10 reasons to visit Disneyland in Anaheim, California during Halloween

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I love visiting Disneyland in Anaheim, California in October at Halloween time.  

I love how the entire Disneyland Resort in Southern California is decorated for the Halloween season during the fall.

Not only are the parks decorated for Halloween, but there are also special fun things that only Disney could come up with.  I think your family would absolutely love visiting Disneyland (and if you would like a trip, check out these 10 ways to save money on a Disneyland trip). 

The festivities take place from August 22, 2025, through October 31, 2025.  And you may be wondering what some of these festivities are.

Well, here are ten fun things you can do on a Halloween Disneyland visit.

1. Main Street Pumpkin Festival

I absolutely love all of the hundreds of hallow-themed pumpkins that are decorated all throughout Main Street, U.S.A.  

I love seeing all the pumpkins and Mickey shaped pumpkins when you walk into Disneyland during the Halloween season.

2. Halloween Screams Fireworks Show

On select nights during the spooky season, Disneyland guests are treated to a Halloween-themed fireworks show!  The show starts with the “Master of Scare-omonies” himself, Jack Skellington, and his dog Zero.  You’ll see images of ghosts and classic Disney villains like Ursula.  All of this is set to a great, spooky soundtrack.  And the ten-minute shows ends in a great fireworks finale!

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3. Seeing Disney Characters in Costume

In addition to seeing the decor, you can see popular Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Chip ‘n’ Dale, and more dressed up in their Halloween costumes.

I love seeing Disney characters like Chip 'n' Dale and Pluto in Halloween costumes when I visit the Disneyland Resort in Southern California in the autumn months.

You’ll definitely want to snap a picture of yourself or your kid with Disney characters in Halloween costumes, trust me!

4. Mickey’s Trick and Treat Show

Mickey’s Trick and Treat Show is a sing-along and dance-along show with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.  It takes place at the Disney Theater in Disney California Adventure Park.

The show has a bit of everything.  It has:

  • 2 original Halloween songs
  • Video projections
  • Special effects
  • Appearances by Goofy & Donald Duck
  • An evil scientist (because every good Halloween gathering needs an evil scientist to stop by, right?)

This show actually takes place starting tomorrow.  It runs from August 17th through October 31st, 2025.

5. Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark

Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! is popular any time of the year.  But it gets a seasonal transformation around Halloween.  Monsters and creatures now roam around during the ride, and Rocket will need your help to distract the creatures to help rescue Groot.

Please note, however, that Disney does warn that due to loud sounds in the dark and menacing beasts that appear in Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark, this experience may be too scary for some children.  So if you are bringing kids, use your best judgment; after all, you know your children best.

6. Haunted Mansion Holiday

This is my favorite Halloween version ride.  I’ve ridden Haunted Mansion so many times, but when you ride Haunted Mansion Holiday it’s like a completely new ride .  A really awesome completely new ride, in fact, with a Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas theme!  So it’s a must-ride for fans of Haunted Mansions, fans of The Nightmare Before Christmas, or really anyone who likes the classic Disney experience!  

This themed ride starts on August 22, 2025, like other Halloween festivities at Disneyland, but since it is also themed for Christmas due to the nature of The Nightmare Before Christmas movie, you can actually enjoy this version of the ride through January 7, 2026.

7. Cars Land Halloween Makeover

What can top a ride getting a Halloween makeover?  How about an entire section?

Watch Radiator Springs get decorated for the Halloween season this fall.  Their residents will show off their Haul-O-Ween outfits.

And two rides will get transformations.  Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree becomes Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree.  Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters becomes Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween.  You’ll enjoy these rides with a great new Halloween-inspired soundtrack!

8. Delicious Food

You can always count on Disneyland to have delicious seasonal food. For example, we’ve talked before about the special food and drinks available during the Christmas season.

Well, Halloween will be no exception.  There are themed dining experiences, like Mickey’s Autumn Adventures Breakfast and Brunch Buffet and Clarabelle’s Enchanted Halloween Dinner that take place at Storytellers Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa.

Then there are all new, limited-time menu items throughout the resort.

9. Disneyland Halloween Merch

Speaking of limited-time, there are great Disney and Halloween-branded merch available throughout the park that are always really fun to collect.  It’s also really fun to show up to the park wearing this merch.  You could even consider buying it ahead of time here so you can show up day one wearing cute Halloween ears or a Halloween spirit jersey!

10. Oogie Boogie Bash

And finally, even after the park closes its regular hours, on select nights there is a special party at Disney California Adventure called Oogie Boogie Bash.  It features Halloween-themed entertainment, special character appearances, and more.  You can get tickets for the Oogie Boogie Bash here.

Save this for later – pin it to your favorite travel, Disney or Halloween Pinterest board!
Reasons to visit Disneyland at Halloween: Main Street Pumpkin Festival; rare characters like Jack Skellington, Sally & Vampirina; Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy; Haunted Mansion Holiday; Cars Land Haul-O-Ween; Mickey’s Halloween Party; Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark & more!