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Halloween returns to SeaWorld San Diego with spooky fun for all ages. Families can enjoy the daylight Halloween Spooktacular, while thrill-seekers brave the terrifying Howl-O-Scream at night. Sister theme park Sesame Place San Diego also joins the festivities with The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular, designed for younger kids.
Here’s what you can expect for SeaWorld San Diego Halloween this fall 2025.
Why 2025 Is the Time to Visit SeaWorld San Diego During the Halloween Season
- Family-Friendly Fun – Trick-or-treat trails, Sesame Street friends in costume, and not-so-spooky shows make daytime visits perfect for kids.
- Thrills After Dark – Haunted houses, scare zones, and creepy performances turn the park into a destination for teens and adults after sunset.
- One-of-a-Kind Atmosphere – From eerie lighting to festive décor, the park is fully transformed for Halloween, offering plenty of photo-worthy moments.
- Special Seasonal Eats – Limited-time treats, drinks, and snacks give you more reasons to indulge while exploring.
- Howl-O-Sprint 5K Run – A unique way to kick off Halloween weekend, combining fitness, costumes, and park fun for both adults and kids.
- Variety of Experiences – Whether you want silly, spooky, or downright scary, there’s something for every age group.
Family-Friendly SeaWorld Spooktacular
SeaWorld San Diego is offering a family-friendly Halloween Spooktacular this fall with trick-or-treating, costumes, and festive fun throughout the park. Kids can collect candy along decorated trails, meet whimsical characters, and enjoy Halloween-themed shows and photo ops. The event is included with park admission, making it one of the best-value seasonal celebrations in San Diego.
SeaWorld San Diego has only posted the date of this year’s Spooktacular event, but official activity details haven’t yet been released. Based on past years, here’s what families may be able to look forward to this season:
Costume Party
Guests are encouraged to wear their favorite Halloween costumes during the day. In previous years, kids could join a lively costume party, while adults (13+) needed to skip masks and hoods. Face paint was only allowed if applied by SeaWorld artists.
Safe Trick-or-Treating
Traditionally, SeaWorld San Diego Spooktacular includes the park’s Candy Trail, where kids collect sweets from themed stations. Last year, trick-or-treating began after 4 p.m. on Fridays and after 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, continuing until closing.
Reusable bags were available (and required) for purchase at the entrance. Sometimes, surprise character encounters — like a Halloween Mermaid — popped up along the trail.
Pumpkin Hunt
Past events offered a scavenger-style Pumpkin Hunt. Guests could buy a map at select shops, search for decorated pumpkins around the park, and redeem the completed map for a Halloween prize.
Cavalcade Parade
A guest favorite, the Cavalcade Parade usually featured pirate-themed characters, floats, and music moving through the park in the late afternoon. It usually starts around 4 p.m., but check the schedule for the day you plan to visit.
Stage Shows
Entertainment has included family-friendly productions such as O.P. Otter’s Spooktacular Surprise, a song-and-dance performance that played multiple times per day in Mission Bay Theater.
Manta’s Halloween Adventure
You can also climb aboard the park’s thrilling ride for a Halloween-themed experience – offered for the first time last year.
Pirate-Themed Adventures
In past years, Captain Sweet Tooth hosted interactive activities like the Candy Quest scavenger course and Story Time with Captain and Friends, featuring animatronic pirates entertaining younger kids.
Dia de Los Muertos
The event has also honored Día de los Muertos (November 1–3) with colorful Catrina statues, altars for offerings, and traditional food offerings available for purchase.
Fall-Inspired Menus
A highlight of any seasonal theme park event is, no doubt, the food. Guests can enjoy sweet treats like candy corn, cotton candy, pumpkin cheesecake, and more.
TIP: Consider how many meals you’ll have during your visit. Tickets with all-day dining are available!
Kids Ages 3–9 Are Free
Thanks to our annual Kids Free San Diego event in October, one child ages 3–9 enters free with an adult holding a paid, full-price ticket. This is a substantial savings valid now through October 31, 2025!
You will need to purchase a qualifying adult ticket, which you can do through SeaWorld San Diego or my discount ticket site. You’ll also add a free child’s ticket to your cart at that time. (Note: Sightseeing passes like Go San Diego Card do not qualify for Kids Free promotions.)
Annual Pass Members and Fun Card Holders Are Free
Annual Pass Members and Fun Card holders receive free admission to Spooktacular. You’ll need to purchase admission if you don’t have either of these passes.
You can also read my advice on buying discount SeaWorld San Diego tickets that I keep up-to-date year-round.
SeaWorld San Diego’s Howl-O-Scream
When the sun sets, the screams begin. SeaWorld San Diego’s Howl-O-Scream returns for its 5th anniversary, transforming the park into the city’s largest nighttime Halloween experience. What was once family-friendly by day becomes a sinister playground of haunted houses, scare zones, live shows, themed bars, and terrifying rides in the dark.
This event is designed for mature audiences—prepare for jump scares, eerie encounters, and no safe path forward once you enter.
You’ll Need a Separate Ticket
Tickets are priced separately from your regular admission and currently start at $43.99. You can buy Howl-O-Scream tickets through SeaWorld or my discount ticket site.
Annual Pass Holders and Fun Card holders can buy discounted Howl-O-Scream tickets through their membership portal.
TIP: I recommend buying front-of-the-line upgrades to haunted houses and select rides.
Haunted Houses
Step inside haunted houses where chilling storylines unfold. Each maze has its own theme, from alien encounters to cursed swamps, offering a mix of thrills that even seasoned scare fans won’t forget.
