Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2026: Dates, Tickets, and What to Expect

On select autumn nights, the sun sets over Cinderella Castle and Magic Kingdom transforms into something a little different. The music shifts and the atmosphere darkens just enough to feel festive. Thousands of guests in Halloween costumes take over the park for one of Walt Disney World’s most beloved annual events: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

Disney has officially announced the 2026 dates and early details, and if this event is on your radar, now is the time to start planning. Here is everything you need to know.

What is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party?

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a separately ticketed event held at Magic Kingdom on select nights each fall. It is not included with regular park admission. Your MNSSHP ticket covers entry to the party only, which runs from 7:00 PM to midnight, though ticket holders can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4:00 PM. If you plan to arrive before 4:00 PM, you will also need a valid Magic Kingdom park ticket for that day.

The event is designed to be family-friendly and genuinely fun for all ages. It features exclusive entertainment that does not run on regular park days, unlimited trick-or-treating, special character meet-and-greets, ride overlays with seasonal music and effects, and exclusive food and merchandise. The park operates at limited capacity during the party, which means shorter wait times for attractions compared to a typical day.

2026 Party Dates

The 2026 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party runs from August 7 – October 31, making this the earliest start date in the event’s history. There are 38 total party nights spread across three months.

August: 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30

September: 1, 4, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29

October: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31

In August, parties fall on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. September follows the same pattern with the addition of one Thursday, September 24. In October, the party runs every Thursday, most Fridays, most Sundays, most Tuesdays, and on Saturday, October 31.

Choosing your date matters more than it might seem. Early August dates are the least crowded and least expensive. October dates, especially weekends and Halloween night itself, sell out earliest and carry the highest ticket prices. If you have flexibility, consider a Tuesday or Friday in late September for a good balance of festive atmosphere and manageable crowds.

Tickets and Pricing

Ticket prices for the 2026 party range from $119 to $229 per person, plus tax, and vary by date. Weekend dates and October nights are priced higher. There is no separate children’s pricing; tickets are the same cost for guests ages 3 and up. But, all guests two and under party for free!

Tickets go on sale on a staggered schedule. Guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, or Shades of Green can purchase tickets starting May 5, 2026, for event dates during their stay. Tickets go on sale to all other guests on May 12, 2026.

Annual Passholders and eligible Disney Vacation Club Members can save $10 per ticket on event nights from August 7 – October 2, 2026.

Party dates sell out every year, and popular dates like Halloween night and October weekends can sell out within days of tickets going on sale. Buying early is strongly recommended. You can purchase tickets directly through Disney, or your favorite authorized Disney travel planner.

Planning tip: Use MouseDining to lock in dining reservations for your party night. Restaurants inside Magic Kingdom stay open during the event, and a dining reservation is one of the best ways to take a break, regroup, and still make the most of your time in the park.

Trick-or-Treating

Trick-or-treating is one of the most popular parts of the party and one of the most underrated by first-timers. You’ll find over a dozen treat trail locations spread throughout Magic Kingdom, all marked on the party map you receive at the entrance. Cast members at each stop hand out full handfuls of candy, including Mars Wrigley favorites like M&Ms, Snickers, and Starburst. And, there is no limit to how many times you can make the rounds.

Every guest receives a complimentary treat bag at the entrance, so you do not need to bring your own. But, you might want to, depending on how many times you go through the trails.

Guests with food allergies are also accommodated. You’ll pick up a teal bag from any cast member when you arrive, and collect teal tokens at each treat station instead of candy. You can redeem your teal tokens for allergy-friendly treats at two locations the night of the party. The Liberty Square Ticket Office is open until midnight, and the Chamber of Commerce on Main Street is open until 12:30 AM.

In 2026, Disney has teased that guests can expect some familiar and fiendish faces surprising them along the treat trails. We can’t wait to hear more!

What to Wear

Costumes are encouraged and most guests do dress up. Disney has specific costume guidelines for the party, so it is worth reviewing them before you pack. In general, costumes should not be excessively long or include masks that cover the full face for guests ages 14 and up. Props that look like real weapons are also not permitted.

Themed outfits and Disney-inspired looks that do not qualify as full costumes are equally welcome. Remember, you’re in for a late night, so if you don’t want to dress up at all, just wear what you have and enjoy the party!

