Save on Disneyland Vacations when booking through my partner Click to book

What Holidays Does Disneyland Decorate For

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

If you are planning a trip to Disneyland around a holiday, you might be wondering if you will see some decorations, ride overlays, or something else special for your visit. We are breaking down what holidays Disneyland decorates for at the parks. Some of these might surprise you!

Does Disneyland Decorate For All Holidays?

Disneyland does not decorate for all holidays, but they do try to incorporate some of the major holidays into the parks with decorations.

If you are interested in a particular holiday, and you don’t see it on this list, chances are they do not decorate for it. If you would like to see this changed, we suggest submitting a suggestion to Disneyland guest relations.

What Holidays Does Disneyland Decorate For?

Disneyland decorates for some of the major holidays, and some smaller ones as well. If you are hoping to catch decorations during your visit, here are the Holidays to keep an eye out for.

Lunar New Year Decorations at Disneyland Resort

In Disney California Adventure, the park celebrates Lunar New Year from mid-January to mid-February.

While the decorations are subtle, there is a wishing wall, and other decorations in Paradise Gardens Park.

There is also a meet and greet area with decorations in this area. Here you will get to meet the 3 Little Pigs in their Lunar New Year outfits, and the Disney version of the Lunar New Year animal, such as Tigger for the year of the tiger.

Does Disneyland Decorate for Valentine’s Day

Disneyland typically has a few decorations up for Valentine’s Day. These decorations are usually in the town square area on Main Street, and on the Main Street Vehicles.

The Disneyland Valentine’s Decorations are often heart-shaped and feature a hand-made look.

Disneyland usually starts Valentine’s Decorations closer to the holiday itself, so if you REALLY want to see them, you should plan to be there the days immediately before Valentine’s Day or the holiday itself.

Photo Courtesy Disneyland Resort

If you are making a Valentine’s Day trip, don’t let the lack of a major overhaul sway you. Disneyland in February often has lower crowds and is a great time for couples to enjoy the parks. Just be sure to avoid ski week.

Are There Disneyland Decorations for Easter and Spring

One of the Holidays that Disneyland decorates for in a very subtle way is Easter. The major Easter decorations are the Eggstravaganza character eggs, hidden throughout the parks and Downtown Disney.

Photo Courtesy of The Happiest Blog On Earth

While not decorations, Disneyland often has specialty food offerings the week of Easter as well. You may even be able to reserve an Easter Brunch at one of the dining locations.

Patriotic Holiday Decorations at Disneyland

Disneyland decorates Main Street USA in stars and stripes for Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day. You will see patriotic decorations in bunting under the windows, flags, and more.

How Disneyland Decorates for Halloween

One of the biggest holidays that Disneyland decorates for is Halloween.

Extra day free Disneyland ticket deal. Click to book

Halloween at Disneyland typically kicks off at the beginning of September and lasts through October 31st. Though you will start to see the castle transform for the holidays in October.

Disneyland’s Halloween decorations include the flower bed in front of the main gates transforming Mickey into a vampire or other ghoulish being, the Mickey Jack-O-Lantern on Main Street USA near the Flag Pole, and pumpkins, and bunting along Main Street USA.

California Adventure takes on a little spookier decorations, featuring the headless horseman statue, purple and black color accents, and a giant, talking Oogie Boogie welcomes guests to that park at the gates.

Cars Land gets an Overhaul for Haul-O-Ween and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and Luigi’s Rollickin Roadsters get a new, spooky playlist.

Disneyland also has ride overlays for Halloween. Haunted Mansion becomes Haunted Mansion Holiday (and stays so through the winter holidays). Jack from The Nightmare Before Christmas is decking the halls of the mansion for an alternate version of this ride.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission BREAKOUT! also gets a nighttime overlay called “Monsters After Dark.” This is a continuation of the story of the original ride. The ride switches over at a set time every evening and has different visuals and music.

Downtown Disney also tends to add Halloween Decorations, though sometimes a bit later in the season.

There is a pumpkin hunt, which last year was only in Downtown Disney, but I expect may soon be available in the two parks as well.

During Oogie Boogie Bash, you will find more decorations, projections and beyond at California Adventure Park.

What Disneyland Decorations Are There for Dios de los Muertos

While some would tie this into the Halloween Decorations, Disneyland has specific areas celebrating Dios de Los Muertos in both parks.

In Disneyland’s Frontierland you can find decorations near Thunder Mountain. Here you will also find information about the holiday.

In California Adventure, Paradise Garden’s Park has Plaza de la Familia. Here you will find decorations, food, entertainment, and places to honor your own relatives.

Both locations remain up through November 2nd in honor of the holiday.

Overview of Disneyland Decorations For Christmas And Winter Holidays

If any holidays can outdo the decorations for Halloween, Christmas and the winter holidays are it. Holidays and Christmas at Disneyland are one of my favorite times at the resort.

Photo Courtesy Disneyland Resort

Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle is covered in ice and snow, bringing winter joy to Southern California in a way only Disneyland knows how to do. The castle is a different experience during the day versus at night.

While most decorations at Disneyland Resort in the winter would be considered Christmas decorations, Disneyland does celebrate other winter holidays, especially in the Festival of Holidays area in California Adventure Park.

Photo Courtesy of Disneyland Resort

Throughout the resort, Christmas decorations at Disneyland are themed to the area that you are in. Main Street USA features the turn of the century (the early 1900s… I feel old that I have to specify that) decorations and a giant Christmas Tree. In New Orleans Square, the decorations take on a Mardi Gras feel (and stay up through Mardi Gras for many years).

Nearly every land has decorations, with the exception of Tomorrowland (at least that are noticeable) and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Lands such as Critter Country and Adventureland tend to have more subtle decorations, but if you look carefully, you can still find them.

In Disney California Adventure, Buena Vista Street takes on a 1910’s downtown feel for its decorations. A tall tree can be found near Carthay Circle. Cars Land receives a major overlay where car tires make Christmas trees, and you can find a snow car that must have been built by Mater.

For ride overlays, Disneyland sees the continuation of Haunted Mansion Holiday, and also has a beautiful, seasonal overlay for “it’s a small world holiday” that is a must-see. The overlay includes lights on the ride facade and a show that is done nightly.

California Adventure ride overlays are subtle and are for Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters. They become Mater’s Jingle Jamboree and Luigi’s Joy To The Whirl.

The Disney California Decorations also include an area dedicated to the Latin American cultural celebrations in Plaza Navidad. Here you can catch my favorite show of the season ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party. The decorations and party remain in place until after Three Kings’ Day.

Does Disneyland Decorate for Mardi Gras

As mentioned above, Disneyland keeps the New Orleans decorations up through Mardi Gras most years. I hope they keep this going as it is a fun addition to that area.

While this is a quick overview, this will give you a great idea of what holidays Disneyland decorates for. Be sure to check out my individual guides for different seasons to make the most of your Disneyland vacation.

No matter the time of year, you will have a great visit at Disneyland. Remember you can book discount Disneyland vacations through my partners at Get Away Today.

Leave a Comment