San Diego, CA — SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration runs every day from Nov. 14 to Jan. 3, after a Pass Member Preview on Nov. 13, with nightly snowfall, two live reindeer and holiday shows, all included with park admission. The park labels several shows all-new, including Baby Shark’s Christmas Adventure, Dolphin Island Christmas and the Rock the Holiday Christmas Parade. Below is my guide to the event to help you plan.
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebrations in Orlando and San Antonio have their own guides, and Sesame Place San Diego’s holiday event is in my A Very Furry Christmas guide.
What’s new for 2026 vs. the park’s 2025 pages
- NewShows: the event page labels Baby Shark’s Christmas Adventure, Dolphin Island Christmas with the calf Solstice, North Pole Storytime and DJ the Elf as All-New.
- ChangedParade: the event page bills the Rock the Holiday Christmas Parade as All-New, and the November schedule still lists Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Parade.
- ChangedSanta’s Cottage: Santa meets guests on SkyTower Lawn at what was Santa’s Village last year.
- ReturningClyde and Seamore’s Christmas Special, Toymaker Trouble, A Stocking Full of Soul, the lazer light show, the nightly tree lighting and snowfall, and Santa’s reindeer.
Holiday Shows
Baby Shark’s Christmas Adventure, Dolphin Island Christmas, North Pole Storytime and DJ the Elf are the shows the event page labels All-New, and none was on last year’s event page. Dolphin Island Christmas, at Dolphin Stadium, sets dolphin facts to Hawaiian and Pacific Island-inspired music and features the calf Solstice at her first Christmas.
Clyde and Seamore’s Christmas Special and Toymaker Trouble, both new in 2025, return with A Stocking Full of Soul at Nautilus Amphitheater. On Nov. 21 and 27, the park’s schedule lists Baby Shark’s Christmas Adventure at 11:30 a.m., 2 and 5 p.m., Dolphin Island Christmas at 5 and 7 p.m., Clyde and Seamore at 4:30, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., and A Stocking Full of Soul at 5 and 8 p.m.
Baby Shark’s Christmas Adventure
Baby Shark and friends lead a sing-and-dance journey to the North Pole on a holiday mission.
Dolphin Island Christmas
Hawaiian and Pacific Island-inspired music and native languages, with dolphin facts and the calf Solstice at her first Christmas.
Where: Dolphin Stadium
North Pole Storytime
Paige the Elf tells a story about Santa’s visit to SeaWorld San Diego, with help from audience volunteers.
DJ the Elf
A dance party with remixed holiday favorites and elf guests.
Clyde and Seamore’s Christmas Special
The prank-loving sea lions and their trainers in a Christmas special with otters. It was new in 2025.
Where: Sea Lion Stadium
Toymaker Trouble with Mrs. Claus and the Elves
Mrs. Claus and three elves help Sparky, the head toymaker elf, find his Christmas spirit. It was new in 2025.
A Stocking Full of Soul
Holiday music and dancing in a sing-along Christmas show.
Where: Nautilus Amphitheater
The Christmas Parade
The event page bills the Rock the Holiday Christmas Parade as All-New, with Mrs. Claus and her North Pole elves singing and dancing on floats along with toy makers, bakers and chefs. The park’s November schedule still lists it as Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Parade, last year’s name, at 5:30 and 7 p.m. on Nov. 21 and 27, so it may be last year’s parade with a new name.
Snow, Lights and Fireworks
Snow falls nightly at SkyTower Lawn and Wild Arctic, and over one million lights cover the park, including palm trees lit like candy canes and the 320-foot SkyTower Tree of Lights. Guests from the North Pole light a 30-foot tree in Holiday Plaza each night, and Donner and Blitzen’s Lazer Light Show plays at the front of the park.
A Christmas Wish fireworks go up on Saturday, Dec. 12, and on New Year’s Eve at 9 p.m.
Nightly snowfall
Snow falls every night of the event.
Where: SkyTower Lawn and Wild Arctic
Holiday Lights and Magic
Over one million lights, palm trees lit like candy canes and the 320-foot SkyTower Tree of Lights.
Where: Around the park
30-foot tree lighting
Guests from the North Pole light the park’s Christmas tree in a nightly interactive ceremony.
Where: Holiday Plaza
Donner and Blitzen’s Lazer Light Show
A nightly canopy of laser beams set to a holiday soundtrack.
Where: The front of the park
A Christmas Wish Fireworks Show
Holiday fireworks on two nights.
When: Saturday, Dec. 12, and New Year’s Eve at 9 p.m.
