Our ∼Fin-tastic∼ Guide to SeaWorld San Diego Events Through 2026

Whenever you visit SeaWorld San Diego, chances are there is a fun event hoppening in the park! The SeaWorld San Diego events bring special entertainment, splashing good fun and seasonal food and drink to the aquatic theme park. We frogs love that SeaWorld always gives us a reason to celebrate. We have the scoop on remaining SeaWorld San Diego events through 2026. Dates for SeaWorld San Diego events in 2027 are coming soon!

Most of the events are included in the cost of admission (except for Howl-O-Scream), although food and beverages (and sometimes special offerings) are extra. (Psst ... you can save money when you purchase discount SeaWorld San Diego tickets and passes through Undercover Tourist.) If you happen to have a Fun Card or annual pass, the events are included.

It’s frogciting to see SeaWorld continue these events, keeping the entertainment and food new and fresh. Keep hopping back as each event gets closer for the fin-tastic details, specific dates and even menus!

Did you hear the news? SeaWorld San Diego went cashless as of Feb. 22, 2023. Guests can swipe or tap their credit card, debit card, or smart device with Apple Pay or Google Pay everywhere you typically use cash. If one does not have a payment card, there are easy-to-use Cash-to-Card kiosks located throughout the park to transfer your cash (free of charge) onto a Visa prepaid debit card.

In another hoppy update, SeaWorld San Diego has implemented a great weather policy for extreme weather conditions at the park. Guests adversely affected by severe weather on the day of their visit — whether it be rain, lightning, extreme heat, wind, snow, hail or other weather conditions — can redeem their paid admission tickets for nontransferable, nonrefundable re-admit tickets. The new re-admit ticket is valid for a single-day admission and must be redeemed one year from the date of your visit. Re-admit tickets must be processed on the day of your visit at Guest Services near the main entrance before leaving the park.

SeaWorld San Diego Events in 2026

Keep in mind that some of the SeaWorld San Diego event dates can change as the events approach, so always check back for updates.

Inside Look —  Select dates Jan. 10-19, 2026

This event gives you the chance to meet the SeaWorld team and listen to their first-hand accounts of caring for the animals, as well as their life-saving work. Animals, caregivers and activities can vary each day.

Mardi Gras — Select dates late Jan. 24 through Feb. 22, 2026, (mostly weekends and holidays)

Get your beads on and celebrate New Orleans style. Enjoy live music, a DJ, colorful costumes and Creole or Cajun favorite foods. Keep an eye out for a procession, circus performers, a music-activated tunnel of lights and a new Louisiana Bayou laser light show on select nights.

Seven Seas Food Festival — Select dates Feb. 27  through April 26, 2026

During select Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in the spring, sample your way around the world with 125 exciting flavors and local and international craft beers. You can even catch live musical performances and Polynesian fire dancing presentations on select days. You can purchase items individually or buy a Food & Beverage Sampler Lanyard.

The lanyards offer 10 or 15 food or beverage tasting sampler cards for a flat fee. The passes can help you save money. Pass members can buy an 18-item card. You can it buy online or in the park. Each punch is good for one food item, brew, wine, cocktail or nonalcoholic beverage. Cocktails are small, but you can get a larger drink at some locations for two punches. You can share a lanyard with a friend.

Keep in mind that some booths may be closed on Fridays. The full event and its entertainment take place on Saturday and Sunday. But Fridays still have plenty of tastes and the lowest crowd levels.

Enjoy flavors from:

• SoCal
• Mexico
• Polynesia
• Italy
• The Mediterranean
• France
• The Caribbean
• Asia
• Germany
• Craft beers from local breweries
• Beers from featured domestic and international breweries
• Cocktails from around the world

Pick up the SeaWorld Seven Seas Food Festival event passport when you arrive. You can identify gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan items there. Festival foods are available at food booths and some dining or beverage locations in the park.

