SeaWorld Christmas Celebration is a great time to visit the Orlando park. With holiday meet and greets, shows, and specialty treats this is a great theme park to visit during the holidays. In this post I am sharing everything you need to know about visiting during SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration.
The SeaWorld Christmas Celebration was a surprise hit for our family. We honestly weren’t sure what to expect when visiting for the day.
It was our first visit to SeaWorld so everything was new to us but, with specialty food and beverages, holiday shows, and festive decor throughout the park SeaWorld really delivered on a fantastic holiday theme park experience.
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SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration- My Experience
First impression…I was impressed. The festivities throughout the park were really well done. It was such a fun experience for all of us.
We started the day doing all of the popular rides and attractions, then took a mid-day break at our rental house, then returned back for the holiday events. All of us loved the holiday decor at the park. It was a beautiful winter wonderland in the middle of Orlando.
Christmas at SeaWorld Orlando 2026: Dates & Overview
SeaWorld Christmas Celebration runs from November 6th 2026 – through January 4th 2027. Most of the holiday activities and events are included with your admission ticket except for any VIP extras or add-ons.
Below is the holiday enhancements in the park. I have noted where an additional charge is required.
- O Wonderous Night Show (Features life-size puppets and live animals.)
- Miracles (show)
- S’mores Station
- Christmas Movies at SeaFire Inn
- Clyde & Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas (show)
- Mrs. Claus’ Magic Kitchen (Show)
- Orca & Dolphin Adventures Christmas Pre-Show
- Holiday Reflections: Fireworks Finale (Festive fireworks show at the end of the night.)
- Elmo’s Christmas Wish Show
- Big Birds Christmas Storytime
- Sesame Street Christmas Parade
- Snow Flurries at the Waterfront
- Sea of Trees
- Winter Wonderland on Ice
- Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer Story Walk-Thru
- Photo with Santa Clause
- Holiday Photos with Sesame Street Friends
- Elves Christmas Story
- Holiday Train Display
- Holiday Entertainment from Jump Rope Toy Soldiers and Ice Stilt Walkers
- Snow Globe Ballerina
- Most rides and attractions are open during the event.
- 18 Seasonal Holiday Treat and Beverage Kiosks (additional cost)
- Christmas Celebration VIP Tour (additional cost)
- Holiday Candle Making (additional cost)
- Public Ice Skating at Bayside Stadium (Outdoor ice rink, additional cost)
- Festive Foods and Seasonal Sips Sampling Lanyard (additional cost)
- Sesame Street Christmas Breakfast (additional cost)
- Dinner with Santa (additional cost)
- Cookies, Cocoa & Milk with Special Holiday Guest VIP Fireworks Viewing (additional cost)
- Hanukkah Celebration (December 4th-12th, nightly menorah lightning and storytelling)
- Kwanzaa Festivities (December 26th- January 1st, nightly kinara lightings)
- New Year’s Eve Celebration
- Three Kings Celebration (January 3-6, traditional Latin dishes and performances)
Christmas at SeaWorld Map
Below you will find the map of all the extras during the Christmas at SeaWorld event. I suggest making an itinerary before you leave for the park to plan out your visit.
Holiday Food & Treats
There are over 40 different food and beverages to choose from and the best way to do it is to purchase the Festive Food and Sip Sampler. This allows you to pay one price with a punch card. A 10 sample lanyard cost $59.99 and a 5 sample lanyard cost $35.99. We like to share a lanyard and sample the different offerings throughout our time at the park.
We tried braised pork and mac and cheese, chicken and waffles, frozen hot chocolate, cinnamon pretzels, Hot cocoa, and so many more delicious items.
If I was going to do it again, I would arrive early to the food booths and try our favorites early. We really wanted to try the chocolate covered bacon and mini-donuts but didn’t have time.
The crowds were a bit busy and the lines were sometimes long for the booths. We expected larger crowds because it was a Saturday and a week before Christmas, so I am really just pointing it out to set your expectations.
I also suggest going through the guide and deciding what you would like to try. Be prepared for which food options you want to try and head to those first. There are so over 40 different sweet and savory treats to choose from. Check out the full list here.
Rudolph Christmas Town
At SeaWorld they have an awesome interactive meet and greet experience where you can meet Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and his friends. As you enter Rudolph’s Christmas Town you follow along with the story of Rudolph and the Christmas adventure he goes on.
Along the path you will have a chance to meet the characters from Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and Bumble. At the meet and greets there are photographers set-up but they will also take pictures for you.
This was a really unique and fun experience that we all really enjoyed.
Sesame Street During the Holidays
There are a lot of fun things happening for the little ones in the Sesame Street area of the park. From meet and greets to story times, Elmo’s Wish show, and a Sesame Street Holiday Parade, this is a great area to spend time with young kids. Older kids and adults will enjoy the parade too!
Sea Of Trees (My Favorite)
I love holiday lights and holiday light shows, and the Sea of Trees was so good! The Sea of Trees is a beautiful show of 100 trees lit up on the central lagoon and synchronized to music. You can watch it from anywhere in the park around the lake.
This was one of our absolute favorite parts about the holiday event.
Holiday UpGrades at SeaWorld
Christmas at SeaWorld offers additional upgrades to enhance your visit.
- Dinner with Santa: $45.00 and up.
- Christmas Celebration VIP Tour: starts at $249.99
- Includes private VIP tour guide, free parking, Dinner with Santa, photos with Rudolph, priority seating at shows, and hot cocoa refills.
- Sesame Street Christmas Breakfast: Starts at $34.00, breakfast with Elmo & Friends
- Public Ice Skating: $15.00 skates included, must have crew length socks & gloves or purchase them
- O Wondrous Night Close Up Tour: $39.99 and up, behind the scenes tour of show
Christmas at SeaWorld- Is It Worth it
Our visit to Christmas at SeaWorld Orlando was a great holiday surprise. There was so much to do at the park and it was a great way to celebrate the holiday season in Orlando. I loved how festive they decorate the park and it everything that is included in your admission is more than enough to enjoy the holidays.
A lot of the festivities are included with your general theme park admission which makes it a great place to celebrate the holidays without a lot of added costs.
One thing we didn’t get to see that I will include next time is the Sesame Street Christmas Parade. It looks like an amazing nostalgic parade that is perfect for families. Christmas at SeaWorld is a great value because most of the rides are open plus you have lots of entertainment and holiday activities to enjoy.
Love Visiting Theme Parks During the Holidays? SeaWorld Orlando isn’t the only theme park that goes all out for Christmas! Our family has also experienced the holiday celebrations at Universal Orlando and Hersheypark Christmas Candylane. If you’re looking for more festive family adventures, check out our firsthand experiences, favorite holiday activities, and tips for planning your visit!
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Leah has been traveling with her family of 5 since 2012 and sharing her expertise on planning family vacations and visiting theme parks since 2016. Leah has been featured in Visit Rochester, Undercover Tourist, and Home Publications. She has worked with brands like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Hersheypark, Toyota, and various Tourism boards and destinations. Leah creates family travel itineraries based on real trip experiences with her family. Her guides and tips help others plan great family vacations. Learn more about Leah and Five for the Road.