San Antonio, TX — SeaWorld San Antonio’s Christmas Celebration runs on select dates from Nov. 12 to Jan. 4, 1 to 9 p.m., with holiday shows, lights and a cowboy-hat Texas Santa at the Christmas Market, all included with park admission. New this year are A Joyful Splash with dolphins and belugas and Melodic Mistletoes, and Miracles, the orca show, returns to a lineup the park last listed it on in 2020. Below is my guide to the event to help you plan.
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebrations in Orlando and San Diego have their own guides.
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 is back, and the park calls it a long-awaited return. Its last listing is the park’s 2020 Christmas page.
- NewA Joyful Splash: a holiday presentation with Pacific white-sided dolphins and beluga whales.
- NewMelodic Mistletoes: a new vocal group singing Christmas classics at Orca Plaza.
- ReturningO Wondrous Night, Clyde and Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas, the RhythMotion Christmas Parade, the cowboy-hat Texas Santa, Merry Mariachis, the Tunnel of Lights, Festive Flurries, Rudolph’s Christmas Tree Light Show, the Christmas Market and Dinner with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Miracles, the Orca Show
Miracles, the orca show with lights and holiday music, is back on SeaWorld San Antonio’s Christmas lineup, and the park calls it a long-awaited return. The park last listed it in 2020, when its Christmas page sold reserved seating at Shamu Christmas Miracles, and it was on none of the 2025 Christmas pages.
November schedules show Miracles at 8 p.m. The park doesn’t name the stadium, and December showtimes aren’t posted yet.
Holiday Shows and the Parade
O Wondrous Night tells the Nativity story through the eyes of the animals who witnessed it, in the Nautilus Amphitheater, and A Joyful Splash, new this year, brings out Pacific white-sided dolphins and beluga whales for the season. Clyde and Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas is back at Sea Lion Stadium on the November schedules, though the Christmas shows page leaves it off, and the RhythMotion Christmas Parade, new last year, runs at 7:15 p.m. on the November schedules.
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 Amphitheater
When: 5:45 and 8:30 p.m. on the November schedules
Extra: A reserved seat for one show is $9.99
A Joyful Splash
Pacific white-sided dolphins and beluga whales celebrate the season. The shows page labels it New.
When: 3:15 and 4:30 p.m. on the November schedules
Melodic Mistletoes
Christmas classics in harmony from a vocal group the park calls all-new.
Where: Orca Plaza
Clyde and Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas
The sea lion show’s Christmas version. It is on the November schedules, not the Christmas shows page.
Where: Sea Lion Stadium
When: 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. on the November schedules
Rescue Jr Extravaganza: Jinglebration
Ranger Sprocket and the Rescue Jr. Cadets bring Shamu’s Holiday Celebration to life. It wasn’t on last year’s pages, and the park doesn’t label it new.
When: 1:50 and 4 p.m. on the November schedules
A Wondrous Animal Connection
Meet some of the animals featured in O Wondrous Night. The schedule lists it as A Wondrous Christmas Connection.
Where: Nautilus Amphitheater
When: 4:15 p.m. on the November schedules
RhythMotion Christmas Parade
Sea-themed floats, live musicians, puppeteers, stilt walkers and dancers. It was new in 2025.
Where: The parade route through Rescue Jr.
When: 7:15 p.m. on the November schedules
Merry Mariachis
Mariachi Christmas music, weather permitting.
Where: Beluga Pathway
Rudolph’s Misfit Brass Band isn’t on this year’s show list or the November schedules, though the event FAQ still mentions it.
Lights, the Christmas Market and Christmas Cove
SeaWorld San Antonio bills its Christmas Celebration as the largest Christmas light display in Texas, with millions of sparkling lights across 250 acres. The Christmas Market has country decor, a Christmas tree made entirely of cowboy boots, a tunnel of lights set to country Christmas music and a Festive Flurries snowfall, and Christmas Cove is a 1950s-inspired area with game stations and photo spots.
Christmas Market
Country decor, a Christmas tree made entirely of cowboy boots, elves, entertainment and SeaWorld Christmas merchandise. Santa poses for photos here.
Tunnel of Lights
A tunnel of lights set to country Christmas music.
Where: Christmas Market
Festive Flurries
A snowfall moment at the Christmas Market.
Where: Christmas Market
Rudolph’s Christmas Tree Light Show
An LED Christmas tree set to the sounds of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Christmas Cove
A 1950s-inspired area with themed prizes at game stations and photo spots.
Holiday shops
Ornaments, Rudolph gifts, Nativity pieces and SeaWorld Christmas merchandise.
