Orlando, FL — SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration runs on select dates from Nov. 6 to Jan. 4, with holiday shows, the Sea of Trees and Holiday Reflections fireworks, and a holiday food menu, all included with park admission. The big news is Miracles, the orca show, back for the first time since 2019, along with new s’mores fire pits. Below is my guide to the event to help you plan.
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebrations in San Antonio and San Diego have their own guides, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s holiday event is in my Christmas Town Tampa guide.
Note: I may earn a commission if you buy through some links in this article.
What’s new for 2026 vs. the park’s 2025 Christmas pages
- NewMiracles: the nighttime orca show returns for the first time since 2019, and the park calls it a long-awaited return.
- NewS’mores Station: fire pits near Lakeside Grill where you roast your own s’mores, with kits, hot cocoa and hot toddies for sale.
- NewMerry Dairy Trail: collect five punches from Merry Dairy treats for a holiday prize.
- NewFood: the menu labels a dozen items new, including Ropa Vieja Festiva, S’mores Beignets and Holiday Wings. The food list below opens on them.
- ChangedSanta: he meets guests near Expedition Odyssey Fire and Ice this year, not in the Waterway Grill.
- ReturningO Wondrous Night, Winter Wonderland on Ice, the Sea of Trees, Holiday Reflections fireworks, Clyde and Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas, the Sesame Street Christmas Parade and Rudolph’s Christmas Town.
Miracles, the Orca Show
Miracles, SeaWorld Orlando’s nighttime orca show with lights and holiday music, is back for the first time since 2019. The park’s shows page labels it all new and calls it a long-awaited return, and Christmas reserved seating, $24.99, now includes it.
The park hasn’t named the stadium. November showtimes are on the park hours page when you pick a date, and December times aren’t posted yet.
Holiday Shows
O Wondrous Night tells the Nativity story through the eyes of the animals who witnessed it, in Nautilus Theater, and Winter Wonderland on Ice is a Broadway-style skating show at Bayside Stadium. Clyde and Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas, new last year, returns with the sea lions and otters, and smaller acts fill the walkways, from jump-rope toy soldiers to a ballerina inside a life-size snow globe.
O Wondrous Night
The Nativity story through the eyes of the animals who witnessed it, with over 30 Christmas carols, life-size puppets and live animals.
Where: Nautilus Theater
When: Showtimes on the park hours page
Winter Wonderland on Ice
A Broadway-style ice skating show set to classic Christmas songs.
Where: Bayside Stadium
Clyde and Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas
A comedy show with Clyde, Seamore and their otter friends. It was new in 2025.
Where: Sea Lion and Otter Stadium
Mrs. Claus’ Magic Kitchen
A comedy cooking show where Mrs. Claus shares her Christmas cookie recipes.
Where: Seaport Theater
Orca and Dolphin Adventures Christmas Pre-Show
Holiday-themed presentations before the orca and dolphin shows.
Elves Christmas Story
Elves tell classic Christmas tales with their storytelling objects and may invite a child to help. Last year it was called An Elf Story.
Snow Globe Ballerina
A ballerina twirls inside a life-size snow globe.
Where: Journey to Atlantis Plaza
Jump Rope Toy Soldiers and Ice Stilt Walkers
Toy soldiers doing jump-rope tricks, and costumed stilt walkers who stop for photos.
Where: The Waterfront and Sharks Plaza (stilt walkers)
Christmas reserved seating, $24.99, covers O Wondrous Night at a chosen time, Clyde and Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas, Winter Wonderland on Ice and Miracles.
The Sea of Trees and Holiday Reflections Fireworks
The Sea of Trees puts sparkling trees on the lagoon that dance to holiday music around a 70-foot lit display at the center, and Holiday Reflections: Fireworks Finale lights up the lagoon at park close on Christmas Celebration nights through Dec. 31. Snow flurries fall on the Waterfront, and a miniature Christmas train set with lights and villages sits outside Dolphin Nursery.
Holiday Reflections: Fireworks Finale
Fireworks and lights set to holiday music.
When: Park close on Christmas Celebration nights through Dec. 31
Where: Around the lagoon
Snow Flurries at the Waterfront
Snow flurries with marching toy soldiers, a ballerina and Santa’s helpers.
Where: The Waterfront
Public Ice Skating
Skate beside the central lagoon. Skate rental is included, and crew socks and gloves are required.
