characters throughout the evening
- Star Wars-themed attractions, usually with shorter wait times
- Star Wars-themed eats and treats, merchandise, photo opportunities, and more
- Plus, early admission to Disneyland park starting at 6 p.m., no theme park reservation required
Throwback Nite
Disneyland After Dark: Throwback Nite
- Fantasy in the Sky fireworks that first debuted in 1958
- Classic park characters
- Vintage Music and Dancing throughout the park
- Ride iconic attractions like Peter Pan’s Flight, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise and more!
- Have snacks inspired by the parks early days
- Receive a commemorative credential and guide map as well as unlimited downloads of Disney PhotoPass digital photos
- Pre-party mix-in admission to Disneyland park starting at 6 p.m., no theme park reservation required
- Ticket Price per Guest (Ages 3+): $129 for April 18 and $145 for April 20. Tickets will go on sale February 21st.
Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite
(Jan. 31, Feb. 2, 5, 7, 9, 14 and 16 at Disneyland Park)
The seven nights planned for this event are the most nights ever for any Disneyland After Dark event. Here’s what has been announced for the event so far:
- Special themed fireworks show
- Royal ball hosted by Aladdin and Jasmine near “it’s a small world”
- Enjoy live jazz on the Mark Twain Riverboat in the evening
- Live music from from a Polynesian trio drifting through the night air at The Tropical Hideaway
- Special themed menu items
- Photo opportunities will Disney couples and in photo spots themed to scenes from “Lady and the Tramp” and “The Little Mermaid”
- Includes unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads from the party
- Pre-party mix-in admission to Disneyland park starting at 6 p.m., no theme park reservation required
We will share more details here as they are announced.
Disneyland After Dark: Princess Nite – New in 2023!
(March 7 and 9 at Disneyland Park)
- Princess Minnie Mouse and Princess Daisy Duck will provide royal welcome at Disneyland train station with fanfare trumpeters
- Concert from adventurous heroines including Moana, Merida and more accompanied by live vocalists
- Candy-themed dance party in Tomorrowland with Vanellope Von Schweetz
- Tiana dance party with live jazz in New Orleans Square
- Special food items available for purchase
- Photo backdrops inspired by Disney films like “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Princess Diaries”
- Unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads from the party
- Pre-party mix-in admission to Disneyland park starting at 6 p.m., no theme park reservation required
See details on events from last year below. We expect that many of these events will also return in 2023. This page will be updated as more Disneyland After Dark events are announced.
Disneyland After Dark Tips and Strategies
- Decide if it’s worth it- each group will be different but if your group is filled with night owls- then this can be a great way to enjoy a huge number of high ticket attractions without worrying about long lines! But if you have small children in your group or other members of your party that don’t do well with late nights, then it might not be the best option.
- Arrive early- since your party ticket allows you entry to the park a few hours before the event begins plan on arriving at least 30 minutes in advance so you can be in line and ready to walk through those gates right as soon as you’re allowed in to utilize every second you can get.
- Use the hours prior to the party wisely- consult the list of attractions and events available during the party and make a note of what you want to do that is not on these lists. Use those few hours before the party officially starts to check those items off your list.
- Take advantage of special entertainment- you really should look at this event to have fun with the specially themed entertainment as priority- otherwise there’s really not much point in attending!
- Use this on an off day from the parks- if you plan on doing one of these events then I suggest doing this ticketed event on a day you’re not planning on using a regular park ticket. Spend the day sleeping in and relaxing at your hotel pool to rest up for the big night ahead.
Past Disneyland After Dark Events
Villains Nite
This event will likely return in 2023, for now you see the information from last year to find out more!
Disneyland After Dark: Villains Nite
March 8 and 10, 2022, at Disney California Adventure Park
At Villains Nite, you’ll get to party with some of Disney’s most mischievous misfits at Disney California Adventure park. These wonderfully wicked events will take place on two separate evenings in March 2022, and include:
- The Cauldron, a cunningly-crafted cabaret featuring a cast of villainous virtuosos showing off their talents through song and dance
- Ursula’s Seaside Sing-a-long, where you can find your voice and sing along
- The Underworld Dance Party, which allows you to bust a move at a dastardly DJ dance party in the Hollywood Backlot
- Special photo backdrops, featuring scenes inspired by some favorite villains
- Some of Disney’s famously nefarious fiends – or their henchmen – at special locations around the park
- Delightfully decadent food and beverage offerings
- Early admission to Disney California Adventure park beginning at 5 p.m., no theme park reservation required
Grad Nite Reunion
This event was brand new in 2022 so it’s unknown if it will return in 2023, for now you see the information from last year to find out more!
This Disneyland After Dark event is a throwback to your own high school grad night with a reunion party celebrating the last 6 decades with nostalgic food, entertainment and music!
- Join a high-energy moving pep-rally on the parade route featuring Mickey’s glee club and Goofy’s dance team amped up with music by the All-American College Band
- In Cars Land, enjoy a Route 66 street party throwing back to the 60s, including “Hot-Rod” the DJ spinning classic tunes from the 60s, plus learn the Hully Gully and more with dance instructor “Cam”
- In Hollywood Land, enjoy a graduating class dance party as a DJ plays multiple present-day hit tracks, including top genres, like Hip Hop, Cumbia, Reggae, Punk, Funk and more
- In Pacific Wharf, sing all night long in our totally retro disco karaoke to the greatest disco hits of the 70s & 80s
Disneyland After Dark Pricing and Details
These events always sell out so be sure to grab your tickets ASAP on the Disneyland website. Parking fees are not included in the ticket price.
Tickets can be purchased online, at Disney Desk locations in participating Good Neighbor Hotels, or by calling (714) 781-4636 until the day before the event, or at any Disneyland Resort Ticket Booth. Limit eight (8) tickets per person, and no discounts apply. Tickets not required for Guests ages 2 and under. Tickets are non-transferable, non-refundable and may not be resold. Costumes are subject to Disney guidelines and should not be obstructive or offensive.
Ride and Food Options during Disneyland After Dark Events
Select dining locations at both Disneyland and California Adventure are open during the events. Upon entry to the event, you can check with a cast member to see what locations will be open. You can also expect to fill up on plenty of the themed treats and food at the event! Each event will have a fun variety of themed treats that you shouldn’t miss out on.
As for rides, for past Disneyland After Dark events nearly all rides in the park were open and ready for guests to enjoy with no wait times!
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How far in advance can we purchase tickets to these events? For example Star Wars nite how far in advance can one buy tickets for this event?
Tickets usually go on sale 3-4 months before each event date. Most of these events have tickets available now- look at the dates for each event to see which ones you can purchase now. They will sell out so buy them soon!