After nearly three years on hiatus, the Magic Happens parade is finally set to make its second debut at Disneyland this weekend. See what’s in store for this celebrated parade’s big return!

If you never got the opportunity to catch Magic Happens at Disneyland Park when it premiered back in 2020, now is your chance! As part of the Disney100 Celebration taking place all year long, Disney is bringing back this short-lived and much-loved parade, giving Guests another chance to experience its magic. The Magic Happens parade is set to make its grand return at Disneyland on February 23, 2023!

What’s in store for this magical daytime entertainment? We’ve got a look at what you can expect when Mickey and friends start making their way down the parade route.

NOTE: The official date of the Magic Happens return has been pushed back due to rain. The parade’s big re-premiere was canceled on February 23. Keep an eye on the Disneyland app on February 24 and 25 to see if it may be able to hit the streets of Disneyland later this weekend!

Magic Happens is a True Daytime Spectacular

A look at the float inspired by Frozen 2. Photo courtesy of Disney

If you’re looking to be dazzled, you don’t want to miss Magic Happens! This incredible parade is a daytime spectacular, featuring moments of magic from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios – and it’s all led by Mickey Mouse himself. Featuring incredible floats, artistic and colorful costumes, and an energetic musical score that Guests couldn’t get enough of back in 2020, it’s a can’t-miss performance.

As Jordan Peterson, Show Director for Disney Live Entertainment, explains, “‘Magic Happens’ celebrates magical moments in the lives of our Disney and Pixar characters, all brought to life on a grand scale. I can’t wait for Disneyland Park guests to once again delight in the magic of Coco, the transformation of Cinderella, the moment Arthur pulls the sword from the stone, and so many more!”

As this parade winds its way through Disneyland, you’ll get the chance to see nine floats that act as pieces of moving art, telling a story alongside more than 90 performers and more than two dozen Disney and Pixar characters.

You’ll also hear two original songs that really enhance the parade’s magic and action. There’s the main theme, “Magic Happens,” and a special grand finale song that weaves together musical nods to past Disney entertainment productions, like the Remember the Magic parade and both the Wishes and Remember… Dreams Come True fireworks spectaculars. According to Todrick Hall, singer-songwriter and “Magic Happens” co-composer, “Co-composing the music for ‘Magic Happens’ was a full circle moment for me. I learned how to dance from watching Disney parades, so the fact that I got to create the music that these iconic Disney characters perform to is pretty much the most epic thing that has happened to me in my life!”

See an Array of Disney Characters and Magical Movie Moments

The marigold-covered float inspired by Coco. Photo courtesy of Disney

Magic Happens is filled with plenty of standout moments. As the parade opens, Mickey Mouse leads the way from atop glistening swirls of magic, which all originate from a giant, iridescent magical hat that’s nearly 15 feet tall and covered in an impressive 300 shimmering LED lights. Joining Mickey and a group of performers are Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, and Chip ‘n’ Dale.

In addition to the Fab Five, you’ll also spot some more recent characters – like Moana, Maui, and Pua, who makes their appearance on the first-ever full-scale Moana-inspired float created for a Disney theme park. You’ll also spot Anna and Elsa from Frozen and Frozen 2, who are exploring the Enchanted Forest with Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf along for the trip. They’re on board the longest float in the parade. And one of the standout floats, inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Coco, features Miguel playing the guitar of Ernesto de la Cruz on a bridge between the Land of the Living and the Land of the Dead with his dog Danté and alebrije spirit animals. The Coco-inspired float features more than 30,000 marigold flowers in total!

And you don’t want to overlook all of the characters throughout the rest of the Magic Happens parade. You’ll be able to catch iconic characters like Princess Aurora, Prince Phillip, the three Good Fairies, Aladdin, Genie, Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Pinocchio, and Fairy Godmother from classic Disney films. There’s even a chance to spot characters who rarely appear at Disneyland Park, like Merlin and Arthur from The Sword in the Stone!

No matter your favorite Disney characters or films, Magic Happens will absolutely light your theme park visit up with incredibly magical moments!

Check the Disneyland App for the Latest Parade Updates

Although fans have been waiting years – literally! – for Magic Happens to return to Disneyland Park, weather may ultimately delay its grand premiere on February 24, 2023. With rain and wind happening predicted for the weekend, showtimes may change. Schedule changes and even parade cancellations can happen at the last minute. Make sure to keep an eye on the Disneyland app throughout the day so you know exactly when (and if) the parade will take place!

“Magic Happens” Parade Returns to Disneyland in 2023