We feel right at home at SeaWorld Orlando ... and it's not just the large amount of water for us to splash around in! SeaWorld Orlando has a way of making every holiday come alive with the perfect amount of festivities to make you feel like you're at an amazing theme park and your hometown, all at once. With decadent treats, impressive entertainment and millions of glittering lights, SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration is the perfect example of holidays done right. What more could a Frog Family ask for?
FAQs
- What is SeaWorld Christmas Celebration? SeaWorld Christmas Celebration is an annual event that includes fan favorite holiday experiences including millions of sparkling lights, a sea of trees, award-winning live shows, ice-skating, delicious holiday foods and more!
- When does SeaWorld Christmas Celebration take place? SeaWorld Christmas Celebration takes place from Nov. 7, 2025, to Jan. 5, 2026.
- Is SeaWorld Christmas Celebration included with park admission? Yes, SeaWorld Christmas Celebration is included with park admission.
- What characters will I get to meet at SeaWorld Christmas Celebration? You'll have the opportunity to meet Rudolph and Bumble from "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", your favorite Sesame Street friends and, of course, Santa Claus himself!
- Does it snow at SeaWorld Christmas Celebration? Keep your eyes out for spectacular snow flurries at the Waterfront throughout the day!
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Overview of SeaWorld Orlando's Christmas Celebration
SeaWorld Orlando's Christmas Celebration is a winter holiday event that brings the spirit of Christmas to life in a spectacular way. Visitors can experience live shows, sparkling lights and festive decorations throughout the park. Meet Santa Claus, enjoy seasonal treats and take a stroll through a winter wonderland with dazzling holiday displays — including a memorable fireworks display. This heartwarming event offers the chance to create lasting memories and celebrate the joy of the season in a unique and fun-filled way.
Here’s our rundown on SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, taking place on select dates from Nov. 7, 2025 through Jan. 5 2026. The best part? It's all included with regular SeaWorld Park admission. Save a little green this holiday season and purchase your tickets through Undercover Tourist!
Entertainment at SeaWorld Orlando's Christmas Celebration
SeaWorld Orlando always blows us out of the water (so to speak!) when it comes to entertainment — and SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration is no exception. Showtimes vary by day (and the special entertainment is only offered on days the Celebration is hoppening), so you'll want to check out the park hours and experience times before making your plans! For example, here is a list of all of the entertainment in store at SeaWorld Orlando's Christmas Celebration!
O Wondrous Night
A returning fan-favorite, this musical brings together life-size puppets and live animals to share the greatest story ever told. Featuring 30 classic carols, this signature show is sure to charm, delight and entertain frogs of all ages — no matter what they celebrate.
Sea of Trees
You’ll be singing “Walkin’ in a Water Wonderland …” while walking through SeaWorld’s immersive sea of holiday trees, which appear to be floating on water. The trees turn into different colors and patterns, making it a sight to see! This fun display is visible throughout the evening and is great to appreciate in passing between shows. The best views are from the bridge that stretches across the lake. However, these dancing lights can be appreciated from anywhere around the lake.
Snow Flurries at the Waterfront
Find yourself dreaming of a White Christmas? Luckily for you, several times a night from sunset to park close, the Waterfront turns into a picturesque Winter Wonderland as snow flurries fall from the sky! We love when the weather calls for "snoap" and so will your little tadpoles. Engage in a friendly "snowball fight" or use this time to take some festive holiday pics! (Just try to refrain from sticking your tongue out.) While you're enjoying the flurries, keep an eye out for some elves, ballerinas and toy soldiers! (Hey, they don't want to miss out on the fun either, you know!)
Winter Wonderland on Ice
Nothing says “Christmas” like a little ice skating — and this show screams “Christmas,” with a full-blown extravaganza on ice at Bayside Stadium. Figure skaters will wow you with choreography to classic Christmas tunes. Enjoy the dazzling view of the Sea of Trees as they light up while the professional skaters amaze you with their show-stopping moves in groups, couples and solo numbers. Lily especially enjoyed the life-size skating penguins.
Sesame Street Christmas Parade
Big Bird's Christmas Storytime
Gather 'round Big Bird's cozy nest to hear some of his favorite Christmas stories during Storytime with Big Bird, hoppening at select times throughout the day.
Public Ice Skating at Bayside Stadium
Guests can skate alongside the water of SeaWorld's central lagoon for an additional cost of $15 — and this price includes skate rental. Crew-length socks and gloves must also be worn and can be purchased on-site. For the tadpoles or anyone who has trouble on the ice, adorable, animal-shaped ice skating aids are available so you can avoid a crash and burn (or in this case, a freezing fall!). Make your reservation here and plan to arrive at the stadium 30 minutes prior to your selected skating time.
