When night falls on Disneyland this summer, Main Street will glow a little brighter. Seven years after it vanished from the resort lineup, one of Disney’s most visually spectacular parades is finally coming back—with a few unexpected updates in tow.
Paint the Night, the LED-filled nighttime spectacular beloved by fans, is officially returning to Disneyland Park as part of the resort’s 70th anniversary celebration. First introduced at Hong Kong Disneyland in 2014, the parade made its U.S. debut in Anaheim a year later, where it developed an almost cult-like following. It disappeared in 2018 after a brief run at Disney California Adventure, prompting years of speculation about whether it would ever come back.
A Double Dose of Nighttime Magic for Paint the Night
Disney quietly updated its official website this week to reveal that Paint the Night will begin performances on May 16—and not just once per night. Guests can expect two showings each evening at 8:45 p.m. and 10:45 p.m., at least for the parade’s initial run.
Whether the double-performances will continue throughout the celebration remains unconfirmed. Still, listing two parades each night signals Disney’s confidence in Paint the Night’s draw—and its desire to ease crowd congestion during the busy summer months.
The website also reveals the confirmed character lineup. Returning favorites include Sorcerer Mickey, Tinker Bell, Ariel, Belle, Buzz and Woody, Mike and Sulley, Peter Pan, and Rapunzel. However, fans will be especially pleased to see Anna and Elsa officially back in the mix. The Frozen sisters were notably absent from the parade’s last Disneyland run, reportedly due to float size restrictions at California Adventure.
Their inclusion marks a return to form—and a subtle nod to the original Hong Kong and Disneyland iterations. As always, the parade will be soundtracked by Owl City’s upbeat “When Can I See You Again,” a song made famous by its feature in the Wreck-It Ralph (2012) end credits.
On the flip side, while Disney may now be hosting two showings of Paint the Night per day, it is now without a daytime parade – seemingly for the rest of 2025. Magic Happens was last performed in August 2024 before it was replaced by the Mickey & Friends Halloween Cavalcade.
More Shows, More Nostalgia, More Disney
The return of Paint the Night is just one part of a larger entertainment rollout planned for Disneyland Resort’s 70th anniversary. May will also see the revival of Wondrous Journeys, the emotional projection and fireworks show that debuted for Disney100. True to its original format, pyrotechnics will only appear on select nights.
New offerings are joining the lineup as well. The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade—a daytime procession starring Mickey and Friends in 70th anniversary outfits—will premiere at Disneyland Park alongside Duffy and ShellieMay. Meanwhile, over at California Adventure, World of Color Happiness! is set to debut as a fresh take on the nighttime fountain show. It will feature Joy from Inside Out in a leading role, and guests will have the opportunity to vote for the featured emotion via the Disneyland app prior to each night’s performance.
The pre-show will also include appearances from Kermit the Frog, Gonzo, and other Muppet icons—blending nostalgia and interactivity in a way that feels distinctively 2024.
Disney has confirmed that this slate of entertainment will continue through summer 2026, giving guests more than a year to catch returning favorites and anniversary exclusives alike. For Paint the Night fans, though, May 16 can’t come soon enough.
Are you a fan of Paint the Night?
