Are you trying to figure out which one of the SeaWorld Orlando special events is the best for you?
Well, you’re in the right place!
You could visit SeaWorld Orlando almost any time of year and you could be in the midst of a festival or celebration?
SeaWorld Orlando is known for its coasters and its amazing animal encounter experiences, but I find that their special events and festivals tend to get overlooked amongst its competitors.
If you didn’t know, SeaWorld Orlando boasts 13 different events throughout the year for all ages.
There will always be something special and exciting to experience beyond the coasters at this theme park.
Today, I will go over ALL 13 festivals and events, sharing their offerings, themes, entertainment, and more!
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SeaWorld Orlando Special Events at a Glance:
- Eat your way through the SeaWorld Orlando Seven Seas Festival from February 2nd through May 19th of 2024 with colorful cuisine and incredible concerts
- SeaWorld will have the skies lit up in patriotic love on Independence Day during their Fourth of July Spectacular
- Leave the little ones at home and come out for the chilling and highly anticipated Howl-O-Scream taking place on select dates between September 6 and November 2, 2024
- Decorated with over 3 million lights, countless holiday decorations, and more than 40 Christmas-inspired dishes the SeaWorld Christmas Celebration will take place from November 8th, 2024 to January 2, 2025
Keep reading to get a full guide on how to conquer these SeaWorld Orlando special events like a pro!
1. Three Kings Celebration
The 2024 season of events and festivals kicks off with the Three Kings Celebration!
It takes place in the month of January during the first week and is a royal celebration to commemorate the arrival of the Three Wise Men.
I love it because it recognizes the celebrated cultural Latin traditions surrounding the three wise men.
Plus, this marks when the three wise men reached baby Jesus, which was 12 days after his birth, which is celebrated on December 25th.
Shows & Entertainment
During the Three Kings Celebration, you will come across various shows and live musical entertainment to enjoy.
There is the Tale of the Three Kings show for starters.
Join the Three Wise Men at a live nativity scene depicting the arrival of the Three Kings.
One thing that you will enjoy is the storyteller who will share the tale of their journey and the traditions of the Three Kings holiday with park guests.
This presentation will take place several times throughout the day and offer a truly special photo opportunity for park guests.
Food Offerings
If you’re a foodie, then you be happy to know that you can enjoy Latin-inspired dishes and drinks prepared exclusively for SeaWorld’s Three Kings Celebration.
Menu items include empanadas (beef & cheese or chicken & cheese), tostones, and coquitos.
You can see live musical street acts that will have the family singing along to a variety of Latin holiday favorites along the way.
Groupon offers great deals on SeaWorld tickets. You can also purchase your tickets directly from SeaWorld’s website prior to your visit.
2. Sesame Street Land’s 5th Birthday Celebration
Sesame Street Land’s 5th Birthday Celebration is a family-friendly event that runs from January 27th through April 28th every day.
You can enjoy hands-on activities, dance parties, photo opportunities with characters, and much more at this SeaWorld Orlando event.
Join Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, Rosita, and all your favorite furry friends for a fun-filled days of celebration with hands-on activities, character photo opportunities, and more.
This family-friendly celebration is located in Sesame Street Land and is included with park admission.
Meet and Greets
Among the regular residents of Sesame Street, plus your little ones will have the chance to meet Baby Bear, and Honker and Dinger.
You’ll learn that Baby Bear is adventurous, caring, and brave, and is Telly Monster’s best friend. He can’t wait to meet and take photos with you!
Honker and Dinger are a pair of silly, curious, friendly monsters who communicate by honking their noses and dinging the bells on their head! They love to have fun and are so excited to meet you.
Activities
This birthday event boasts several activities for children and families. One special one would be Storytime with Big Bird.
Big Bird will be sharing some of his favorite stories at select times throughout the day so be sure to head over to his nest and gather around for Storytime with Big Bird.
You will be allowed to meet and speak briefly with Big Bird at his nest after the story is done!
Or you can get in touch with your artistic side with Oscar’s Trash Art Activity.
While Oscar the Grouch is out running errands, kids get to turn everyday materials that may seem like trash into beautiful works of art, which is sure to make any grouch happy!
Become an Everyday Hero on Sesame Street! You’ll have a chance to earn special badges for things like Bravery, Helping, Manners, and more.
Plus, you can meet members of the Orange County Fire and Rescue and the Sheriff’s Office and get an up-close look at first responder vehicles in Sesame Street Land!
Sesame Street Party Parade
One of my absolute FAVORITE things to do at SeaWorld Orlando is to watch the Sesame Street Party Parade!
This award-winning Sesame Street Party Parade is one high-energy, innovative and fun parade that everyone in your party will enjoy.
Taking place in the Sesame Street area, it’s a great way to get on your feet and celebrate with the residents of Sesame Street.