Price: $15
Where: Bayside Stadium
Santa, Rudolph and Sesame Street
Santa meets guests near Expedition Odyssey Fire and Ice this year, with professional photographers on hand, and Merry Moments with Santa, $25 for up to eight guests with two 6×8 photos, skips the line. Rudolph and Bumble meet guests in Rudolph’s Christmas Town on the Pipeline Pathway, and Sesame Street Land has the Sesame Street Christmas Parade and Elmo’s Christmas Wish.
Santa
Meet Santa, with professional photographers on hand. Last year he was in the Waterway Grill.
Where: Expedition Odyssey Fire and Ice
Extra: Merry Moments with Santa, $25 for up to eight guests, skips the line
Rudolph’s Christmas Town
Life-size storybook scenes and meet and greets with Rudolph and Bumble.
Where: Pipeline Pathway
Sesame Street Christmas Parade
Elmo, Cookie Monster and friends on decorated floats.
Where: Sesame Street Land
When: Times on the park hours page
Elmo’s Christmas Wish Show
Cookie Monster, Rosita, Grover and Zoe help Elmo find his Christmas wish.
Where: Seaport Theater
Big Bird’s Christmas Storytime
Big Bird reads favorite Christmas stories at select times, and Hanukkah stories during the Hanukkah Celebration.
Where: Big Bird’s nest
Holiday Food, S’mores and the Merry Dairy Trail
Holiday food and drink booths open at 4 p.m. on event dates, and the menu labels a dozen items new, from Ropa Vieja Festiva to S’mores and Lotus Biscoff Cookie Butter beignets. The Festive Food and Sip Sampler, 5 samples for $35.99 or 10 for $59.99, costs less than last year’s $45 and $75, and the park doesn’t say which items count toward it.
S’mores Station
Roast your own s’mores over fire pits. Kits, hot cocoa and hot toddies are sold there.
Where: Near Lakeside Grill
Price: Kit price not posted
Merry Dairy Trail
The trail guide is free, but each punch comes from buying or sampling a qualifying Merry Dairy treat. Five punches earn a holiday prize at the Welcome Center, while supplies last.
The Christmas Celebration food and drink menuOpens on the new items, and you can sort by type or booth. The park doesn’t post item prices.
Claus Cookie Co. (booth 1), Holly Jolly Cookies and Cocoa (booths 5 and 7), Frost Fare (booth 16)
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Claus Cookie Co., Holly Jolly Cookies and Cocoa, Frost Fare
Topped with whipped cream. Add Baileys, Kahlua, peanut butter whiskey or peppermint schnapps to make any drink jolly (21+).
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Claus Cookie Co. (booth 1)
Topped with whipped cream and caramel drizzle.
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Twinkle Treat Cafe (booth 2)
Vodka, lemonade, cranberry, Sprite Winter Spiced Cranberry, edible glitter.
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Twinkle Treat Cafe (booth 2)
Bourbon, spiced brown sugar, ginger ale, lemonade.
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Twinkle Treat Cafe (booth 2)
Vodka, elderflower, pear, edible gold glitter, lemonade, Sprite Winter Cranberry, rosemary.
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Twinkle Treat Cafe (booth 2)
Lemonade, Sprite Winter Cranberry. Nonalcoholic.
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Twinkle Treat Cafe (booth 2)
Cranberry, Sprite Winter Cranberry, lemon, pomegranate, cinnamon. Nonalcoholic.
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‘Tis the Season Beignets (booth 3)
Chocolate sauce, graham cracker crumble, marshmallows.
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‘Tis the Season Beignets (booth 3)
Biscoff cookie butter, powdered sugar.
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‘Tis the Season Beignets (booth 3)
Topped with a bananas Foster glaze.
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‘Tis the Season Beignets (booth 3)
Spiced rum, RumChata, gingerbread syrup.
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‘Tis the Season Beignets (booth 3)
Intracoastal Brewing Company cream ale.
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‘Tis the Season Beignets (booth 3)
Apple cider, apple juice, cinnamon, sugar rim. Nonalcoholic.
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Christmas Comforts (booth 4)
Aged cheddar, bacon, onion jam.
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Christmas Comforts (booth 4)
Butter, parsley, Parmesan.
