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What’s coming to Southern California theme parks this summer

May 21, 2026

Southern California theme parks have a full lineup of fun planned for this summer with new roller coasters, revamped rides, rethemed lands, nighttime spectaculars, live concerts, food festivals, special events and after hours parties on tap.

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Let’s take a closer look at what’s going on from Memorial Day through Labor Day at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, SeaWorld San Diego and Legoland California.

Disneyland

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will let the crew decide which Star Wars planets to visit when the rebooted Disneyland ride embarks on a journey to four new destinations with the Mandalorian and Grogu.

The refreshed Smugglers Run ride in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will visit Tatooine, Endor, Bespin and Coruscant when the updated attraction debuts on May 22 at the Anaheim theme park.

Soarin’ Across America

The new “Soarin’ Across America” film coming to the venerable flight simulator ride at Disney California Adventure will debut July 2 — just in time for the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.

“Soarin’ Across America” will be filmed at 33 locations across the United States with the new scenes capturing a bird’s-eye view of the “scenic wonders, amazing cities and the beauty of the coasts” in a celebration of America’s diversity and grandeur.

The Welcome Pride cavalcade with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, Pluto and Clarabelle in rainbow outfits during Pride Nite at Disneyland. (Courtesy of Disneyland)

Pride Night

Gay pride will take center stage at Disneyland with rainbow-colored streets, buildings, attractions, parades, fireworks, dance parties and photo opportunities with Disney characters in a celebration of all things LGBTQ.

The Pride Nite events will be held on June 16 and 18 at Disneyland as part of the Disneyland After Dark series of after hours, separate admission special events.

The Paint the Night Parade travels past It's a Small World at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary from May 16, 2025 through summer 2026.(Photo by Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images) — The Paint the Night Parade travels past It’s a Small World at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Disneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary from May 16, 2025 through summer 2026.(Photo by Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)

70th Anniversary Celebration

Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration continues through the summer with most — but not all — of the original entertainment lineup.

The 15-month celebration that began on May 16, 2025 will officially come to an end on Aug. 9 of this year.

The entertainment lineup includes the “Wondrous Journeys” nighttime spectacular, Paint the Night nighttime parade, “World of Color Happiness” water show, “Tapestry of Happiness” projection show and Celebrate Happy Cavalcade.

The Pixar-themed Better Together parade that was part of the 70th anniversary entertainment lineup ended its run at the end of last summer

Universal Studios Hollywood

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift

The new Fast & Furious coaster coming to Universal Studios Hollywood will open sometime this summer.

The summer 2026 launch window means the first riders will climb aboard Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift sometime after June 21 — the first day of summer. An official opening date has not yet been announced.

Butterbeer Season

Butterbeer Season has returned to Universal Studios Hollywood as the movie theme park celebrates the 25th anniversary of the first Harry Potter film.

Butterbeer Season runs through May 31 in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter themed land.

Knott’s Berry Farm

Montezooma: The Forbidden Fortress

The rethemed Montezooma’s Revenge roller coaster at Knott’s Berry Farm will transport treasure hunters to a hidden fortress when the historic ride returns this summer after a four-year renovation.

The extensive transformation into Montezooma: The Forbidden Fortress will introduce an Aztec-themed train and randomized launch sequences along with a new backstory.

Summer Nights

Knott’s Summer Nights turns the park into a big block party barbecue from June 12 through Aug. 30.

Bands take turns on a pair of stages near the Calico Mine Ride with DJs spinning dance tunes in between sets.

The popular Ghost Town Alive interactive role-playing game will once again run throughout the summer with a new storyline set in Calico.

Six Flags Magic Mountain

DC Comics Heroes & Villains Fest

Superman and the Justice League of America will face off against the Joker’s League of Anarchy when Six Flags Magic Mountain hosts a summer festival of good versus evil with a cast of super heroes and super villains.

DC Heroes & Villains Fest 2026 will run on Friday and Saturday nights from June 19 through July 25 with character appearances, live shows, dance parties, music tributes, themed food, event merchandise and DC-themed rides and attractions.

Looney Tunes Land

Six Flags Magic Mountain will update a 40-year-old kids area starring Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Wile E. Coyote, Road Runner and the Tasmanian Devil as the Valencia amusement park prepares to celebrate its 55th anniversary.

Bugs Bunny World will be transformed into the rethemed Looney Tunes Land with the kids area set to reopen this summer.

This sea turtle is an example of what can be seen in SeaWorld's drone light show — This sea turtle is an example of what can be seen in SeaWorld’s drone light show

SeaWorld San Diego

Ocean of Dreams

SeaWorld San Diego will host a nighttime spectacular with 600 aerial drones this summer that will light up the sky over Mission Bay with towering images of breaching whales, pulsating jellyfish and flipping dolphins.

The new “Ocean of Dreams” aerial drone show will kick off on May 22 at the San Diego marine park.

Soulja Boy and Bow Wow perform as part of the 2025 SeaWorld summer concerts lineup. (SeaWord San Diego)

Summer Concert Series

SeaWorld’s Summer Concert Series running June 6 through Aug. 8 will feature platinum-selling musical acts like Jordin Sparks, Ashanti, Ginuwine, Bow Wow and Soulja Boy.

Shark Encounter

SeaWorld will open the refreshed Shark Encounter exhibit on May 22 with 11 species of sharks gliding overhead in a 180-degree viewing experience.

Bayside Bands, Brew and BBQ

The Bayside Bands, Brew & BBQ seasonal event returns to SeaWorld San Diego with smoked and grilled foods, craft beers and live music.

The waterfront event included with park admission will take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays plus Labor Day Monday from Aug. 14 through Sept. 7.

Legoland California

FIFA World Cup 2026 Experience

Legoland California will celebrate the World Cup with a special event tied to the international soccer tournament taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The Lego World Cup experience running June 11 through July 19 will feature brick building activities, games and photo ops.

Lego Festival

The Lego Festival built just for kids will feature play zones, live music, character meet-and-greets and brick building activities.

The summer event runs July 20 through Aug. 30 at Legoland California.

Orange County Register

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