You will find all of your favorite friends and loved Sesame Street characters out on the colorful and festive floats.
Plus, the excitement is highly contagious and you I know that you will not be able to stop yourself from dancing and singing along.
You’ll be able to check the times for the parade on the website here.
Watch the Full Guide to SeaWorld Orlando here on YouTube!
3. Elmo’s Birthday Celebration
Also during the month of January, SeaWorld Orlando throws the ultimate birthday bash for everyone’s loveable red monster.
Running from January 29 – February 4, 2024 everyone can gather together and join in the festivities for Elmo’s Birthday!
Celebrate Elmo’s Birthday with meet-and-greets, a family-friendly DJ, photo opportunities with your favorite furry friends, and even more surprises in select locations around Sesame Street Land at SeaWorld!
This event is included with your park admission.
The Sesame Street parade will run as normal in addition to fun photo opportunities themed to Elmo for a limited time.
The DJ dance party filled with famous Sesame Street residents and family-friendly tunes will fill the air with lively music for a fantastic time.
Get your thinking caps on as you and your family hunt explore the neighborhood in a scavenger hunt!
There are so many places around Sesame Street Land for Elmo’s goldfish, Dorothy, to hide.
Lastly, visitors can sit down for Elmo’s Birthday Storytime!
Elmo has a very special story to tell for his birthday, and he wants you to be there! Look out for his float throughout the day and find a spot to listen nearby.
You can check the website for times and may be able to meet and briefly chat with Elmo before his naptime.
Get your SeaWorld Resort Orlando Theme Park tickets with CityPASS TODAY!
4. SeaWorld Seven Seas Food Festival
SeaWorld Seven Seas Food Festival is a fan-favorite annual event (and one of my top picks) that runs from February 2nd through May 19th of 2024 on select Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
It is one of SeaWorld’s first big festivals of the year featuring phenomenal food artisans who have created over 200+ distinct food and beverage offerings.
This SeaWorld Orlando event takes your tastebuds on a culinary adventure around the world with more than 50 fresh globally inspired cuisine choices.
They pair perfectly with over 75 refreshing wine and cocktail selections or indulge in one or more of their 75 local craft beers.
The festival is free with park admission, however, the food and beverages you may want will have an additional and affordable charge, ranging from $5-$15.
Guests can buy a festival lanyard and sample lanyards can be used for any food/drinks at all Seven Seas Food Festival booths.
You may purchase a 10-sample lanyard but for the best value, however, a 15-sample lanyard will bring you the best value. You can find menus for the festival here.
Concerts aligned with the event are also free with admission and performers can be found here. Making it one of the best SeaWorld Orlando events you MUST attend!
For more details on the festival, you can read my festival guide.
5. SeaWorld Mardi Gras
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Or for us English speakers, the motto of Mardi Gras translated is “Let the good times roll!”
Seaworld Orlando rolls out the red carpet during February with limited-time food, cocktails, entertainment, and live music – Mardi Gras style as part of the Seven Seas Food Festival.
Amongst the cajun flavors you can enjoy during the Seven Seas Food Festival, you can jam and jive with the limited-time Mardi Gras entertainment.
The Mardi Gras Street Party brings all the lively excitement and sounds of Bourbon Street in February.
Taking over the Wild Arctic Plaza with a DJ, street performers, and a dance party brings the energy and vibes of Mardi Gras fun!
Then there is the Mardi Gras Pop-Up Parade with lively street performers, colored costumes, stilt walkers, and fantastically entertaining musicians. Get ready to catch some beads!
While you enjoy the scrumptious food delights of the festival, listen as the sounds of New Orleans fill the air!
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6. St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Moving right along into the month of March, enjoy a taste of St. Patrick’s Day at SeaWorld Orlando as part of the Seven Seas Food Festival.
Running during the Seven Seas Food Festival you can get a taste of Ireland when you visit the Emerald Isle.
Dive into classic dishes like corned beef hash and beef stew, as well as some new additions just for the celebration such as Irish Coddle.
Make a toast with a Guinness Irish Stout, a special St. Patrick’s Day Bud Light, or even a delicious Shamrock Sour cocktail.
Visit the Streets of Green within the Irish Market Plaza during select times between 12:30 pm and 6 pm with incredible entertainers, amazing stilt walkers, and much more. Traditional Irish musicians will serenade you throughout the day as well.
7. Cinco de Mayo
Moving into April and May, celebrate Cinco de Mayo at SeaWorld Orlando with authentic music, delicious Mexican cuisine, and festive entertainment as part of the Seven Seas Food Festival.
The vibrant celebration honors the rich history and culture of Mexico and raises a toast with refreshing margaritas and other delightful libations.
Fiesta in the Street will bring the Wild Arctic Plaza to life!