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Christmas Comforts (booth 4)
Spiced cupcake with cream cheese frosting.
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Christmas Comforts (booth 4)
Pomegranate juice, orange juice, sparkling water, mint. Nonalcoholic.
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Christmas Comforts (booth 4)
RumChata, vanilla vodka, cinnamon, ginger snap crumbs.
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Festin Feliz (booth 6)
Shredded beef, peppers, olives, tomato sauce, tostones.
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Festin Feliz (booth 6)
Black beans and rice, roasted pork, sweet plantain.
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Festin Feliz (booth 6)
Beef and cheese.
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Festin Feliz (booth 6)
Pastry filled with cream cheese and guava, topped with sugar.
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Festin Feliz (booth 6)
Notes of orange and vanilla.
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Festin Feliz (booth 6)
Rum, vanilla, coconut milk, coconut cream, spices.
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Festin Feliz (booth 6)
Cranberry juice, Sprite, rosemary. Nonalcoholic.
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Waffle Wonderland (booth 8)
Crispy chicken, waffle, maple hot honey, powdered sugar.
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Waffle Wonderland (booth 8)
Sour cream drizzle, chives.
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Waffle Wonderland (booth 8)
Waffle in cinnamon sugar, vanilla ice cream, caramel.
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Waffle Wonderland (booth 8)
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Waffle Wonderland (booth 8)
Tequila, triple sec, cranberry, lime sour.
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Waffle Wonderland (booth 8)
Apple cider, bourbon, ginger beer, lime.
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Waffle Wonderland (booth 8)
Central 28 Beer Company malty ale.
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Waffle Wonderland (booth 8)
Blackberry, hibiscus, lime sour, soda water, edible glitter. Nonalcoholic.
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Waterway Bar (booth 9)
Crown Royal Apple, maple syrup, apple cider, ginger beer.
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Waterway Bar (booth 9)
Tequila, cranberry, triple sec, grapefruit juice.
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Waterway Bar (booth 9)
Vodka, blackberry, vanilla, lemonade.
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Waterway Bar (booth 9)
Dark rum, light rum, toasted marshmallow.
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Waterway Bar (booth 9)
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Waterway Bar (booth 9)
Tequila and lime.
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Waterway Bar (booth 9)
Butter soft salted pretzel.
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Do Knot Open Till Christmas (booth 10)
Turkey, Swiss, honey mustard.
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Do Knot Open Till Christmas (booth 10)
Salted pretzel nuggets with warm beer cheese.
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Do Knot Open Till Christmas (booth 10)
Tiramisu topped with a gingerbread cookie.
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Do Knot Open Till Christmas (booth 10)
Warm wine with cinnamon and star anise.
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Do Knot Open Till Christmas (booth 10)
White chocolate liqueur, vanilla vodka, eggnog, peppermint schnapps, candy cane.
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Do Knot Open Till Christmas (booth 10)
Lemonade, cranberry, vanilla and peppermint.
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Holiday Brews (booth 11)
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Tottin Around the Christmas Tree (booth 12)
Garlic rosemary, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing.
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Tottin Around the Christmas Tree (booth 12)
Garlic rosemary, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing.
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Tottin Around the Christmas Tree (booth 12)
Aged cheese sauce, bacon, sour cream, chives.
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Tottin Around the Christmas Tree (booth 12)
Red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting and Christmas sprinkles.
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Tottin Around the Christmas Tree (booth 12)
Jack Daniel’s Honey, pumpkin spice, apple cider, sour, ginger ale.
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Tottin Around the Christmas Tree (booth 12)
Tree House Brewing Company ale.
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Season’s Eatings (booth 13)
Texas toast, smoked Gouda, mozzarella, tomato dipping soup.
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Season’s Eatings (booth 13)
Bacon, chives.
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Season’s Eatings (booth 13)
Crispy wings in sweet Thai chili sauce.
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Season’s Eatings (booth 13)
Sugar cookie cheesecake, sprinkles, whipped cream.
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Season’s Eatings (booth 13)
Dark rum, amaretto, pineapple juice, orange juice.
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Season’s Eatings (booth 13)
Tequila, apple juice, grapefruit juice, soda.
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Season’s Eatings (booth 13)
Coconut, lime, hibiscus, grenadine, soda water. Nonalcoholic.
