What is the Halloween parade at Disneyland Paris?
The Halloween parade running at Disneyland Paris right now is called "Mickey’s Halloween Celebration." It first rolled out in 2013 and has grown over the years with new floats (the decorated vehicles in the parade) and new characters.
Mickey and the gang take center stage, backed by dancers and a soundtrack. You’ll only see it while Halloween season lasts, from September 26 to November 1.
During the parade, there’s a showstop on Central Plaza (the big round plaza in front of the castle, also known as "the hub"). A showstop is a pause in the parade: the floats come to a halt and the dancers perform right there, in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.
To see where this parade fits into the season as a whole, you can read my complete Halloween season guide. And if the Villains are your thing, here are the Disney Villains of Halloween.
Not to be mixed up with the regular parade
Halloween parade showtimes
You can see the Halloween parade two times a day, and never after dark. Showing number one comes through at about 15:25, and showing number two at about 17:00.
These times are approximate and subject to change, so be sure to check them in the official Disneyland Paris app on the day you visit.
One key thing to understand: these aren’t two different Halloween parades. It’s the same parade going by twice a day, first one way and then the other.
The first run goes from Fantasyland (the part of the park behind the castle) toward the park entrance, and the second covers the route in reverse. That’s why the best spot isn’t the same for each showing you might choose for the 2026 Halloween parade.
The parade lasts about 25 minutes. You’ll find all the details on the Mickey’s Halloween Celebration page.
Today’s parade
Showtimes vary from day to day. For the exact time on the day you go, open the daily schedule in the official Disneyland Paris app.
How early should you get there?
The best spots for the Halloween parade
The two places I always count on face the castle: the hub at Central Plaza (that circular plaza in front of it) and Town Square (right past the gates). Since the parade goes by twice, in reverse each time, which precise spot works best comes down to the showing you go for.
I’ve picked out five places for you below. First a quick-glance table, then a closer look at each one, good points and bad.
Viewing spots summary table
| Spot | What you see | 1st (~15:25) | 2nd (~17:00) | Good to know | How early |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Right side of the hub, on Central Plaza | The castle and the floats coming in from Fantasyland, plus a clear view of the showstop | Yes | No | Packed with people. Floats disappear from view as they go back toward Main Street | ~1 hr |
| #2 Center of the hub, on Central Plaza | The castle, the dancers, and every float circling around | Yes | Yes | Very popular, with guests walking through who aren’t watching | ~1 hr |
| #3 On Town Square, facing the castle | Main Street all decorated, with a clear view. For the 2nd, the floats leaving with the castle behind them | Yes | Yes | In high demand, so expect a long wait. At times kept for VIPs or Disney’s press staff | ~1 hr |
| #4 Bottom of the hub, facing Main Street | The floats arriving from Main Street and the dancers right at your feet during the showstop | No | Yes | Everyone wants it. Cramped, and you only see the left and right stands | 30-45 min |
| #5 In front of Bella Notte, in Fantasyland | The floats entering and leaving | Yes | Yes | Less attractive backdrop for photos | ~15 min |
Where I suggest watching the Halloween parade, five options depending on the showing.
The spots in detail
#1 Right side of the hub, on Central Plaza (1st showing). This is where I stand for the first run. You get an open view of the castle and of the floats as they come in from Fantasyland (the part of the park behind the castle), and the stands make the showstop easy to see. On the downside, it gets very crowded (get there early), and you won’t see the floats once they head back down Main Street U.S.A.
#2 Center of the hub, on Central Plaza (1st and 2nd showings). This spot gives you the fullest view: the castle, the dancers performing on the hub, and all the floats as they circle around. The catch is that it’s very popular, with a steady flow of guests passing through who aren’t watching the parade.
#3 On Town Square, facing the castle (1st and 2nd showings). Town Square is the square just inside the park entrance. The view there is wide open, with Main Street dressed up for Halloween. For the second showing, you see the floats head out and then make their way back up, with the castle in the background. Watch out, though: the spot is very popular (long wait) and it’s sometimes held for VIPs or for Disneyland Paris’s communications teams.
#4 Bottom of the hub, facing Main Street (2nd showing). When the parade makes its second pass, nowhere beats this spot for seeing the floats climb Main Street U.S.A., and during the showstop the dancers perform right at your feet. Lots of people want it, though: you’ll be squeezed in, and you can only see the stands to your left and right.
#5 In front of Bella Notte, in Fantasyland (1st and 2nd showings). This is the spot I pick when I get there shortly before the parade. You have a direct view of the floats entering and leaving. The only drawback: the backdrop is less attractive for photos.
The Halloween parade route
Since the parade runs twice in opposite directions, here are both routes.
First showing (around 15:25). The parade sets off from Fantasyland (the part of the park behind the castle). It moves up to the Central Plaza hub (the round plaza in front of the castle), where it makes two laps with the showstop (the pause with the dancers). It then travels the full length of Main Street U.S.A. (the big avenue between the castle and the entrance) down to Town Square (the square just inside the entrance) and wraps up just past the Ribbons and Bows Hat Shop.
Second showing (around 17:00). This time the parade starts from the park entrance. It passes the New Century Notions - Flora’s Unique Boutique store without looping around Town Square, then heads up Main Street U.S.A. to the Central Plaza hub, where it does two laps with showstops. It finishes its route in Fantasyland, in front of the "it’s a small world" ride.
These times are approximate and may change, so check them in the official Disneyland Paris app on the day of your visit.
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Dig deeper
To plan the rest of your Halloween visit:
- the Halloween season, the complete guide.
- the Villains Disney puts in the spotlight during the season.
- the Halloween party, the evening event.
- the park’s regular parade, not to be confused with the Halloween one.
- the Christmas parade, for the following season.
Frequently asked questions
01 Where should you stand for the parade, and how early do you need to get there?
The safe bets are the Central Plaza hub and Town Square, facing the castle. Allow 30 to 45 minutes for a good spot, and about 1 hour for the front row. Since the parade runs twice, in opposite directions, the best spot depends on which performance you’re watching.
02 Is there a dedicated viewing area for guests using wheelchairs?
Yes, a free area is set aside for guests in wheelchairs. Its location can change depending on the day and any construction. You can’t reserve it: on the day itself, ask the Cast Members along the route to point you in the right direction.
03 What’s the trick for great parade photos?
Stand in Central Plaza or Town Square, facing the castle. You’ll get the floats and dancers with the castle behind them, which makes for a great shot. For the second performance, Town Square lets you catch the floats heading up the street with the castle in the background.
04 Does a season like Halloween or Christmas require a special ticket or an extra fee?
No. The seasons and their entertainment (decorations, parades, shows, meet and greets) are included in a regular park ticket, with no extra paid evening. Two dates are the exception: October 31 and December 31. On those days, you need a dated ticket for that day, among the priciest of the year. The only add-ons left are the usual services, like Premier Access (paid skip-the-line access) or the premium viewing area for the parade. That said, tickets often cost more during high-demand periods like Halloween, Christmas, and French school vacation.
05 What’s the Halloween parade called, and how often does it run each day?
The Halloween parade is called Mickey’s Halloween Celebration, at Disneyland Park, from September 26 to November 1. It runs twice a day, and the route is reversed from one show to the next. I share the best viewing spots in my Halloween parade guide.