Character Meet and Greets
You can share your wish list with the big man himself at the Wild Artic Gift Shop daily from 12:30 p.m. to park close through Dec. 24, 2025. Just hop onto Santa's sleigh, and let him know what you want before posing for a picture. Professional photographers are available to take photos during the meet-and-greet. There's no better way to capture the magic of the holiday season! Don't want to wait in line? Book the FRONT OF THE SLEIGH Santa Reservation Upgrade to reserve your photo time.
If you’ve already met up with Santa elsewhere, there are plenty more holiday friends to hang out with. In Rudolph's Christmas Town, you can find Rudolph and Bumble who are hoppy to play and take photos with you and your tadpoles. We highly recommend taking the time to meet these cute, fun and unique characters. Stroll through storybook vignettes featuring the classic tale and immerse yourself in the story of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"!
Don't froget to spend some time on Sesame Street where furry friends are celebrating in festive holiday attire! Make memories and get a photo with your favorite Sesame Street characters at Photos with Elmo & Friends throughout the day.
Holiday Reflections: Fireworks Finale
Capping your night at the parks has never felt so festive with Holiday Reflections: Fireworks Finale! This show is amazing! Fireworks burst across the nighttime sky, set to your favorite holiday songs from now until Dec. 31.
SeaWorld recommends viewing this show from the Waterfront, Bayside Stadium or the Orca Encounter Pathway. Any spot is great but we love watching them right in front of where they're set off from the seats at the stadium to get the best view of the lit-up trees!
Mrs. Claus' Magic Kitchen
Mrs. Claus has not only taken over Seaport Theater, but social media, as well! Join the world's most famous cookie baker as she spills the North Pole's sweetest culinary secrets — all while trying to keep up with the latest social trends. This hilarious new holiday show will have you ho-ho-hoing from start to finish.
Clyde & Seamore's Countdown to Christmas
Head on down to Sea Lion & Otter Stadium to celebrate the season with a hilarious Christmas comedy show! In this returning classic, Clyde and Seamore — along with a few mischievous otters, a comical elf and even a jolly walrus — invite guests to their fun-filled holiday celebration.
Holiday Trains
Be sure to also stop by the miniature Christmas train set near the Dolphin Nursery beautifully adorned with twinkling lights, charming villages and seasonal cheer. It's a delightful display that will immediately transport you to a winter wonderland!
Special Holiday Offerings at SeaWorld Orlando's Christmas Celebration
Plan your visit around these special holiday celebrations!
Coasters After Dark: Christmas Edition
Experience the ultimate holiday thrill at this limited capacity event on Nov. 7, 2025 from 8 to 11 p.m. Strap on in and delight in a festive night filled with excitement as your favorite coasters transform under twinkling lights, creating a perfect holiday atmosphere for friends and family. Get ready to tackle Manta, Journey to Atlantis, Pipeline: The Surf Coaster, Ice Breaker, Penguin Trek, Kraken and Mako — all with lower wait times!
Each event night, enjoy unbeatable deals at Flamecraft and Glacier Bar. Buy any alcoholic beverage and get your second drink OR an appetizer for only $5! The irresistible taste of buttery popcorn is also included with your admission which you can find at Manta Market, High Seas Market and Glacier Bar.
Get a head start on the festivities by entering SeaWorld one hour before the event starts, allowing your to explore the park while it's still open to daytime guests. Start your visit with Holiday Reflections: Fireworks Finale and and stay late for an unfrogettable night! Get your tickets here.
Veterans Day Weekend Celebration
From Nov. 7 to 11, 2025, SeaWorld Orlando will be hosting a special Veterans Appreciation Celebration to honor the dedication and sacrifice of our servicemen and women. Come together to express gratitude, share stories and enjoy meaningful activities that celebrate the courage and commitment of our veterans.
Veterans and other Waves of Honor ticket holders will be allowed to enter the park through the Waves of Honor Entrance - Presented by Navy Federal Credit Union during the celebration weekend! Follow signage upon arrival to gain access to this dedicated entrance.
Take part in a Veterans salute at Orca Encounter, Dolphin Adventures and Flippers, Facts and Fun: The Sea Lion Experience and celebrate our Veterans with a patriotic fireworks display on Nov. 7 to 9, 2025, at 7 p.m. as a heartfelt thank you for their dedication and sacrifice.
Pin Trading at SeaWorld Orlando
Head on over to Shops of Water Front for a special event on Nov. 8, 2025 from 2 to 4 p.m. To participate in trading, you'll just need to purchase pins the day of the event and show your receipt. You'll even get to select from new ones in store!
Guy Harvey Weekend
Join Guy Harvey for meet-and-greets, autographs, photo opportunities and more from Nov. 28 to 29, 2025.