Entertainment: What Runs Every Year

Several signature experiences return each year and are considered must-sees for anyone attending the party for the first time.

Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade

The Boo-to-You Parade is one of the most iconic parades Disney produces all year. It begins at 8:15 PM and typically runs twice on most party nights. That way, you have a second chance  if you miss the first showing or want to see it twice.

The parade features Mickey, Minnie, and their friends in Halloween costumes. You’ll dance along waltzing ghosts and sparkling grave diggers from the Haunted Mansion, Disney Princesses, and an impressive lineup of Disney Villains. It also includes some more rare characters, including Pain and Panic from Hercules and Vanellope from Wreck-It Ralph. The parade is led by the Headless Horseman, who rides through the park just before the floats begin. It is a genuinely spectacular moment and worth positioning yourself early for a clear view.

If you are planning to dine at a Magic Kingdom restaurant on your party night, some table-service locations have views of the parade route, which is a great way to combine the two.

Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular

This stage show at the Cinderella Castle forecourt stage is hosted by the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus and runs multiple times throughout each party night. Winifred, Sarah, and Mary attempt to brew the ultimate Halloween potion with help from some of Disney’s most infamous villains. The show is interactive, theatrical, and a highlight for guests of all ages. Arrive early to get a good spot in front of the stage.

Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular

The party’s fireworks show is hosted by Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas. It combines live narration, projection mapping on Cinderella Castle, and a full fireworks display. Mickey and his friends are whisked into a haunted house, and the show follows their journey through encounters with some of your favorite Disney villains. If you love Halloween, it is worth planning your evening around.

The Cadaver Dans

The Cadaver Dans are a barbershop quartet of undead performers who appear near the Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square throughout the night. They are easy to miss if you do not know to look for them, but they are genuinely entertaining and one of those small details that makes the party feel special. Check the entertainment schedule on your party map for performance times.

Attractions with Halloween Overlays

Several Magic Kingdom attractions receive seasonal overlays during the party. Space Mountain runs in near-total darkness with spooky sound effects in place of its usual soundtrack. Mad Tea Party gets special lighting that changes the feel of the ride. Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor doubles as a trick-or-treat location. Most of the park’s regular attractions also remain open during the party, and because attendance is capped, wait times are typically much shorter than a normal park day.

New in 2026: A Masquerade with Stitch

This year brings a brand new addition to the entertainment lineup. Stitch is hosting an ever-changing masquerade at the Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland, joined by Lilo and Angel. After getting his paws on Lilo’s Costume Trunk, every accessory Stitch tries on triggers a full theme swap for the show, keeping it different from one performance to the next. It is designed to be unpredictable, which makes it worth catching more than once if you have time.

Character Meet-and-Greets

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party features exclusive character meet-and-greet opportunities at locations throughout the park. Many of these characters appear only at the party, so if you like characters, it’s an awesome opportunity.

Confirmed for 2026: Jack Skellington and Sally, Mickey and Minnie together in their Halloween costumes, Winnie the Pooh in his bumblebee costume, and festive royal couples including Ariel and Eric and Aladdin and Jasmine. Disney Villains also make appearances in the park streets throughout the evening.

Disney will release the full character lineup closer to the first party night. Check back for updates as more details are announced.

Food and Merchandise

The party brings a seasonal menu of specialty food and drinks available only on party nights. Beyond the candy apples and Halloween-themed popcorn buckets that appear in the park each fall, the party menu typically includes specialty items you can only get during the party. Disney has not yet released the full 2026 menu, but we will publish a complete food guide once the details are available.

Exclusive party merchandise is also available for purchase at Magic Kingdom on party nights. Early looks at 2026 merchandise include Halloween apparel and accessories featuring Mickey, Minnie, Oogie Boogie, the Sanderson Sisters, and the Headless Horseman. Party merchandise does sell out, particularly on busier nights. So, if something catches your eye, do not wait until the end of the evening to pick it up.

More Details Still to Come

Disney has confirmed that additional entertainment announcements, food details, and other surprises are still coming later this summer. We will keep you updated as new information is released. In the meantime, if you have questions about dining reservations for your party night, MouseDining can help you find and secure a table.