What’s new for events in Anaheim? The Southern California city is expecting to host nearly 1 million attendees in 2024, said Visit Anaheim Senior Vice President, Sales & Services Ronnie Collins. The Anaheim Convention Center (ACC) is home to a number of major conventions, including the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show, Natural Products Expo West, WonderCon, VidCon, D23 and more. 

Visit Anaheim, the city’s official destination marketing organization (DMO), has confirmed 148 conventions, meetings and events for 2024, which are projected to generate 610,000 room nights and to bring more than $1.5 billion in economic impact to the community. Combined, these 50 conventions at ACC, comprising 77 meetings and 21 events, will generate an estimated $15 million in tourism occupancy tax revenue for the city.

The NAMM Show kicked off the year by bringing together more than 62,000 attendees who are part of the $17 billion music products industry — a double-digit increase over last year’s attendance numbers. NAMM was a boon for the local economy, bringing more than $120 million and 25,000 room nights in 2024 — surpassing last year’s figures of $88 million and 17,000 room nights, according to Visit Anaheim. 

Related: Post-Show Recap: NAMM Show Produces Largest Event Since 2020 

If you are planning an exhibit, a trade show or a corporate event in Anaheim, we’ve got the scoop on what you need to know. In January, we spent three days attending NAMM and conducting site visits in Anaheim, and here’s what we learned.

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel

With easy access to the Downtown Disney District and an entrance with direct access to Disney California Adventure Park, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel offers 948 rooms, including 40 suites, said Kelly Feeney, sales manager with Disney Meetings & Events. Closed for more than one year during the pandemic, the 6-story hotel features AAA Four Diamond Award-winning accommodations in the refined Craftsman style. View the full photo gallery here.

Need to know for events: With 20,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting and event space, the Disney meeting space features state-of-the-art audiovisual systems, intelligent lighting and projection, a ground-level loading dock, a freight elevator and more. There are built-in registration desks, and private entrances to the conference space. Mickey Mouse can even introduce VIPs. View floorplans here.

Napa Rose

Located in Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Napa Rose can be bought out for private events. In the evening we toured the restaurant, which was hosting C. F. Martin & Co., an exhibitor at NAMM, which has bought out the restaurant annually for an event. Set against a backdrop designed to enhance the natural beauty of the Golden State, the restaurant offers upscale California fare and an extensive wine list in an elegant setting. The maximum capacity for a full buyout for a seated dinner is 240.

Back story: Since its launch in 2002, Napa Rose has received accolades and awards from a number of esteemed organizations, including the Wine Spectator, Zagat, The Southern California Restaurant Writers and the Orange County Business Journal. Coming from the Auberge Du Soleil in Napa Valley before opening Napa Rose, Chef Andrew Sutton can create a tasting menu tailored to your preferences.

Carthay Circle Restaurant 

Located in Disney California Adventure Park, Carthay Circle Restaurant occupies the second floor of a reproduction of the iconic Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles. Inside this plush Golden Age movie palace, sophisticated cuisine and retro cocktails have top billing.

Fun facts: Built in 1926, the original Carthay Circle Theatre was one of the movie palaces of Hollywood’s golden age, and it played a pivotal role in Walt Disney’s life. His first feature-length film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, premiered there in 1937. The design and décor reflect the romance and glamor of that bygone era with rare artifacts and references to the early Disney era. 

Dining here: Discover a modern, seasonal menu in nostalgic Art Deco surroundings. The fare spotlights Southern California flavors and fresh, locally sourced ingredients — courtesy of Chef Sutton, culinary director of the award-winning Napa Rose. Our group tasted a selection of small plates, like Carthay "Wedge" salad, roasted globe artichoke, and Spanish potato croquette, then explored entrees including the thick cut pork chop, ribeye steak and butternut squash and sage gnocchi. View the full menu here.

World of Color – ONE

Located in the Disney California Adventure Park, World of Color – ONE is a 24-minute light and water show (think Bellagio fountains done the Disney way) that plays nightly as the park closes (weather permitting). The show celebrates the story of Walt Disney and brings to life scenes and characters from Disney and Pixar films, including The Lion King, Moana, Ratatouille, Soul, Star Wars, The Avengers and more. 

VIP viewing event: Groups can host a VIP viewing event that includes premium seats in Paradise Gardens Park. Attendees can feast on a delicious selection of desserts and cheeses and sip delectable drinks, while sitting at a dedicated viewing area to watch the dazzling show. 

Puesto 

Located less than a block from the ACC, Puesto is an upscale Mexican Artisan Kitchen and Bar that is owned and operated by a first-generation Mexican American family. The dining experience features handmade blue corn tortillas, fresh guacamole and ceviche, and signature tacos and margaritas.

Need to know for events: Designed by Paul Basile of BASILE Studio, the space at Puesto Anaheim makes use of bright colors and rich contrasting materials. There are a variety of spaces to accommodate anything from intimate dinner gatherings to lively receptions with tray-passed tacos and margaritas. A full buy-out of the entire space can accommodate seating for 160 or standing for 300. View the private event space options here.

House of Blues Anaheim

Located about a half-mile from the ACC, House of Blues Anaheim (HoB) Anaheim is owned and managed by Live Nation. On the evening we visited, the venue was hosting more than one private event for NAMM exhibitors, each with different entrances. Since opening at the Gardenwalk in 2017, the concert venue features a 2,200-person main concert hall and the more intimate 400-capacity Parish.

Fun facts: Check out the wall of skateboards signed by artists to commemorate each sold-out show at the venue. HoB Anaheim has hosted some of the most well-known acts in the world across a wide spectrum of genres — rock legends Billy Idol and Santana, contemporary stars like Maren Morris and Tori Kelly, rappers DMX and Young Dolph, and the harder rock vibes of Korn and Thrice.

Need to know for events: Featuring 40,000 sq. ft. of flexible design space, HoB Anaheim offers four distinctive event spaces, including a VIP members-only club, a restaurant and bar featuring contemporary and traditional Southern art and cuisine, a small elegantly designed private event room and a large, multi-story music hall. Each area features state-of-the-art staging, lighting and sound with lively bars throughout the entire venue.