Trystan Casey
The Main Street Electrical Parade, a nighttime parade, first premiered at Disneyland in 1972 and has since become the longest-running parade in Disney history, performing at Disney parks worldwide. Created by Robert Jani and project director Ron Miziker, the parade features floats and live performers covered in electronically controlled LED lights. While the parade has not been a constant fixture at Disneyland, it has made several returns, including in 2017, 2019, and most recently in 2022 for its 50th anniversary.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Main Street Electrical Parade |
| Debut | 1972 |
| Creators | Robert Jani and Ron Miziker |
| Location | Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, Southern California |
| Appearances | Walt Disney World Resort's Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris, Disney California Adventure |
| Signature Tune | Baroque Hoedown |
| Lights | 600,000 electronically controlled LED lights |
| Floats | Yes |
| Live Performers | Yes |
| Replacement | Paint the Night Parade |
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What You'll Learn
The Main Street Electrical Parade's history at Disneyland
The Main Street Electrical Parade is a nighttime parade that first premiered at Disneyland in 1972 and has since become the longest-running parade in Disney history, performing at Disney parks worldwide. Created by Robert Jani and project director Ron Miziker, the parade features floats and live performers covered in thousands of electronically-controlled LED lights.
The idea for the parade came about when Miziker, an entertainment producer and director at Disney, read about how people used to walk down the streets with lightbulbs when electricity was first introduced. The parade's predecessor, the Electrical Water Pageant, was a show consisting of fourteen 25-foot-tall screens decorated with electrical lights, presented on Walt Disney World's Seven Seas Lagoon. Shortly after the Electrical Water Pageant debuted in 1971, Card Walker commissioned the development of what became the Main Street Electrical Parade to provide Disneyland with a similar nighttime visual spectacle.
The original parade at Disneyland in California ran from 1972 to 1996 and returned for limited engagements in 2017, 2019, and 2022. The parade has appeared at multiple other Disney parks across the world under various names, including the Magic Kingdom in Florida's Walt Disney World Resort, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris. The parade has also inspired several variations and spin-offs, some of which still operate today, such as the "Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade: DreamLights" and the "Paint the Night Parade" at Hong Kong Disneyland.
The Main Street Electrical Parade is known for its use of technology, with a synchronized soundtrack featuring a signature theme, "Baroque Hoedown," and the creation of the first automated parade show-control program. The parade has become a beloved attraction for adults and children at Disneyland, with its combination of lights, music, and Disney magic.
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The parade's glowing floats and live performers
The Main Street Electrical Parade is a nighttime parade that first premiered at Disneyland in 1972 and has since become the longest-running parade in Disney history, performing at Disney parks worldwide. Created by Robert Jani and project director Ron Miziker, the parade features floats and live performers covered in thousands of electronically-controlled LED lights.
The original parade units were built by Silvestri, a Chicago-based display company known for its holiday light displays along Michigan Avenue. However, construction of the floats fell severely behind schedule, causing Disney to ship the half-built floats to Anaheim, where Imagineering technicians and electricians finished the work. The parade's floats are covered in over 600,000 electronically-controlled LED lights. The Tokyo version of the parade features even more lights, with over 1 million illuminating the night.
The parade uses a synchronised soundtrack featuring a signature theme, Baroque Hoedown, arranged to complement each float. The Tokyo version of the parade features a new G-major and orchestral version of Baroque Hoedown, replacing the classic A-minor version of the song. The parade's logo was updated for its 50th anniversary in 2022, and an inclusive opening fanfare honouring the parade's legacy and Walt Disney's dedication of Disneyland in 1955 was introduced.
The parade has had several sponsors over the years, including General Electric, whose logo appeared on the drum alongside the parade's logo. In 1996, Disneyland announced that the parade would end at the park, and the park's 1996 season became the "Farewell Season". As a promotional event, Disney sold light bulbs certified as having been used in the parade as collectible souvenirs.
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The music and sounds of the parade
The Main Street Electrical Parade, which first premiered at Disneyland in 1972, features floats and live performers adorned with over 600,000 electronically controlled LED lights. The parade is accompanied by a synchronised soundtrack, with a signature theme titled "Baroque Hoedown". The original version of this theme was created in 1967 by early synthesizer pioneers Jean-Jacques Perrey and Gershon Kingsley, and appeared on the album "Kaleidoscopic Vibrations: Electronic Pop Music from Way Out".
