SeaWorld Unveils Coast-to-Coast Summer Lineup With All-New Drone Shows at Three Parks

SeaWorld is leaning hard into summer nights in 2026, rolling out a coast-to-coast entertainment lineup across Orlando, San Diego, and San Antonio. The headline addition: all three parks will feature all-new nighttime drone shows, paired with nighttime animal presentations, seasonal concerts, parades, and event-style programming designed to keep families in the park after sunset.

SeaWorld says the goal is a bigger, more immersive summer experience that blends animal encounters with high-energy entertainment. Marc Swanson, CEO of United Parks & Resorts (SeaWorld’s parent company), said the company is “raising the bar across the country” with a mix of “cutting-edge drone displays” and “nonstop family fun” meant to create lasting memories.

What’s new across all three parks

Across Orlando, San Diego, and San Antonio, SeaWorld’s summer push centers on nighttime programming. The parks are introducing new drone spectacles (with San Diego and San Antonio debuting drone shows for the first time, and Orlando launching a new version), plus new nighttime animal presentations and event-style entertainment.

Families planning travel around theme parks will want to watch two things: start dates and nighttime schedules, since several offerings roll out in late May and mid-June depending on the park.

SeaWorld Orlando: Electric Ocean returns June 12

In Orlando, SeaWorld’s summer nights are anchored by Electric Ocean, beginning June 12. The event is built as a full evening block: performance show, dance party energy, animal presentations, and a closing sky show.

Electric Ocean includes:

• Hydro Surge: Cirque Spectacular Show, a high-energy cirque-style production with acrobatics, dancers, and live drumming
• Club SeaGlow, an evening DJ party with dancers and atmospheric acts
• An all-new drone spectacle, featuring hundreds of synchronized drones forming ocean-themed scenes
• Ignite: A Fireworks Spectacular, returning with an enhanced mix of fireworks, fountains, lighting, and music

Also beginning June 12, SeaWorld Orlando is introducing three new nighttime animal presentations:

• Shamu Celebration: Light Up The Night
• Sea Lions Tonite
• Dolphins: Touch the Sky

SeaWorld also teased a new attraction opening this summer: Expedition Odyssey: Fire & Ice, described as a scientific mission exploring the most powerful forces that shape one of the most extreme environments on Earth.

SeaWorld San Diego: Drone show debut, Shark Encounter, and a summer concert series

SeaWorld San Diego’s summer programming begins May 22, with a slate that runs from daytime experiences into nighttime entertainment. The biggest “first” is the park’s debut drone show.

New offerings starting May 22 include:

• Ocean of Dreams Drone Show, a 12-minute nighttime show featuring 600 synchronized drones set to a soaring soundtrack
• Shark Encounter, a refreshed, interactive, immersive experience featuring sharks from 11 species
• Dolphin Adventures, featuring dolphins, pilot whales, and “the next generation of dolphins”
• The Wonders of North American Wildlife, highlighting native wildlife diversity and rescue/rehabilitation stories
• Deep Sea Disco, a dance-focused nighttime experience under SkyTower lights

On June 12, SeaWorld San Diego adds three nighttime animal presentations:

• Shamu Celebration: Light Up The Night
• Sea Lions Tonite
• Dolphins: Touch the Sky

The park is also bringing back fan-favorite shows including BMX Blast! Powered by BODYARMOR and Pirates Ahoy! The Battle for Mermaid Cove. Plus, SeaWorld says its 2026 Summer Concert Series will run every Saturday, spotlighting artists tied to ’90s and early-2000s hip hop and R&B.

SeaWorld San Antonio: Electric Ocean, a 400-drone finale, and a new family coaster

SeaWorld San Antonio’s summer lineup also starts May 22, led by its own version of Electric Ocean. The park’s summer nights are built around parade energy, stunt action, and a drone finale.

Electric Ocean in San Antonio includes:

• RhythMotion Ocean Parade, featuring floats, dancers, and characters
• Hydropower: Xtreme FX, a waterski stunt show with pyrotechnics, lasers, and live music
• SeaWorld Illuminight Drone Finale, featuring 400 synchronized drones creating marine-life-inspired animations

San Antonio is also adding two nighttime animal presentations beginning May 22:

• Shamu Celebration: Light Up the Night
• Sea Lions Tonite

For families looking for a ride-centered reason to visit, SeaWorld San Antonio is promoting Barracuda Strike, described as the tallest inverted family coaster in North America.

Annual Pass angle for repeat visits

SeaWorld is positioning its Annual Pass as the best way to experience the summer lineup, emphasizing unlimited visits and perks like savings on merchandise, reserved seating, and add-ons.

Advertisement

A note on SeaWorld’s conservation and rescue work

Alongside the entertainment rollout, SeaWorld highlighted its conservation and animal rescue efforts. The company says it has helped more than 42,000 animals to date and that the SeaWorld Conservation Fund has provided more than $20 million to nearly 1,400 organizations since 2003.

Planning tips: what to watch before you book

If you’re planning a family trip around these summer events, the key details to confirm are:

• Event start dates (May 22 vs. June 12 depending on the park)
• Nighttime showtimes for drone shows and animal presentations
• Concert dates (San Diego’s Saturday series)
• Park hours and whether any offerings require reservations or have limited seating

Source: SeaWorld (press release distributed via PRNewswire, May 7, 2026).

Related: Sea World Orlando

Looking for an entertainment experience that transcends the ordinary? Look no further than STM Daily News Blog’s vibrant Entertainment section. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of indie films, streaming and podcasts, movie reviews, music, expos, venues, and theme and amusement parks. Discover hidden cinematic gems, binge-worthy series and addictive podcasts, gain insights into the latest releases with our movie reviews, explore the latest trends in music, dive into the vibrant atmosphere of expos, and embark on thrilling adventures in breathtaking venues and theme parks. Join us at STM Entertainment and let your entertainment journey begin! https://stmdailynews.com/category/entertainment/

and let your entertainment journey begin!