Face an alien invasion in Area 64: Alien Outbreak, endure unsettling experiments in Nightmare Experiment, stumble through the trippy Circus of the Damned 3D Maze, get lost in the cursed swamps of Death Water Bayou, and enter the blood-chilling Simon’s Slaughterhouse. Even the bravest guests won’t escape without a scream.
Scare Zones
Throughout the park, scare zones add to the atmosphere. From Victorian London streets haunted by Jack the Ripper to sea monsters rising from the deep, each zone creates a different kind of fright.
Other zones like Carnival of Chaos, All Hallow’s Harvest, Deadly Toys, and Graveyard each add their own style of scares. Keep your eyes forward, behind you, and everywhere in between—scare actors are known to appear when you least expect them.
Frightful Shows & Dance Parties
Howl-O-Scream isn’t all about shrieks—there’s entertainment too. Guests can catch a high-energy musical dance show inside or step outside for fright-filled performances enhanced with special effects. Between scares, DJs and outdoor dance parties give you a chance to reset with music and fun before diving back into the chaos.
Rides in the Dark
SeaWorld’s signature thrill rides take on a whole new level of thrill after sunset. Ride Emperor, Electric Eel, and the all-new Arctic Rescue in near-darkness for an experience that’s scarier than any haunted house. The rush of adrenaline paired with the eerie nighttime atmosphere makes these rides unforgettable.
Themed Bars & Speakeasies
When it’s time to take a breather, head to one of the event’s haunted bars. Specialty cocktails and “restless spirits” flow at themed lounges and hidden speakeasies throughout the park, offering a sinister way to relax before braving your next scare.
Howl-O-Sprint 5K Run
SeaWorld San Diego Halloween fun isn’t limited to haunted houses and trick-or-treating — you can also lace up your running shoes for the Howl-O-Sprint 5K Run. Returning for its second year on Sunday, October 19, 2025, this spirited race takes runners and walkers on a 3.1-mile course through the park, complete with festive décor, themed photo ops, and surprise character sightings along the way.
The event also features the Kids Fun Run, ideal for children aged 12 and under, allowing the whole family to participate. All participants receive a race shirt, bib, and a one-of-a-kind finisher medal to remember the day. Top finishers in each category can even win SeaWorld tickets and prizes from Road Runner Sports.
Costumes are encouraged (just skip the masks), making it one of the most unique ways to kick off your Halloween festivities in San Diego.
Good to Know
- Arrive early — parking and packet pick-up both open at 5:30 AM.
- The 5K race begins at 7:00 AM, followed by the Kids Fun Run at 8:30 AM.
- Every participant receives an official race shirt, bib, finisher medal, and access to live results with awards.
The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place
Sister SeaWorld San Diego theme park, Sesame Place San Diego, celebrates Halloween with the popular Count von Count character and his Sesame Street friends.
This seasonal celebration is all about costumes, candy, and character meet-and-greets, making it the perfect daytime Halloween event for younger children.
While the full lineup of activities will be announced closer to fall, guests can typically expect trick-or-treat stations, festive shows, dance parties, and themed scavenger hunts throughout the park.
More details will be released as the season approaches, but it’s safe to say that Sesame Place will once again transform into a playful Halloween destination for families with little ones.
Halloween Parade & Costume Party
Festive floats are featured at the huge Halloween block party, including music, dancing, and performances by favorite Sesame Street characters, starting in Abby’s Garden. A Halloween Costume Contest will also be held with prizes for both Children and Family categories.
Halloween Treats with Count von Count
Guests can take great photos with their favorite Sesame Street characters, who will also be dressed up in special costumes. There may be an upgrade fee.
Scavenger Hunts
Interactive scavenger hunts and trick-or-treat stations are typically part of the lineup, allowing kids to explore the park while collecting goodies and solving fun puzzles. Families can expect candy trails set against festive décor and seasonal backdrops, keeping the experience both sweet and engaging.
Kids Free October
Like SeaWorld San Diego, thanks to Kids Free San Diego event in October, one child ages 3–9 enters Sesame Place San Diego free with an adult holding a paid, full-price ticket now through October 31, 2025!
You will need to purchase a qualifying adult ticket, which you can do through Sesame Place or my discount ticket site. At that time, you’ll also add a free child’s ticket to your cart. (Note: Sightseeing passes like Go San Diego Card do not qualify for Kids Free promotions.)
Tips for a Smooth Visit to the SeaWorld San Diego Halloween Event
- Buy Tickets Online in Advance: You’ll often find better prices and skip the ticket booth lines.
- Download the SeaWorld App: It’s the easiest way to check wait times, show schedules, and receive event updates in real-time.
- Bring a Small Bag: Security is thorough, and carrying a small bag speeds up entry. Plus, it’s easier to carry candy or race gear.
- Stay Hydrated: October can still be warm in San Diego, so keep water handy, especially if you’re attending both day and night events.
- Consider a Refillable Cup: If you plan to stay all day, SeaWorld’s refillable drink program can help you save money.
- Plan Transportation: Rideshares can be crowded after big events like Howl-O-Scream. If you drive, aim for preferred parking to save time.
- Book Nearby Hotels Early: Halloween weekends draw bigger crowds, so local hotels can fill quickly. Staying close makes it easy to head back for breaks.
Final Thoughts
SeaWorld San Diego Halloween is unforgettable, from kid-friendly trick-or-treating to heart-racing scares after dark. With special events, shows, and even the Howl-O-Sprint 5K, there’s something for everyone this season. Plan your visit in advance, check the schedule, and secure your tickets to ensure the best experience.
See also: How to Buy Discount Sesame Place Tickets
Katie Dillon
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