Oogie Boogie Bash, Disneyland Resort’s annual Halloween party, is a frighteningly good time (and the costumes will amaze you!)
There’s a lot to explore during Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort, but my absolute favorite year after year is Oogie Boogie Bash. This annual spooky season party is held at Disney California Adventure Park, and after attending every year since 2019, I’m sharing everything I know and love about it.
Oogie Boogie Bash is a great event for kids and adults alike – yes, even the littlest kids! I’ve taken my son since he was six months old, and it’s always a great time. Best of all, because it’s a separately ticketed event, wait times and crowds are often lower than usual inside California Adventure (a perk for every age!)
So, what’s in store? Here’s what you need to know before buying Oogie Boogie Bash tickets or attending the event.
What is Oogie Boogie Bash?
Oogie Boogie Bash is Disneyland Resort’s version of a Halloween party. It’s the West Coast counterpart to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party – but this event is decidedly more villains-filled and is so popular that tickets sell out every year.
Oogie Boogie Bash actually started out as an event quite similar to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Originally held at Disneyland Park and called Mickey’s Halloween Party (and a few other similar names over the years), the seasonal party offered family-friendly fun and trick-or-treating.
In 2019, the event transformed into Oogie Boogie Bash and moved across the esplanade to California Adventure. It grew into a spooky good time, featuring party-exclusive characters, entertainment, and more.
Oogie Boogie Bash is a separately ticketed event, which means you have to purchase a party-specific ticket for a dedicated date to attend. It takes place in the evening, typically running from 6:00 to 11:00 PM – but guests with party tickets are able to enter California Adventure three hours before the event begins at 3:00 PM.
Photo by Dom Tabon
Oogie Boogie Bash Exclusives: Attractions, Entertainment, and More
The biggest draw of Oogie Boogie Bash? All of the party-exclusive offerings. Here’s a look at what’s available during the specially-ticketed event:
- Treat Trails, which allow guests to trick-or-treat for candy and spot some cool characters along the way
- Exclusive character encounters, often with rarely-seen villains and heroes from films like Robin Hood, Hercules, Big Hero 6, Roger Rabbit, and more
- Frightfully Fun Parade, an exclusive party-only cavalcade
- Mickey’s Trick and Treat, an exclusive interactive stage show for families with kids
- Villains Grove, a hauntingly magical transformation of Redwood Creek Challenge Trail just for the event
Additionally, guests can enjoy exclusive seasonal food and drink offerings during Oogie Boogie Bash party dates, purchase exclusive merchandise, and ride attractions with cool Halloween overlays, like Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree and Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween.
Best of all, guests of all ages – yes, that means you, parents! – can dress up in costume. And here at California Adventure, adults and kids alike go all out. In fact, if you aren’t in a costume, you’ll be in the minority at this party… so plan to get creative!
Is Oogie Boogie Bash Kid-Friendly?
Oogie Boogie Bash is absolutely kid-friendly (and no, I’m not just saying that because I’m a die-hard who was willing to take an infant!) Like all Disney Parks events, this one is a little spooky but mostly fun and family-friendly.
While Oogie Boogie Bash does feature more “scary” entertainment and offerings compared to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom, it’s not really that frightening. Sure, there are more villains hanging out in the park and at Treat Trails. But for the most part, the party isn’t designed to scare or spook anyone.
If your kids are afraid of certain villains who might be out and about, I definitely recommend looking into who’ll be at each Treat Trail for this year’s party. Then, you can simply avoid those and visit others instead (you can visit the same trails multiple times!)
Overall, though, the atmosphere at Oogie Boogie Bash leans more fun than frightening. Kids of all ages will love trick-or-treating at California Adventure and seeing incredible characters, like the always-popular Ernesto de la Cruz from Coco. Plus, the parade is a lot of fun for kids, along with the character meet and greets.
And don’t forget, rides are open, too! You can take your kids on all of their favorites, some (like those in Cars Land) decked out with extra-special Halloween overlays.
My little one absolutely loved the characters and seeing all of the other partygoers’ costumes. Best of all, Cast Members love interacting with kids of all ages who are dressed up for the event. In my experience, the more unique your costume, the more fun you and the kids will have chatting with Cast Members and others the night of your party.
Oogie Boogie Bash Dates and Ticket Information
Oogie Boogie Bash typically runs from the first week in September through October 31. However, for 2024, more dates have been added – and for the first time, the party will kick off in August.
This year, Oogie Boogie Bash will take place on 27 dates:
- Sunday, Aug. 25
- Tuesday, Aug. 27
- Thursday, Aug. 29
- Tuesday, Sept. 3
- Tuesday, Sept. 10
- Thursday, Sept. 12
- Sunday, Sept. 15
- Tuesday, Sept. 17
- Thursday, Sept. 19
- Sunday, Sept. 22
- Tuesday, Sept. 24
- Thursday, Sept. 26
- Sunday, Sept. 29
- Tuesday, Oct. 1
- Thursday, Oct. 3
- Sunday, Oct. 6
- Tuesday, Oct. 8
- Thursday, Oct. 10
- Sunday, Oct. 13
- Tuesday, Oct. 15
- Thursday, Oct. 17
- Sunday, Oct. 20
- Tuesday, Oct. 22
- Thursday, Oct. 24
- Sunday, Oct. 27
- Tuesday, Oct. 29
- Thursday, Oct. 31
With more dates than ever before, it should be easier to get Oogie Boogie Bash tickets in 2024. However, it’s important to know before you attempt to buy tickets that the later dates are the most popular. Every year, guests clamor to grab end-of-October party tickets – meaning dates from October 20 to October 31 sell out fast.
If you’re hoping to join the party on Halloween itself, know that this is often one of the first dates to sell out. You’ll want to have a backup in mind; Halloween is hugely popular at Disneyland in general, and the crowds for October 31 will be sizable.
How to Buy Oogie Boogie Bash Tickets
Like I mentioned above, Oogie Boogie Bash tickets are in huge demand. Each year, they sell out quickly, leaving guests frustrated. So, if you want to attend, you’re going to want to prepare to buy tickets before the on-sale date arrives
Tickets for the 2024 Oogie Boogie Bash party dates will go on sale starting June 25, 2024. However, this year, a tiered system is in place. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Inspire-level Magic Key holders can purchase tickets on June 25
- All Magic Key holders can purchase tickets on June 26
- Everyone can purchase tickets on June 27
On each on-sale date, the Oogie Boogie Bash ticket queue will open starting at 8:45 AM (Pacific time) so you can enter the waiting room. At 9:00 AM, ticket sales will begin.
This means you’ll want to get online and “in line” via the virtual queue at 8:45 AM. This is when you’ll be assigned a place in line. However, don’t bother getting online any earlier; it won’t affect your spot in the queue.
Need help planning your Halloween Time visit to Disneyland Resort and Oogie Boogie Bash party dates? Our trusted travel agent partner can help! Best of all, it’s completely free. Fill out this form to get started.