The festival brings a lot of foodies into the park, which can increase crowds. You'll want to arrive for shows about 30 minutes early to get a seat. If you are visiting during spring break, you may catch fireworks on the weekends!

Viva La Música — Select dates May 1-17, 2026

This festive, family-friendly celebration will have you dancing to the hottest Latin music and sampling fiery flavors.

New Shark Encounter — Opened May 22, 2026

A new shark encounter opened in 2026. The expanded exhibit transforms into a dynamic underwater adventure that celebrates these magnificent ocean dwellers.

Go face-to-fin with these fascinating predators in a newly refreshed exhibit. Encounter new shark species alongside a vibrant collection of marine life — including additional sharks and colorful fish. Enter a breathtakingly enhanced space that pulls guests into an immersive realm that celebrates the beauty and power of sharks and also challenges long-held myths about this extraordinary species.

The all-new Shark Encounter steps beyond traditional fear-based portrayals to educate guests about over 400 species of sharks. The Shark Encounter highlights shark diversity in varied sizes, shapes and fascinating adaptations that contribute to healthy oceans. Cheerful beachy and surf-themed signs include fun facts about sharks. You can even see what different shark bites look like!

An overhead video ceiling in the entry hallway features sharks swimming above, guiding guests toward the underwater tunnel. In the finale, multiple screens surround you with rare live footage of shark diversity in an 8-minute presentation. A new VIP Shark Tour gives guests a new perspective from a brand-new walkway above the shark habitat.

SeaWorld Summer Spectacular — Select dates through Sept. 7, 2026

Come summer, this family-friendly event immerses you in the exciting worlds of light and music with special family entertainment, music and decor. Enjoy an all-new Ocean of Dreams drone show (select nights) from mid-June through mid-August. There's also a new Wonders of North American Wildlife show, BMX Blast! stunt show, Pirates Ahoy! The Battle for Mermaid Cove action-packed show and a Laser Reef Summer Spectacular. You can also enjoy all-new nighttime versions of shows such as Dolphins: Touch the Sky, Sea Lions Tonite and a Shamu's Celebration: Light Up the Night. Check the schedule in advance as entertainment can vary each night.

Summer Spectacular Concert Series June 6 through Aug. 8, 2026

Head to Bayside Amphitheater for an exciting lineup of concerts during the Summer Spectacular Concert Series.

Bayside Bands, Brews & BBQ — Late summer Aug. 14 through Sept. 7, 2026

SeaWorld is turning up the grill and keeping the Summer Celebration continuing with an unbeatable mix of craft brews and delicious BBQ fare from limited-time, specialty menus.

SeaWorld Spooktacular — Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 11 to Nov. 1, 2026

SeaWorld Spooktacular takes place every Saturday and Sunday of the Halloween season. All guests may wear costumes and eat fall treats. Plus tadpoles 12 and under can trick or treat for candy, boogie at special dance parties, meet characters, and decorate Halloween and fall treats. Hop over to our post on the Spooktacular fun at SeaWorld San Diego to learn more. The Sesame Street characters have hopped over to Sesame Place, where they have their own Spooktacular celebration.

SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream — Separately ticketed event select nights Sept. 11 through Oct. 31, 2026

Bring the tadpoles to Halloween Spooktacular during the day! And if you have teen frogs, take them to Howl-O-Scream at night. As huge horror fans of Knott's Scary Farm and Universal Studios Hollywood's Halloween Horror Nights, Leap and I enjoyed hopping through this newish (it lunged out in 2021) SoCal Halloween event.

Here are the scary details for this gory nighttime new event. With five haunted houses and seven scare zones, there is no place to hide! Even the rides are thrilling! You'll also encounter a terrifying dance show, vampire DJs and party zones with sinister cocktails and concoctions at haunted bars. These spirits are restless! The event kicks off at 7 p.m. Hop over to our Sinister Guide to SeaWorld San Diego Howl-O-Scream for the scary details.

