Last updated on March 21st, 2025 at 07:21 pm
The best way to see ALL Disneyland’s summer nighttime shows during your Disneyland vacation. See what’s happening each night during Summer 2025.
Here’s a recap of the 2025 nighttime spectaculars and how to plan you can see them all during your visit.
Disneyland’s Summer Nighttime Shows
The complete nighttime line-up at Disneyland Resort for summer 2025 includes
- Fire of the Rising Moons – special Star Wars fireworks on select nights only in Galaxy’s Edge.
- “World of Color Happiness!” at Disney California Adventure will celebrate the 70th anniversary of Disneyland Resort with an all-new inspiring story told through some favorite characters. Nightly water shows over Paradise Bay at California Adventure Park.
- Paint the Night parade, running twice each evening.
- Fantasmic! runs for nightly shows over Rivers of America at Disneyland Park.
- Wondrous Journeys fireworks and projections for the 70th Celebration.
Summer 2025 at Disneyland is set to be another showstopper! You’ll definitely want a multi-day park hopper ticket to enjoy these iconic nighttime shows.
Keep reading for a deeper dive into each night time event and how you should schedule your days to make the most of every night time magical moment.
Wondrous Journeys Nighttime Spectacular
I cover every fireworks show at Disneyland in this all-inclusive article. Kicking off May 16, 2025, this fan-favorite show includes nightly projections with fireworks only on select nights.
Typically fireworks are part of the show on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights (weather permitting). During the summer months, Wondrous Journeys with fireworks will run nightly at Disneyland Park.
Here are some quick details on Disneyland Fireworks:
- Located at Disneyland Park, see best viewing spots here.
- Starts at 9 or 9:30 PM on select nights, weather permitting check the official calendar here.
- This fireworks show is about 15 minutes long.
- I recommend viewing near it’s a small world. See my full nighttime itinerary at the end of this article.
- Don’t miss a the Star Wars fireworks show in Galaxy’s Edge only!
Fantasmic! Nighttime Show
I cover Fantasmic in detail in this article. Fantasmic is a Disneyland staple that runs most nights of the year. You absolutly want to read up on how to get the best spot, along with dinner!
Here are some quick details on Fantasmic:
- Located at Disneyland Park.
- Runs at 9:00 PM 10:30 PM on most nights, check the official calendar here.
- This nighttime show is 27 minutes long.
Paint the Night Parade
I cover every parade at Disneyland in this all-inclusive article. As we celebrate summer, Magic Happens will run twice daily.
Here are some quick details on Paint the Night Parades:
- Located at Disneyland Park, see best viewing spots here.
- After dark, check the official calendar here.
- This parade is about 20 minutes long.
World of Color Nighttime Show
I cover World of Color in detail in this article. During the year, World of Color runs nightly at Disney California Adventure Park.
Here are some quick details on World of Color:
- Located at California Adventure Park, see best viewing spots here.
- Starts at 9:00 PM and 10:15 PM nightly, check the official calendar here.
- This nighttime show is 22 minutes long.
- I recommend viewing with the Dessert Party package if it fits your budget. Otherwise, either show time is an option where you join via virtual queue. See my full nighttime itinerary at the end of this article.
Park Plan
Parks Plans are the name of my step-by-step itineraries. I’ve been sharing my strategies for the best Disneyland Vacation since 2013. Over the years, I have perfected and modified my Park Plans on a regular basis.
You can see all of my Park Plan selections to download here.
While many of them include times for nighttime entertainment, the outline below offers suggestions based on both family and night-owl modes.
Family Friendly Park Plan Nighttime Shows
Families with young children will likely not make it from rope drop to night shows without taking a midday break or starting late on one of your Disneyland days.
Even with a late start and a nap midday, this strategy will likely work best for families in the park. I’ll update this as we get official start times, these times are just estimates.
Disneyland Day
- 8:45 PM Paint the Night Parade near “it’s a small world”. Arrive by 7:00. Bring dinner or a snack to the area to sit and enjoy while you wait. Sit as close to facing “it’s a small world” as possible. Bathrooms and snacks are both nearby. The parade will start near “it’s a small world”.
- Keep your spot but allow bathroom breaks as needed.
- 9:30 PM Return to the parade viewing area for Disneyland fireworks.
- 9:45 PM Hop in line for “it’s a small world” as soon as fireworks finish. This last ride of the night will give time for the fireworks crowd to clear out and provide an easier exit down Main Street.
California Adventure Day
- 12:00 PM Join the virtual queue for your World of Color viewing spot.
- 9:00 PM Enjoy World of Color from Paradise Bay viewing area.
- 9:30 PM Catch a glimpse of Disneyland Fireworks as you leave the parks and the esplanade for the night.
Night Owl Park Plan Nighttime Shows
Night Owls who like to close down the parks will likely enjoy better seating with less time commitment holding spots. If you can make it to the later shows of the night and like staying out late, this Park Plan is a great option for your visit.
Disneyland Day
- 9:30 PM Wondrous Journey. Consider viewing over Rivers of America or on Main Street, U.S.A. You can also catch glimpses while you’re on the go. Good rides to see them on include Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Mad Tea Party and Matterhorn.
- 9:45 PM Make your way toward the parade route for viewing between the castle and “it’s a small world”.
- 10:45 PM Watch the second showing of Paint the Night parade which begins at the front of the park.
- Hop in line for “it’s a small world” after the parade passes or walk to your last rides of the night. As long as you get in line before park closing, you should still be admitted. Try Smugglers Run, a great attraction to exit once most people have already left the park.
California Adventure Day
- 9:00 PM If you have a park hopper you might watch Fantasmic’s earlier show.
- 9:30 PM Then watch fireworks as you leave Disneyland for the night. Just make sure you give yourself enough time to scan into California Adventure before closing at 10:00 PM.
- 10:15 PM Enjoy World of Color from Paradise Bay viewing area, walk up viewing.
More Disneyland Nighttime Tips
Rest assured, my Disneyland articles are updated and refreshed on a regular basis. If you notice something that isn’t quite right, let me know so I can make the adjustments.
I’ll be adding more tips and tricks as we navigate these nighttime classics throughout the summer. Are you ready for Disneyland’s Nighttime Shows, tell us what you’re most looking forward to!
Can you navigate all this traffic with a double stroller? Or is that just crazy?
It’s much easier without children, but if you’re going to do it with kids, having them in a stroller is much better than not. I say go for it! I would love to hear your report back after. I just had one reader return with teens and this still worked like a charm for them.