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The SeaWorld San Diego Christmas celebration is underway, blending iconic charm with heartwarming holiday surprises. Based on first-hand experience, here is what you can expect from the brightest season yet.
Guests are greeted by over one million dazzling lights, festive live shows (including the ALL-NEW Clyde & Seamore’s Christmas Special), real reindeer, and snowfall throughout the park that only happens in San Diego.
If you haven’t yet, plan to add this celebration to your Christmas in San Diego itinerary. While you can enhance your experience with upgrades, most of the activities and events are included with park admission.
Here are the details you need to know, including the exciting new entertainment for 2025.
Key Event Takeaways
Every year brings new elements to the SeaWorld San Diego Christmas celebration, and this season introduces exciting updates while bringing back signature holiday favorites. We’ve already been!
1. ALL-NEW Clyde & Seamore’s Christmas Special
The park’s witty sea lions are back! The prank-loving pinnipeds, Clyde and Seamore, and their trainers return for a hilarious holiday time in this Christmas-themed sea lion and otter show. It is offered during the afternoons and evenings at the Sea Lion and Otter Stadium.
2. ALL-NEW Storytime: Toymaker Trouble with Mrs. Claus and the Elves
Head to the North Pole, where Santa’s elves are preparing gifts. You can enjoy Storytime with Mrs. Claus and her most trusted elves, who will help rekindle the Christmas spirit for the head Toymaker Elf, Sparky, complete with a joyful caroling pre-show.
3. A Stocking Full of Soul
One of SeaWorld San Diego Christmas celebration’s strengths is in its shows, which means the shows for Christmas at SeaWorld San Diego are next level. Again this year, you’ll be able to enjoy several that are holiday-themed, but don’t miss A Stocking Full of Soul.
It is a soulful celebration of holiday classics, inviting guests to a festive night of live music, singing, and dancing. The show runs daily at the Nautilus Amphitheater and will definitely get you in the Christmas spirit.
4. Returning Favorite: Happy Harbor Holiday Live Character Show
Head to the Mission Bay Theater to enjoy this celebration of friendship while focusing on holiday traditions with SeaWorld’s favorite, Sir Winston the Walrus.
5. Mrs. Claus Christmas Parade
Mrs. Claus and her band of merry elves make their way throughout the park daily. The festive procession features all-new floats and characters while singing and dancing to classic Christmas songs. This is a must-see part of the SeaWorld San Diego Christmas event schedule.
6. Over One Million Holiday Lights
The park transforms into a dazzling display of over a million sparkling lights that dance across every corner. The spectacular lighting includes the iconic 320-foot-tall SkyTower Tree of Lights, San Diego’s biggest Christmas tree, which lights up the Mission Bay skyline nightly (and I can see it from my house). These are the definitive holiday lights of SeaWorld San Diego Christmas.
7. 30-Foot Tree Lighting Ceremony
Don’t miss the 30-foot Christmas tree lighting ceremony, which takes place every night in the Garden Plaza. Two special guests from the North Pole are on hand to help light the spectacular tree. The twinkling lights are programmed to move in sync with multiple lighting designs and set to classic Christmas songs.
8. Snowflake Seeker’s: A Christmas Quest!
For a fun family activity, grab a map (you need to purchase one at the SeaWorld store) and scour the park in search of colorful winter snowflakes. You’ll get a special prize if you return your completed map to the store.
9. Donner and Blitzen’s Lazer Light Show
The SeaWorld San Diego Christmas event features the ultimate holiday lights show, complete with laser beams set to holiday music, in a thrilling spectacle. The show runs every night at the front of the park.
10. Santa’s Live Reindeer
Park goers are invited to meet and learn more about Santa’s real reindeer, visiting all the way from the North Pole! This is a highlight of the SeaWorld San Diego Christmas festivities. You can even send a letter to Santa via the reindeer.
11. Snowfall Throughout the Park
If your Christmas wish is to see snow this holiday season, SeaWorld San Diego is happy to make that Christmas wish come true! While not quite a true winter wonderland, it will “snow” flakes at SeaWorld San Diego at both SkyTower Lawn and Wild Arctic every night.
Then, like magic, snow (tiny bubbles) will be blown over the crowd for a white Christmas you’ll see only in San Diego.
12. Photos With Santa at Santa’s Village
Head over to Santa’s Village for the opportunity to take photos with Santa Claus in his cottage during SeaWorld’s Christmas celebration. Tell him all of your Christmas wishes before plunging into his supply of candy canes.
13. Photos With Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
SeaWorld San Diego park admission includes the chance to take a photo with Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer. He’s, of course, located in Rudolph’s Christmastown (inside the Holly Jolly Marketplace) near Jingle Bell Square.
