Orlando, Fla. – Aquatica Orlando will introduce a new nighttime holiday attraction this year with the debut of ILLUMINATE – A Lantern Festival at Aquatica. The seasonal event will transform the popular water park into a series of glowing, walk-through light displays beginning November 8 and continuing on select nights through January 31, 2026.
During ILLUMINATE, visitors can explore five themed realms filled with illuminated animal lanterns, interactive light features, and festive food and beverage offerings. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., with regular water attractions paused during evening hours to accommodate the display.
Aquatica Orlando Park President Bradley Gilmour said the new festival expands on the park’s previous nighttime offerings, such as AquaGlow, but with an entirely new level of creativity and sensory detail. “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,” Gilmour said.
Immersive Realms of Light
The festival will feature five distinct themed areas:
- AquaLuma – A shimmering environment inspired by Aquatica’s animal mascots, with glowing wildlife and illuminated arches.
- Candy Cascade Falls – A candy-themed forest where visitors walk among giant gummy bears and glowing peppermint paths.
- Enchanted Lagoon – A moonlit cove featuring a mermaid and sea unicorn lantern display.
- Myst Wood Waters – A forest scene centered around an interactive “Tree of Light” that responds to guest movement.
- Rivers of Discovery – A tribute to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and Discovery Cove with lanterns shaped like dolphins, giraffes, flamingos, and lions.
Additional Attractions and Activities
Families can meet “Kiwi Santa,” a New Zealand-inspired Santa character, or ride the Kiddie Alley Express train through a miniature lantern safari. Guests can also participate in the Lantern Craft Zone, where they can write wishes, seal them in vials, and release them with small lanterns into the water.
Seasonal treats will be available throughout the event, including brisket mac and cheese, apple cider churros, pork belly tacos, s’mores pizza, and themed drinks like the Cotton Candy Margarita and non-alcoholic Christmas Tree Punch.
Admission and Special Offers
Introductory tickets for ILLUMINATE start at $29.99, with food and drink packages available through special “Lantern Lanyards.” Pass members can access discounted admission and lanyard pricing, and standard parking rules apply.
About Aquatica Orlando
Voted the nation’s top outdoor water park by USA Today’s 10 Best readers, Aquatica Orlando features more than 50 water slides, rivers, and play areas spread across 84,000 square feet of beaches and pools. The park is part of the SeaWorld family of attractions and is known for its South Seas-inspired design and family-friendly atmosphere.
