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If you’re looking for a wonderful way to celebrate the Christmas season in Orlando, you should visit SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration!
You can enjoy shows, a parade, character meet and greets, and more. And unlike Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party or SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream, this is NOT a separate ticketed event. The fun is included with your regular SeaWorld admission! (There are a few extra add ons, which can make for an extra special experience – but you don’t need them to have an amazing time.)
You can get a discounted price for your SeaWorld Orlando admission here. You can currently save up to 55% on your ticket!
The Christmas Celebration takes place on select days between November 16, 2024, through January 5, 2024. But even if you don’t go on a day it’s officially taking place, you may be able to enjoy some of the festivities. Check the park calendar to get a daily schedule for the date you plan on visiting SeaWorld.
Right now, we’re going to go over the different activities you can enjoy during the holidays at SeaWorld Orlando. And then we’ll let you know how you can save money on a trip there with a SeaWorld Orlando Christmas Vacation package!
Winter Wonderland On Ice
Do you like watching ice skating? Then you definitely do not want to miss this show!
Winter Wonderland on Ice is a fantastic show that features excellent ice skating. And that’s not all! Much of the choreography and music is also matched perfectly with the fountains and the beautiful Christmas lights on the trees in the background. Our family has always enjoyed holiday ice skating shows at the Busch Gardens and SeaWorld parks, but this year’s is our favorite yet.
You can see a video of the performance here:
You can get reserved seating for the show here.
Sesame Street Christmas Parade
This Christmas parade is a must see! It’s a fun, upbeat holiday parade that goes through Sesame Street Land. You’ll be able to see favorite characters like Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Oscar the Grouch, Cookie Monster, Bert, Ernie, Count von Count, and more. And there are colorful floats and engaging dancers as well.
This parade is a night parade, but times vary. Like with all of the activities and events, make sure to check the park calendar on the SeaWorld website for the date of your visit. There are sometimes multiple parades during the day, so you could be able to watch it during the day and at night.
In fact, seeing it twice in one day is what we did. If you’re a fan of Christmas parades, then I believe the parade is that enjoyable. Also, seeing the lights on the floats looks a bit different at night. Plus, you could consider watching from a different location the second time around. The parade stops partway through, and the characters get off the floats to dance and move around. Watching from a different vantage point will help you see more characters.
Here are videos of the daytime and nighttime versions of the parade:
Holiday Reflections: Fireworks Finale
What’s a celebration without fireworks?
Holiday Reflections: Fireworks Finale is an excellent way to end your day at the park. Enjoy fireworks and lights, all set to favorite holiday songs.
If you want to help ensure good views and make the experience a bit more special, consider upgrading to a Cookies, Cocoa, & Milk Featuring a Special Holiday Guest package here. This gets you, well, pretty much what it says: cookie, cocoa, and milk. But you also an exclusive private fireworks watching area. Oh, and there’s a special guest!
But if you decide not to upgrade to that option, you can still get a great view. SeaWorld has a number of recommended viewing locations for watching the fireworks show:
Bayside Stadium
Limited seating is available between the Wild Arctic attraction and Bayside Pathway. (Note that there is generally a performance of Winter Wonderland on Ice at Bayside Stadium preceding the fireworks.)
Lakeside Grill
There is tiered-level and wheelchair-accessible viewing around this restaurant.
Orca Encounter Pathway
This is the pathway between Orca Encounter and the lake (it’s on the opposite side of the stadium from Infinity Falls).
Park Entrance Plaza
The benefit of standing near the front of the park is that you’ll be among the first to exit after the fireworks are over. That head start to the parking lot can make a big difference in how long it takes you to leave!
The Waterfront
You can stand between Seafire Grill and Voyager’s Smokehouse.
Wild Arctic Plaza
There is standing viewing available next to Wild Arctic and the Glacier Bar.
Sea of Trees
At the Sea of Trees showtimes, you’ll be able to see a gorgeous light display on the trees in the lagoon, all synced to classic holiday songs! Because of the lagoon’s central location in SeaWorld, you can view these trees from many locations throughout the park.
