SeaWorld San Diego’s Summer Spectacular 2025

SeaWorld San Diego is ready to turn up the heat with its Summer Spectacular 2025 celebration featuring concerts, a parade, stunt shows, fireworks & more!

Key Takeaways

Kristina Cappetta
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means if you make purchases through them, I may be compensated at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
SeaWorld San Diego’s Summer Spectacular
Sizzling Summer Fun
What to Expect
Explore & Save
Tickets, Transport & Stay
Prepare Your Visit
Stay Nearby

A Summer of Fun at SeaWorld San Diego

Shark Encounter Entrance at SeaWorld San DiegoTiki Bar Cocktails at the Seven Seas Food Festival at Seaworld San Diego

SeaWorld San Diego is one of the most popular attractions in all of San Diego County. After the world-famous San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, you’ll usually find SeaWorld San Diego as part of any short list of the top 5 attractions you won’t want to miss when you’re visiting San Diego.

So when the theme park hosts one of its seasonal events like the SeaWorld Summer Spectacular, Howl-O-Scream around Halloween in the fall, or one of my personal favorites, the annual Seven Seas Food Festival held in the spring, you’re surely getting more bang for your buck!

If you and your family are ready for some endless fun in the San Diego sunshine this summer, SeaWorld San Diego’s Summer Spectacular may just have the perfect event for you!

Kid Using Hand Binoculars on the Pirate Ship at Seaworld San Diego
Kid Using Hand Binoculars on the Pirate Ship at Seaworld San Diego

What is SeaWorld San Diego Summer Spectacular?

The Summer Spectacular at SeaWorld San Diego is the theme park’s annual summertime festival that includes special events, entertainment, and a high-energy concert series.

Highlights include an interactive parade, special themed shows, and an exciting firework display on select nights. You can also expect a weekend concert series welcoming an impressive list of headliners from the 90’s and 2000’s and a menu of exclusive food and drink options available for a limited time.

What are the 2025 Dates for SeaWorld San Diego Summer Spectacular?

SeaWorld San Diego’s Summer Spectacular is set to kick off on Memorial Day weekend starting Saturday, May 24th and last until Labor Day on Monday, September 1st, 2025.

The Summer Spectacular Concert series will feature nine Saturday evenings performances starting on Saturday, June 21st and running until August 23rd, 2025, with no concert scheduled for Saturday, July 5th.

Erika Inside Turtle Reef at Seaworld San Diego
Erika Inside Turtle Reef at Seaworld San Diego

What Family-friendly Events are Happening in San Diego This Summer?

The easy answer here is the Summer Spectacular 2025 of course!

SeaWorld San Diego is filled with family-friendly entertainment and events including an all-new summer parade, an extended nine-week concert series, and thrilling stunt shows. It’s perfect for families, concert & music lovers, thrill-seekers, and anyone looking to create unforgettable summer memories.

Our founder, Todd, is going with his family and can’t wait! His daughter loves roller coasters which bring out the screaming kid in all of us! Note that Arctic Rescue, the fastest and longest straddle coaster on the West Coast is temporarily closed as of June 2025, but both Manta and the Emperor roller coasters are open!

Another family-friendly event taking place this summer that I personally love is the Nighttime Zoo at the San Diego Zoo. Running on very similar dates over the summer from May 23rd to August 10th, 2025, it features a wide array of music, talented acrobats, meet-and-greets, and of course animals!

Local Tips
Get the Best View for Shows
Want the best spot for parades and stunt shows? Arrive early! The best viewing areas are popular and fill up fast. A little planning helps you get an amazing, unobstructed view of all the action. It's how the locals ensure they don't miss a thing.

What to Expect at SeaWorld San Diego’s Summer Spectacular 2025

Mariachi Band Playing on a Stage at Seaworld San Diego
Mariachi Band Playing on a Stage at Seaworld San Diego

Stunts, parades, and mouth-watering food…SeaWorld San Diego’s Summer Spectacular won’t disappoint this summer!

Let’s have a look at the events, entertainment, concert series and more that you can expect this summer.

Catch The Rhythm of the Reef Parade

I must admit that I love a good parade! You and your family will get to feel the rhythm of the reef as you embark on this summer’s colorful adventure.

New to the 2025 event, The Rhythm of the Reef Parade, features SeaWorld characters as they celebrate ocean wonders. This interactive parade will not disappoint!

Check Out a Thrilling Stunt Show

You can feel the thrill in the air with BMX Blast! This intense stunt show celebrates the history of extreme sports in Southern California. Check out bar spins, back flips, and more as you listen to a live band. All of this will take place at the Nautilus Amphitheater.

You may also want to see Pirates Ahoy! The Battle for Mermaid Cove. It’s pirates versus mermaids in a stunning display of water stunts and acrobatics. This show is at the Bayside Amphitheater.

