Okay, so we love Halloween in the Disney Parks, and it may be one of our favorite times of the year to visit them.

Disney World and Disneyland get decked out in decorations, and guests can grab special treats. We also love going to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Oogie Boogie Bash. The best part is that we don’t have to wait until Halloween to start celebrating — the season kicks off in August.

One of the parts of the holiday season is new popcorn buckets! We know that Disney fans love their popcorn buckets, and many have started collecting them. So that means August is a BIG deal for popcorn bucket fans because we usually get one (or even two) at both Disney World and Disneyland.

Last year, Disneyland got this adorable Mickey Ghost Popcorn Bucket, while Disney World got Stitch dressed up as a mummy!

There was also a Jack Skellington bucket for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party! These popcorn buckets can and do sell out! While Disney has not announced the buckets that we could see in 2026 just yet, we can guess that both coast resorts will get new buckets coming this August.

We will keep an eye out for when Disney announces what buckets we will get this year and let you know as soon as it happens! Be sure you’re following us at DFB for the latest Disney news.

FULL LIST of Dates to AVOID Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom in 2026

What popcorn bucket would you love to see Disney make? Tell us in the comments below!

Can you believe we’re already almost halfway through 2026?

While there has been a lot that has already happened in 2026 at both Disney World and Disneyland, there is still so much fun coming soon! From special events, fun holidays, and more, these are all the dates for 2026 that real Disney fans know.

May 26th

If you haven’t heard, TONS of new experiences are hitting Disney World on May 26th to kick off the summer activities. It’s officially the day Cool Kids’ SUMMER kicks off! Cool Kids’ Summer is filled with so many fun activities for little ones to enjoy! Meet your favorite Toy Story characters at Magic Kingdom, check out GoofyCore at EPCOT as CommuniCore Hall is retransformed, a dance party at Disney Springs, plus much more.

What else is coming to Disney World on May 26th? Oh, yeah…Bluey for the very first time! The beloved show, Bluey, is coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Get ready to experience Bluey’s Wild World as Bluey and Bingo take over the Conservation Station at Rafiki’s Planet Watch.

On May 26th, the newly reimagined Walt Disney Studios Courtyard at Hollywood Studios will officially be open to experience (though you may be able to access the new land NOW).

May 26th will also bring a brand-new show — Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! This live show is inspired by Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+, and invites everyone to celebrate with the ultimate party at the Clubhouse (though you may be able to catch this new show in sogft opening phase NOW).

Oh, and did we mention that Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring The Muppets will open on May 26th?

Since we’re on the topic of new experiences, get ready to experience a brand-new version of Soarin’ Around the World on May 26th, called Soarin’ Across America! This patriotic makeover is for the 250th birthday of the U.S.A.

BOTH water parks will be open this year, starting on May 26th through September 8th. May 26th is also the first day of the free water park hotel perk, which is back after its debut in 2025. Guests staying at a Disney World hotel will get a free ticket to visit a water park on their check-in day!

This is the Only Plan You Need for May 26th at Disney World

June 1st

EPCOT festival fans have June 1st marked on their calendar because this is the last day of this year’s Flower and Garden Festival. Be sure to head to the park to enjoy the outdoor kitchens and entertainment before the festival ends.

June 26th

This one is a smaller holiday, but it does bring some fun to the Disney parks! 626 day is also known as Stitch day (for experiment 626). On this day, we usually get some fun snacks to celebrate our favorite alien, and you might even find Stitch roaming around the parks for a photo op.

July 4th

The annual fireworks show, Disney’s Celebrate America! — A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky will play across all three nights of the holiday weekend on Friday, July 3rd, Saturday, July 4th, and Sunday, July 5th. This will be for both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom, so you can celebrate Independence Day on each coast!

Read More about the Fireworks on Independence Day Here!

August 7th 

This is the first Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party of the year! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a seasonal Magic Kingdom event requiring a separate ticket for entry. The event will return for select nights from August 7th through October 31st, 2026.

Learn More about This Year’s Halloween Party Here!

August 14th

D23 is Disney’s official fan club, and as part of the fan club, D23 puts on a HUGE fan convention each year. D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Experience will take place from August 14th to 16th, 2026, in Anaheim, California, at the Anaheim Convention Center and the Honda Center. Disney fans know to watch this event like a hawk, as this is where we get some BIG news about the Disney parks.

Learn More about This Year’s D23 Expo Here!

August 18th

The one and only Oogie Boogie — along with lots of his fellow Disney Villains — hosts the Oogie Boogie Bash as part of Halloween Time in Disneyland Resort! This extra-ticket event will return for 33 select nights from August 18th to October 31st, 2026. 

Read More about This Year’s Event Here!

August 27th

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is an annual celebration of global cuisine in Disney World! The dates for the 2026 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival are August 27th through November 21st, 2026. 

Stay tuned for more Festival News by Checking Here!

September 8th

This is the last day of Cool Kids’ Summer at Disney World! It is also the last day to enjoy the free water park ticket perk for resort guests.

October 22nd-25th 

runDisney fans have this weekend marked down as the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend! Even if you aren’t a runner, this weekend will draw some large crowds to the parks.

November 18th

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse’s birthday is on November 18th! That’s right, the power couple of the century SHARE a birthday because they both premiered in “Steamboat Willie” on November 18th, 1928. And every year, there’s one super rare and quite unique way to celebrate their birthday! Fans know that if they head to Magic Kingdom and head for Under the Sea — Journey of The Little Mermaid, you can find an ultra-rare hidden Mickey and Minnie shadow that only appears for a short period of time.

Disneyland will close out the year with Holidays at Disneyland (beginning November 18th), inviting you to celebrate diverse holiday traditions with enchanting décor, festive entertainment, and delicious seasonal treats. This seasonal celebration includes Disney Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure, adding even more fun and flavor to the winter season.

November 21st and 22nd

You might be thinking you already saw this date — you have! This is the last date to enjoy this year’s Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT. If you want to try some delicious food and experience the festival, be sure to head here before it’s over.

There are also Dapper Days happening at Disneyland Resort! Not familiar with Dapper Day? (Actually, make that Dapper Days because this event takes place a couple of times a year on BOTH coasts). The basic idea is to dress up in vintage outfits, just like what you might have seen when Disneyland first opened.

• Saturday, November 21st & Sunday, November 22nd: Holiday Boutique at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel
• Sunday, November 22nd:  Holiday Outing to Disneyland Park

December 5th and 6th 

Speaking of Dapper Days, over at Disney World on Saturday & Sunday, December 5th & 6th: Holiday Outing, you can find events!

• • December 5th: Magic Kingdom
  • December 6th: Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Unknown Yet

There are three other major events in 2026 that we don’t have the dates for them just yet. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a seasonal Magic Kingdom event requiring a separate ticket for entry. Last year, the party took place on select nights from Friday, November 7th to Sunday, December 21st, 2025. 

Similarly, Disney Jollywood Nights is a separately ticketed event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It took place on thirteen select nights between November 8th and December 22nd, 2025. We are keeping an eye out for this year’s dates!

Finally, EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays usually begins after Thanksgiving. In 2025, the dates were November 28th (the day after Thanksgiving) through December 30th. We believe the dates will be similar this year, and we are keeping an eye out for the official announcement soon.

Whew! There is still a lot to look forward to in 2026. For more Disney Parks news and information, stay tuned to DFB!

Only 5 of Disney World’s Top 20 Restaurants Are in EPCOT…So Where Are the Rest?

Which of the dates are you excited for this year? Be sure to tell us in the comments below!