Celebrate summer at Disneyland with these special events…
Want to experience some of the best, brightest (literally), and most show-stopping parades, events and entertainment this summer at Disneyland and California Adventure? Then you’ll want to read our go-to guides before your next trip to California’s Disney parks.
BOSW recently attended a preview of The Disneyland Resort’s 70th anniversary programming, and trust us, this is a celebration you won’t want to miss.
Disney entertainment musts:
- Grab a seat toward the entrance of Disneyland’s Main Street to watch The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade (check times on the Disneyland app)
- Catch the “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” at California Adventure for a midday burst of energy while seeing favorite Pixar characters dance and sing
- Go to at least one of the nighttime projection shows (our favorite is “Tapestry of Happiness” at Disneyland)
Intro to Disneyland Resort’s 70th
The Disneyland Resort’s 70th celebration kicked off May 16, 2025, and runs through summer 2026 with a line-up of new, exciting offerings for park and hotel visitors.
In addition to the previously mentioned parades and events shows, the blowout 70th anniversary includes new merchandise, more than 70 special menu items (many of which are throwbacks to Disney’s early years), a special Key to Disneyland, new additions to favorite park rides, and more. But, for now, we’re going to focus on the 70th anniversary parades, events and shows.
Plus, there’s the ticket deals! But before we get to those, let’s dive into some of the 70th anniversary entertainment.
Daytime musts
One thing you’ll note right away about the 70th celebration is the color and design palette. All throughout Disneyland, California Adventure, Downtown Disney and the Disneyland Resort, the Disney Imagineering team seamlessly blended a contemporary burst of colors. You’ll also see them reflected in character outfits, parades and shows.
Now, let’s get parading.
“Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” (California Adventure)
Some of us may or may not have been dancing and singing alongside the toddlers and preschoolers, cheering for our favorite Pixar personalities. The amazing showcase of Pixar’s loveable characters and cherished movies include Floats with Red Panda Mei; Carl, Russell and Kevin (my favorite super-sized bird) from “Up”; Joy and Sadness from “Inside Out”; “Luca” and more.
“The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade” (Disneyland)
Much like the Pixar Parade, The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade draws out the dancer in all of us. Here, classic Disney characters — Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Daisy, Donald, etc. — float by in their 70th celebration attire, accompanied by new-to-California-parks Duffy and ShellieMay. I learned from Disney superfans that the origin story of these two started in 2002, in Florida’s Once Upon a Toy store and have since become popular staples in Disney subcultures in Florida and Tokyo.
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live (California Adventure)
This is a wonderful criss-cross-apple-sauce chance to be as close to being “in” the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse as you will ever be. The music is catchy, the story cute as can be and there are wonderful “interactive surprises,” like bubbles floating through the audience.
Parents of tweens and teens will no doubt feel the nostalgia of raising their littles to the animated Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (I know I did!).
Nighttime musts
Admittedly, some of us at BOSW go to bed at 8 p.m., but not during the 70th celebration of one of the Happiest Places on Earth. Each show below is 100% worth staying up for (and they honestly don’t go too late).
“Paint the Night” parade (Disneyland)
Alight and ready to spark the joy in kids of all ages, Paint the Night is an incredible showcase of LED-light magic. Those of us old enough *cries* to remember the Main Street Electrical Parade at Disneyland will feel a little sentimental as OG’s like Mickey, Donald and the gang sit atop sparkly floats. Appearances from Tinker Bell, Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Belle, Mater and more make this spectacle truly spectacular.
“World of Color Happiness!” (California Adventure Park)
Projected ever so sweetly in the fountain mist of California Adventure’s Paradise Bay, show spectators get glimpses of scenes from Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios films. Introductions from the iconic Muppets, and hosted by “Inside Out’s” Emotions, the light projection and fountain display showcase snippets from “Tangled,” “Encanto,” Lilo and Stitch,” “Turning Red” and more.
You’ll also hear the words of the late, great Walt Disney, “To all who come to this happy place… welcome!” *cries again.*
“Wondrous Journeys” (Disneyland)
Debuted in 2023, Wondrous Journeys took viewers on a magical adventure through Disney lore, space and time with incredible, state-of-the-art projections onto the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle. Just as captivating now, we get to see the heroes, villains, jokesters and princesses for which the Disney franchise is known and loved.
If possible, attend this jaw-dropping show on a night that includes fireworks and be sure to look up to the sky for flybys from fan favorite characters.
“Tapestry of Happiness” (Disneyland Park)
While it’s hard to pin down one of our favorite experiences…if we had to — under duress — pick just one, it would be “Tapestry of Happiness.” Another projection show, this journey of Disney throughout the generations, hits straight to the heart. Did we mention the projection wraps around the facade of It’s a Small World? *cries even more*
Vintage and contemporary songs blend with animated clips of movies such as “Alice in Wonderland” to floating Haunted Mansion apparitions and Star Wars Stormtrooper helmets. We’re delighted to hear more voicings of Walt Disney and get to see a shadowy silhouette of Walt walk hand-in-hand with Mickey.
More about 2025 summer at Disneyland and California Adventure programming
To learn more about Disneyland Resort’s 70th anniversary happenings and summer at Disneyland Resort and parks, visit disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/70th-anniversary and keep visiting us at BOSW and @thebestofthesouthwest for more 70th celebration coverage.
