ORLANDO, Fla. — The weather outside may be on the warmer side, but SeaWorld Orlando is bustling with holiday cheer.

What You Need To Know

  •  SeaWorld Christmas Celebration has returned and runs select dates through Jan. 2 

  •  The holiday features new entertainment offerings as well as returning activities

  • Christmas Celebration also features a holiday menu with both sweet and savory options

​The theme park's annual holiday festivities have returned for its Christmas Celebration, which run on select dates through Jan 2.

Just like years past, the park is decked out for the occasion.

The Christmas lights are up and holiday music is playing overhead. And this year, the event will feature a couple of new offerings, including a performance series.

The park has ramped up its live entertainment offerings with the addition of Sounds of the Season. The new performance series features different acts every weekend at the Nautilus Theater.

For the opening night of its Christmas Celebration, SeaWorld invited Darlene Love, who performed many of her hit holiday songs, including "All Alone on Christmas."

More acts will be announced in the future.

Visitors can cap off their evening with the Holiday Reflections: Fireworks and Fountains Finale, which SeaWorld officials say will nightly this time around. Holiday music plays as fireworks and lights illuminate the sky.

In addition to new offerings, Christmas Celebration has a full slate of returning festivities, including the Sesame Street Christmas Parade, Elmo's Christmas Wish stage show, the Winter Wonderland on Ice show, the Sea of Trees and "snow" flurries.

Santa Claus is also positioned at Wild Arctic for meet-and-greets and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is back at Ruldolph's ChristmasTown.

Holiday-themed treats are also a big part of the celebration. Around the park, Christmas Markets have been set up to serve sweet and savory dishes.

There are cheesecake waffle cones at the "Baby, It's Cone Outside" booth. At "Christmas Comforts," visitors can find various Mac & Cheese bowls, including one with braised short ribs and another with smoked gouda.

In addition to food items, the event offers different flavors of hot chocolate, including peppermint, butterscotch and gingerbread. The menu also includes seasonal craft beers and holiday-themed cocktails.

Christmas Celebration is included with general admission or a SeaWorld annual pass.

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