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Christmas is in peril — under the sea. This holiday season, the decorations from the Undersea Christmas Tree at SEA LIFE Aquarium at LEGOLAND California Resort 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 to help, and they’re recruiting young festive explorers to save Christmas beneath the waves.
The Sea Star Search with The Elf on the Shelf runs November 20, 2026 through January 3, 2027, and the interactive Christmas trail is included with all SEA LIFE admission tickets.
How the Sea Star Search Works
When we arrive, we’ll receive an activity sheet before setting off on our underwater adventure. Along the trail, a series of interactive challenge points are set among the aquarium’s marine habitats, where we can help individual Scout Elves complete festive tasks and recover the missing decorations.
With every challenge completed, we’ll collect a piece of the missing Christmas Sea Star — and by the end of the journey, we’ll have built our very own Christmas Sea Star ornament to take home as a keepsake. Finish the whole trail and we’ll earn our place alongside the Scout Elves as true Christmas Stars, plus an exclusive The Elf on the Shelf Christmas Star Certificate to commemorate the achievement.
A First-of-Its-Kind Partnership
The Sea Star Search is part of a brand-new collaboration between SEA LIFE and The Lumistella Company, creators of The Elf on the Shelf, bringing the beloved Christmas tradition into SEA LIFE’s underwater environments at nine aquariums across America — including our own Carlsbad location. It’s a blend of festive storytelling, hands-on challenges, and real ocean discovery, designed to spark meaningful family moments (and a little curiosity about the creatures who live under the sea).
Make a Day of It
For even more holiday magic, LEGOLAND California is hosting its annual Christmas Bricktacular on select dates from November 21 to January 3, with interactive experiences, festive fireworks, special character appearances, and a spectacular three-story Christmas tree built from LEGO bricks.
The Sea Star Search is suitable for all ages. For tickets and more information, visit the SEA LIFE Aquarium page at LEGOLAND.com.
Images courtesy of LEGOLAND California Resort / Merlin Entertainments
