Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld San Diego 2026 Guide

Band Playing at Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld San Diego

This year’s Halloween Spooktacular welcomes spooky fun, silly characters, and surprises to the park.

Whether you’re visiting for the candy, the Halloween themed shows, or the festive vibes, there’s something for every age and plenty that’s brand-new for 2026.

What’s New in 2026?

Spooktacular 2026 has some new additions you won’t want to miss. Located near the Waterfront area, look out for a dancing pumpkin named Spookley the Square Pumpkin and his happy friend Jack Scarecrow at the Spookley Dance Party. There your kids can listen to a story, take a picture, and show off their dance moves at what I would describe as an awesome dance party!

The Bones Brothers Quartet is another experience and these guys are really cool. The animatronic quartet of talking skeletons tell jokes and sing songs. You’ll find them near the front of the park.

New for 2026, there’s also the all-new Trick-or-Treat with Baby Shark? show, the all-new Live Character Meet & Greets, and the all-new Coral Candy Club costume party.

There’s also always new decorations and photo spots and I’ve heard they’ve added new stops along the expanded trick-or-treat trail as well!

Trick or Treat Stations at the Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld San Diego

Trick-or-Treating with a Twist

Captain Sweet Tooth’s Candy Trail is stroller-friendly and one of the highlights of the event. Candy stations are spread across colorful themed zones; think pirate coves, sea creature hideouts, and glowing jellyfish walkways.

Offered on Fridays from 4:00pm until 7:00pm and on Saturdays & Sundays from 1:00pm until 7:00pm, your kids will need a reusable bag to participate. SeaWorld San Diego sells reusable candy bags at retail locations for $4.99 if you forget yours. Oh, and your kids are free to come in their favorite Halloween costumes as well!

Character Meet-and Greets

The surprise moments for my kids are some of my favs. New this year, the Live Character Meet & Greets bring silly animatronic skeletons, Captain Sweet Tooth and First Mate Peggy, sharing their stories near the Waterfront area.

Your kids will also find a friendly mermaid ready for photos and high-fives at Meet a Mermaid at Rescue Jr.

Live Performances

The Mission Bay Theater will be hosting the Baby Shark? Halloween Show this season. New this year, your kids can also enjoy the Coral Candy Club for a costume party complete with song and dance to celebrate fall.

If you’d like a little live music, head to the SkyTower Lawn near the SkyTower for performances by the Pirate Sea Shanty Band. The Scurvy Squad will be putting on an energetic performance filled with high energy pirate-y songs you and your family will love.

Erika Having Fun with Stuffed Animals at Seaworld San Diego

I love that every corner of SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular has kid-friendly activities. You’ll have no trouble filling the day with picture opportunities, dancing, scavenger hunts, themed rides, sweet treats and more!

Spooktacular Pumpkin Hunt

My kids love a good scavenger hunt. With a pirate-theme at Spooktacular, it only makes sense that they would get to look for treasure!

When you purchase a Spooktacular Pumpkin Map at The SeaWorld Store you can embark on a park wide hunt to find SeaWorld and Halloween inspired painted pumpkins. A completed map earns your kids a special prize at Reef Gifts!

Don’t Miss the Waterfront Pumpkin Patch

The Waterfront Pumpkin Patch is the place to go if you want incredible pictures with your family!

Located near the back of the park by the Waterfront Outpost, you’ll find a colorful pumpkin patch complete with fall decorations, tasty food, roaming live music, and stunning views of Mission Bay.

Atlantis Water Roller Coaster at SeaWorld San Diego

What About the Park’s Roller Coasters and Rides?

As a daytime event, all your favorite rides and rollercoasters, like the park’s newest coaster, Arctic Rescue, will be open all day long. In addition, Manta will feature a special Halloween-themed multimedia show just for the fall season!

Tasty Treats & Seasonal Snacks

Halloween-themed goodies are one of my personal favorite parts of the event and include things like pumpkin cupcakes, spooky cookies, and, my favorite, candy corn-inspired sundaes. Snack stands are located throughout the park, especially near the trick-or-treat trail and event hubs.

For full meals, Shipwreck Reef Café and Manta Pizza are two of my kid’s favorites. If your family has food allergies, SeaWorld San Diego offers gluten-free and allergy-friendly menus upon request.

Can My Kids Take Part in the Halloween Howl-O-Sprint 5k Run?

Yes! While not directly part of Spooktacular, the SeaWorld San Diego Howl-O-Sprint 5k run is a family-friendly event taking place through the park with competitors receiving an official race shirt and one-of-a-kind finisher medal, a nice prize and an active way for families to celebrate Halloween together!

Celebrate Día de los Muertos at SeaWorld San Diego

Back by popular demand, SeaWorld San Diego will celebrate Día de los Muertos on October 31st and November 1st with beautiful catrina statues, ofrendas, and flowers honoring loved ones who have passed.

Our team loves the Día de los Muertos celebrations throughout San Diego and especially the celebrations in Old Town San Diego where you’ll find our founder Todd and his family each November.