SeaWorld’s Summer Spectacular!

When it comes to seasonal events and happenings, few parks can beat SeaWorld for the extra dimension they bring to their park at different times of the year. When you then add in craft beers, live music, penguins and fireworks, you have the recipe for a true summer sizzler. So, let’s dive in!

First off, there’s the return of Bands, Brew & BBQ, the unique blend of live music, mouth-watering barbecue food and refreshing beers, to provide the perfect summer outing for families and friends alike. Then there is the all-new summer season Ignite show that brings down the curtain each evening, which this year adds the debut of an all-new, first-of-its-kind drone show.

SeaWorld is also making history this summer as the only place in the Western Hemisphere where guests can see Emperor penguins – the world’s largest and most iconic penguin species – up close. Beginning June 14, guests will be able to witness these iconic Antarctic animals up close in the park’s Antarctica Realm.

Bands, Brew & BBQ

This year’s barbecue “season,” on select dates from July 5 to August 24, will offer an impressive array of more than 130 different craft brews, cocktails and delicious eats. Guests will be able to savour regional BBQ styles at various huts stationed throughout the park, ranging from Kansas City to Carolina, Texas to Memphis and even SeaWorld’s own famous BBQ. There’s a BBQ style for every taste.

Some of the all-new mouthwatering options include:

• BBQ Sundae: Pulled BBQ Pork, Creamy Mash Potatoes, BBQ Pit beans, Cole slaw, Cherry Tomato and Onion Straws.

• Smoked Chicken Taco: Mazina Tortilla, Smoked BBQ Chicken, Pickled Onions, Jalapenos and Tangy BBQ Sauce.

• Southern Smoked Turkey Collard Greens: Tender Collard greens infused with smoked Turkey Meat and Crushed Red Pepper.

• Corn Rib: Seasoned fried corn rib, with Butter sauce, Balsamic reduction, red pepper Mashed Potatoes and Micro Greens.

Guests can also get the party started with a selection of refreshing, all-new cocktails to enjoy while indulging in all the delicious eats. The impressive variety of novel concoctions include five outstanding hand-crafted options:

• Frozen Sangria – Red wine, Orange Juice, Brandy and Simple syrup.

• Royal Rush – Riesling, Vodka, Blueberry and Lemon juice.

• Kansas City Smash – Bourbon, Peach and Lemon juice.

• Orange Mojito – Rum, Orange juice, Simple syrup, Lemon-lime Soda and Mint.

• Pub Grub Old Fashioned – Bourbon, Bitters, Simple syrup and Maraschino cherry.

Of course, hot summer days also call for an ice-cold beer or two, and SeaWorld has you covered for that, too, during Bands, Brew & BBQ. And, as guests explore the park, they can enjoy a wide variety of craft beers during the festival, with refreshing local and regional brews, including:

• Florida Avenue’s Big Boy Blue Blueberry & Mango Ale.

• Brew Bus’ You’re My Boy, Blue! All-Natural Blueberry Wheat Ale.

• Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co’s Guavacation Berliner Weisse.

• 3 Daughters Brewing’s Key Lime Cider.

Best Way to Savour and Sip? Enhance your culinary journey with a five-punch lanyard for $45 or take it up a notch with the 10-punch lanyard for $65, for the best savings on individual offerings. SeaWorld Pass Members also get VIP treatment and can purchase a 12-punch lanyard for the price of 10.

Electrifying Live Performances

As well as all the food and drinks, the musical part of the Bands Brew & BBQ line-up offers an exclusive lineup of live concerts, featuring award-winning artists and sizzling local acts. For this, the air-conditioned Nautilus Theater will come alive every weekend with performances from top rock and country artists, delivering exhilarating musical experiences. The concert lineup is as follows:

• July 12: Journey Tribute
• July 13: Joe Nichols
• July 19: Toby Keith Tribute
• July 20: Blue Oyster Cult
• July 26: Jason Aldean Tribute
• July 27: DOKKEN
• Aug 2: Bon Jovi Tribute
• Aug 3: Avery Anna
• Aug 9: Luke Bryan Tribute
• Aug 10: LoCash
• Aug 16: Fleetwood Mac Tribute
• Aug 17: Fuel & LIT
• Aug 23: American Stones Tribute
• Aug 24: Lee Greenwood

For the best seats in the house, guests can also choose from the optional Reserved Seating ($9.99) and Premier Seating ($14.99) in advance on this link.

Ignite Gets Drones!

As a new part of its signature Summer Spectacular event, which runs on select dates until September 1, SeaWorld will also unveil a groundbreaking extra dimension to its nighttime entertainment with the debut of its very first drone show. Seamlessly integrated with the park’s iconic Ignite Fireworks Spectacular, this new element transforms the nighttime celebration into more than just a finale. Starting in June, the aerial display transforms the night sky above the central lagoon into a breathtaking ocean-inspired canvas, featuring hundreds of synchronised drones that create vibrant waves, glowing sea creatures and dynamic light formations.

As the anthem “Feeling Electric” pulses, the drones transition into glowing “fireflies,” becoming a seamless part of the park’s signature fireworks show and creating an unparalleled visual experience. Then, as yet another additional part of the Summer Spectacular series, guests will be able to enjoy the all-new HydroSurge, a pulse-pounding cirque spectacular at the air-conditioned Nautilus Theater (which offers a welcome escape from the summer heat!).

Plus – Penguins!

While SeaWorld has long had penguins as part of its carefully-curated animal exhibits, the addition of Emperor penguins is another major new element for the park, starting with Passholder previews on June 12 and 13, and then open to the general public on June 14.

Native to the harsh, frozen landscape of Antarctica, Emperors are built for life on the ice, with dense feathers and impressive swimming abilities that allow them to dive deeper than any other bird species. To prepare for their arrival, SeaWorld upgraded its Antarctica realm to meet the species’ precise environmental needs, including reducing temperatures to around 28°F (-2C) and mimicking Antarctic light cycles to support their natural rhythms.

The Emperor penguins arriving in Orlando were relocated from SeaWorld San Diego, which has led global efforts in penguin care and breeding since the early 1980s. “This is an incredibly rare and exciting opportunity for guests to encounter one of nature’s most extraordinary species,” said Jon Peterson, Park President of SeaWorld Orlando. “We’re proud to continue SeaWorld’s legacy of penguin care and conservation, while giving our guests a rare chance to connect with these animals in remarkable ways.”

It all adds up to a true summer spectacular, and, with all these elements part of the regular guest admission, great value for the price of your SeaWorld ticket. Don’t miss it! To check the park hours and schedule for all the extra summer entertainment, click on this link.

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