Coca-Cola Lane and Coca-Cola Market
A pathway of red and white lights with holiday music and Coca-Cola drinks, and a market with a family photo spot.
Santa, His Reindeer and Rudolph
Santa meets guests at Santa’s Cottage on SkyTower Lawn, which was Santa’s Village last year, and two of Santa’s reindeer are near Rentals. Rudolph is at Rudolph’s Christmastown in the Holly Jolly Marketplace. Photo packages cost extra, and the park hasn’t posted their prices.
Santa’s Cottage
Share wishes with Santa in his workshop and take a photo. Last year it was Santa’s Village.
Where: SkyTower Lawn
Santa’s reindeer
Two of Santa’s reindeer visiting from the North Pole.
Where: Near Rentals
Rudolph’s Christmastown
Meet Rudolph and see if you can make his nose light up.
Where: Holly Jolly Marketplace
Dine with Orcas and Santa
A one-hour meal on a private poolside patio next to the orca whales, with a photo opportunity with Santa. Last year it started at $54.99 and $34.99.
Price: $59.99 ages 10 and up, $39.99 ages 3 to 9, infants free
When: Select dates, Nov. 13 to Dec. 24
Holiday Food and Drinks
Every food stand labels its holiday items New or Returning Favorite, and the New items include Peach Cobbler and Maple Bacon Beignets, an Eggnog Bread Pudding and Lump of Coal Dough Bites with Oreo cheesecake. The park’s 2025 menu isn’t archived, so those are the park’s labels, not checked against last year, and no per-item prices are posted.
The Festive Food and Seasonal Sips Sampling Lanyard is 5 samples for $45 or 10 for $75, valid Nov. 12 to Jan. 3.
See the Christmas Celebration food and drink menuOpens on the items the park labels New, and you can sort by type or stand. No per-item prices are posted.
Twinkle Tree Cafe
Vodka, red glitter, lemonade, cranberry cocktail, Sprite Winter Spiced Cranberry.
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Twinkle Tree Cafe
Vodka, elderflower, pear, gold glitter, lemonade, Sprite Winter Spiced Cranberry, rosemary.
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Twinkle Tree Cafe
Coca-Cola, peppermint syrup, sweet cream cold foam. Nonalcoholic.
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Twinkle Tree Cafe
Lemonade, cranberry cocktail, coconut milk, peppermint syrup. Nonalcoholic.
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Twinkle Tree Cafe
Green tea, lemonade, matcha, cane syrup, green glitter, coconut milk float. Nonalcoholic.
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Churro Bar, near SkyTower Lawn
Mocha sugar and peppermint.
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Churro Bar, near SkyTower Lawn
Cinnamon roll frosting and whipped cream.
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Churro Bar, near SkyTower Lawn
Red sugar with cream.
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Churro Bar, near SkyTower Lawn
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Churro Bar, near SkyTower Lawn
Apple cider, cranberry, strawberry popping boba.
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Grilled Cheese and Soup, North Pole Plaza
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Grilled Cheese and Soup, North Pole Plaza
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Grilled Cheese and Soup, North Pole Plaza
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Grilled Cheese and Soup, North Pole Plaza
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Grilled Cheese and Soup, North Pole Plaza
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Grilled Cheese and Soup, North Pole Plaza
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Coffee and Beignets, next to Nautilus Pavilion
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Coffee and Beignets, next to Nautilus Pavilion
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Coffee and Beignets, next to Nautilus Pavilion
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Cinnamon Rolls, North Pole Plaza
With cream cheese icing.
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Cinnamon Rolls, North Pole Plaza
With brown sugar and pecans.
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Cinnamon Rolls, North Pole Plaza
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Merry Mini Pancakes, across from Nautilus Pavilion
Strawberry and cream with chocolate shavings, Nutella and banana, or pistachio cream with fudge, strawberries and katafi.
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Merry Mini Pancakes, across from Nautilus Pavilion
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Festive Flavors, near Underwater Cantina
With puff pastry.
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Festive Flavors, near Underwater Cantina
With puff pastry.
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Festive Flavors, near Underwater Cantina
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Festive Flavors, near Underwater Cantina
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La Posada, near Underwater Cantina
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La Posada, near Underwater Cantina
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La Posada, near Underwater Cantina
Hominy, cabbage, onions, cilantro, radish, lime.
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La Posada, near Underwater Cantina
Hominy, cabbage, onions, cilantro, radish, lime.
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La Posada, near Underwater Cantina
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Funnel Cakes, outside Rescue Jr.