Dining at SeaWorld Orlando's Christmas Celebration
Moreover, SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration is overflowing with special holiday snacks, treats and drinks. There are plenty of seasonal dishes that will have the whole family hoppin’ for more. Be aware that Christmas Food Facilities open at 4 p.m on event dates.
Here are the menus from 2024:
Claus Cookie Co.
- Carrol's Wreath Soft Pretzel — A sweet, salty and buttery pretzel in the shape of a wreath
- Fresh Baked Deep-Dish Cookie — Featuring chocolate chip, oatmeal raisins and M&Ms
- Frozen Hot Chocolate — Topped with whipped cream and sweet chocolate sauce (yum!)
- Frozen Eggnog Delight — Topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce
- Premium Specialty Hot Chocolate — Served with whipped cream and your choice of either peppermint or toasted marshmallows; available in a souvenir cup!
- Make Any Drink Jolly — Your choice of Kahlua, Peppermint Schnapps and Baileys Irish Cream (for frogs 21 and older, of course)
'Tis The Season Beignets
- Oreo Beignets — Topped with caramel, white chocolate and an Oreo cookie crumble
- Bananas Fosters Beignets
- (New) Strawberries and Cream — Featuring strawberries, powdered sugar and Bavarian cream
- Southern Tier Brulé
- Windermere Brewing Cranberry Graham Cracker Sour Ale
- Gingerbread Martini — Gingerbread flavoring with a cinnamon-dusted rim
- Christmas Cheers — Hendrix Gin, orange, lime and cranberry, garnished with an orange wheel
- Coca-Cola Mocha Cola — Monin cold brew coffee concentrate and Coke
- Coca-Cola North Pole Fizz — Monin Natural Zero Vanilla mixed with Diet Coke and topped with whipped cream
- Coca-Cola Stores Float — Monin Toasted Marshmallow syrup, Coke and vanilla ice cream
- Gingerbread Float — Monin Gingerbread Syrup, Sprite and vanilla ice cream
Christmas Comforts
- Bison Burger — Bison patty topped with bacon, lettuce, tomato, swiss cheese, onion jam and a pickle
- Golden Holiday Truffled Fries — Topped with parmesan cheese, truffle oil, cilantro and special seasonings
- Santa's Mini Apple Pie — An apple pie bouche covered in a caramel glaze
- Walking Tree Babycakes Oatmeal Stour
- Not Santa's Milk and Cookies — Vanilla vodka, Rumchata and cinnamon, garnished with ginger snap cookie crumbs
Holly Jolly Cookies & Cocoa
- Fresh Baked Deep-Dish Cookies — Options include oatmeal, M&Ms and chocolate chip
- Premium Specialty Hot Cocoa
- Make Any Drink Jolly — Your choice of Baileys Irish Cream, Peppermint Schnapps or Kahlua to make any drink Jolly! (For frogs 21 and older!)
Festin' Feliz
- Arroz con Lichen — Rice with roasted pork, sweet plantains and pigeon peas
- Beef and Cheese Empanada — Topped with a cilantro crema
- (New) Pork Tamales — Cotija cheese, chicharrónes and cilantro crema
- (New) Arroz Con Dulce — Rice pudding with raisins, topped with nutmeg and cinnamon
- Eppa Red Sangria — Red sangria with vanilla and orange notes
- Tequila Moonrise (Tequila Sunrise) — Apple cider, tequila and grenadine
Waffle Wonderland
- Joyful Chicken and Waffles — Fluffy house-made waffles served with fried chicken and topped with scallions and Mike's Hot Honey
- (New) Festive French Onion Soup — Topped with provolone cheese and seasoned croutons
- (New) Red Velvet Bundt Cake — A mini red velvet bundt cake topped with cream cheese frosting
- Mistletoe Margarita — Cranberry, tequila, Triple Sec and lime sour, garnished with a lime wedge
- Apple Ginger Mule — Apple cider, ginger beer, bourbon and lime juice, garnished with a lime wedge
Waterway Bar
- Snowman Holiday Soft Pretzel — A salted, buttered pretzel
- Coquito — Rum, Coconut cream, coconut milk, vanilla and varied spices
- Frozen Jack & Coke — Coca-Cola and Jack Daniel's
- Frozen Piña Colada — Cherry, pineapple and coconut
- Frozen Margarita — Tequila and lime
- Craft Serve French 75 — Gin, prosecco, raspberry and lemonade
- Craft Serve Spicy Margarita — Triple Sec, tequila and lime
- Craft Serve Strawberry Mule — Rum, ginger beer and strawberry
- Craft Serve Bourbon Street Daisy — Bourbon and Triple Sec with lime
Donut Open Till Christmas
- Santa's Sweet & Savory Apple Cider Cronut Chicken Sandwich — A chicken sandwich served with Nashville Hot and pickles on an apple cider cronut
- (New) Shaka Festive Donut — A cinnamon and nutmeg sugar doughnut served with salted apple cider butter cream
- Gluwein — Cinnamon and Star Anise-infused warm wine
- (New) Bourbon Cranberry Old Fashion — Bourbon garnished with a cherry and orange peel
- Holiday Peppermint Eggnog — Egg Nog, vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur and Peppermint Schnapps garnished with a peppermint stick