Where: Holly Jolly Marketplace, Christmas Currents, SeaStar Market, Emporium Gifts and The SeaWorld Store
Santa, Rudolph and Dinner with Santa
Santa wears a cowboy hat here, and he poses for photos at the Christmas Market, weather permitting. Rudolph, Clarice and Bumble meet guests too, SeaWorld characters in holiday outfits pose at the Main Entrance Wave, and Dinner with Santa and Mrs. Claus is an all-you-can-eat holiday dinner with photos that costs extra.
Photos with Santa
A cowboy-hat-wearing Texas Santa, weather permitting. Photo packages cost extra.
Where: Christmas Market
Photos with Rudolph and Friends
Rudolph, Clarice, Bumble and friends.
Photos with SeaWorld Friends
SeaWorld characters in holiday outfits, weather permitting, with characters varying by day. It wasn’t on last year’s pages.
Where: SeaWorld Main Entrance Wave
When: 12:30, 1 and 1:30 p.m. on the November schedules
Home for the Holidays: Dinner with Santa and Mrs. Claus
An all-you-can-eat holiday dinner at a reserved table in Santa and Mrs. Claus’ home, with photos with Santa. It lasts one hour.
Where: Next to Alligator Alley
When: Select days and times
Price: The park’s dining and tickets pages list different prices, so check at booking. Under 3 free with a reservation
Holiday Food, S’mores and the Sampling Lanyard
The holiday menu runs from tamales and pork pozole at Comidas Navidenas to crepes at St Nick’s Express and loaded potatoes at Spruce’s Spuds. The Festive Food and Seasonal Sips Sampling Lanyard, any mix of food, drink or dessert samples, is 5 samples for $45 or 10 for $60, and the park doesn’t post item prices.
Fireside S’mores
S’mores boards and kits to roast by the fire, plus roasted corn and churro bites.
Price: Not posted
Hot cocoa
Sold at Kringle’s Coffee and Confections, Coasters and Coffee Co., Coca-Cola Lane, Harbor Market, Mini Donuts, Smokehouse, Rio Crispy Coop, Fireside S’mores and Sweets.
The Christmas Celebration food and drink menuSort by type or stand. The park labels nothing new this year and doesn’t post item prices.
Coca-Cola Lane
Champagne and apple cider.
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Coca-Cola Lane
Vodka, pomegranate syrup, cranberry juice, pink lemonade.
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Coca-Cola Lane
Cranberry juice, strawberry and cherry syrups, pink lemonade. Mocktail.
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Coca-Cola Lane
Warm cinnamon-sugar churro bites with Nutella.
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Coca-Cola Lane
Brownie with caramel, brownie chunks, toasted pecans and caramel ganache.
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Comidas Navidenas
Cheese and jalapeno, chicken or pork.
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Comidas Navidenas
Braised beef or chicken.
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Comidas Navidenas
Traditional Christmas hominy stew with pork.
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Comidas Navidenas
Beef or chicken.
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Comidas Navidenas
Cinnamon and powdered sugar, dulce de leche dipping sauce.
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Comidas Navidenas
Tequila, hibiscus syrup, paloma.
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Comidas Navidenas
Tequila, triple sec, cranberry juice, margarita.
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Sweets
Seasoned shrimp in a soft roll with lettuce and a creamy dressing.
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Sweets
Flaky pastry filled with sausage.
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Sweets
Banana bread pudding with cinnamon.
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Sweets
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Sweets
Cinnamon roll with glaze.
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Sweets
Whiskey, gingerbread syrup, mule.
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Sweets
Coconut rum, blue curacao, mojito.
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Christmas Market
Mac and cheese topped with brisket.
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Christmas Market
Chips loaded with pulled pork and Hatch chile.
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Christmas Market
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Christmas Market
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Christmas Market
Vodka, blue curacao, mojito.
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Christmas Market
Crown Royal, peach schnapps, pink lemonade.
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Fireside S’mores
A s’mores board with chocolates, cookies, graham crackers, marshmallows, pretzels, bacon and hazelnut dip.
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Fireside S’mores
Graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows to roast by the fire.
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Fireside S’mores
Char-grilled corn with chili-lime butter and cheese.
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Fireside S’mores, Spruce’s Spuds
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Fireside S’mores
Vodka, melon liqueur, margarita.
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Fireside S’mores
Whiskey and mule.
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Christmas Coffee and Confections
Ginger and cinnamon holiday cookie.
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Christmas Coffee and Confections
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St Nick’s Express
Chocolate and tart cherries.
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St Nick’s Express
Chocolate-filled crepes with toasted marshmallows and graham cracker crumble.
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St Nick’s Express
Smoked ham, Swiss cheese, Dijon cream sauce.
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St Nick’s Express
Croissant pastry with cream cheese and raspberry filling.
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Spruce’s Spuds
Baked potato with braised beef, beef gravy and crispy onions.
