Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is back at Magic Kingdom — and this year it starts earlier than ever. The separate-ticket, after-hours Halloween event runs 38 select nights from August 7 through October 31, 2026, kicking off a full week earlier than last season. Here's everything we know to help you plan a night.

When It Runs

The party happens on select nights only — not every evening — across all three months. Disney has released the full 2026 calendar, so here are all 38 party nights:

If the rhythm helps: August lands on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays; September keeps that pattern plus one Thursday (the 24th); and October runs most nights of the week, right through Halloween on Saturday, October 31. Several nights have already sold out, so check availability before you build a trip around a specific date.

Hours & Early Entry

Party hours are 7:00 PM to midnight — but here's the value most people miss: your party ticket gets you into Magic Kingdom as early as 4:00 PM. That's up to eight hours in the park on a party ticket, three of them before the event officially begins, when you can ride and settle in ahead of the trick-or-treating.

Tickets & Prices

It's a separate-ticket event, so the party ticket is all you need that evening — no regular theme-park ticket or park reservation required on top of it. Prices run $119 to $229 per ticket plus tax and vary by date: the cheapest nights fall in mid-August, opening night (August 7) is $159, and the priciest are October weekends and Halloween itself at the $229 top. As a rule, the later in the season and the closer to a weekend, the more you'll pay.

Annual Passholders and eligible Disney Vacation Club members save $10 per ticket on event nights from August 7 through October 2. For the exact price on a given night — and to check whether it's still available — pull up Disney's official party calendar, since nights do sell out.

What's Included

Your ticket unlocks the full Halloween lineup:

Trick-or-Treat Trails

Trick-or-treating is the heart of the party — included with admission, open to all ages, and it starts with a free treat bag at the door. You collect individually wrapped candy (think M&M's, Snickers, Twix, Skittles, Starburst, and 3 Musketeers) at 13 stations spread across every land:

Two tips worth knowing: the PhilharMagic and Monsters, Inc. trails are indoors, so they double as an air-conditioned break on a hot or rainy night. And if anyone in your group has a food allergy, ask for a teal treat bag — it lets you collect allergy-friendly treats, or tokens you can redeem for a wider selection at designated allergy-friendly centers.

If It Rains

Good news for a Florida summer night: the party continues through most weather. If Magic Kingdom sees rain, thunder, or lightning, the Trick-or-Treat Trails stay open, so you can keep collecting candy while a storm passes — the indoor trails especially. Some outdoor attractions and entertainment may pause, so check the My Disney Experience app or ask a Cast Member for what's running. Shopping on Main Street and the quick-service spots are the other good ways to wait out an intermittent storm. As always, showtimes and outdoor entertainment are subject to change in bad weather.

New for 2026

The headline addition this year: Stitch takes over the Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland for an ever-changing dance party, with Lilo and Angel along for the mischief. Most of the rest of the lineup is the same beloved slate, so if you've been before, the Stitch masquerade is the fresh reason to go back. (As always, entertainment is subject to change.)

What This Means for Your Trip

The early-August start is the real story for value hunters. Opening-week nights are the cheapest of the whole season and fall during lighter summer crowds — you get the same parade, the same fireworks, and the same trick-or-treating as an October night for as much as $110 less per ticket. If you can handle Florida-August heat (the party runs into the cooler evening, which helps), an August night is the smartest way to do Not-So-Scary.

The cheapest, least-crowded way to do the party is an August night — the same show, up to $110 less than Halloween.

The Tip: Book Early

If there's one thing to take away, it's this: book early. October nights, weekend nights, and Halloween itself sell out first — and several 2026 dates, including some of the cheapest ones and the final night, have already sold out. If you have a specific date in mind, don't wait, and keep a backup night ready.

A Taste of What's New

This year's foodie lineup leans hard into new party-exclusive treats. A few worth hunting down:

That's just a taste — we broke down the complete lineup of savory bites, sweet treats, and themed sips in our 2026 MNSSHP food guide. And for a night-of game plan, grab our free MNSSHP game-plan printable and party checklist before you go.