Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Oogie Boogie Bash return to Disney parks in August

Halloween may not be until the fall, but at Disney theme parks, the spooky season starts in August.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is coming back to Walt Disney World and Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party will return to Disneyland Resort. The after-hours events – which are not included in regular theme park admission – will take place on select dates at Magic Kingdom and Disney California Adventure Park from August through October.

Kids and grown-ups alike can see their favorite characters dressed up, don costumes of their own and go trick-or-treating in the parks. Here’s what to expect this year:

When is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2024?

The celebration will run from 7 p.m. to midnight on the following dates:

◾ Aug. 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30

◾ Sept. 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29

◾ Oct. 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31

Tickets go on sale May 15, but guests staying at select hotels can get advance access beginning on Wednesday (a full list is available on Walt Disney World’s website).

What’s new at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party?

This year Disney Parks will introduce a new DescenDANCE Party inspired by the film “Descendants: The Rise of Red,” coming to Disney+ in July. The rave will take place at Tomorrowland's Rockettower Plaza Stage.

Mickey’s party will also feature other firsts, including a debut appearance from Bruno Madrigal. “For the first time during the party, you can meet the clairvoyant character from ‘Encanto’ alongside Mirabel at their Casita in Fairytale Garden,” Disney Parks said in a blog post.

There will also be more villain sightings, new neon spiderweb-themed looks for Mickey and Minnie and an earlier start time for Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade – 8:15 p.m., an hour earlier than past years – allowing younger guests to attend before bedtime. There will be plenty of familiar programming, too, including Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular fireworks show, the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular stage production and more.

Reservations for Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular Dessert Party – which offers the chance to watch fireworks from Tomorrowland Terrace or Plaza Garden – will be available on June 7.

How much does Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party cost?

Tickets range from $119 to $199 per ticket – before tax – depending on the date. Disney Vacation Club members and annual pass holders can get a $10 discount on each ticket for August and September dates.

Ticketholders can enter Magic Kingdom beginning at 4 p.m. and do not need a separate day theme park ticket or reservation.

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What are the dates for Oogie Boogie Bash 2024?

The after-hours event will take place on the following dates:

◾ Aug. 25, 27, 29

◾ Sept. 3, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29

◾ Oct. 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, 31

Is Oogie Boogie Bash free?

No. Admission to the specially ticketed event starts at $134 for guests ages 3 and over. Prices vary by date and top out at $189. That's the same price range as last year.

Tickets go on sale June 27 for the general public. A limited number of pre-sale tickets will be available for Inspire Key holders to purchase on June 25. Additional pre-sale tickets will go on sale June 26 for all types of Magic Key holders.

Does Disneyland do anything else for Halloween?

Yes! Halloween Time is as big as the holiday season at the Southern California Resort.

Starting Aug. 23, Disneyland Park's Main Street U.S.A. will welcome all the fall feels with the Main Street Pumpkin Festival and the nighttime spectacular "Halloween Screams." The Haunted Mansion, which is currently closed for transformations to its queue area, will reopen as Haunted Mansion Holiday with theming inspired by "The Nightmare Before Christmas." Guests should note the popular seasonal attraction will only be available through virtual queue while work continues on its regular queue.

Disney California Adventure will transform Cars Land into family-friendly Radiator Screams. At night, over at Avengers Campus, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! will become Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark. The show “Mickey’s Trick and Treat” will make its first ever daytime debut. Also the "Coco"-inspired Plaza de la Familia celebration will return Aug. 23 through Nov. 2 with festive flavors, entertainment and traditions honoring Dia de los Muertos.

Unlike Oogie Boogie Bash, all of those experiences are included with regular park admission. A host of other seasonal entertainment, food and decor will also be available at Downtown Disney and Disneyland's resort hotels.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Disney World, Disneyland announce 2024 Halloween celebration dates