Summary
The Frog Family is always frogcited to celebrate Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld San Diego. On weekends from mid-Sept. through Oct. 31, you and your little goblins and ghouls can enjoy treats, wear costumes and attend special Halloween-themed dance parties and join other daytime fall fun activities at SeaWorld San Diego. What's even better is that kids visit free with a paid adult (with a Single Day+ Kids FREE Ticket) in October! Low crowds and free kids make SeaWorld Spooktacular a treat for parents and kids to visit this time of year.
Overview of SeaWorld San Diego Spooktacular
SeaWorld San Diego Halloween Spooktacular is a low-key family-friendly Halloween weekend event that takes place during normal park hours from mid-Sept through Halloween. The whole family can dress in costume and take part in special entertainment and dance parties. This is a separate event from the much scarier Howl-O-Scream separately ticketed event, which kicks off at 7 p.m. That frightening event with haunted houses is just for the adults and big kids (as in teens). Hop over to our Sea World San Diego events post for details. We booked a babysitter for Howl-O-Scream! But the whole family can have Halloween fun at Spooktacular.
While the park does not get as decked out as Disneyland at Halloween Time normally is, you’ll find Halloween signs, cobwebs and festive fall decorations scattered around the park. The Halloween festivities are a nice bonus to a day in the park.
Mid-fall is a great time to visit SeaWorld. The weather is a tad bit cooler and more comfortable, and the summer crowds are gone. Soon there will be more celebrations and SeaWorld San Diego events to come. Right on the tailfins of Halloween comes SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration. The Christmas Celebration kicks off in the mid-November and last until early January.
SeaWorld San Diego Spooktacular Dates, Tickets and Hours
SeaWorld San Diego Spooktacular takes place Saturdays and Sundays Sept. 17 through Monday Oct. 31, 2022. Sea World’s gentle Halloween Spooktacular is the perfect speed for some wholesome Halloween family fun. Most of the festivities begin after 11 a.m., and they won't interfere with your schedule of shows and rides. Spooktacular usually ends at 6 p.m., so you'll be safely out of the park with your little ones well before the scary stuff emerges at 7 p.m.
Tickets
Most of the family fun is included with your SeaWorld San Diego park ticket. Others have a small fee, including trick-or-treating and the pumpkin scavenger hunt. Did you know you can save some green when you purchase discount SeaWorld San Diego tickets though Undercover Tourist? October is a particularly affordable time to visit with special FREE tickets for kids! We also sell tickets to the new Sesame Place San Diego, which has its own Spooktacular celebration hoppening this fall! You can save even more with a two-park ticket and hit both celebrations!
SeaWorld San Diego Spooktacular Special Entertainment
You can enjoy special shows, dance parties and more during Spooktacular. Here's what to expect in 2022.
Gazillion Bubble Show - New!
The name kind of gives this show away, but people of all ages will be mesmerized by all the bubble magic! You don't want to miss this high-energy interactive performance full of art, science, special effects, laser lighting and bubble fun hosted by Guinness Book of World Record holders.
Boo-gie Down Dance Parties
Keep an eye and ear out for dance parties! Kids can participate in line-dancing and games such as the limbo and freeze dance with a cast of silly characters! We found a dance party near the Hay Maze in the afternoon. There were several treat stations in that area as well. You'll find all of the festivities between the Shipwreck Rapids area and the Mission Bay Theater.
Hay Maze
Don't get lost in the hay maze. Meet fall characters along the way in this family-friendly activity.
A Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Celebrate the Mexican holiday of Dia de los Muertos. Large Catrina statues welcome guests to discover orendas (offerings) of mementos and flowers to honor loved ones who have passed.
SeaWorld San Diego Spooktacular Character Greetings
Prepare for more fall fun with a hay maze with characters along the way. You can also meet a mermaid in an immersive trick-or-treat trail. Check the schedule to find out when you can meet Sesame Street friends.
SeaWorld San Diego Spooktacular Costume Information
The whole family is allowed to dress in costume for Spooktacular. You'll want to choose family-friendly costumes that won't frighten other tadpoles. Since it is a daytime event, you'll also want to consider the weather so you don't get overheated. Our tadpoles never miss an opportunity to get dressed up. Guests 13 and older may not wear costume masks or hoods. Guests of any age may not wear face paint unless it is done by the park artists.
One year, our favorite costume was a boy in a penguin suit with a bucket and sign that read, “fish or treat.” Toadally cute and displaying great SeaWorld spirit! You'll probably want to be sure to wear a costume that you won't ruin if it gets wet. Watch out for those Soak Zones!
Trick-or-Treating at SeaWorld San Diego Spooktacular
Tadpoles ages 12 and under can go in search of candy in the trick-or-treat trail. In order to participate, purchase a reusable, signature SeaWorld Candy Bag ($3.99 with discounts for pass holders) or bucket ($4.99) and follow the trail. The trails are open from 12 p.m. to park close on Saturdays and Sundays. SeaWorld's candy partners include Haribo, Nestle Butterfinger, Kinder Joy and Smarties. Put your bag under the shoot and receive candy.
SeaWorld San Diego Spooktacular Food and Merchandise
There are fun fall treats to enjoy during Spooktacular. You can sink your teeth into caramel apples, pumpkin cheesecake and other fall favorites. Parents can enjoy pumpkin ale and craft brews. The souvenir shops sell trick-or-treat bags, Halloween merchandise and scavenger hunt maps.
The two activities that cost an extra fee are trick-or-treating ($3.99 for a reusable bag to participate) and the Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt.
Purchase a Spooktacular Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt map with stickers. It costs $15 (subject to change). Then embark on a journey to locate SeaWorld- and Halloween-themed painted pumpkins. Mark each location on the map with the correct sticker. Once complete, bring your map the the SeaWorld store to collect a prize! You can do some Halloween souvenir shopping while there.
You can find many fun fall eats and drinks in the park. Don't skip the churro bar!
SeaWorld San Diego Spooktacular Tips
Here are a few tips for visiting Spooktacular:
- Save money on kids visit free tickets.
- Check the weather and dress accordingly. Fall days can be hot.
- Bring costumes but dress in layers in case your tadpole wants to remove their costume.
- Download the SeaWorld San Diego app.
- Arrive at park opening.
- Check the calendar and schedule to find special entertainment and character meet and greets.
- Focus on rides in the morning before lines get long.
Have a question about Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld San Diego or any other question about the park? Let us know in comments below! To save on SeaWorld San Diego and Sesame Place tickets, purchase in advance through Undercover Tourist!
Related: SeaWorld San Diego Reopening
Related: Our Fin-tastic Guide to SeaWorld San Diego Events
Hoppy planning!
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