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Disney knows how to celebrate a holiday, but few theme park celebrations compare with Halloween Time at Disneyland in Southern California. From the giant Mickey pumpkin head in the center of Town Square in Disneyland Park to the Headless Horseman statue menacing guests entering Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure Park, the resort goes all-out for Halloween in both parks.

The resort's most popular offering during the already popular fall season is its after-hours Halloween party, Oogie Boogie Bash. Named for the jovially evil character in Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas," the party theme is a bit bold while still keeping Disney's family-friendly PG vibe. It's the edgier California cousin of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Walt Disney World.

Disney just announced that Oogie Boogie Bash tickets are about to go on sale June 26 for the 2025 event. Is the event worth your hard-earned cash? If so, how can you snag its hard-to-get tickets and make the most of a party visit? Here's what you need to know.

When is Oogie Boogie Bash?

Disneyland California DCA Oogie Boogie Bash During Halloween Time — RICHARD HARBAUGH/DISNEYLAND RESORT

Oogie Boogie Bash runs at Disneyland Resort in Disney California Adventure Park from 6 to 11 p.m. on select nights between mid-August and the end of October each year. Historically, most parties are on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Dates for Oogie Boogie Bash in 2025 are:

Aug. 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28 and 31
Sept. 2, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28 and 30
Oct. 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28 and 31

How much does it cost?

Oogie Boogie Bash is a separate after-hours ticketed event that isn't included in regular theme park admission.

Ticket prices for 2025 range from $139 to $199 per person.

If you want to visit the theme parks on the morning of a party day, you'll need to purchase regular admission separately. That said, most guests won't find they need to purchase regular park admission on a party day.

Oogie Boogie Bash tickets include park admission during an afternoon "mix-in" period. During this time, the day's regular ticket holders and Oogie Boogie Bash guests both have access to Disney California Adventure at the same time. This period usually begins at 3 p.m., extending the party experience by up to three hours.

Because the party runs late, starting in the midafternoon may be more than enough park time for most visitors. Use the morning to sleep in, hit your hotel's pool or dine and shop in Downtown Disney.

How do you get tickets?

Even at its increasingly high price point, there has been unprecedented demand for Oogie Boogie Bash tickets over the last several years. Locals love attending year after year, and out-of-towners often prioritize it as well, especially because it often coincides with their longer fall break trips.

There is usually a presale for Magic Key passholders with limited ticket inventory released, followed by a public sale. In 2025, sales will open June 24 for Inspire Magic Key passholders and June 25 for all other Magic Key passholders. The public sale open to all other guests starts June 26.

As soon as the public sale starts, expect some parties to start selling out almost immediately. In at least a couple of recent years, every single party date has sold out less than 24 hours after the public sale began.

Therefore, it's vitally important to know with certainty whether you want to attend Oogie Boogie Bash before the sale date so you can purchase immediately.

When tickets go on sale, navigate to the Oogie Boogie Bash page on the Disneyland website a few minutes before the appointed ticket release time (usually 9 a.m. PDT on sale day). The site places all guests in a digital queue. Clear your calendar because this queue can sometimes take multiple hours. Make note of your digital queue ID, as you can use it to reenter the line in the same place if you need to switch devices or have a computer malfunction.

The party dates most likely to sell out quickly include Halloween night itself and the least expensive party dates. Parties around popular fall break dates in early and mid-October can also be in demand.

What's included with an Oogie Boogie Bash ticket?

If you're wondering what a nearly $200 ticket (and maybe hours in a digital queue) delivers, the entertainment and other special activities during Oogie Boogie Bash are pretty extensive. Most guests won't have time to do everything. Here's what you have to choose from.

Trick-or-treat trails

Disneyland Oogie Boogie Bash Animation Building Treat Trail — Oogie Boogie himself interacts with guests in the Animation Building. LESLIE HARVEY FOR THE POINTS GUY

One of the coolest offerings at Oogie Boogie Bash is the chance to trick-or-treat in Disney California Adventure. Cast members hand out generous handfuls of candy (plus a few healthier snack choices) at close to a dozen treat trails strategically scattered all over the park.