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Lil Sweet Lil Salty Kettle Corn (booth 14)
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Baking Spirits High (booth 15)
Bourbon-cranberry sauce, sweet potato mash.
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Baking Spirits High (booth 15)
Ricotta, Pecorino and mozzarella ravioli in Chardonnay cream with red peppers (the release adds prosciutto).
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Baking Spirits High (booth 15)
Meringue shell, whipped cream, fresh berries.
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Baking Spirits High (booth 15)
Bourbon, lemon, maple, candied bacon.
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Baking Spirits High (booth 15)
Vodka, cranberry juice, peach schnapps.
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Baking Spirits High (booth 15)
Vodka, blueberry, blue curacao, white cranberry, lime.
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Frost Fare (booth 16)
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Nothing matches. Try All or All locations.
Dinner with Santa, a holiday breakfast with Sesame Street friends and a cookies-and-cocoa fireworks viewing cost extra and need a reservation.
Dinner with Santa
An all-you-care-to-eat holiday dinner with Santa.
Price: $44 ages 10 and up, $19.99 ages 3 to 9, under 3 free with a reservation
When: Select dates
Where: Sea Harbor Pavilions
Sesame Street Christmas Breakfast
A holiday buffet with Elmo and friends at 9 a.m.
Price: $34.99 ages 10 and up, $24.99 ages 3 to 9
When: Select dates, Nov. 7 to Dec. 20
Where: Seafire Grill
Cookies, Cocoa and Milk Featuring a Special Holiday Guest
A private fireworks viewing area at 9 p.m. The adult price dropped from $59.99 last year.
Price: $29.99 ages 10 and up, $14.99 ages 3 to 9
When: Select dates, Nov. 7 to Dec. 19
Where: Lakeside Grill Cantina
Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve and Three Kings
Menorah lightings run nightly in Sesame Street Land Dec. 4 to 12, and kinara lightings Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. On New Year’s Eve the park stays open until 1 a.m., with DJ dance parties from 8:30 p.m., a countdown with The Count and fireworks at midnight, and the Three Kings Celebration runs Jan. 3 to 6 in Nautilus Theater.
Christmas Movies at SeaFire Inn
Holiday movies, with no dining purchase required. The park’s release says SeaFire Grill.
Where: SeaFire Inn
New Year’s Eve VIP Fireworks View Happy Hour
Tapas, drinks and a midnight champagne toast on the Lakeside Grill patio.
Price: $99.99 adult on the card ($99.00 in the product listing), $49.99 child
When: Dec. 31, 10:30 p.m. to midnight
Dates and Hours
The Christmas Celebration runs Nov. 6 to 8, Nov. 13 to 15, Nov. 20 to 29, Dec. 4 to 6, then every day from Dec. 11 to Jan. 4. Event days open at 8, 9 or 10 a.m. and close at 9 or 10 p.m. Tap a date for its hours.
November 2026
December 2026
January 2027
Christmas Celebration date. Tap a date for its hours
Tap a date to see its hours and what’s on.
Tickets and Passes
The Christmas Celebration is included with park admission and SeaWorld Annual Passes, with no separate event ticket or reservation. The 2027 Fun Card and the Bronze Pass are blocked out Dec. 22, 24, 25 and 26.
Fever also sells SeaWorld Orlando tickets, including Weekday Tickets with or without All-Day Dining, with no booking fees. See Fever’s dates and tickets.
Ticket options, passes and add-ons
Single-day prices are set by date online. The park’s tickets and upgrades page has each date’s current price.
| Ticket | Price | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Day Ticket (ages 3+) | $151.99 regular price, lower online by date | One visit on the date chosen. The Christmas Celebration is included |
| Ticket + All-Day Dining (ages 3+) | $211.98 regular price | The date chosen |
| Ultimate Ticket Bundle (dining plus unlimited Quick Queue) | $231.99 regular price | The date chosen |
| 2027 Fun Card, SeaWorld | $151.99 regular price | Unlimited visits now through Dec. 31, 2027. Blocked out Dec. 22, 24, 25 and 26, 2026 |
| 2027 Fun Card, SeaWorld and Aquatica | $242.99 regular price | Same terms and blockouts |
| Bronze Annual Pass | See the park’s pass page | 12 months. Blocked out Dec. 22, 24, 25 and 26, 2026 |
| Silver, Gold and Platinum Annual Passes | See the park’s pass page | 12 months, no blockout dates |
Costs extra
- Festive Food and Sip Sampler (any mix of food and drink samples from more than 40 treats and drinks), 5 samples $35.99, 10 samples $59.99. Christmas Celebration dates, Nov. 6 to Jan. 4.