The original Disney version of the soundtrack was recorded by synthesizer programmer Paul Beaver and music director Jim Christensen. Music from Disney movies was inserted into the soundtrack to synchronise with "Baroque Hoedown" and accompany each float. Sensors installed along the parade route ensured that guests heard the appropriate music at the right time.
In 1977, the soundtrack was updated and arranged by electronic music artist Don Dorsey and Jack Wagner. This version was used until 5 January 2009, in Disney's Electrical Parade. When the parade returned to Disney California Adventure in June 2009, it began using the updated, orchestrated DreamLights soundtrack from Tokyo Disneyland's Electrical Parade: DreamLights. The 2009 version of the soundtrack, as well as the 2017, 2019, and 2022 runs of the parade at Disneyland, were arranged, programmed, and performed by Gregory Smith.
The parade has also featured different soundtracks for special occasions, such as the Christmas season at Tokyo Disneyland, where Christmas songs are mixed in with the theme music.
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The Paint the Night Parade and other alternatives
The Paint the Night Parade is a beloved Disney parade that combines the nostalgia of the Main Street Electrical Parade with modern technology and upbeat music. It features over a million sparkling lights, Disney and Pixar characters, and electrifyingly lit-up dancers. The parade first premiered at Hong Kong Disneyland on October 1, 2014, as the first fully LED parade at a Walt Disney Park and Resort. The original version of the parade included a show stop where performers interacted with the audience using interactive LED paintbrushes.
The California version of the parade, which opened on May 22, 2015, as part of Disneyland's Diamond Celebration, is inspired by the Main Street Electrical Parade. It features over 1.5 million LED lights, special effects, and 76 performers. The music for this version includes arrangements of "Baroque Hoedown" and Owl City's "When Can I See You Again?".
The Paint the Night Parade has had multiple runs at Disneyland Park in California, most recently in 2025 as part of the Disneyland Resort's 70th-anniversary celebration. The parade route is mostly ground seating, and finding a spot to lean against a light pole or wall is recommended for comfort. Reserved viewing areas and dining packages are also available for those who don't want to camp out on the curb.
In addition to the Paint the Night Parade, there have been other alternatives to the Main Street Electrical Parade at different Disney parks. The Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade: DreamLights is a show that still runs at the park. Disneyland Paris has utilized drones in its nighttime entertainment, including an original drone sequence inspired by the Main Street Electrical Parade, which will illuminate the night skies above Disneyland Park with brilliant colors, fountains, lights, and projections.
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The future of the parade
The Main Street Electrical Parade has been a beloved staple of Disneyland for decades, with its glowing floats, beloved Disney characters, and unforgettable "Baroque Hoedown" tune. While the parade has undergone various iterations and appearances at different Disney parks worldwide, its magic and charm have remained constant.
In recent years, there have been rumours of the parade's potential return to Disneyland, with Disney teasing its 938th farewell run on TikTok in 2021. The parade did indeed make its homecoming in 2022, celebrating its 50th anniversary. This return was met with excitement and nostalgia, especially among Southern California residents who hold a special affinity for the parade.
However, the future of the parade remains uncertain. While it has had a long and illustrious history, with its most recent appearance at a U.S. Disney resort being at Disneyland from April to September 2022, it has also faced competition from newer parades like Paint the Night. Paint the Night offers a similar experience with cutting-edge technology, vibrant LED floats, and the classic charm of a Disney parade, but it is more costly and challenging to operate and maintain.
Disney has also explored alternative forms of entertainment, such as drone shows, which will illuminate the night skies above Disneyland Park with a burst of brilliant colours, fountains, lights, and projections. These drone shows are set to begin in January 2024 and will run alongside other daytime shows featuring beloved Disney and Pixar characters.
While the future of the Main Street Electrical Parade is unknown, it is clear that Disney is committed to providing magical and innovative experiences for its guests. The parade has left an indelible mark on the history of Disneyland, and its legacy will continue to be cherished by fans for years to come.
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Frequently asked questions
The Main Street Electrical Parade was a nighttime parade that first premiered at Disneyland in 1972 and ran until 1996. The parade returned for limited engagements in 2017, 2019, and from April to September 2022.
The parade was replaced by Light Magic in 1997, but due to poor results, Disney cancelled it and brought back the Main Street Electrical Parade for limited runs.
The parade featured floats and live performers covered in over 600,000 electronically controlled LED lights. The parade also had a synchronised soundtrack with a signature theme, "Baroque Hoedown".
Yes, the Paint the Night Parade is a similar nighttime parade featuring LED floats, beloved characters, and an electrifying soundtrack.
