Calendar of Events
Saturday, December 6th - Toys for Tots
We’re an Official TOYS FOR TOTS Donation Site!
Donate a new, unwrapped toy anytime we’re open now through mid-December.
Special Weekend Offer: Donate on December 6th or 7th and receive $2 off general admission tickets!
Help make the season a little brighter for local children—your donation brings joy and winter cheer!
Sunday, December 7th - Member Appreciation Day
We host Member Appreciation Days four times a year, and our next celebration is Sunday, December 7!
This year, we’re inviting all members to leave a lasting mark at the aquarium. Visit our arts & crafts table to sign your family’s name on a seashell, which will be proudly displayed on our wall.
As a thank-you for another year of support, members will also receive a holiday gift bag!
Monday, December 8th - Zip Code Day
On the second Monday of every month, we celebrate our neighbors with a special admission discount — and this month’s lucky ZIP is 12150!
If you live in 12150, show your ID at admissions on Monday, December 8, to use your discount.
Wednesday, December 10th - Fit4Mom Santa Con Class
Grab your Santa swag and o-FISH-ally get into the holiday spirit! Fit4Mom is hosting their awesome mom-and-me mini fitness class at Via Aquarium again—this time with a peppermint twist! You can don your best Santa attire and enjoy your very own mini–Santa Con as you make your way through the aquarium during a 30-minute workout, while your little one hangs out in their stroller or wagon. After class, you’ll have the entire aquarium to yourself before it opens to the public. This is truly an outing for the memory books!
Click here for more information or to purchase tickets. Limited spots available!
Ticket Deadline: December 8th!
Friday, December 12th - Adult Only Ugly Sweater Date Night
Break out your boldest, brightest, most questionably festive sweater and join us for a night of holiday cheer—Aquarium style. Whether your taste leans toward “Grandma knitted this with love” or “I found this in a bargain bin and immediately regretted nothing,” we’re celebrating it.
Sip on creamy egg-nog (spiked options available with valid ID), snack on festive cookies, stroll through the galleries kid-free, and enjoy a cozy evening designed just for grown-ups. No pressure. No chaos. Just good vibes, great company, and sweaters loud enough to make the fish stare.
Please note this event is for guests 18+ only (21+ with valid ID for alcoholic beverages). The event runs from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM with last admission at 7:30 PM.
Click here to purchase your tickets!
Saturday, December 13th - Ugly Sweater Day
Get ready to show off your holiday spirit at the aquarium!
Wear your most festive seasonal sweater and receive $2 off your admission ticket. It’s the perfect opportunity to have fun, get creative, and celebrate the holiday season with family and friends.
Be sure to stop by our craft table starting at 11:00 AM (while supplies last) to decorate your very own mini ugly sweater.
All event activities are included with general admission tickets.
Saturday, December 20th - Naughty or Nice Dives
Are you Team Santa or Team Grinch? Join us at our Thailand exhibit, home of our Fly River Turtle, for a special holiday dive show!
Watch Santa and the Grinch dive in the tank, spreading holiday cheer in their own unique ways. Take photos with them while they’re underwater and create memories the whole family will love. Dive show times will be announced soon.
Plus, stop by to drop off your letters to Santa and help us keep the holiday spirit alive.
All event activities are included with general admission tickets.
Sunday, December 21st - Cookie Cutter Day
Get creative this holiday season at the aquarium! Our staff will be rolling out clay and providing pre-cut ocean animal designs for kids to decorate.
While the designs are not edible, kids can use acrylic markers to paint their creations and turn them into festive ornaments or decorations to take home.
It’s a fun, hands-on activity for the whole family—perfect for celebrating the season with an ocean twist!
Event activities are included with general admission tickets.
Tuesday, December 23rd - Sensory Friendly Day
Join us for our monthly Sensory-Friendly Day at the aquarium!
Every day, we strive to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all guests. Our lights are always kept dim, music is played at a low volume, and our interactive exhibits are designed with sensory-friendly features in mind.
On the last Tuesday of each month, we take extra steps to make the experience even more comfortable for those who prefer a quieter, slower-paced visit. Attendance is intentionally kept low, including a reduction in field trip groups, to help provide a calm and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone.
PLEASE NOTE: This month’s Sensory Friendly Day has been moved one week earlier to accommodate the holiday school break.
Saturday, December 27th - Winter Extravaganza
Celebrate winter break with a fun-filled day at the aquarium! The aquarium opens at 10:00 AM, and Winter Extravaganza activities begin at 11:00 AM.
Activities from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (or while supplies last):
❄ Hot cocoa & cookies
❄ Coldwater Animal Scavenger Hunt
❄ Snowball Toss game
❄ Temporary Tattoos station
Caricature Artist: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Bring the whole family for a day of underwater adventure and winter fun—don’t miss it!
All event activities are included with general admission tickets.
Sunday, December 28th - Aquarium Bingo
Come by the aquarium on Sunday, December 28, for a self-guided game of Aquarium Bingo!
This is an all-day event—stop in anytime to play. Pick up your bingo sheet at Admissions, explore the exhibits to cross off your squares, and see if you can get a winning line!
Winners can stop by the Gift Shop to claim a prize, while supplies last.
Bring your curiosity and sense of adventure—it’s a fun way to discover something new around every corner!
Aquarium Bingo is a recurring event held on the 4th Sunday of every month, so mark your calendar for future fun!
Winter Break Hours
Dive into the winter wonders! We are open during the holiday season with special winter break hours. Come explore the underwater magic!
Tuesday, December 23 — 11AM – 6PM
Wednesday, December 24 — 11AM – 3PM
Thursday, December 25 — Closed
Friday, December 26 — 10AM – 6PM
Saturday, December 27 — 10AM – 6PM
Sunday, December 28 — 10AM – 6PM
Monday, December 29 — 10AM – 6PM
Tuesday, December 30 — 10AM – 6PM
Wednesday, December 31 — 10AM – 3PM
Thursday, January 1 — 11AM – 6PM
Please note, the ticket window closes an hour before the aquarium closes.
Wednesday, December 31st - Noon Year's Eve
Celebrate the new year with us at NOON on December 31st!
We’re opening early at 10:00am so everyone can join the fun on time. Grab a party hat, noise maker, or 2026 glasses and make your way to the koi pond for our midday ball drop! We’ll toast to the new year with complimentary sparkling juice at noon.
It’s the perfect celebration for families who want to ring in the new year together—without staying up till midnight!
All event activities are included with general admission tickets.
Friday, January 2nd - Winter Wonderland Day Camp
Looking for a fun and educational way to keep your child engaged over winter break?
Our Winter Wonderland Day Camp is the perfect place for kids in 1st through 5th grade!
It’s the perfect blend of learning, creativity, and adventure—all in one unforgettable day at the Aquarium!
Campers will:
– Explore how salinity affects freezing points through a science experiment
– Get creative with icy tie-dye and winter crafts
– Enjoy an ice age movie with popcorn
– Interact hands-on with our stingrays and learn about aquatic life
Tickets are available for full days (10:30am-4:00pm) or half days (10:30am-1:30pm).