SeaWorld San Diego Halloween Fun in 2024: Spooktacular & Howl-O-Scream

Halloween is just around the corner, and SeaWorld San Diego promises to make this year the most frightening one yet! SeaWorld San Diego Halloween events include Spooktacular and Howl-O-Scream, an “intense horror-filled haunt” that will be the nighttime version of the family-friendly Spooktacular offered during daylight hours.

Sesame Place is SeaWorld San Diego’s Sesame Street-themed water park (it used to be Aquatica San Diego). They also celebrate Halloween with The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular.

I’ll tell you about all of these below.

Family-Friendly SeaWorld Spooktacular

SeaWorld San Diego is offering its ever-popular Halloween Spooktacular with family-friendly activities and excitement that are guaranteed to bring lots of fun for guests of all ages.

Costume Party

Show off your Halloween costumes when you take part in the Spooktacular Costume Party. If you are 13 and older, leave the masks and hoods at home. Face paint for any age can only be done by SeaWorld artists.

Safe Trick-or-Treating

SeaWorld San Diego offers a great family-friendly option for trick or treating in 2024. You can follow the park’s popular Candy Trail after 4 p.m. on Fridays and after 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays – all until closing – to collect candy and other assorted treats. You might even meet a Halloween Mermaid along the way.

Reusable bags will be available for purchase at the entrance of the ocean-themed candy trail (and are required).

Pumpkin Hunt

The Spooktacular will also host a Pumpkin Hunt. Guests can purchase a special map at the park’s store to search for SeaWorld Halloween-themed pumpkins. The map can then be exchanged for an exclusive Halloween prize.

cavalcade parade

Join the fun as the pirate party characters travel through the park with musical entertainment and themed floats. It usually takes place at 4 p.m. but check the schedule for the day you plan to visit.

It’s showtime

The popular O.P. Otter’s Spooktacular Surprise returns this year, with the song and dance show playing multiple times per day at the park’s Mission Bay Theater.

manta’s Halloween adventure

Climb aboard the park’s thrilling ride for a Halloween-themed experience – offered for the first time this year!

candy quest

Keeping in the pirate theme, Captain Sweet Tooth and friends will be on hand to navigate kids around a treasure-candy course located between Bayside Amphitheatre and the Waterfront. This is definitely one to keep the children busy and entertained.

story time with captain and friends

Two pirate skeletons will join Captain Sweet Tooth and First Mate Peggy for an animatronic story show to entertain the little ones near the Waterfront area. It’s bound to delight, and it’s right around the corner from the Candy Quest!

dia de los Muertos

Spooktacular celebrates this Mexican holiday, which runs from November 1 – 3 for 2024. Traditional Catrina statues welcome guests who would like to give offerings of traditional flowers and mementos to loved ones who have passed. Traditional food options for the holiday are also available for purchase in the park.

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

You’ll want to think about how much you’ll eat during your visit because that may determine which ticket or ticket upgrades you buy. You can buy tickets with all-day dining.

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, 2024!

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

Beware, once the sun goes down, SeaWorld San Diego Halloween fun transforms into a terrifying playland, intended for mature audiences. Mingle with creepy and sinister characters throughout the park as you enjoy themed rides and bars, live entertainment, and DJ dance parties.

Explore Howl-O-Scream’s 5 Haunted Houses, 7 Scare Zones, and 6 Horrific Vignettes if you dare. You’ll mingle among spirits of both kinds at the speakeasies and bars, and don’t miss the new live show that promises to be an electrifying experience. Even stepping aboard the roller coaster takes a chilling turn at Howl-O-Scream.

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.

SKIP THE LINES

You can buy front of the line upgrades to the haunted houses and select rides. Or, opt for a VIP tour guide.

Haunted Houses

Follow dark passageways around dimly lit corners as you explore three of SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream haunted houses. They are sure to make even the bravest guest shriek with fright. 

Haunted House themes include Area 64: Alien Outbreak, Nightmare Experiment, 3D Maze: Circus of the Damned, Death Water Bayou, and Simon’s Slaughterhouse.

Scare Zones

Scares are everywhere when you take part in Howl-O-Scream. There is no place to hide, as you walk through the park after dark. You will be fully immersed in the terror.

Stay alert and prepared for anything to jump out or creepily lurk amongst the shadows. Remember not only should you beware of what’s up ahead, but also what may creep up behind you throughout seven Scare Zones.

Frightful Shows

Howl-O-Scream will also provide the excitement of a less-terrifying variety with their indoor musical dance show. There will also be outdoor shows with fantastically frightful special effects.

There will be DJs and party zones with dance breaks between scares to offer some levity and balance. You can’t be scared ALL the time!

Monster Coasters in the Dark and Haunting Experiences

Guests are invited to ride their favorite attractions in the dark for the ultimate thrill.

As if the thrill rides offered at SeaWorld weren’t adrenaline-inducing enough, imagine riding them in complete darkness. Brave the all-new Artic Rescue ride, hop on board the Electric Eel, or check out the Emperor in the Dark!

Once you have had your fill of action, you may want to quench your thirst with Howl-O-Scream’s creepy cocktails and restless spirits at one of several uniquely themed haunted bars.

SeaWorld San Diego Halloween events are fun for everyone of all ages and fright levels. You have the opportunity to select whichever best suits your level of excitement: daylight’s Spooktacular or Howl-O-Scream in the dark of night.

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.

There’s a dance party, storytime, a pumpkin patch, trick-or-treat stations throughout the park and tons of fun activities. The park’s water attractions are open through October 29, so you can enjoy it all in one go!

halloween parade & costume party

Festive floats are featured at the huge Halloween block party, which also includes 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 get great photo ops with their favorite Sesame Street characters, who will also be dressed up in special costume. It may involve an upgrade fee.

scavenger hunts

The whole family can enjoy two different scavenger hunts around the Sesame Street Neighborhood – the Sesame Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt and the Spot-The-Ghost Scavenger Hunt. Pick up a map/activity sheet for either or both options and exchange them for a special Halloween prize once completed.

kids free October

Just 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, 2024!

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.)

See also: How to Buy Discount Sesame Place Tickets