- Dinner with Santa (all-you-care-to-eat holiday dinner with Santa, Sea Harbor Pavilions), $44 ages 10 and up, $19.99 ages 3 to 9, under 3 free with a reservation. Select dates.
- Sesame Street Christmas Breakfast (holiday buffet with Elmo and friends, Seafire Grill, 9 a.m.), $34.99 ages 10 and up, $24.99 ages 3 to 9. Select dates, Nov. 7 to Dec. 20.
- Cookies, Cocoa and Milk Featuring a Special Holiday Guest (private fireworks viewing area, Lakeside Grill Cantina, 9 p.m.), $29.99 ages 10+, $14.99 ages 3 to 9. Select dates, Nov. 7 to Dec. 19.
- Merry Moments with Santa (priority access to the Santa meet and greet for up to 8 guests, two 6×8 photos or a $25 photo credit), $25 per reservation. Event days, 10 a.m. to 30 minutes before close.
- Public Ice Skating at Bayside Stadium (skate rental included, crew socks and gloves required, ages 3 and up), $15. Event days, by time slot.
- SeaWorld Christmas Reserved Seating (O Wondrous Night at a chosen time, Clyde and Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas, Winter Wonderland on Ice, Miracles), $24.99. By date.
- O Wondrous Night Up-Close Tour (behind the scenes with the show’s animals, 1 p.m.), $39.99. By date.
- Christmas Celebration VIP Tour (an evening tour with a private guide, the park’s page gives both a 4 p.m. and a 5 p.m. start, Dinner with Santa, priority Santa and Rudolph photos, reserved seats including Miracles, VIP parking), $249.99 per guest ages 3+. By date.
- S’mores kits at the S’mores Station near Lakeside Grill, price not posted. Event days.
- New Year’s Eve VIP Fireworks View Happy Hour (Lakeside Grill patio, tapas, drinks, midnight champagne toast), $99.99 adult on the card ($99 in the product listing), $49.99 child. Dec. 31, 10:30 p.m. to midnight.
- Sharks Underwater Grill Fall Menu (turkey, filet or salmon with sides) and a New Year’s surf and turf, price not posted. Fall Menu Nov. 6 to Dec. 26, New Year’s meal Dec. 26 to Jan. 3.
- Parking, from $35. Any day.
Photos
SeaWorld Orlando Christmas FAQ
When is SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration in 2026?
It runs on select dates from Nov. 6, 2026, to Jan. 4, 2027: Nov. 6 to 8, Nov. 13 to 15, Nov. 20 to 29, Dec. 4 to 6 and every day from Dec. 11 to Jan. 4.
Is the Christmas Celebration included with admission?
Yes. It is included with park admission and with a SeaWorld Annual Pass, and no reservation is needed. The Fun Card and the Bronze Pass are blocked out on Dec. 22, 24, 25 and 26.
What are the hours?
Event days open at 8, 9 or 10 a.m. and close at 9 or 10 p.m. Holiday food and drink booths open at 4 p.m. On New Year’s Eve the park is open until 1 a.m.
Is Miracles back at SeaWorld Orlando?
Yes. The orca show Miracles returns for the first time since 2019 as part of the Christmas Celebration, and Christmas reserved seating ($24.99) now includes it.
Where can I meet Santa?
Santa meets guests near Expedition Odyssey Fire and Ice. Merry Moments with Santa ($25 for up to eight guests) skips the line and includes two 6×8 photos. Dinner with Santa is $44 for ages 10 and up on select nights.
Are there fireworks?
Holiday Reflections: Fireworks Finale runs at park close on Christmas Celebration nights through Dec. 31, and New Year’s Eve ends with fireworks at midnight.
SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration runs on select dates from Nov. 6, 2026, to Jan. 4, 2027. For tickets and hours, visit seaworld.com. Orlando’s other holiday events are in my Christmas at Universal Orlando guide and my Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party guide, and the park’s Halloween event is in my Howl-O-Scream Orlando 2026 guide.
