Disneyland Adding Two New Shows to Celebrate 70th Anniversary

Disneyland Resort is preparing for an extraordinary celebration in honor of its 70th anniversary in 2025, featuring the debut of two brand-new projection shows on the facades of It’s a Small World at Disneyland Park and Carthay Circle at Disney California Adventure. “Celebrate Happy” will serve as the theme of Disneyland’s 70th-anniversary celebration, which will begin on May 16, 2025, and continue through summer 2026, offering Disneyland guests an unforgettable experience packed with dazzling entertainment, breathtaking visuals, and countless magical memories.

In addition to being the name of the theme song, it will also inspire a new character cavalcade down Main Street, U.S.A., featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and their friends in specially designed anniversary outfits. Disneyland Resort will be adorned in vibrant, celebratory decor, with an elegant anniversary medallion gracing Sleeping Beauty Castle as a centerpiece of the festivities. Specialty food, beverages, and exclusive merchandise will also be available during Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration, allowing guests to take home a piece of the magic.

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At the heart of the festivities are two brand-new nighttime projection shows, set to illuminate the facades of It’s a Small World at Disneyland Park and Carthay Circle at Disney California Adventure. According to Disney, these shows will debut along with the start of the 70th anniversary celebrations on May 16, 2025, and bring the event’s theme song, “Celebrate Happy,” to life through vibrant visuals, music, and state-of-the-art projection effects. Guests can expect a special evening moment filled with dazzling lights and synchronized storytelling on these iconic backdrops.

Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Celebration Will Bring Two Brand New Projection Shows

While Carthay Circle has previously been used for projection displays during holiday and after-hours events, this will mark the first time it takes center stage as the focal point of a full musical projection show. Meanwhile, the It’s a Small World facade, a popular alternative viewing spot for fireworks shows, will once again shine brightly as it did during the limited-time Encanto nighttime show in 2022. Disneyland will also see the return of fan-favorite nighttime parades, Paint the Night, featuring characters from Disney and Pixar classics, and Better Together, a Pixar-themed parade at the Disney California Adventure theme park.

Beyond the projection shows, the yearlong celebration will also include exciting new and returning attractions and entertainment offerings, including Walt Disney — A Magical Life, the World of Color Happiness water show, and the Wondrous Journeys fireworks spectacular, which invites guests on an emotional adventure showcasing breathtaking artistry, captivating music, and timeless storytelling. This stunning spectacle highlights unforgettable moments from beloved Disney films, including Hercules, The Princess and the Frog, Peter Pan, Frozen, Big Hero 6, Moana, Encanto, and more. On select nights, the experience is enhanced with dazzling fireworks, making Wondrous Journeys a highlight of Disneyland’s 70th-anniversary celebration.

As the countdown to May 16, 2025, begins, excitement continues to build for what promises to be one of Disneyland’s most memorable celebrations yet. Additionally, Downtown Disney will welcome exciting new shops and restaurants just in time for Disneyland’s 70th-anniversary celebration, offering guests even more ways to dine, shop, and savor the magic. Whether it’s enjoying the new projection shows, savoring themed treats, or simply soaking in the festive atmosphere, guests of all ages are likely to find many reasons to “Celebrate Happy” at the Happiest Place on Earth.