Sing and Dance with Shamu and Crew

If you have younger kids, the ‘Shamu and Crew – Together Again’ show at the Mission Bay Theater is one you’ll want to circle. As part of SeaWorld Anniversary Celebration, Sam, O.P., Coral, Shivers, Pete, and Penny sing and dance as they work together to rebuild Shamu’s Happy Harbor.

The characters are big, cuddly, not scary, and fun especially for kids that need to work off a little energy.

Groove to 90’s & 2000’s Music at the Summer Concert Series

Get ready to get on your feet with live musical performances every Saturday night (except July 5th) at SeaWorld’s Bayside Amphitheater.

The Summer Spectacular Concert Series 9-weeks of performances I think are the cornerstone of the entire SeaWorld Summer Spectacular event!

Guests will be treated to the sounds of R&B, rap and Hip-Hop from the ‘90s and early 2000s. Iconic artists set to perform include Fat Joe, Waka Flocka Flame, the Ying Yang Twins, Soulja Boy & Bow Wow, Ginuwine, Trina and The I Love The 90’s Tour featuring Color me Badd and my personal favorite, Young MC.

The 2025 concert series concludes with The Turnt Up Tour show on August 23rd featuring Petey Pablo, Paul Wall, J-Kwon, and Bubba Sparxxx.

Concerts are included with park admission. You may want to upgrade to reserved seating for your favorite artists which we’ll talk about in our tickets section below.

SeaWorld Fireworks on Mission Bay
SeaWorld Fireworks on Mission Bay

Closeout the Night with the Enchanted Wonders Fireworks Show

Our founder Todd is lucky enough to live close enough to the Enchanted Wonders Fireworks show that he just might be able to see it from his house!

The dazzling display held on select nights during the event includes music from Blue Horizon and Shamu Rocks with lyrics just for SeaWorld San Diego!

Don’t Miss the Laser Reef Summer Spectacular

As you exit the park it will be impossible to miss the special laser light show set to a thrilling soundtrack. Held in front of the SeaWorld Store at close, we’ll have to check it out this year together!

Lucas Loving the Huli Huli Chicken at the Seven Seas Food Festival in Seaworld San Diego
Lucas Loving the Huli Huli Chicken at the Seven Seas Food Festival in Seaworld San Diego

Enjoy a Menu of Special Summer Favorites

You certainly won’t go hungry at SeaWorld San Diego! There is a large selection of summer food and drinks, many of which are brand new offerings! You can enjoy Shrimp Ceviche Tostilocos and Esquite Tostilocos at the Tostilocos Bar located at the SkyTower Lawn. You can also grab Adobada Tacos and Pollo Asado Ramen at the Taqueria near Manta.

Craving nachos? Nachos & Tortas also located near Manta has some amazing Carne Asada Nachos and Pollo Asado Torta that never disappoints.

And if you’re a desert fan like me, be sure to save room. The Chocolate Abuelita Nachos at Nachos & Tortas and Strawberry & Cream Crepe at the Crepe Cabin near Wild Arctic are both out of this world!

What are the New Attractions at SeaWorld San Diego in 2025?

The Jewels of the Sea: The JellyFish Experience is a really cool family experience that just opened earlier this year. You will get to discover the mysteries behind their stings and the different types of jellyfish. You can also embark on a digital adventure that lets you explore marine life through the eyes of a jellyfish. And don’t miss the Medusa Gallery.

In terms of the Summer Spectacular event, the Rhythm of the Reef Parade, BMX Blast stunt show and of course the list of musical artists are all new for 2025!

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Local Tips
What activities does the Go City San Diego pass include?

There’s a variety of activities included with the Go City San Diego pass such as: The San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, LEGOLAND, SeaWorld, Hiking Tours, Whale Watching, Museum Tours, Speed Boat Adventures & more!

For the most popular attractions and water-sport rentals as well as the biggest discounts, consider the All-Inclusive Pass.

Use our exclusive discount code GVSD5OFF to save an extra 5%!

Tickets, Getting There, and Staying Nearby

Now that you know all about SeaWorld’s 2025 Summer Spectacular event, let me share with you the best ways to get tickets, how to find the attraction and park, and if you’re looking for a family-friendly hotel nearby, a list of our team at Go Visit San Diego’s favorite hotels within a few miles from the theme park!

SeaWorld Exit at SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld Exit at SeaWorld San Diego

How Much are Tickets for the SeaWorld San Diego Summer Spectacular 2025?

The cheapest tickets are available with a Go City San Diego pass using discount code GVSD5OFF. The pass lets you bundle your visit with many of San Diego’s top attractions like the San Diego Zoo, one of more than a dozen family-friendly museums, or LEGOLAND California which is perfect for young families.

