One of the things we toadally love about SeaWorld Orlando is that there is always something to celebrate! Its sister park, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, also hosts a variety of fun events year-round. Whether you visit SeaWorld Orlando or Busch Gardens Tampa, chances are there is a fun event hoppening at the parks! The SeaWorld Orlando events bring special entertainment, splashin' good fun and seasonal food and drink to the aquatic theme park. The same goes for the safari-themed Busch Gardens. With that said, let's look at all the SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa events for 2024 and 2025!
Most of the events are included in the cost of admission, although some activities (and food and beverage) cost extra. The only exception is Howl-O-Scream, which is a separately ticketed event at Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando. Single-day tickets are date-specific and can be purchased online in advance. If you happen to have a Fun Card or annual pass, most of these special events are included with your pass. (Psst ... you can save money when you purchase discount SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay tickets through Undercover Tourist!) Now, let's dive in!
The Full Lineup of SeaWorld Orlando Events in 2024 & 2025
60th Anniversary Celebration — March 21 to Dec 31, 2024
Celebrate six decades of SeaWorld with:
- The opening of the Antarctica Realm, featuring a revamped Expedition Cafe, the all-new South Pole Sips and Glacial Supply, the incredible penguin habitat and the highly anticipated family launch coaster, Penguin Trek
- The new exciting Cirque-style show, Xceleration: Cirque Show Extreme
- A new 60th Anniversary celebration parade, So Much to SEA Parade, featuring fan favorite live costumed characters
- An all-new Shamu & Crew Better Together Breakfast
- The fireworks and fountains spectacular, Ignite
- The electrifying dance club, Club SeaGlow at Bayside Stadium
- Exclusive 60th Anniversary merch and culinary additions
Christmas Celebration — Select Dates, Nov. 8, 2024, to Jan. 2, 2025
This is where holiday traditions are made, with delicious food, stunning live shows, delightful holiday shopping and joyous entertainment. Read all about the holly jolly hoppenings in our complete guide to SeaWorld Orlando's Christmas Celebration.
New Year's Eve — Dec. 31, 2024
Head over to SeaWorld Orlando on Dec. 31 to ring in the New Year with an unfrogettable celebration that blends the magic of Christmas with the excitement of New Year's Eve. Enjoy a full evening of holiday cheer, delicious dining, spectacular animal encounters, thrilling rides and dazzling shows before the night culminates in a breathtaking fireworks display, viewable from multiple areas around the park.
Make your evening extra special by reserving VIP fireworks viewing from a private waterfront patio, complete with a champagne toast or secure exclusive reserved seating for the enchanting Winter Wonderland on Ice show, featuring a stunning finale synchronized with the midnight fireworks display!
Three Kings Celebration — Jan. 4-6, 2025
In honor of the cherished tradition of Latin cultures, families are invited to help SeaWorld Orlando commemorate the arrival of the Three Wise Men.
SeaWorld Inside Look — Jan. 11-20, 2025
This unique event will take you behind the scenes and give you an inside look at what it takes to maintain a premier zoological institution like SeaWorld Orlando.
Just For Kids Weekend — Jan. 25-26, 2025
During Just for Kids Weekend at SeaWorld, enjoy hands-on activities, dance parties, photo opportunities with characters and much more throughout this family-friendly celebration.
Elmo's Birthday Celebration — Jan. 27 to Feb. 3, 2025
Celebrate Elmo's birthday with meet-and-greets, an interactive DJ dance party, and even more surprises!
Seven Seas Food Festival — Select Dates, Jan. 31 to May 4, 2025
Join SeaWorld Orlando as you sip and sample your way around the world with exciting flavors and local craft beers, plus live performances. Check out our sweet (and savory) guide to the Seven Seas Food Festival for everything you need to know about this mouthwatering event!
Mardi Gras — February 2025
Let the good times roll with limited-time food, cocktails, entertainment and live music - Mardi Gras style as part of SeaWorld Orlando's Seven Seas Food Festival.
St. Patrick's Day Celebration — March 2025
Enjoy a taste of St. Patrick's Day at SeaWorld Orlando as part of their Seven Seas Food Festival.
Cinco de Mayo — April 24 to May 5, 2025
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at SeaWorld Orlando with authentic music, delicious Mexican cuisine and festive entertainment as part of their Seven Seas Food Festival.
Viva La Música — May 10-11 & May 17-18, 2025
Experience this festive, tadpole-friendly Latin celebration in a new way as you dance to the hottest music, sample fiery flavors, shop for authentic souvenirs and so much more.
Guy Harvey Weekend — May 2025
Join Guy Harvey for meet-and-greets, autographs, photo opportunities and more.
Summer Spectacular — Select Dates, May 23 to Sept. 1, 2025
Indulge in summer flavors and kick-off your day with events like Viva La Musica (June) and NEW Bands, Brew & BBQ (July - August), NEW animal and cirque presentations and stay late to experience the Ignite Fireworks.
Bands, Brew & BBQ — Weekends, July 5 to Aug. 24, 2025
Enjoy mouth-watering BBQ, thirst-quenching brews and live concerts this summer.
