Early END DATE & Reduced Times for Disneyland Magic Happens Parade Confirmed
Disneyland brought in a variety of new and returning entertainment as part of the Disney100 celebration at Disneyland. The celebration brought the Magic Happens parade, featuring several beloved Disney characters and a great score with new songs co-composed by Todrick Hall back to Disneyland. Previously the parade run for a short period before the parks closed in 2020.
Now, Disney has confirmed that the current Magic Happens parade run is ending to make space for other experiences. The parade showtimes on certain days in the coming weeks are also being reduced. The run is ending earlier than expected based on past precedent. Additional entertainment will also be offered.
Keep reading for more information on the details on the future of the Magic Happens parade, when the show will leave Disneyland, and what will be replacing the parade.
Adjusted Magic Happens Showtimes
A Disneyland representative confirmed to us this morning that to make room for the holiday “A Christmas Fantasy” parade during Christmas at Disneyland, Magic Happens will be leaving Disneyland in the near future.
Starting this week until the final performance of the parade, Magic Happens will be reduced to one showtime per day on weekdays (at 6:30pm), with its two normal showtimes (3:30pm and 6:30pm) still offered for weekends (Friday-Sunday) until the parade's final date. See the final date below.
You can see all information on Disneyland parades, showtimes, and where to watch in our 2023 Disneyland parades guide!
When Will Magic Happens Be Leaving Disneyland?
Magic Happens performances will continue until October 15th, 2023 when the last parade will take place. This date had been listed on the schedule but today we confirmed the date with Disneyland officials as the schedule can sometimes just still need to be updated. This reduction also comes half way through October which is now one of the busiest months at Disneyland.
Updated with new information! During the last two weeks of October once Magic Happens has paused performances, Disneyland plans to run a small Halloween-themed cavalcade twice per day. No cavalcade is planned for the two weeks between the end of Halloween and the beginning of the holidays.
Note that the “A Christmas Fantasy Parade” isn't expected to be begin performing until the first date of the holidays at Disneyland on November 10th. Though Disney framed the parade ending early as a move to prepare for the holiday parade, I can't recall the parade ever having to pause performances over three weeks early in previous years to allow for a transition.
Disney did say that the Magic Happens parade “will return at a later date,” so if you weren't able to experience it this year before the holidays, there will be a chance to do so in the future. We expect that the parade could return in January or February after the holidays.
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Thanks for the news. I hope they bring back Magic Happens after the holidays. I’m dying to see it and will be there in March. Also, IMO, the Christmas Fantasy Parade needs a refresh.
Would love to see them deliver some new parade units and refresh what we have!
Does Disneyland usually do a soft opening for things like the Christmas Fantasy Parade or It’s a Small World Holiday overlay? We will be there 11/9.
Not typically. I don’t believe that they’ve recently had an early performance of Christmas Fantasy.