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Funnel Cakes, outside Rescue Jr.
Filled with mashed potato, cheese, roasted corn and turkey.
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Funnel Cakes, outside Rescue Jr.
Oreo cheesecake.
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Funnel Cakes, outside Rescue Jr.
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Funnel Cakes, outside Rescue Jr.
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Funnel Cakes, outside Rescue Jr.
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Arctic Bar, North Pole Plaza
Vodka and pear.
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Arctic Bar, North Pole Plaza
Rum punch.
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Arctic Bar, North Pole Plaza
Vodka and Midori.
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Arctic Bar, North Pole Plaza
Pineapple jalapeno tequila with cranberry.
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Arctic Bar, North Pole Plaza
Tequila, triple sec, cherry, sweet and sour.
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Michelada Bar, near Manta Pizza
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Hot Chocolate Bar, Wild Arctic Holiday Square
Make it jolly with Baileys, peppermint schnapps, Frangelico or Disaronno (21+).
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Hot Chocolate Bar, Wild Arctic Holiday Square
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Nothing matches. Try All or All locations.
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve has a DJ dance party on SkyTower Lawn, from 5 p.m. on the park’s page, and A Christmas Wish fireworks at 9 p.m. Happy hour from 4 p.m. has a $6 featured drink and $4 draft beers at Underwater Cantina and High Tide Brews.
New Year’s Eve Family Bash
Character friends, live entertainment, party hats, a holiday food menu, private fireworks viewing at 9 p.m. and a champagne or sparkling cider toast.
Price: $74.99 adult, $39.99 child
When: Dec. 31
Where: Nautilus Pavilion
Dates and Hours
The Christmas Celebration runs every day from Nov. 14 through Jan. 3, after a Pass Member Preview on Nov. 13, during regular park hours. The park opens at 9 or 10 a.m. and closes between 6 and 10 p.m., and most weekdays from Nov. 16 to Dec. 18 close at 6 p.m. Tap a date for its hours.
November 2026
December 2026
January 2027
Open. Tap a date for its hoursPass Member PreviewFireworksASL Saturday
Tap a date to see its hours and what’s on.
Tickets
The Christmas Celebration is included with park admission, the 2027 Fun Card and Annual Passes, and none of the Fun Card’s listed blockout dates fall during the event. Single-day tickets are priced by date, with a regular price of $130.99.
Ticket and pass options
The park’s Christmas Celebration page has each date’s current ticket price.
| Ticket | Price | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Day Ticket | priced by date, regular $130.99 | the date chosen. The event is included |
| Any Day Ticket (ages 3+) | regular $130.99 | any one day through March 31, 2027 |
| 2027 Fun Card | regular $130.99 | unlimited visits now through Dec. 31, 2027. None of its listed blockout dates fall during the event |
| Silver, Gold and Platinum Annual Passes | see the park’s pass page | 12 months, no blockout dates |
| 2-Park Season Pass, SeaWorld and Sesame Place San Diego | regular $235.99 | unlimited visits through Jan. 3, 2028, no blockout dates |
Photos
SeaWorld San Diego Christmas FAQ
When is SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration in 2026?
Pass Members get a preview on Friday, Nov. 13. The event then runs every day from Saturday, Nov. 14, through Jan. 3, 2027.
What are the hours?
It runs during regular park hours, which change by date. The park opens at 9 or 10 a.m. and closes between 6 and 10 p.m. Most weekdays from Nov. 16 to Dec. 18 close at 6 p.m., Thanksgiving week runs to 9 p.m., and Dec. 31 runs to 10 p.m.
Is the Christmas Celebration included with admission?
Yes. Entry is included with park admission, and the 2027 Fun Card and Annual Passes cover it. None of the Fun Card’s listed blockout dates fall during the event.
Where can I see Santa and his reindeer?
Santa is at Santa’s Cottage on SkyTower Lawn, and two of Santa’s reindeer are near Rentals. Dine with Orcas and Santa, Nov. 13 to Dec. 24, is $59.99 for adults.
Does it snow at SeaWorld San Diego?
Yes. Snow falls nightly at SkyTower Lawn and Wild Arctic during the Christmas Celebration.
Are there fireworks?
A Christmas Wish fireworks run Saturday, Dec. 12, and New Year’s Eve, Thursday, Dec. 31, when the show is at 9 p.m.
The Christmas Celebration runs Nov. 14, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, at SeaWorld San Diego. For tickets and hours, visit seaworld.com. The park’s Halloween event is in my Howl-O-Scream San Diego guide.