You’ll be surrounded by lively entertainers, stilt walkers, and party starters that’ll get you moving and grooving to the sounds of the fiesta.
Classic bands will be strumming up the energy with the sounds of traditional Mexican music adding a bit of spice to the celebration. After all, who doesn’t love a good mariachi band?
8 . Viva La Musica
Spice up your weekends during the month of June during the Viva La Musica event at SeaWorld from June 1st to 30th.
Guests will be delighted to listen to live and top-charting Latin performers during concerts. In the meantime, join the fiesta with live music, DJs, dance zones, kids activities, entertainers, and more.
While you indulge in Latin-inspired and authentic flavors during Viva la Musica, you can add some fiery flavor to your life with hot entertainment in Nautilus Theater.
Not only can you dance away to your favorite Latin classics like salsa and barangay but the whole family can enjoy the local entertainment.
There will be kid-friendly songs and dances too so everyone can get in on the lively spirit of Viva La Musica or they can head on over to the kid’s crafts area for some festive activities.
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9. Fourth of July Spectacular
SeaWorld will have the skies lit up in patriotic love on July 4th.
After braving the twists and turns of your favorite SeaWorld coasters and enjoying the incredible sea life exhibits you will want to stay late to immerse yourself in the worlds of light and music.
The annual Independence Day fireworks at SeaWorld will be bringing the brilliance of the sea to the sky above.
Electrifying music will be synced to SeaWorld’s Fourth of July Spectacular as the skies above SeaWorld’s large central lake come to life in red, white and blue.
Bayside Stadium and anywhere along the water will give you panoramic views so be sure to stay til the end of the night.
The best part is that it is included with park admission!
10. Bands, Brew & BBQ
SeaWorld is serving up an incredible party for beer lovers between July 6th and August 25.
Savor finger-licking BBQ smothered in mouthwatering sauce paired to match your preferred brew during the Bands, Brew & BBQ.
To top it all off, festive entertainment will keep the party going all day long. It is a pitcher-perfect summer event at SeaWorld Orlando!
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11. Howl-O-Scream
One of the most highly anticipated events for SeaWorld Orlando is Howl-O-Scream, which takes place on select dates between September 6 and November 2, 2024.
This chilling SeaWorld Orlando special event is geared toward a mature audience.
Since it involves spooktacular adult content like blood and gore you will want to leave the little ones at home for this one.
This brand-new Orlando experience is not included in the park admission and you will have to purchase a separate ticket.
The highlight of the event are the amazingly themed haunted houses. Alongside the wickedly frightening scare zones where safety is only a wish in your dreams.
You will have access to select rides and attractions and themed bar locations to peruse in between.
Are you courageous enough to take on Mako, a monster of a coaster in the thrills of the night?
Riding this hypercoaster at nighttime is THE ultimate thrill during your spooky adventure. Making this one of the best SeaWorld Orlando events to attend.
Why We Love this SeaWorld Halloween Event
There will be live entertainment including the sirens. Beware the chilling legend of the Siren, a ghastly creature that haunts the depths of the sea.
These otherworldly beings, with their seductive allure and horrifying beauty, lurk amidst the rocky isles and treacherous cliffs along haunted coastlines. They roam about with their minions and camo plant life.
The Sirens also have a show that guests can partake in along with the brand new Monster Stomp: Slasher Alley show, starring Jack the Ripper.
This event is not included with park admission and takes place on select nights starting at $39.99.
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12. Halloween Spooktacular
Now if you are looking for something more family-friendly, look no further than SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular!
Running on select dates from August 31 to November 3, SeaWorld’s Spooktacular is a fall event not to be missed.
This daytime event is filled with spooktacular sea-themed fun where everyone can dress up in their fun costumes and enjoy trick-or-treating (with the purchase of a reusable bag).
Why You’ll Love This SeaWorld Halloween Event
There will be fall-inspired activities, a decorated trick-or-treat trail to explore, and lots of fun characters to meet.
The best treat of all is the SeaWorld Orlando event is included in your park admission too.
The colorful, musical, and show-stopping Sesame Street Halloween Parade will get the whole family in the Halloween spirit.
Dance and play along as Elmo, The Count, Big Bird, and friends dress up for Halloween with surprises galore. Get ready for not-too-spooky Halloween fun!
Or if you want to keep on showing off your moves, you can head on over to the Scarecrow Halloween Dance Party!
Join the scarecrows as music and fun fill the air in the Journey to Atlantis Plaza.
If you’re looking to relax for a bit, stop by Halloween Storytime with Big Bird or the Pumpkin Garden and Storyteller’s!
Wander through the Pumpkin Garden to see how many friendly pumpkin fish you can spot. During your travels, you may even run into the Pumpkin Queen as she reads stories in the garden.
