Get the family ready for a whole year of fun! The happiest place on Earth is throwing a party with the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration, kicking off on May 16, 2025, and running until summer 2026.
For their 70th anniversary, Disneyland is planning parades and shows, events, a special song, character celebrations, surprises on favourite attractions, new treats and dishes to try, and of course new merchandise you’ll want to take home.
Sleeping Beauty Castle will also be transformed with a 70th Celebration medallion, there will be colourful decor throughout the resort, and Mickey and Minnie Mouse and their friends have new outfits.
Plus, there are other big events happening all year at Disneyland. Read on to find out what you can expect at the parks throughout 2025 and the 70th Celebration.
Disneyland celebrates 70 years with parades, shows, and surprises
The 70th Celebration brings some extra magic everywhere at Disneyland, and that includes at favourite attractions.
It’s A Small World welcomes Miguel and Dante from Coco to the legendary little world with a marigold bridge debuting on April 25. And one of my favourite rides, California Adventure’s Toy Story Midway Mania!, will feature nods to the 70th anniversary as you play through the challenges.
Keep an ear out for the new theme song, “Celebrate Happy” by the Jonas Brothers. The song will play during special anniversary events, and listen for the track when it debuts on streaming services May 13.
Anniversary shows include the World of Color Happiness! at Disney California Adventure, the return of Wondrous Journeys at Disneyland Park, and the new show, Tapestry of Happiness.
Then, plan to catch the parades, with Paint the Night and Celebrate Happy Cavalcade at Disneyland Park, and Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! at California Adventure.
World of Color is inspired by Walt Disney’s famous open day dedication, “To all who come to this happy place… welcome!” with eye-catching visuals using fountains, lights, lasers, and effects. Through “a kaleidoscope of emotions,” hosted by the Inside Out characters, the show will highlight music from Pixar films like Turning Red and The Incredibles, with Disney animated films, including Tangled and Encanto. And watch for the Muppets to make an appearance!
Wondrous Journeys is a celebration of the Disney’s best animated films, including Hercules, The Princess and the Frog, Peter Pan, Frozen, Big Hero 6, Moana, and Encanto, to name a few. Using eye-catching effects, and fireworks on select nights, the show transforms Main Street, U.S.A. Sleeping Beauty Castle, Rivers of America, and It’s A Small World.
Tapestry of Happiness also brings the It’s A Small World facade to life every night with light, music, and effects to celebrate “Disneyland attractions, moments and memories” inspired by Disney artist Mary Blair. The show features the original 70th celebration song “Celebrate Happy,” with nods to other Disneyland tunes from the decades.
For the parades, Paint The Night has Mickey using some pixie dust to light up Pixar and Disney characters, and features floats, costumes, performers, and music. Watch for Anna and Elsa to make an appearance on the Frozen float! While the Better Together parade returns to California Adventure with music and floats, and lots of characters, celebrating Pixar’s iconic stories and tales.
And plan to catch the Celebrate Happy Cavalcade with a range of Disney characters–like Goofy, Max, Duffy, and ShellieMay–celebrating the anniversary with music, dancing, and clapping.
More events at Disneyland in 2025
There’s a lot more happening at Disneyland throughout the year, with the California Adventure Food & Wine Festival on now for another week, Star Wars, a Coco celebration, followed by Halloween events, and the holidays.
Star Wars: Season of the Force is on now until May 11 with Shadows of Memory and Fire of the Rising Moons shows in Batuu, the Hyperspace Mountain activation, special food like Fried Chicken Baos, and the Star Wars Nite after-hours party.
Halloween Time haunts the resort from August 22 to October 31 with Haunted Mansion Holiday, Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree, Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween, spooky treats, and celebrations for Día de Los Muertos.
Plaza de la Familia returns at California Adventure from August 22 until November 2 with a celebration of Coco and Día de Los Muertos. Visit the Memory Wall and the Mexican Árbol de la Vida, and get your photo with Miguel!
And The Holidays at Disneyland and Disney Festival of Holidays celebrate the season from November 14 to January 7, bringing winter spirit to the parks.
And there are a number of after-hours events on select nights. These extra ticketed events include Disneyland After Dark, Star Wars Nite, and Pride Nite, in May and June. Then in August, September, and October Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party returns on select nights.
Visit the Disneyland.com for special offers on tickets and hotels, including the Disneyland Anniversary Ticket Offer, with up to 30% off on select dates if you book before May 15, 2025 for hotels, and as low as $100 per day for special 4-day, 1-park tickets.
Images courtesy of Disneyland Resort/Disney Parks.