If you just want to visit SeaWorld San Diego for a single day and that is all you are looking to do in San Diego, single day park admission starts at $61.99. Summer concerts are included at no additional cost!

If you’d like reserved seating for any of the performances, separate tickets start at $49.99. You can opt for a VIP experience ticket as well for $74.99 which includes premium seating and a free drink ticket.

SeaWorld San Diego also has an Annual Pass option perfect for locals that want to be part of all of the park’s seasonal events!

Parking at Seaworld San Diego
Parking at Seaworld San Diego

How Do I Get to SeaWorld San Diego?

Conveniently located in Mission Bay Park, which is usually about 15 minutes’ drive from both Downtown San Diego and the San Diego International Airport (SAN), SeaWorld San Diego is easily accessible by car or San Diego rideshare like Uber or Lyft. There is ample parking so you don’t have to worry.

You can also use public transit with bus routes that connect to the park.

What are the Top 3 Family-friendly Hotels Near SeaWorld San Diego?

I think it’s fair to say that the list of family-friendly hotels near SeaWorld San Diego is incredible!

Great Views at Oceans Coastal Kitchen at the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Great Views at Oceans Coastal Kitchen at the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

Our team was in complete agreement that you can’t go wrong when you take your family to stay at the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa.

The 4-star Polynesian-themed resort is just 3 miles from SeaWorld San Diego and features two fantastic restaurants, a fancy spa, and a family-friendly pool!

Aerial View of the Dana on Mission Bay Looking East
Aerial View of the Dana on Mission Bay Looking East

The Dana on Mission Bay

You could also stay at the beautiful Dana on Mission Bay.

Another quality choice, the tropical hotel with lush greenery throughout is just one mile from the park offering a walking path for guests looking to get a few more steps or a complimentary shuttle if you’re more like me!

Lake next to the Main Swimming Pool at Paradise Point Resort and Spa
Lake next to the Main Swimming Pool at Paradise Point Resort and Spa

Paradise Point Resort & Spa

If our team at Go Visit San Diego had to give you just one more family-friendly place to stay in Mission Bay Park, I’d say it’s the Paradise Point Resort & Spa.

The 44-acre property is one mile from SeaWorld San Diego offering bungalow style rooms on its own island! The tranquil lagoons and tropical gardens are relaxation at its finest. This makes a perfect Father’s Day trip destination or vacation for any other time of the year really!

You can also expect five pools, four restaurants, and an 18-hole mini-golf course perfect for families.

Popular Hotels
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Know Before You Go

Below is some useful information and park policies you’ll want to know as you prepare for your visit.

Lots of People at One of the Main Intersections Turtle at Turtle Reef in Seaworld San Diego
Lots of People at One of the Main Intersections Turtle at Turtle Reef in Seaworld San Diego

Visiting SeaWorld San Diego in the Summer

During the summer, SeaWorld San Diego has extended park hours so you have more time to explore every inch of the park. Many nights the park is open until 10:00pm.

Summer Spectacular Concerts are scheduled for every Saturday, except July 5th, from June 21st to August 23rd starting at 6:00pm.

Insider Tips

If you want to get good spots for parades and stunt shows, I suggest from personal experience that you arrive early. The best spots are popular.

Also, don’t forget about the evening fireworks held on select nights that light up the San Diego sky. As an extra special treat, consider visiting on the Fourth of July. The Fourth of the July celebration at SeaWorld San Diego is one of our favorites in San Diego!

Amazing Carne Asada Nachos at the Seven Seas Food Festival at Seaworld San Diego
Amazing Carne Asada Nachos at the Seven Seas Food Festival at Seaworld San Diego

Park Policies

No outside food is allowed. Don’t worry, SeaWorld San Diego has a wide variety of dining options so you won’t be hungry!

SeaWorld San Diego is also a cashless venue. Just swipe or tap your credit card, debit card, or smart device with Apple Pay or Google Pay. If you only have cash, you can use one of the cash-to-card kiosks that are located throughout the SeaWorld San Diego park. Transfer your cash, at no cost, into a Visa prepaid debit card that can be used anywhere Visa is accepted.

Watch the Weather

Certain attractions depend on the weather like the Rhythm of the Reef Parade, Enchanted Wonders Fireworks show, and even the summer concert series as the Bayside Amphitheater is an outdoor venue.

San Diego’s rainfall amounts in the summer are low so you won’t have much to worry about but I still suggest that you check the forecast so you can plan accordingly just in case.

Featured Hotel
Paradise Point Resort & Spa
Paradise Point Resort & Spa
Bayfront
Bayfront
Beaches
Beaches
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Families
4 Stars4 Stars4 Stars4 Stars
The Paradise Point Resort & Spa offers its guests a 44-acre secluded island setting with five pools, yoga & meditation, a marina, local wildlife & more!
Prices Starting at $259
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