Endless Kid-Friendly Fun at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
There is so much to do this holiday season, both in Tampa Bay and in Orlando. It can be hard to decide what to do. If you have younger kids, SeaWorld Orlando's Christmas Celebration is a must-do.
Each holiday season, I visit every single Orlando theme park, and SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration ranks towards the top for our family. For younger kids, it is hard to beat the amount of activities and entertainment. The Sesame Street offerings plus the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer elements make it an unbeatable combination.
Sea World Orlando’s Christmas Celebration takes place this year from Nov. 7 through Jan. 5 on select dates. The event is included with park admission. Before we dive into all the wonderful things your family can enjoy at SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration, let's celebrate what's new!
New for 2025: This year, SeaWorld Orlando adds extra sparkle to its Christmas Celebration with a reimagined Mrs. Claus’ Magic Kitchen, a refreshed Santa experience, and the return of the fan-favorite “Clyde & Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas.” Families can look forward to new surprises alongside the classic shows, dazzling lights, and festive treats that make this event a holiday tradition.
This complete guide to SeaWorld Orlando's Christmas Celebration looks at the decor, entertainment, food and beverage, and overall must-dos for kids. Plus, I've put together an itinerary to help you plan the perfect visit to SeaWorld Orlando during the holidays.
SeaWorld Orlando's Christmas Celebration: A Guide for Parents
Christmas Decorations at SeaWorld
There is decor everywhere, and I mean everywhere. Even before you walk through the park gates, there is decor on the parking booths and park entrance. Once inside the gates, you’ll find decor covering nearly every last inch of the park.
Two areas in particular are over-the-top with holiday decor. First is The Waterfront. The decor here is peppermint and candy cane-inspired. You’ll also be able to enjoy live entertainment in the evening, snow flurries, and a nice view of the Sea of Trees.
The other section is the Rudolph's Christmas Town. This area opens up in the evening. For years, this has been my favorite part of SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration. There are lights everywhere, splendid views of the dazzling Sea of Trees, and although this area has changed a lot with the addition of Pipeline, it is still a charming corner of the park.
SeaWorld's Christmas Food and Beverage
Speaking of food and beverages, there are multiple booths around the park, each offering sweets and drinks only available during the holidays. Multiple flavors of specialty hot cocoa are available here as well as a few booths throughout the park. We enjoyed sharing the Warm Cinnamon & Sugar Mini Donuts from the North Pole Bakery booth.
Beer, wine, spirits, and specialty cocktails are also available. The easiest and most affordable way to enjoy the SeaWorld Christmas Celebration food and beverage is with the Tasting and Brews Sampler Lanyard. I recommend going with the ten items for $75, that's just $7.50 an item! Our family of three used one lanyard and were well fed, with some adult beverages too. If you're an annual passholder, buy the tasting lanyard online and redeem it at any Christmas booth — you'll get two additional items on your lanyard.
Live Entertainment at SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration
The amount of live entertainment during SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration is absolutely the best. In addition to all the regular SeaWorld Orlando shows including the Orca Experience and the Dolphin Adventures, there are six Christmas shows, plus smaller performances throughout the park.
Here are some of the must-do entertainment experiences at SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration that your little kids will love:
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer meet and greet area
- Elmo's Christmas Wish
- Sesame Street Christmas Parade
- Mrs. Claus’ Magic Kitchen
- Meet Santa – new reimagined experience for 2025
Elmo's Christmas Wish is especially fun for preschoolers. It's just long enough to feel like a substantial show, without being so long that it loses the kids' attention. Sesame Street characters sing and dance on stage, and also come out into the audience, so no matter where you're seated, you'll have a good view. Arrive about ten minutes before showtime.
The Sesame Street Christmas Parade is another must-do at SeaWorld Orlando for young kids. I love that there are multiple performance times, both in the afternoon and into the evening. It is less stressful knowing there are multiple opportunities to catch the parade.
Pro-tip: If you want to see the daytime parade, be sure to look for sure and face with the sun at your back so it is not in your eyes as you watch the parade.
The Sesame Street Christmas Parade does take up the entire curving road inside Sesame Street Land so be forewarned, it takes over most of the land. There is a bypass through the merchandise shops as well as on either end of the parade. It does stop for about ten minutes for performances and songs.
If you have kids in the 7 – 12 years old range, they may enjoy these activities at SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration:
- Public Ice Skating at Bayside Stadium (additional fee)
- Winter Wonderland On Ice
- Clyde & Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas
- Jump Roping Toy Soldiers, Located at The Waterfront
- Sea of Trees
- Holiday Reflections: Fireworks and Fountains Finale
Tips for SeaWorld Orlando's Christmas Celebration with Young Kids
- Take breaks from all the shows and give your kids some active time. Feeding the sea lions at Pacific Point Preserve is fun and interactive. Or pack a swimsuit for the Sesame Street splash pad.
- Visit the Park Hours and Schedule Page for specific showtimes, schedules are usually released 2-3 weeks ahead of time.
- Review the SeaWorld Christmas Celebration food and beverage menus ahead of time to get an idea of what your kid(s) will like.
SeaWorld Orlando Christmas Celebration Itineraries
Most of the SeaWorld Orlando Christmas Celebration offerings do not start until 3:00 pm or 5:00 pm. However, you can make a full day of your visit if you wish.
If anyone in your party wishes to ride any of SeaWorld's roller coasters, it is best to do so first thing in the morning or towards the end of the day. Wait times usually do not go above 35-45 minutes, which is not bad. For showtimes, arrive about 15 minutes beforehand. Be sure to keep yourselves hydrated and wear sunscreen.
Once the 2025 schedule is published I will provide my suggested itinerary for if you plan to spend the entire day and night at SeaWorld Orlando. This itinerary is geared towards families with young kids.
One last tip! Be sure to dress your family in something festive. You will find plenty of great photo opportunities perfect for capturing momentos of a wonderful day and night in SeaWorld Orlando.
