Hi Arayna!
Welcome to planDisney. As planners at heart, we love to see Guests thinking ahead to their upcoming visits. This ensures all your Disneyland ducks are in a row by the time you arrive, and you can just relax and soak in all the magic and unforgettable memories when you scan through those main entrance gates. You're in luck, as your visit coincides with the
70th Anniversary Celebration, which will continue through the summer of 2026. It's such a special time to be in the parks!
Let's take a look at your question so you can navigate your way through the pixie dust. While dates for
2026 Disneyland After Dark events have not yet been announced, we can take a guess based on activity from this year.
Disneyland event dates for 2025 were announced on the Disney Parks Blog in December of 2024, so you will want to keep your eyes peeled around that time for announcements on the blog or the Disneyland Instagram account. My crystal ball is not as clear as Madame Leota's, but looking at this year's calendar, Sweet Hearts Nite fell on January 21 and 23, 2025. I would suggest being on the lookout for that particular event, which may fall during your visit. After Dark Events typically fall on weekdays, last year Sweet Hearts Nite was on a Tuesday and Thursday. As you may be aware, when Disneyland is hosting an After Dark Event, the park closes to regular day Guests and standard ticket holders earlier than it normally would. Event guests are given credentials, and once the clock strikes party time, regular Guests are kindly nudged towards the exit. If you have Park Hopper tickets, you can bounce over to California Adventure for the rest of your evening.
A few other dates to keep track of in your planning include when
dining reservations open for your trip, as well as when the
Entertainment Schedule is released. Dining reservations for most table-service restaurants will open as early as 60 days in advance. A few of my favorites that you may want to consider are
Carnation Cafe nestled right on Main Street, or
Lamplight Lounge over at California Adventure with its view of
World of Color Happiness! and the Incredicoaster! The Entertainment Schedule is typically released about six weeks ahead of time. Since you will be visiting after the holidays, you will want to pay close attention to what shows are performing each night so you don't miss a beat. I would definitely add the
Paint the Night parade and
Fantasmic! to your list, if they aren't on there already!
Arayna, I hope this has been helpful in your planning! You know we love to chat all things Disneyland, so if you have any more questions or need a tip or two, please come back to see us here at planDisney.
Magic awaits!
Tara