These treat trails offer much more than simple candy distribution. Disneyland has made them more engaging by adding theming and a live-action Disney villain in most of them. The characters improvise and engage with guests as they walk through, with highly entertaining results. The actors make the treat trails just as popular with adults as they are with kids.

Some favorite villains, including Oogie Boogie himself, return year after year, but Disneyland keeps things fresh by adding several new villains to the lineup each year as it retires others. No fandom is too unique or obscure to be considered. In the last couple of years, additions have included Ernesto de la Cruz from "Coco," Dr. Doofenschmirtz from "Phineas and Ferb," Judge Doom from "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" and Hades from "Hercules."

Disneyland Oogie Boogie Bash Ernesto de la Cruz immersive treat trail — Ernesto de la Cruz is one of nearly a dozen villains on immersive treat trails. LESLIE HARVEY FOR THE POINTS GUY

Character meet-and-greets

While it's possible to get your character fix from the interactive treat trail villains alone, Disneyland has multiple additional character meet-and-greet stations during the party. Here, guests can get up close to take photos and get autographs with the characters as well.

Meet-and-greets are usually a mix of traditional Disney characters in special seasonal costumes and other Disney villains. Popular offerings the last few years have included the Sanderson sisters (Minnie, Daisy and Clarabelle dressed like the witches from "Hocus Pocus") and Bruno from "Encanto."

Villains Grove

Villains Grove is a walk-through attraction set in the mazelike atmosphere of Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.

If you're used to scare zones of Universal or Six Flags parks during Halloween haunts, this isn't that — there are no jump scares to be found. In fact, there are no characters or cast members at all in Villains Grove. The area is more of an interactive art piece, with lighting and special effects inspired by the world of Disney villains, including Dr. Facilier, Frollo, Scar and the Wicked Queen.

Villains Grove might bother some sensitive kids, but I've seen plenty of younger kids really enjoy the features with no concerns. Note that Villains Grove usually isn't available during the first hour or so of the party. Many of the effects are only visible after dark, so Disney waits to open it until after sunset.

Disneyland Oogie Boogie Bash Villains Grove Lighting — Villain-inspired displays light up Villains Grove. LESLIE HARVEY FOR THE POINTS GUY

Frightfully Fun Parade

Twice per night during each party, Disneyland also presents a full-scale Halloween parade. The Frightfully Fun Parade is exclusive to Oogie Boogie Bash.

Led by the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow, it features both classic and villainous characters such as Mickey Mouse, Jack Skellington, Dr. Facilier and Cruella de Vil. The Cheshire Cat traditionally brings up the rear.

Disneyland Oogie Boogie Bash Frightfully Fun Parade — The Frightfully Fun Parade is exclusive to the party. LESLIE HARVEY FOR THE POINTS GUY

The parade route is lengthy, making it easy to view without wasting precious party time waiting or camping out (or needing to buy a dessert party ticket). The route begins at Paradise Gardens near Goofy's Sky School. It continues on the main park path toward Carthay Circle before turning down Hollywood Boulevard and ending near Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: Breakout.

'Mickey's Trick and Treat' show

Disneyland Oogie Boogie Mickey Trick and Treat Show — "Mickey's Trick and Treat" show. LESLIE HARVEY FOR THE POINTS GUY

While most entertainment at the event is little kid-friendly, Disney has one offering that will run during the entire Halloween season this year (including during Oogie Boogie Bash) targeted specifically for younger guests. The theater that usually hosts the "Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live" show instead will have a similar Halloween-inspired live performance.

"Mickey's Trick and Treat" show does not have any spooky elements and features the Fab Five characters. Expect lots of dancing, followed by a few candy treats.

Guardians of the Galaxy — Monsters After Dark

While also not specific to Oogie Boogie Bash, guests should check out the Guardians of the Galaxy — Monsters After Dark attraction in Avengers Campus while at the event. This special seasonal ride overlay features heavy metal music and lots of monsters.

The ride isn't suited for small kids. You have to be at least 40 inches tall to ride, and it features big drops, loud sounds and potentially frightening moments.

