A brand new lantern festival, Illuminate, is debuting this holiday season at Aquatica Orlando, the SeaWorld Orlando water park. Beginning Nov. 8 and running select nights through Jan. 31, 2026, this vibrant experience will take guests through 5 realms of light. While Illuminate is being hosted at Aquatica Orlando, this is not a waterpark event and the water slides will be off for this experience.
“ILLUMINATE is unlike anything we’ve ever done at Aquatica,” said Bradley Gilmour, Park President of Aquatica Orlando. “From glowing mermaids and candy-colored forests to a lantern safari brought to life on our Serengeti Express train, this festival will light up the night in a way that is both completely new and uniquely Aquatica. We can’t wait for families to create glowing holiday memories in a setting that feels worlds away, yet right here in Orlando.”
Five Realms of Light to explore at Aquatica Orlando
This lantern festival will be divided into five distinct areas to explore, each with their own story and lighting setup:
AquaLuma: Legend tells of five animal guardians who first brought light to the waters: Roa the Kiwi, Papa the Spoonbill, Wae Wae the Takahe, Kata the Kookaburra, and Ihu the Gecko. Their glowing footprints, laughter, and starlight guide explorers through arches of shimmer and radiant wildlife that still shine today.
Candy Cascade Falls: A sugary dreamscape where giant gummy bear guardians awaken the forest of sweets, sparking lollipops to sprout and peppermint paths to glow. Every laugh makes the candy sparkle, every step makes the falls flow sweeter, creating a world where joy itself lights the way.
Enchanted Lagoon: Said to be born of a pearl that fell from the moon, this mystical cove is home to a luminous mermaid who keeps watch over the dreams and wishes cast into her waters. Guests may even catch a glimpse of her sea unicorn companion under a crescent moon.
Myst Wood Waters: Deep in a forest where dragonflies taught the light to dance and macaws painted the skies, a Great Tree of Light pulses with energy. Visitors can feel its heartbeat glow as they step on an interactive mat beneath the tree, activating a dazzling light display while lantern birds, bubbles, and color-shifting chameleons bring the forest alive.
Rivers of Discovery: A glowing tribute to the animals that inspire and the parks that protect like SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and Discovery Cove — this lantern-lit safari celebrates connection, care, and curiosity. From dolphins and flamingos to giraffes and lions, each lantern tells a story of wonder and discovery, a journey illuminated by those who care.
Additional experiences at Aquatica Orlando Illuminate
Alongside strolling through the glowing areas, guests will also have additional experiences they can engage in. Plus, there will be seasonal food offerings sold during this event:
Kiddie Alley Express: The Mini Serengeti Express train invites guests to ride through a lantern safari of lions, zebras, and giraffes.
Lantern Craft Zone: Families can take part in a magical “wishing tree” experience. Guests will write a wish on a scroll, seal it in a decorative vial, and receive a small lantern to “release their wish” into the water.
Kiwi Santa Meet & Greet: A summer-styled Santa meet and greet inspired by New Zealand traditions.
S’more Stations & More Holiday Fun: Interact with additional holiday activities by taking part in meet-and-greets with Kiwi Santa and his merry elves or writing a letter to Santa at the craft station, which is included with admission. Classic s’mores are available for purchase or can be redeemed with event lanyards.
Additional questions and purchasing tickets to Illuminate
You can purchase tickets now, starting at $30, on the Aquatica Orlando website. Is meeting Santa free? Yes. Can anyone ride on the train? Mostly yes, but smaller children need a guardian with them. Those questions and more can be answered on the Illuminate FAQ page: https://aquatica.com/orlando/events/illuminate/
This looks so cool!