As for the trees themselves, they range in heights of 10 feet up to over 70 feet. They are planted in up to 14 feet of water. And they are certainly impressive to view!
O Wondrous Night
This fan favorite Christmas show uses animals – puppet animals and live animals! – to tell the story of the birth of Jesus. As the use of animals might suggest, the story is told from a unique perspective. There’s also fantastic singing, 30+ carols, and a little humor as well. You can watch this wonderful holiday show at Nautilus Theater, which is located between Mako and Infinity Falls. Please note that the theater is indoors, so it’s also a good way to get out of the cold (or heat!).
You can get reserved seating for O Wondrous Night here.
O Wondrous Night Up Close Tour
If you love this show, then consider booking an O Wondrous Night Up Close Tour. Please note that the animals met during this encounter could vary.
Elmo’s Christmas Wish
This family friendly show starring Elmo can be viewed in Seaport Theater. As the title may have suggested, Elmo is trying to find his Christmas wish. He’ll get help from his friends Cookie Monster, Zoe, Rosita, and Grover.
Merry Moments with Santa at Wild Arctic
If you’d like to meet Santa, you can appropriately find him in the Arctic… the Wild Arctic attraction, to be exact!
You can book Merry Moments with Santa here. This gets you a reserved time to meet Santa as well as a commemorative 6×8 photo of the experience!
Rudolph’s ChristmasTown
Fans of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer will definitely want to visit Rudolph’s ChristmasTown! You can see life-sized storybook vignettes featuring Rudolph’s story. And you can meet beloved characters like Bumble and even Rudolph himself!
Dinner with Santa
If you love meeting characters, there’s another opportunity to meet Santa Claus. And that’s by having Dinner with Santa! This is a special dining event that includes a delicious holiday meal as well as the chance to meet Santa.
Here is the menu:
- Charcuterie:
- Seasonal Artisan Cheeses
- Cured Meats
- Marinated Olives
- Green Beans Almondine
- Cheesy Macaroni:
- Wisconsin Sharp Cheddar
- Scallions
- Roasted Turkey Breast:
- With Gravy & Corn Bread Stuffing
- Fall Salad:
- Baby Spinach
- Frisee
- Poached Pears
- Candied Walnuts
- Tangy Poppy Seed Vinaigrette
- Cherry Bourbon Glazed Ham:
- Baby Arugula
- Spinach
- English Cucumber
- Red Onions
- Dried Cranberries
- Raspberry Vinaigrette
- Vegetable Medley:
- Local Vegetables sautéed in Garlic Butter
- Mashed Potatoes:
- Sweet Mashed Potatoes or Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Holiday Sweet Stuff:
- Beignets
- Pumpkin Loaf with Vanilla Ice Cream
- Cookies
- Kid’s Buffet:
- Chicken Tenders and Fries
- Corn Dog Nuggets
- Mac ‘n Cheese
This character dining experience is offered on select dates. It costs $44 for an adult (ages 10 and up), $17 for a child (ages 3 to 9), and is free for anyone under the age of 2 (though they will still need a reservation. Click here to book your holiday meal.
Sesame Street Christmas Breakfast
What a great way to start the day! At the Sesame Street Christmas Breakfast (which takes place on Saturdays from November 16 through December 22), you can tasty breakfast favorites – all while some of your favorite Sesame Street characters dance and mingle with guests. You’ll be sure to have a lot of great photo opportunities!
Menu options include:
- Chef carved brown sugar glazed ham
- Bacon & turkey sausage links
- Scrambled eggs
- Biscuits and sausage gravy
- French toast sticks
- Potato tots
- Freshly baked pastries
- Freshly cut seasonal fruit
- Western omelet eggs
- Yogurt with topping bar
- Assorted cereals
- Assorted beverages like coffee, juice, and milk
If you have any concerns related to allergies or diet, you are asked to notify the hostess. And gluten free options will be available.
This experience costs $34.99 for an adult (ages 10 and up), $17.99 for a child (ages 3 to 9), and free for guests under age 2 (though these guests will still need a reservation).
