Celebrating the holidays at SeaWorld Orlando is nothing short of enchanting, from decorations welcoming you at every turn to a carefully curated food and beverage menu that embodies the essence of the holidays. Annually, the creative minds behind the scenes put together SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration, an inclusive event that celebrates many walks of life for their guests.
As families embark on their SeaWorld Orlando adventure, maximizing the fun and ensuring everyone is thoroughly entertained becomes the key to making the most of their time and creating unforgettable moments together. There are likely some who may be first-timers or wish to be reacquainted with SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, so we’ve included our favorite experiences for every family member. In addition, we’ve ordered these activities so readers can experience them in our preferred way, but everyone is welcome to mix and match the steps in their holiday journey.
Ensure your family’s holiday adventure kicks off on a festive note – grab your discounted SeaWorld Orlando admission through Orlando Informer and make the season merrier!
SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration: Meet and Greets
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Location: Pipeline Pathway
Themed meet-and-greets are common at any theme park, but where else can you interact with the North Pole’s star buck, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? This photo opportunity features life-size storybook vignettes of the classic stop-motion tale throughout its queue and set. Along with Rudolph, guests can also meet Bumble, the famed abominable snow monster.
Times vary during event days, so it’s best to keep an eye on the show schedule via the official SeaWorld Orlando app.
Photos With Santa Claus
Location: Near Wild Arctic
What’s Christmas without Santa Claus? Jolly Saint Nick can be found near Wild Arctic during SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration event days. Guests of all ages can speak with Father Christmas and share their holiday wishes. Santa’s appearance times may vary, so it’s best to keep an eye on the show schedule during the event via the Official SeaWorld App.
Anyone wanting to add a little extra magic to their visit can also opt for the Dinner with Santa Claus package. While guests can meet Santa at no charge, the add-on experience has a starting cost of $43.99 plus tax for adults and $15.99 plus tax for children ages three to nine. Included in the dinner is an all-you-can-eat holiday meal with Santa that features the likes of turkey breast, pork loin, Yukon Potatoes, as well as a kids buffet filled with classics like chicken tenders and corn dogs.
SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration: Holiday Shows
Elmo’s Christmas Wish
Location: Seaport Theater
It’s Christmas time on Sesame Street, and everyone has their wish list! Everyone except for Elmo, that is. The fan-favorite red, fuzzy resident of Sesame Street needs help finding out his wish, and he’s enlisting everyone he can to assist! Throughout the show, Cookie Monster, Rosalita, Grover, and Zoe sing their wishes to help inspire Elmo as they cover Christmas hits in an unforgettable performance.
Elmo’s Christmas Wish takes place during select hours of the day, so keep up with SeaWorld Orlando’s show schedule for the times.
Mrs. Claus’ Magic Kitchen
Location: Seaport Theater
Mrs. Claus is well-known as the original Christmas cookie baker, don’t you know? Santa’s charged one of his most trusted elves, Kirby, to set up a web series showcasing Mrs. Claus’ baking skills. Seaport Theater’s interactive show has audience members taking “elfies” with Santa’s Helpers and helping Mrs. Claus in the pop-up kitchen. Guests attending SeaWorld Orlando’s newest holiday show will experience laughter, magic, and “just a hint of chaos,” making it a must-see this year.
Of course, the showtimes vary for this evening show. Check the park’s show schedule or the park hours page in the app for when it occurs.
SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration: Family Experiences
Snow Flurries at the Waterfront
Location: The Waterfront
There’s nothing like taking in the Christmas happenings with a cozy cup of hot cocoa. SeaWorld Orlando transforms into a winter wonderland, where snow flurries magically fall throughout the day. Take a stroll to The Christmas Village nearby, where you can cozy up by a crackling bonfire and be serenaded by festive carols.
Whether you’re kicking off your day, concluding your holiday visit, or simply seeking a delightful break from the day’s excitement, this spot is our top recommendation for creating memorable moments at SeaWorld Orlando.
Christmas Movies at Seafire Grill
Location: Seafire Grill
Navigating the whirlwind of creating cherished memories at SeaWorld Orlando’s dazzling shows and photo ops, especially with the whole family in tow, can be quite an adventure. Yet, those quieter moments in between become the heart of the experience.
SeaWorld Orlando understands the value of these interludes, offering a fantastic option: During SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration, Seafire Grill shows a rotating schedule of holiday classics nightly. This ingenious idea from the event’s creative minds offers the perfect blend of entertainment and relaxation, as grabbing a meal and movie at one of the park’s quick-service restaurants is an excellent option while attending their holiday event.
SeaWorld Orlando Christmas Celebration: Special Holiday Celebrations
Hanukkah Celebration
Location: Sesame Street Land
December 7 – 15
Guests celebrating Hanukkah can find the lighting of the menorah in Sesame Street Land, accompanied by a narrator sharing the story of this celebration on select dates. The nightly show times may change, so stay updated on the park’s show schedule for the latest information.
Kwanzaa Celebration
Location: Sesame Street Land
December 26 – January 1
On select dates, SeaWorld also celebrates Kwanzaa. The returning event educates guests about Kwanzaa’s history and traditions during an outdoor performance. The host will speak on the holiday’s principles as they light the kinara nightly in Sesame Street Land. Similarly to the park’s Hanukkah celebration, guests interested will want to refer to SeaWorld Orlando’s show schedule for its show times.
New Year’s Eve
December 31
As part of the holiday festivities, SeaWorld Orlando has a fitting way to ring in the new year. The park will present a festive show of lights, pyrotechnics, and high-energy music on New Year’s Eve. The performance features a dazzling spectacle of fireworks and projections in unison with the park’s signature Sea of Trees and can be seen throughout the park.
As of now, SeaWorld Orlando’s show schedule indicates that it occurs just before the park’s closing time, but it is advisable to verify the current show schedule during your visit.
Three Kings Celebration
January 5 – 7
During SeaWorld Orlando’s Three Kings Celebration, the park goes all out with food, shows, and music. During select dates, guests can enjoy festive cuisine and extended opportunities to enjoy the Sea of Trees, festive holiday lights, and O Wondrous Night. Of course, guests will want to check the show schedule and park hours page for accurate show times.
SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration occurs on select dates until January 2, 2024. You can get your discounted admission tickets to SeaWorld at Orlando Informer. You can also discuss vacation planning with our SeaWorld Community on Facebook!
