CARLSBAD, Calif. — This Holiday season, Christmas is in peril at SEA LIFE Aquarium at LEGOLAND® California Resort, as the decorations from the Undersea Christmas Tree have mysteriously disappeared, including the extra-special Christmas Sea Star that belongs at the very top of the tree.
Luckily, Santa has sent his trusted Scout Elves from The Elf on the Shelf Santaverse™ to SEA LIFE Aquarium to recover the missing decorations. They’ve tracked them all down, but now they need the help of young festive explorers to complete their mission and save Christmas beneath the waves.
Guests are invited to join The Sea Star Search with The Elf on the Shelf, an interactive Christmas trail included with SEA LIFE admission, where families can explore and solve festive challenges to help the Scout Elves return the missing decorations to the Undersea Christmas Tree.
Upon arrival, visitors will receive an activity sheet before setting off on their underwater adventure. Along the trail, guests will discover a series of interactive challenge points where they can help individual Scout Elves complete festive tasks and recover decorations.
With every challenge completed, participants will collect a piece of the missing Christmas Sea Star. As they journey through SEA LIFE, they’ll build their very own Christmas Sea Star ornament to take home as a special keepsake from their adventure.
Those who complete the trail will earn their place alongside the Scout Elves as true Christmas Stars and receive an exclusive The Elf on the Shelf Christmas Star Certificate to commemorate their achievement.
Set amongst the Aquarium’s incredible marine habitats and fascinating ocean creatures, The Scout Elves Sea Star Search combines festive fun, interactive learning and underwater discovery, creating a memorable seasonal experience for families during one of the busiest holiday periods of the year.
A Global Partnership Bringing Christmas Magic to Life
The Scout Elves Sea Star Search is part of the brand-new collaboration between SEA LIFE and The Lumistella Company, creators of the globally recognized The Elf on the Shelf brand. Together, the partnership brings the beloved Christmas tradition into SEA LIFE Aquarium’s immersive underwater environments, creating a unique experience that blends festive storytelling, family engagement and real-world exploration.
Designed to encourage participation, exploration and meaningful family moments, the experience offers guests the opportunity to connect with the magic of The Elf on the Shelf while discovering the wonders of the ocean. The collaboration further strengthens SEA LIFE ‘s commitment to delivering world-class seasonal events that help drive family visitation and create memorable experiences for guests of all ages.
As part of Merlin Entertainments’ global attraction portfolio, SEA LIFE continues to develop innovative partnerships with leading family entertainment brands, combining beloved characters and stories with engaging educational experiences that inspire curiosity about the natural world
Families can join The Elf on the Shelf Scout Elves and help return the Christmas Sea Star to the top of the Undersea Christmas Tree, starting November 20.
Event Details
- Event: The Sea Star Search with The Elf on the Shelf
- Dates: November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027
- Suitable for: All ages
- Location: SEA LIFE Aquarium at LEGOLAND® California Resort
- Included with all SEA LIFE Admission tickets
- Website: https://www.legoland.com/california/things-to-do/sea-life-aquarium/
For more holiday magic, LEGOLAND California is hosting their annual Christmas Bricktacular celebration on select dates from November 21 to January 3. Visitors can enjoy a variety of seasonal activities, from interactive experiences and festive fireworks to special character appearances and a spectacular, 3-story tall Christmas tree built from LEGO® bricks.
With more than 60 rides, shows, and attractions, LEGOLAND® California has something for every family. Kids can explore Dino Valley’s dinosaur-themed adventures, earn their own driver’s license at Driving School, or discover LEGO® Galaxy, a new space-themed land featuring Galacticoaster, an indoor space-themed ride offering 625 possible combinations for a unique galactic adventure.
