Disney has officially announced that D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event will return to Anaheim, California from August 14–16, 2026, once again taking over both the Anaheim Convention Center and the Honda Center for a weekend filled with unforgettable reveals, experiences, and Disney magic.
Michael Vargo, head of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, shared the dates during Destination D23 at Walt Disney World’s Coronado Springs Resort, along with the reveal that Disney Legend Jodi Benson (the voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid) will serve as the first official D23 FAN-bassador, engaging with fans throughout the year leading up to the event.
What to Expect in 2026
The 2026 edition will continue the expanded format introduced in 2024, offering fans more immersive experiences and exclusive content than ever before. Fans can expect:
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Marquee showcases and presentations with exciting announcements from across Disney’s worlds of film, television, parks, and more.
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Immersive experiences and exhibits highlighting Disney’s storytelling and innovation.
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Exclusive shopping opportunities with D23-exclusive merchandise.
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The return of D23 Day at Disneyland, bringing added magic to the fan celebration.
Tickets will go on sale in Spring 2026, and as always, demand is expected to be high.
More D23 Highlights Ahead
In addition to the 2026 announcement, Vargo also previewed several upcoming events for fans in 2025, including:
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A D23 Spooktacular Spotlight with Walt Disney Imagineering in Orlando.
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A Halloween “Boo-nanza” event in California with Imagineers and Walt Disney Archives.
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A Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 celebration in December.
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The return of fan-favorite A Jolly Holiday on the Lot at Walt Disney Studios this December.
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A new Walt’s Los Angeles Tour for D23 Gold Members, including stops at Walt’s original studio locations and Imagineering.
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Expanded dates for the Walt Disney Studios Walking Tour, with new interactive elements.
For Disney fans, D23 is the ultimate destination, offering a one-of-a-kind opportunity to be the first to hear major Disney announcements and experience the company’s storytelling magic up close. As Vargo put it:
“D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event offers fans from around the globe a chance to experience the very best in storytelling and innovation in a way that only Disney can deliver.”
With the countdown officially underway, mark your calendars now – Anaheim 2026 is set to be one of Disney’s biggest fan celebrations yet.
Janine is a theme park and pop culture nerd from an early age. Since 1994, she’s been traversing the theme park world and has enjoyed all things from Halloween events to new ride releases and beyond. When she’s not at a theme park, she’s probably at a concert or doing something fun with her kiddo.