SeaWorld Orlando Christmas Celebration 2026: dates, hours and what's included
SeaWorld Orlando's Christmas Celebration runs Nov. 6 to Jan. 4 according to its event page, and it comes with park admission. Here are the hours for each day the park's calendar labels, what costs extra, which rides the park names, and where its pages disagree on the dates.
The short version
Dates and hours
Christmas Celebration 2026 dates and hours
The park's hours calendar labels 40 days as Christmas Celebration: Friday to Sunday on Nov. 6 to 8, Nov. 13 to 15 and Dec. 4 to 6, then every day Nov. 20 to 29 and Dec. 11 to 31. The days in between aren't labeled. Hours are the park's posted hours for each labeled day, and Nov. 13 to 15 also carries a Veterans Day Weekend Celebration label.
| Dates | Hours |
|---|---|
| Nov. 6 to 8 (Fri to Sun) | Fri 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat and Sun 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Nov. 13 to 15 (Fri to Sun) | Fri 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sun 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Nov. 20 and 21 (Fri and Sat) | Fri 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Nov. 22 to 26 (Sun to Thu, includes Thanksgiving) | 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Nov. 27 to 29 (Fri to Sun) | Fri and Sat 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sun 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Dec. 4 to 6 (Fri to Sun) | Fri 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sun 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Dec. 11 to 14 (Fri to Mon) | Fri 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sun 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Mon 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Dec. 15 to 18 (Tue to Fri) | Tue to Thu 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Dec. 19 and 20 (Sat and Sun) | 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Dec. 21 to 25 (Mon to Fri, open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) | 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Dec. 26 to 30 (Sat to Wed) | 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Dec. 31 (New Year's Eve) | 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. |
| Jan. 1 to 4 | Not labeled Christmas Celebration on the park's calendar. See the note below. |
SeaWorld's own pages don't agree on the dates. The event page header says Nov. 6 to Jan. 4, its FAQ says Nov. 7 to Jan. 5, and the hours calendar labels Christmas Celebration days only through Dec. 31, with no event label on any January day. This guide keeps the header's dates. If you're going in January, check the park's calendar for your day first.
What's there
What's at Christmas Celebration
From the park's event and shows pages:
- Millions of lights, with the Sea of Trees as a 70-foot centerpiece
- Holiday Reflections fireworks at park close on event nights through Dec. 31
- New for 2026: Miracles, the orca show, which the shows page tags all new and calls a long-awaited return
- New for 2026: an all-new Christmas Market
- Sesame Street Christmas Parade
- Winter Wonderland on Ice, the ice show
- O Wondrous Night, Clyde & Seamore's Countdown to Christmas and Rudolph's Christmas Town
- Santa photos in Waterway Grill
- Holiday traditions: Hanukkah (Dec. 4 to 12), Kwanzaa (Dec. 26 to Jan. 1), New Year's Eve (Dec. 31) and Three Kings (Jan. 3 to 6)
Rides
Which rides are open during Christmas Celebration
SeaWorld's FAQ says rides and attractions are open during Christmas Celebration. It names these:
- Ice Breaker
- Mako
- Kraken
- Manta
As of Oct. 11, the park hasn't posted a full ride list for the event, so check with the park the day you go.
Tickets and costs
What's included and what costs extra
Christmas Celebration is included with park admission and with a SeaWorld Annual Pass, and there's no separate event ticket or reservation. These cost extra:
| What | Price |
|---|---|
| Public ice skating at Bayside Stadium (extra charge, skate rental included) | Not listed |
| Dinner with Santa | From $44 |
| O Wondrous Night Up-Close Tour | $39.99 |
| Christmas Celebration VIP Tour | From $249.99 |
| Parking | From $35 |
Plan your visit
How to plan a Christmas Celebration visit
- Not every day is labeled. The park's calendar doesn't label Nov. 9 to 12, Nov. 16 to 19, Nov. 30 to Dec. 3 or Dec. 7 to 10, so check your date there.
- The park is open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days.
- The Holiday Reflections fireworks are listed at park close on event nights through Dec. 31, so look up the closing time for your date in the table above.
- Dec. 19, 20 and 26 to 31 are the earliest starts, with hours beginning at 8 a.m. New Year's Eve is the only day that runs past 10 p.m.
- Look at the crowd calendar before you pick a date. For a January date, check the park's own calendar too, since it doesn't label those days.
Waits at Christmas Celebration
When SeaWorld Orlando posts waits for the rides that are running, Ride Ready shows them live, free, and pings you when a line drops.
Get the free appFAQ
Christmas Celebration 2026 FAQ
When does SeaWorld Orlando Christmas Celebration 2026 start and end?
The event page header says Nov. 6, 2026 to Jan. 4, 2027, and the park's hours calendar labels Nov. 6 as the first event day. The FAQ says Nov. 7 to Jan. 5, and the calendar labels event days only through Dec. 31.
What are the hours for SeaWorld Orlando Christmas Celebration?
Park hours change by day. Most event days run 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., the park opens at 8 a.m. on Dec. 19, 20 and 26 to 31, and New Year's Eve closes at 1 a.m.
Is Christmas Celebration included with SeaWorld Orlando admission?
Yes. It's included with park admission and with a SeaWorld Annual Pass, and there's no separate event ticket or reservation. Ice skating, Dinner with Santa, the O Wondrous Night Up-Close Tour and the VIP Tour cost extra.
Which rides are open during SeaWorld Orlando Christmas Celebration?
SeaWorld's FAQ says rides and attractions are open and names Ice Breaker, Mako, Kraken and Manta. As of Oct. 11, the park hasn't posted a full ride list for the event.
Is SeaWorld Orlando open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
Yes. Dec. 24 and 25 are both Christmas Celebration days, and the park's calendar lists 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on each.
How much do Dinner with Santa, ice skating and the tours cost at SeaWorld Orlando?
Dinner with Santa is from $44, the O Wondrous Night Up-Close Tour is $39.99 and the Christmas Celebration VIP Tour is from $249.99. Ice skating at Bayside Stadium costs extra with skate rental included, but no price is listed. Parking is from $35.
Sources
- SeaWorld Orlando: Christmas Celebration
- SeaWorld Orlando: Christmas Celebration shows
- SeaWorld Orlando: tickets and upgrades
- SeaWorld Orlando: park hours calendar
Checked against SeaWorld Orlando's official pages on Oct. 11, 2026. Parks change hours and details during the season, so check their calendar the week you go.