Paying too much for tickets is super scary. Get your discount SeaWorld San Diego Howl-O-Scream tickets from Undercover Tourist instead. Tickets are available starting in summer! The earlier you purchase, the cheaper the deal.

Howl-O-Sprint 5K Run — TBD

This 3.1-mile course will take you on a thrilling journey! While running or walking through the grounds of SeaWorld, beware of Halloween surprises, spooky characters and themed photo moments. In addition to the 5K, SeaWorld is hosting the Kids 1-Mile Fun Run for the tadpoles to experience the fun! All participants will receive a race bib with a timing chip, an official race shirt, a medal and the potential for awards.

Halloween costumes are encouraged (but masks are not allowed)!

Día de los Muertos — Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, 2026

Celebrate this Mexican holiday with Folklorico dancers, a mariachi band and more.

Red, White & Blue Salute — Nov. 7 to 9, 2025

This patriotic event honors our military. Active Duty and veterans and up to three dependents may enjoy complimentary admission to SeaWorld during this limited-time promotion. SeaWorld honors members of the military and veterans during a pre-presentation before the Orca Encounter and Dolphin Adventures show. Veterans must visit by Nov. 11, 2025, to receive free admission. Active duty members may get admission through Dec. 31, 2025.

On select days around Veterans Day, pick up a free Heroes Trail sticker map at one of several booths located in the park. Explore all of the booths to collect up to nine Armed Forces (and other heroes) stickers! Mark each location on your map with the correct hero sticker. Once you’ve found them all, bring your completed Heroes Trail map to the SeaWorld Store to collect a special prize! Catch Veterans Day fireworks on Nov. 11.

SeaWorld Christmas Celebration — Daily Nov. 13, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027

Ring in the holiday season at SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas celebration. The park is decorated merrily and “otterly” bright. There are plenty of opportunities for photo-ops, especially in the Tunnel of Light. Meet characters and Santa from a safe distance, enjoy holiday treats and beverages and watch special holiday shows with dolphins and sea lions.

Here's what to expect:

• Rudolph's Christmastown — Meet Rudolph and his friends
• Santa's Village — Meet Santa and some of his live reindeer!
• Happy Harbor Holidays — Celebrate the joy of friendship and holiday traditions with Sir Winston the Walrus.
• A Stocking Full of Soul — Enjoy talented musicians, singers and dancers as they sing and dance the night away. It's located at the Nautilus Theater on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays.
• Snowfall at spots in the park
• Mrs. Claus' Christmas Parade — Mrs. Claus and a band of elves make their way throughout the park several times daily.
• Donner and Blitzen's Lazer Light Show — Twice a night, experience a canopy of laser beams set to a festive soundtrack.
• Animal Presentations
• A 30-foot Christmas tree
• Tunnel of Lights with over 5,000 music-activated lights
• Holiday shopping at the Christmas Shoppe, Holly Jolly Marketplace and other stores
• Christmas Wish Fireworks on select nights
• Coca-Cola Market
• Coca-Cola Lane

Activities with an additional cost include:

• Snowflake Seeker's: A Christmas Quest — Purchase a scavenger hunt map and embark on a merry quest to find all the colorful winter snowflakes. Bring your completed map to The Christmas Shoppe to collect a gift of your own!
• Photos with Santa or Rudolph
• Holiday cocktails, craft beer, hot chocolate and more
• Festive entrees and desserts
• You'll also find more holiday fun at Sesame Place. Consider getting a two-park ticket to visit both parks.

Keep hopping back for dates changes, details and updates as these events approach. If you are looking to get discount SeaWorld San Diego tickets, passes or Fun Cards (for multi-day fun), your favorite froggies are here to help! We also can help you decide where to stay in San Diego and help you hop on a good San Diego hotel deal.

Related: 15 Tips to Maximize Your Time at SeaWorld San Diego

Related: Our Guide to Visiting San Diego with Kids

Hoppy planning!