Holiday Moonshine Tasting ft. Ole Smokey
- (New) Butter Pecan
- (New) Banana Pudding
- (New) Shine Nog
- (New) White Chocolate & Strawberry Cream
Treat Yo Elf
- Gingerbread Cake — A vanilla bean mousse-filled gingerbread spice cake topped with powdered sugar
- Kris Kringle's Biscuit Pot Pie — A flavorful chicken pot pie
- Yuletide Pasta — Baked ziti with ricotta cheese and marinara sauce
- Hidden Seas Red Blend — Featuring notes of mulberry, cherry, plum and other spices
- Maple Bourbon Sour — Featuring a lemon twist and rosemary sprig as garnish
- North Pole Cosmo — Vodka, Triple Sec and bluebrry
Tottin Around the Christmas Tree
- Roasted Turkey — Roasted turkey breast served with stuffing, mashed potatoes and brown gravy
- Jingle Totchos — Tator toys covered with cheese, chili, sour cream and green onions
- Cherry Bourbon Glazed Ham — A cherry bourbon flavored ham served with stuffing, mashed potatoes and brown gravy
- Iced Honey Pumpkin Cider — Cider served with a cinnamon sugar apple garnish
- Merry and Bright Rita — Milagros Tequila, brown sugar, Granny Smith apple and lime
Seasons Eatings
- All Grown Up Chilled Cheese — Smoked cheddar served on Texas Toast and accompanied by a dipping soup
- Cranberry Glazed Meatballs — Meatballs in a sweet cranberry glaze garnished with chives
- Maple Bourbon Sour
- Frost Bite — Blue Curacao, Cream de Cacao, tequila and cream, garnished with whipped cream.
Of course, what is Christmas without hot chocolate?! You're in luck because there is definitely hot chocolate overload at the holiday Holly Jolly Cookies & Cocoa locations. Many spots have either traditional, frozen or flavored hot chocolate. The specialty-flavored hot chocolate comes in a souvenir cup! Be sure to keep the cup, as it costs less to refill it than to purchase an entire new cup of hot chocolate.
If your tadpoles want to get closer to their favorite characters, there's also a Sesame Street Christmas Breakfast and Dinner with Santa available. At the Sesame Street Christmas Breakfast ($34.99 per adult, $17.99 per child ages 3 to 9), you can join your Sesame Street faves for a breakfast feast. Dinner with Santa ($44 per adult, $17 per child) features a holiday meal capped off with a photo-op with the big man himself. Ho, ho, ho!
Tips for SeaWorld Christmas Celebration 2025
Here are our top tips for visiting SeaWorld Christmas Celebration:
- Enjoy the wait before shows! Before the skaters come out for Winter Wonderland on Ice, a talented violinist takes the stage (er ... ice) and performs a mini-concert filled with classic Christmas medleys.
- We highly recommend catching the second showing of Winter Wonderland on Ice as you'll already be seated in the best viewing spot for the Holiday Fireworks — especially since the bridge connecting The Waterfront to the Orca Encounter Pathway closes by the time the second show starts. You won't want to walk all around the park to get to Bayside Stadium and then walk all the way around again three minutes later when the fireworks end to get to the park exit.
- SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration only occurs on select dates so check the calendar while planning your visit! You can still enjoy the festive decor all around the park even on non-event days.
- To ensure a stress-free experience, plan your night appropriately and allow yourself plenty of time to get to your next destination. Some shows are located across the park from one another. Due to holiday crowds, we suggest arriving at least 30 minutes (though the earlier, the better!) before Mrs. Claus' Magic Kitchen, O Wondrous Night and Winter Wonderland on Ice if you want a good seat.
- Festive Food & Seasonal Sips Sampling Lanyards are a great way to sip and savor SeaWorld’s best treats without breaking the bank. You have two options: a 5-Sampler lanyard ($45) and a 10-Sampler lanyard ($75). As a result, we recommend the 10-Sampler lanyard so you can share sweets and treats with the whole family.
- Check out the decorations throughout the park, as they make the perfect family photo-op. You may even spot some stiltwalkers!
In conclusion, SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration is the perfect way to kick off (or close off) your holiday season. We love the classic tales and tunes being presented through every bit of the festivities. SeaWorld is the perfect Orlando destination for a more traditional take on Christmas. What’s your favorite part? Tell us in the comments.
Related: Our Guide to Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando
Hoppy planning!