Halloween Spooktacular — Select Dates, Aug. 30 to Nov. 2, 2025
Trick-or-treat and meet silly Halloween characters during this family-friendly daytime event. We hop over to SeaWorld every year during spooky season. Lily loves posing with pumpkin princesses and making memories with magical mermaids — not to mention all the delicious candy she fills her bag to the brim with every year! Read all about this festive celebration in our bewitching guide to SeaWorld Orlando's Halloween Spooktacular.
Howl-O-Scream — Select Nights, Sept. 5 to Nov. 2, 2025
A new terror has surfaced ... and there's nowhere to hide. Howl-O-Scream will wash ashore once again at SeaWorld Orlando and, this time, the fear is everywhere. Read all about this spine-tingling separately ticked event in our ghoulish guide to Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando.
Christmas Celebration — Select Dates, Nov. 7, 2025 to Jan. 2, 2026
This is where holiday traditions are made, with delicious food, stunning live shows, delightful holiday shopping and joyous entertainment. Read all about the holly jolly hoppenings in our complete guide to SeaWorld Orlando's Christmas Celebration.
The Full Lineup of Busch Gardens Tampa Events in 2024 & 2025
From Mardi Gras to the holidays, Busch Gardens Tampa has an exciting year filled with festive and fun events planned out. Here's a full list of this year's events.
Christmas Town — Nov. 15, 2024, to Jan. 5, 2025
Christmas lights? Check. Festive food? Check. Lots of fun holiday entertainment? Check! Celebrate the holidays at Busch Gardens Tampa's Christmas Town event. The park is decorated with dazzling Christmas lights in every land, including an entire tunnel's worth of flashing lights. Special guests, including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus, spread holiday cheer. Find hot chocolate, warm chocolate chip cookies and all of the seasonal flavors at Christmas Town Village. Tune into the special entertainment, ranging from carolers in the Three Kings Journey show to ice skaters starring in Christmas on Ice. Top off a jolly good night with a special fireworks show! Find out more details in our ho-ho-hoppin' Christmas Town guide.
Real Music Series — Saturdays, Jan. 6 to Feb. 22, 2024
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's longest running concert series returns with all-new music performances. Here's the line-up for 2025:
- Kings of Queen — Jan. 6-11
- Direct from Sweden — Jan. 13-18
- Hotter Than July - Stevie Wonder Tribute — Jan. 20-25
- Tapestry - The Carole King Songbook — Jan. 27 to Feb. 1
- Steve Michaels as Elvis — Feb. 3-8
- Magical Mystery Doors — Feb. 10-15
- E5C4P3 - Journey Tribute — Feb. 17-22
Mardi Gras — January to March 2025
Let the good times roll with food, cocktails, entertainment and live music - Mardi Gras style!
Kids' Weekends — January to February 2025
Join Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby & all of your Sesame Street Friends for fun-filled weekends.
Food & Wine Festival — March to May 2025
Flavors are in bloom at the Food & Wine Festival featuring internationally inspired tastes and sips to savor.
Pin Trading Weekend — March 22, 2025
Trade and explore new and rare pins during a special pin trading event. For each pin purchased, you'll have the opportunity to play a game and then trade from one of Busch Gardens' pin trading boards with expansive collections.
Summer Nights — May to September 2025
Celebrate summer throughout the day and night with electrifying entertainment. Learn all about this dazzling celebration in our Summer Nights guide.
Howl-O-Scream — September to November 2025
If you prefer the thrills and tricks over the treats of the spooky season, you'll love Busch Gardens Tampa's Halloween event, Howl-O-Scream. The bravest of frogs face a number of specially themed haunted houses and scare zones scattered throughout the park on select nights. Additionally, you can hop on any of the thrilling roller coasters at night, or catch one of Busch Gardens' signature stage shows. For these reasons, Howl-O-Scream is not recommended for young tadpoles. Catch a glimpse at all of the frightful fun that Flora and I had during the event in our Howl-O-Scream guide. This year, it will be Howl-O-Scream's 25th anniversary.
Kandy's Sweetacular Celebration — September to October 2025
Celebrate Halloween with trick-or-treating and more during Kandy's Sweetacular Celebration event.
Christmas Town — November 2025 to January 2026
Christmas lights? Check. Festive food? Check. Lots of fun holiday entertainment? Check! Celebrate the holidays at Busch Gardens Tampa's Christmas Town event. The park is decorated with dazzling Christmas lights in every land, including an entire tunnel's worth of flashing lights. Special guests, including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus, spread holiday cheer. Find hot chocolate, warm chocolate chip cookies and all of the seasonal flavors at Christmas Town Village. Tune into the special entertainment, ranging from carolers in the Three Kings Journey show to ice skaters starring in Christmas on Ice. Top off a jolly good night with a special fireworks show! Find out more details in our ho-ho-hoppin' Christmas Town guide.
We are so frogcited about the upcoming Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando events. Fun is hoppening all year long! Keep hopping back for specific dates, details and updates as these events approach.
Don't froget that all of this fun is included with general park admission, so buy our discounted SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa tickets for your frog squad now and hop on down to experience some events! Which event are you hopping to? Let us know in the comments section below.
Related: Our Top SeaWorld Orlando Tips for Your Next Visit
Keep hopping!