Holiday Menu at Sharks Underwater Grill
Sharks Underwater Grill is a wonderful table service restaurant that’s open year round. This holiday season, though, in addition to the usual menu, you can order off a special holiday menu! The limited time in the past has featured items like fried turkey breast, smoked ham, and a delicious bread pudding dessert. To get an idea of what it was like in recent years, check out our guide and review of the holiday dining options at Sharks Underwater Grill.
Culinary & Beverage Locations
Not looking for a sit down dining experience, but still want to enjoy some holiday food?
Well, not to worry – there are plenty of delicious food and drinks available during the Christmas celebration!
There are 12stations throughout the park where you can get scrumptious goodies and treats. This includes seafood dishes, mac & cheese bowls, frozen hot chocolate, s’mores, baked goods, cheesecake, waffles, and so much more.
If you’d like to save money on these seasonal treats and brews, consider getting a Festive Food and Sip Sampler. This will give you access to either 5 or 10 food and brew samples, depending on which Sample Lanyard you purchase. It can be any combination of food and brew samples – choose your favorites from the 40+ food and drink options.
You can use the Sampler on more than one day, as long as it’s during the SeaWorld Christmas Celebration. This makes it an especially good idea if you’ll be visiting multiple days. It expires on January 5, 2024.
Public Ice Skating
Enjoy a special winter experience with you and your family – ice skating!
You can go ice skating at Bayside Stadium at select times during the day. You can book this experience here. Prices start at $15. Please note that the fee that includes ice skate rental. (You are not allowed to bring your own ice skates to the park.)
Also, you will need to wear crew length socks and gloves. You can purchase those when you check-in if needed.
Speaking of check in, you’re asked to arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled time.
Guests as young as 3 years old can participate, as long as they can fit into the smallest size skates available for renting. And guests younger than 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult. A liability waiver must be signed, so if a guest is younger than 18, they need to have a guardian or parent present to sign it for them.
This is a great way to make special memories with your family!
An Elf’s Story
Listen to an entertaining elf tell classic Christmas stories. And watch as they perform some impressive feats! A younger guest may also be invited to help tell a holiday tale. This takes place at Sharks Plaza.
Big Bird’s Christmas Storytime
Kids can gather around Big Bird’s Nest at various times during the day to hear seasonal stories told by everyone’s favorite big yellow bird.
Holiday Trains
When I was a kid, I was fascinated by watching model trains during the holiday scene. So I love that kids can be similarly captived by the miniature Christmas train set during SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration. It’s adorned with holiday lights and charming villages. You can find it in the heart of the Shoppes at the Waterfront.
Live Entertainment
In addition to all of the scheduled shows and performance, you might come across some live entertainment at the Christmas Celebration. For example, on our last visit, the Reindeer Horns were performing near Wild Arctic and Altitude Burgers.
Christmas Celebration VIP Tour
If you’re looking for the ultimate way to enjoy SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, this might be it!
The VIP Tour runs from 5:00 PM to park close.
As a VIP, here’s what you can enjoy:
- Dinner with Santa
- A festive holiday souvenir
- Priority photo opportunities with Santa and other holiday friends
- 1 complimentary Photo Key per party
- Reserved show seating (includes Signature Holiday Shows)
- Unlimited front-of-line access to rides
- Hot Chocolate Souvenir Mug, along with complimentary refills
The tour does not include park admission, but it is required, so you’ll need to purchase that separately. You’ll need to check in 15 minutes before your tour starts. You can do that at the Tours Welcome Center, which is located at the base of the Sky Tower.
A minimum of two people per reservation is required. All children under the age of 18 need to be accompanied by a paid adult.
Happy Holidays in Sesame Street Land
In addition to the Christmas parade, there are other holiday celebrations in Sesame Street Land.
From December 25 through January 2, there will be a traditional lighting of the menorah for Hanukkah at Sesame Street Land.
And from December 26 through January 1, Kwanzaa will be celebrated with the nightly lighting of the kinara at Sesame Street Land.
Snow Flurries
Even if you can enjoy snow in your hometown during the winter – and especially if you can’t! – there is something extra special about seeing snow flurries inside a Florida theme park. You can catch the snow flurries at the Shoppes at Waterfront.