Practical tips for visiting Oogie Boogie Bash

Know what to wear

Oogie Boogie Bash Harvey Family in Costume — Our family's hot weather version of a Toy Story group costume. LESLIE HARVEY FOR THE POINTS GUY

An important part of the fun of Oogie Boogie Bash is that all guests can dress up in costume. The creative community of greater Los Angeles usually outdoes itself with this rare opportunity. Many families and friends plan elaborate group costumes, both Disney and non-Disney themed.

Although it can be fun to dress up, the party may not be as fun if your costume isn't appropriate for the weather. Some guests may not realize that Southern California's summer tends to arrive later than it does elsewhere in the country. August, September and even early October are often when the parks are at their absolute hottest.

If you plan to start during the 3 p.m. mix-in time, temperatures could be well over 90 degrees on many party dates. Long sleeves, fleece or a lot of layers can feel stifling. I usually plan a costume that can work in warmer weather but that I can layer over if and when temperatures drop after the sun sets.

Have a plan for food that isn't candy

If you plan to be at the party from 3 p.m. until closing, you'll cover a lot of ground and burn a lot of calories — and you'll need some lasting fuel to keep you going. Planning to subsist on candy alone isn't a recipe for party success.

Once the party starts, however, it's hard to justify spending precious time sitting down for dinner. For that reason, I recommend using the mix-in time to eat an early dinner so you can make the most of events exclusive to the party. I usually use the Disneyland app's mobile ordering feature when I enter the parks to preorder a pickup around 4:30 or 5 p.m.

If you still feel hungry later in the evening, there are snacks you can grab on the fly that won't take too much time, from corn dogs to the options at the Cozy Cone.

Plan a smart strategy for navigating the party

Oogie Boogie Bash crowds at Disneyland — Big crowds at treat trails to start the Oogie Boogie Bash evening. LESLIE HARVEY FOR THE POINTS GUY

While Oogie Boogie Bash is capacity-controlled, it rarely has what I'd consider low crowds. You need a smart strategy to navigate around the choke points. (Try to zig when others zag.)

After attending multiple times, I've noticed a few strategies that have paid off for me:

Ride attractions during the first parade: Guests who can't stay up until park closing will prioritize watching the first parade before they leave early. That means many attractions have short wait times during the first parade. I had great luck, for example, dashing to Monsters After Dark right as the first parade started one year.
Wait on the most popular treat trails: The immersive treat trails featuring new villains are very popular in the first hour or two of the party. I'd recommend leaving the most popular villains until as late in the night as possible, when lines will be shorter. It's a bonus that you won't have to lug around bags of heavy candy for the entirety of the party if you wait a bit to trick-or-treat.
Character lines are the biggest time suck: The meet-and-greet characters are always the longest lines of the entire party. If you simply can't miss this experience, choose one character to prioritize and line up for the experience during the mix-in period, up to an hour in advance.
Pick up a party map: Even if you are a regular at Disneyland, the parks feel different during parties. The app isn't as clear about party-only offerings, so pick up a physical map to help navigate.

Stay nearby

Since Oogie Boogie Bash is a late-night event, I recommend staying nearby at either an official Disneyland hotel or one of the points-friendly hotels available within walking distance. The last thing you want to do after walking 20,000 steps as midnight approaches is stand on an Anaheim corner waiting for a ride-hailing service or shuttle.

Bottom line

For Halloween fans, Oogie Boogie Bash usually hits the mark and justifies its high price. I've always had a blast the years I've attended and felt it delivered, but that doesn't mean it's worth it for everyone on every kind of visit.

There are many other splurges and add-ons that may have to take priority. Don't let FOMO bust your budget.

Before spending hundreds of dollars to attend, consider whether the party will work for your traveling family or group. I rarely recommend it for guests with small kids, as it runs too late for most kids' bedtimes.

If it works for your family, have a strategy to get the most for your money. And if you choose to skip it, rest assured that there's plenty of Halloween to experience elsewhere in the parks, even without an Oogie Boogie Bash ticket.

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