In this area, you’ll also find several photo backdrops featuring Santa and reindeer, the Abominable Snowman, and others.
14. Holly Jolly Marketplace & the Christmas Shoppe
It wouldn’t be a SeaWorld San Diego Christmas celebration without a little bit of shopping. Stock up on gifts and decor at the seasonal boutique, which features plenty of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer merchandise. The merchandise is high quality, from ornaments to kitchenware. They offer a helpful service to hold your purchases for you.
Plan Time to Shop
The Christmas Shoppe feels like it belongs in a shopping mall. I was surprised by how nice some of the holiday merchandise is, from ornaments to kitchenware, so do pop into the shops. They can hold your purchases.
Find your ultimate Insta-worthy moment or San Diego photo-perfect moments in front of the various backdrops throughout the park.
Festive colors adorn Santa’s sleigh, a menorah display at the Manta roller coaster (one of SeaWorld San Diego’s best rides), and all around the park.
Don’t miss the palm trees lit like candy canes for a special San Diego holiday twist. We love nothing more than strolling the park while sipping hot chocolate, craft beer, or holiday cocktails and taking in the various sights.
15. The Holiday Lights and Fireworks Show
SeaWorld San Diego is always awash with twinkling Christmas lights for the holidays, whether it be palm trees lit up as candy canes or the iconic 320-foot Skytower Tree of Lights.
But on December 13 and New Year’s Eve, December 31 this year, SeaWorld will host a spectacular fireworks and pyrotechnics show for not only guests but everyone around to see and enjoy. Don’t miss it!
16. Coca-Cola Lane and Market
Walk through the Coca-Cola Lane, a brilliant pathway illuminated by candy cane red and white sparkling lights, festive music, and special Coca-Cola holiday beverages.
For a classic family portrait, visit the Coca-Cola Market, which features a dedicated Christmas photo op set amidst festive décor, including Coca-Cola Christmas trees and ornaments. Look out for the exclusive Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan tour, which makes a special appearance near Holiday Plaza on November 26th from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., bringing extra magic and delight.
17. Special Dining Experiences
Check to see what special dining experiences are happening during SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas celebration. Last year, you could dine with orcas on a poolside patio and enjoy a visit from Santa. Here are some of this year’s special experiences:
Festive Food & Seasonal Sips Sampling Lanyard
A great value for high-net-worth travelers who want efficiency—the lanyard allows guests to try any combination of food, drink, or dessert samples and is valid for up to 10 samples (Pass Members receive two additional samples free).
Dine with Orcas and Santa
Delight in a one-of-a-kind holiday experience featuring a delicious meal surrounded by majestic orcas, a chance to meet Santa, insights from expert animal specialists, and refreshing Coca-Cola beverages. Last year featured dining with orcas and a visit from Santa. This year, confirm special dining experiences on the SeaWorld site before your visit.
18. Holiday-Inspired Food
You will definitely eat, drink, and be merry at SeaWorld San Diego this season with treats like waffle on a stick, SeaWorld’s famous hot chocolate with candy toppings like peppermint crumbles, festive entrées and desserts, SeaWorld’s specialty holiday cocktails, limited-release holiday craft beer, and more.
Tips for Your SeaWorld San Diego Christmas Celebrating Visit
California theme parks are busy during the holidays, and SeaWorld San Diego is no exception.
Plan Dining Ahead of Time
During our weekend visit during Thanksgiving break, lines for popular quick-service kiosks and counter-order restaurants were quite long throughout the day. So, if you see a short line, hop in line to eat, especially on weekends. Order food through the app if you can.
Consider Quick Queue for Rides
We also upgraded our tickets to include Quick Queue. This popular ticket upgrade allows you to enter a shorter line for popular rides like the Electric Eel roller coaster and Journey to Atlantis (which makes this a popular theme park for teens in San Diego).
The teens with me could ride each other multiple times with only a few minutes’ wait.
Go Later in the Day
Many holiday events happen in the afternoon and evening, so plan your visit accordingly. Most importantly, plan a day to visit SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration this year and let your Christmas wishes come true.
Final Thoughts
SeaWorld San Diego truly delivers a unique holiday experience that blends the grandeur of a major theme park celebration with the relaxed atmosphere of San Diego.
From seeing the SkyTower lights illuminate the Mission Bay skyline to watching the “snow” fall near the ocean, it captures the best of a Southern California Christmas. This is a must-do event for families traveling to the area this season.
Plan your visit, grab your hot chocolate, and enjoy the brightest SeaWorld San Diego Christmas celebration on the coast.
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Katie Dillon
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