Get fantastical with the kids and dive below the depths to meet a beautiful mermaid! The friendly Halloween mermaids greet guests in this immersive experience in the Key West area.
There are plenty of festive Halloween activities at the park for all ages during SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular!
It’s an exciting time with friends, family, and even a solo trip for the Halloween season in Orlando.
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13. SeaWorld Christmas Celebration
Ending our SeaWorld journey I have one the biggest festive Christmas celebrations around and my favorite event at the park.
SeaWorld Orlando undergoes an incredible transformation beginning November 8th of 2024 until January 2nd of 2025.
The park is decorated with over 3 million lights and countless holiday decorations everywhere as they become a sparkling winter wonderland.
Bursting with holiday cheer, the park is wrapped full of festive activities to create unforgettable memories. There is truly so much to see, do, eat, and explore!
There are a plethora of shows, new and returning, starting with Mrs. Clause’s Magic Kitchen!
Join the one and only Mrs. Claus as she trades in her cozy Christmas sweater for a chef’s apron and takes over social media with her famous Christmas cookie recipes.
From sugar cookies to gingerbread masterpieces, Mrs. Claus spills the North Pole’s sweetest secrets while trying to keep up with the latest social trends.
An Elf’s Story has you gather around the fire and hear some classic tales of Christmas.
Winter Wonderland on Ice is a popular favorite amongst guests visiting SeaWorld Orlando. Christmas comes to life on a stage of ice, jewels, and lights as skaters dazzle and delight in a show-stopping, ice skating extravaganza.
A sea of sparkling trees and towering fountains dancing in the background come together to create a don’t-miss experience for the holidays that the entire family will enjoy!
Or you can try a twirl yourself at ice skating over at the ice skating rink at Bayside Stadium.
O Wondrous Night Will Return as a Crowd Favorite!
Hear the greatest story never told with over 30 carols, life-size puppets, and live animals in this signature show that will charm, entertain, and delight people from all walks of life.
Rounding it out is Elmo’s Christmas Wish at the seaport theater. Join Cookie Monster, Rosita, Grover, and Zoe as they help Elmo find his Christmas wish! Families are sure to be singing and dancing along while watching this fun holiday show.
In addition, you’ll be able to experience Rudolph the red-nose reindeer’s story as a walk-through attraction.
Guests can immerse themselves in the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Rudolph’s Christmas Town.
Stroll past life-size storybook vignettes featuring the classic tale, and meet beloved characters including Rudolph and Bumble.
Lastly, you’ll certainly marvel at the Sea of Trees.
Enjoy the twinkling lights amongst the sea of trees display! The glistening forest sparkles to music and lights up the water.
One of My Favorite Things to Do During Christmas at SeaWorld Orlando
Take a walk through a wintery, watery wonderland and immerse yourself in the expansive holiday Sea of Trees located in SeaWorld’s lagoon.
The glistening forest sparkles to music and lights up the water—and your eyes, with 360-degree views from around the park.
As the lights dance to holiday classics, your heart will soar with wonder and delight at this truly awe-inspiring Christmas treat. Plus, a magnificent centerpiece towers 70 feet above the water.
Get warm and cozy at Seafire Grill! Step inside to enjoy a rotating selection of heartwarming Christmas classics playing throughout the day.
And hit up Wild Artic to hand over your wish list to Santa, chat a bit, and get a photo!
Over in the neighborhood of Sesame Street, you can take in a Christmas Storytime with Big Bird. Or head over and join in the festive celebration with the Sesame Street Christmas Parade!
End your night with Holiday Reflections: Fireworks Finale, featuring dazzling lights and festive fireworks, choreographed to joyous holiday musical favorites.
This is one of the SeaWorld Orlando events that illuminate the night sky in Christmas cheer and one you can’t miss.
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My Finals Thoughts on Choosing One of the Best SeaWorld Orlando Events to Attend this Year
Overall, SeaWorld Orlando is more than just its animal encounter experiences and epic roller coasters.
As you can see, throughout the year, SeaWorld Orlando offers a bevy of amazing special events and festivals that are inclusive, family-friendly and absolutely fun-filled with my favorite being the Christmas Celebration!
From Mardi Gras to the Howl-O-Scream, anytime you visit SeaWorld Orlando, with your park admission, you can just about get more than what you imagined you were going to experience!
Have you attended any of SeaWorld Orlando events or festivals? Let us know which one is your favorite in the comments section below!
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
Victoria is a professional solo traveler here to make your solo trips as stress free AND enjoyable as possible for you.
She has over 5 years of Disney and Non-Disney travel experience and was featured by POPSUGAR as one of the Top 50 Black Disney Creators you should follow.
She is a Proud Native to Baltimore, Md but always will call Disney World home. You can find her at Disney Tea with V.