A Very SeaWorld Christmas

If it’s November, that means it’s time for us to be flooded with Christmas news, and here it comes right on cue, thick and fast! And hello SeaWorld, Orlando. You are first off the mark this year with your festive programme and, as ever, it looks fantastic.

Regular readers of our blog will know we rate SeaWorld very highly for their seasonal displays, shows and new attractions for this time of year, and 2024 looks like being no exception, with a fabulous line-up of live entertainment.

With highlights like the Sea Of Trees, O Wondrous Night and the Sesame Street Christmas Parade all returning this year, there is a wealth of Yuletide excitement to explore, which all starts on November 16 and continues until January 5.

Even better, this year’s iconic Christmas Celebration will be even more razzle-dazzling than usual, with an expanded array of festive entertainment, all-new holiday food, drinks and more as the whole park transforms into a stunning winter wonderland.

The festive basics

With more than three million twinkling lights illuminating the park, SeaWorld becomes a shining spectacle of seasonal cheer. Guests are invited to glide across Central Florida’s only outdoor ice rink at Bayside Stadium and be mesmerised by the Sea of Trees as they stroll among shimmering trees that light up the water in sync with classic seasonal tunes, all based around the breathtaking 70ft centrepiece tree at the heart of the display.

In Sesame Street Land, families can enjoy the Sesame Street Christmas Parade with favourite characters, the Elmo’s Christmas Wish Show and Storytime with Big Bird. Guests can also explore An Elf’s Story by the fireside, meet Rudolph and Bumble in Rudolph’s Christmas Town and visit with Santa Claus at Wild Arctic gift shop.

For winter fun, visitors can take a spin at ice skating and catch Winter Wonderland on Ice , an ice-skating show featuring sparkling lights, festive costumes and graceful performances. Access to the rink is first-come, first-served, with socks and gloves available for purchase.

Mrs. Claus’ Magic Kitchen invites children to join Mrs Claus as she goes viral with cookie recipes straight from the North Pole, sharing holiday baking tips with a modern, social-media twist. In addition, the compelling O Wondrous Night show is back once more to inspire and delight. The show is a heartwarming retelling of the Nativity, featuring more than 30 cherished Christmas carols, brought to life through beautifully crafted life-size puppets, live animals and a talented cast.

The holiday celebration then concludes with the annual spectacle of Holiday Reflections: Fireworks Finale , a dazzling display of pyrotechnics set to classic Christmas tunes in front of Bayside Stadium.

What’s new for 2024

SeaWorld is also turning up the magic this year. This season, guests can explore the all-new Christmas decor at the Journey to Atlantis Plaza , featuring sparkling lights and festive displays, including the enchanting Snow Globe Ballerina.

In the Antarctica Realm , the winter wonderland continues with a snowy Christmas ambiance, playful Donder Elves and the exciting new Penguin Trek ride, where visitors journey through a genuine Antarctic landscape and come face-to-beak with the park’s incredible penguins.

On top of that, this year’s Christmas Celebration offers new flavours of the season with an exciting selection of all-new food and beverage offerings. Holiday classics like gingerbread, eggnog and peppermint are given a fresh twist, with creative options available throughout the park. The new food tastes are as follows:

• Festive French Onion Soup - Seasoned Crouton with Provolone

• Kris Kringle’s Biscuit Pot Pie – Scone-covered chicken pot pie

• Yuletide Pasta - Baked Ziti

• Red Velvet Bundt Cake - Mini Red Velvet Bundt Cake Glazed with Signature Cream Cheese Frosting

• Roasted Turkey or Cherry Bourbon Glazed Ham – With Sweet Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing and Gravy

• Santa’s Apple Cider Cronut Chicken Sandwich - Nashville Hot Crispy Chicken Sandwich

• Pork Tamales - Cotija Cheese, Cilantro Crema and Chicharrónes

Guests can also sip on seasonal beverages as they stroll around the park. They will find options like frozen hot chocolate, coquito and frozen eggnog. Plus, there are various new and returning favorites to explore, including:

• NEW: Bourbon Cranberry Old Fashioned - Garnished with orange peel and cherry

• Holiday Peppermint Eggnog - Egg Nog, White Chocolate liqueur, Vanilla Vodka and Peppermint Schnapps, garnished with a peppermint stick

• Not Santa’s Milk and Cookies - Rumchata, Vanilla Vodka and Cinnamon, garnished with ginger snap crumbs

• Mistletoe Margarita - Tequila, Triple Sec, Cranberry, Lime Sour, garnished with a lime wedge

And there’s more!

In addition to the diverse food and drink options, guests can take advantage of unique dining experiences for an additional cost. These include Dinner with Santa and Cookies, Cocoa & Milk. During Dinner with Santa, guests will be able to enjoy a scrumptious holiday meal with all the trimmings and meet Santa himself. During Cookies, Cocoa & Milk guests can indulge in sweet delights and warm cocoa, capped off by a surprise visit from a favourite character, all set against the stunning backdrop of SeaWorld’s Holiday Reflections: Fireworks Finale.

Guests can also enhance their Christmas experience by purchasing the Festive Food & Seasonal Sips sampling lanyard. For $75, the 10-sample lanyard allows visitors to select from all the holiday-themed food, beverages and desserts, making it the perfect way to indulge in the season's offerings. Annual Pass Members can purchase a 12-sample lanyard for the same price.

And it’s not just the Christmas season.

Hanukkah Celebration: From December 25 to January 1, guests can celebrate the Festival of Lights, including the traditional lighting of the Menorah in Sesame Street Land. Big Bird will also be telling Hanukkah stories throughout the celebrations.

Kwanzaa Festivities: Taking place December 26 through January 1, this is a chance to enjoy a joyous time of reflection and celebration of African heritage, with the nightly lighting of the Kinara in Sesame Street Land.

New Year’s Eve: Ready for a party? Embrace the connection to the sea, marine life and the world we share as SeaWorld rings in the New Year in unique style, giving 2025 a wondrous welcome with bold fireworks, festive entertainment and more.

Three Kings Celebration: In honor of the cherished tradition of Latin cultures, families are invited to help commemorate the arrival of the Three Wise Men. Enjoy festive cuisine and extended opportunities for special performances in Nautilus Theater, plus the Sea of Trees and festive holiday lights. Keep the spirit of the holidays burning brighter and longer than ever with this special event from January 4-6.

Have you been to SeaWorld at Christmas in the past? Tell us about it on our Facebook, X and Instagram pages.