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Spruce’s Spuds
Baked potato with roasted turkey and gravy.
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Nothing matches. Try All or All locations.
Dates and Hours
The Christmas Celebration runs Nov. 12 to 15, Nov. 19 to 29, Dec. 3 to 6, Dec. 10 to 13, then every day from Dec. 17 to Jan. 4, and every event date runs 1 to 9 p.m. No New Year’s Eve event is announced for 2026: the calendar shows Dec. 31 as a regular 1 to 9 p.m. day, and the park’s New Year’s Eve page still carries last year’s details.
November 2026
December 2026
January 2027
Christmas Celebration date, 1 to 9 p.m. Tap a date for its notes
Tap a date to see its hours and what’s on.
Tickets and Passes
The Christmas Celebration is included with park admission, Season Passes and Annual Passes, and the passes list no blockout dates. All Aboard, with ride line skips and reserved show seats, is from $79.99 this year and Santa’s Sleigh Reserved Seating is $64.99, up from $39.99 and $24.99 on last year’s page. The Christmas Traditions Tour and Holiday Camp, both sold last year, aren’t on this year’s pages.
Fever also sells SeaWorld San Antonio tickets, including Weekday and Any Day tickets with or without All-Day Dining and a SeaWorld and Aquatica ticket, 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 page has each date’s current price.
| Ticket | Price | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Day Ticket | $102.99 regular price, lower online by date | One visit on the date chosen. The Christmas Celebration is included |
| Ticket + All-Day Dining | $162.98 regular price | The date chosen |
| Ultimate Bundle (dining plus Quick Queue once on select rides) | $177.97 regular price | The date chosen |
| 2027 Season Pass, SeaWorld | $125.99 regular price | Unlimited visits in 2027, through Jan. 2, 2028. No blockout dates listed |
| 2027 Season Pass, SeaWorld and Aquatica | $142.99 regular price | Same terms |
| Silver, Gold and Platinum Annual Passes | See the park’s pass page | 12 months, no blockout dates |
Costs extra
- Home for the Holidays: Dinner with Santa and Mrs. Claus (all-you-can-eat holiday dinner at a reserved table, photos with Santa, next to Alligator Alley, one hour, presented by Coca-Cola), the park’s dining and tickets pages list different prices, so check at booking. Under 3 free with a reservation. Select days and times.
- All Aboard (unlimited priority access on participating rides, reserved seating at Beluga, Orca and Sea Lion stadiums, O Wondrous Night and the RhythMotion parade, a collectible mug with one hot chocolate fill), from $79.99. The date reserved.
- Santa’s Sleigh Reserved Seating (reserved seats at participating shows plus O Wondrous Night and the RhythMotion parade, a collectible mug with one hot chocolate fill), $64.99. The date reserved.
- 1-Time O Wondrous Night Reserved Seating (Nautilus Amphitheater, ages 3+), $9.99. One show.
- Festive Food and Seasonal Sips Sampling Lanyard (any mix of food, drink or dessert samples), 5 samples $45, 10 samples $60. Nov. 12 to Jan. 3, 2027.
- Fireside S’mores boards and kits, price not posted. Event days.
Photos
SeaWorld San Antonio Christmas FAQ
When is SeaWorld San Antonio’s Christmas Celebration in 2026?
Nov. 12, 2026, to Jan. 4, 2027, on select dates: Nov. 12 to 15, Nov. 19 to 29, Dec. 3 to 6, Dec. 10 to 13 and every day from Dec. 17 to Jan. 4.
What are the hours?
1 to 9 p.m. on every event date, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
Is it included with admission?
Yes. The Christmas Celebration is included with park admission, and Season Pass and Annual Pass holders get in with no blockout dates.
Is Miracles at SeaWorld San Antonio?
Yes. The orca show Miracles is on this year’s show list, and the park calls it a long-awaited return. The last Christmas page that listed it is the park’s 2020 page. November schedules show it at 8 p.m.
Where can I see Santa?
Santa, in a cowboy hat, poses for photos at the Christmas Market, weather permitting, and Dinner with Santa and Mrs. Claus costs extra and needs a reservation. The park’s dining and tickets pages list different prices, so check at booking.
Is there a New Year’s Eve celebration?
None is announced for 2026. The park calendar shows Dec. 31 as a regular 1 to 9 p.m. event day, and the New Year’s Eve page still carries last year’s details.
SeaWorld San Antonio’s Christmas Celebration runs on select dates from Nov. 12, 2026, to Jan. 4, 2027. For tickets and hours, visit seaworld.com. The park’s Halloween event is in my Howl-O-Scream San Antonio guide, and December haunts by state are in my Christmas Haunted Houses 2026 guide.
