Howl-O-Scream SeaWorld San Diego 2025 Guide

SeaWorld San Diego is part amusement park and part marine zoo. In the daytime, marine life takes center stage just like at another of my favorite San Diego attractions, the Birch Aquarium at Scripps in La Jolla.

At night, you’ll find Halloween surprises throughout the park, including a number of scary attractions.

Haunted Houses

Howl-O-Scream 2025 features five different haunted houses, each with a different flavor of frights.

• Nightmare Experiment Sweet DreamzZz: Once a wellness center, now a testing ground for a sleep agent with some awful side effects, you’ll be the test case for this one!
• Circus of the Damned 3D: Don your 3D glasses and escape from the ringmaster and his crew in this circus of horrors. If your nightmares include clowns, watch out for this haunted house.
• Simon’s Slaughterhouse: You’ll have to evade the butcher as you navigate new sensory effects that will have you terrified around every corner. I personally think this haunted house is the best!
• Deathwater Bayou Awakening: This swamp-themed haunted house features a witch that follows you through a graveyard. I think I laughed, screamed, and maybe cried just a little at this one!
• Area 64: Alien Outbreak: The aliens aren’t the only threat in this sci-fi adventure. You’ll have to dodge the lethal security, crazy scientist, and the aliens themselves in this one.

Watch Out for the Scare Zones!

Scare Zones are dedicated areas decorated to match a specific theme. Be on your guard as you pass through these zones, as someone just might jump out at you!

New for 2025, SeaWorld San Diego has added a BRAND NEW scare zone.

• Overgrowth: Beware of a disturbed botanist who has unleashed scary plants as they navigate the deep woods.

You can also enjoy your favorite acre zones from previous years.

• Terrors of the Deep: This zone takes inspiration from Lovecraft’s stories of eldritch horror in seaside fishing towns - find it near the Tentacle Twirl ride.
• Ripper Row: Near the arcade, you’ll be thrust back to the time of Jack the Ripper’s bloody reign in London.
• Red Moon Revelry: A vampire-themed bloodbath outside the usual Penguin Encounter area
• All Hallow's Harvest: Found by Emperor coaster, cursed scarecrows have taken over a dying farm.
• Carnival of Chaos: Carnies, clowns, and sideshow stars prowl this area at the entrance to the park.
• Deadly Toys: Childhood toys are just dying to play with you south of the Nautilus Pavilion.
• Graveyard: The restless dead rise from their graves in front of the Nautilus Amphitheater.

Terrifying Tales at Vile Vignettes

In addition to rides, roaming actors, and haunted houses, SeaWorld San Diego’s Vile Vignettes are staged scenes with live entertainment. Each of these six scenes tells a unique tale that will scare you just the same!

This year’s returning shows are:

• Misfortune: A fortune teller shares her not-so-lucky predictions.
• Dark Magic: A twisted magician performs sadistic feats with sleight of hand.

There are also two NEW vignettes making their debut in 2025:

• Dolly Delightful: Sure, Dolly looks innocent on the outside, but don’t get too close to her “Try Me” button, or you’ll regret it!
• Summon the Spirits: A paranormal researcher looks to contact a victim of Jack the Ripper, but learns it may not be the best idea.

Howl-O-Scream 2025 also offers guests exciting ceremonies, energetic shows, rides in the dark, and themed eateries.

Live Entertainment

Each evening of the event kicks off with the Opening SCAREmony. The ghoulish MC invites guests into the park to experience all the surprises in store while setting the scene for what you can expect to encounter.

I’d also recommend you make a little time for the Monster Stomp performance. This rock and rhythm show made its debut in 2024 and was such a hit that they brought it back.

The live stage show at the Nautilus Amphitheater features Jack the Ripper as well as singing, dancing, and some pretty awesome choreography my daughter really enjoys!

There is reserved seating for the show if you want to ensure great seats. Prices start at just $9.99.

Thrilling Rides in the Dark!

While not all of the rides are open, you can still get your dose of nighttime terror by riding your favorites in the dark. Be sure to check out Arctic Rescue, Electric Eel, Emperor, and more!

Sinister Cocktails and Themed Bars

Stationed throughout the park are Halloween-themed bars, each with its own selection of cocktails. New for 2025, you’ll find Fanta Fright House, Coffin 1380, and the Inferno Bar, each with its own concoctions.

You can still visit last year’s favorites too including LaBARatory, Big Top Drinks, and Toybox.

Howl-O-Sprint 5K Run

SeaWorld San Diego will be holding its 2nd Annual Howl-O-Sprint 5K Run this fall, featuring a 3.1-mile route through the property. Though not directly part of the Howl-O-Scream nightly event, there will be some spooky surprises along the path, and runners can come in costume (no masks)!

The 5K Run is on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 7:00am, with a Kids 1-Mile Fun Run following at 8:30 am. All kids receive an official race shirt, a race bib with a timing chip, a one-of-a-kind finisher medal, and eligibility for awards. The parking lot will open at 5:30am for the event.

The 5k is currently $65.80 (increasing after October 13th) and the Kids 1K Fun Run is $27.75 (increasing after September 30th).

Register here for the race!