Hi Alice,
Thanks for visiting planDisney! Recently, the
Disney Parks Blog released the dates for the After Dark events for 2026.
Magic Key holders will be able to purchase some tickets in advance of the general public, and
Sweethearts’ Nite tickets will be going on sale very soon!
Magic Key presale dates are as follows:
* Imagine Key holders: Tuesday, December 9
* All other Magic Key holders: Wednesday, December 10
* General public: Thursday, December 11
Magic Key holders are allowed to gift special event tickets, but they may not sell them to others. The Magic Key holder does not need to attend the event; they simply share the ticket code with the person or people they are gifting the tickets to. The recipients will then need to
link the Ticket ID number to their My Disney Experience account.
When trying to secure your event tickets, here are a few helpful tips:
Tip #1: Set an alarm!You don’t want to be late to join the online queue for ticket sales. Tickets typically go on sale no earlier than 9:00 AM PST, but I recommend hopping onto the website early to see whether a virtual waiting room or queue has opened.
Tip #2: Use multiple devices.When I’ve purchased After Dark tickets in the past, I used three devices (tablet, phone, and computer). Once I successfully entered the ticketing queue on one device, I exited the queue on the others.
Tip #3: Be flexible with your event dates.Sweethearts’ Nite will take place on January 22, 25, and 27, and February 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, and 17, 2026. Have backup dates in mind so you aren’t scrambling if your first-choice date is unavailable.
Once you secure your tickets, remember that Disneyland will likely close to the general public around 9:00 PM. Guests with After Dark event tickets can usually enter the park three hours before the party begins (no reservation or additional park ticket needed). This is a great time to pick up your event credentials, check out the event map, and squeeze in a few rides before the festivities begin.
I hope this information helps, Alice! If you have any other questions or need extra planning tips, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any of my fellow planDisney panelists. We’re always happy to sprinkle a little extra pixie dust on your Disney planning.
Best of luck!
– Melinda