Calendar of Events
January Donation Drive
Happy New Year!
After the holidays, you may have some gently used or new items that you are looking to re-gift! We have a perfect place to donate those items!
For the month of January, we will be hosting our 4th Annual Donation Drive for Safe Inc of Schenectady. For the whole month, you can drop off donations at admissions for a $2 discount on admission tickets to the aquarium.
Saturday, January 10th - Rubber Ducky Day
On January 10th, we will celebrate National Rubber Duck Day (January 13th) with our THIRD ANNUAL Rubber Duck Race! At 12:30pm, we will drop the Sponsored Rubber Ducks into our Koi Pond and let them race around the big bend to the finish line. The Sponsor of the winning duck will receive a free Family Membership to VIA Aquarium!
Each ticket is a sponsorship for a different duck; feel free to increase your chances with multiple sponsorships. Click here to purchase your ticket(s) to sponsor today!
The winner does NOT need to be present to claim the prize. Please ensure you provide your phone number and email when purchasing to ensure we can contact you with the necessary details for prize collection.
Monday, January 12th - Zip Code Monday
On the second Monday of every month, we celebrate our neighbors with a special admission discount — and this month’s lucky ZIP is 12141!
If you live in 12141, show your ID at admissions on Monday, January 12, to use your discount.
Saturday, January 17th - National Kid Inventors' Day
Join us to celebrate National Kid Inventors’ Day on January 17th, a day to commemorate and encourage creativity in kids!
Kids can partake in an engineering activity with our guests from MiSci from 11:30am – 1:30pm or build their own mini-windmill at 1:30pm – 3:00pm or while supplies last.
Friday, January 23rd - January Jammies Adult Night
Not every night out has to be dressed to the nines, right? After the busy holiday season, why not enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of a kid-free aquarium in your comfiest jammies!
There will be a Cereal Bar for guests to enjoy a late-night breakfast snack as well as coffee and tea available so you don’t fall asleep in all the cosiness. And, in the spirit of old-school sleepovers, we’ll have “Aquarium Truth or Dare” activities, a table with supplies for making Fortune Tellers, and even a few Ouija Boards!
Join us and relive some of those more carefree days, but please take any spirits you conjure back home with you! Click here for tickets!
Please note this event is for guests 18+ only. The event runs from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM with last admission at 7:30 PM.
Saturday, January 24th - Children's Pajama Party
We’re excited to invite families to a private Pajama Party in our Education Theater, inspired by the beautifully illustrated book Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night by Steven and Clifford Simmons.
Slip into your comfiest pajamas, bring a favorite stuffed animal, a warm blanket, and settle in for a cozy midday gathering as our Staff reads aloud from the book and leads guests through a themed activity.
During the hour-long program, enjoy snacks and treats, with Kool-Aid for kids and coffee and tea for adults. We’ll also be holding raffles, including a chance to win a handmade blanket and a copy of Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night.
This special pajama party runs from 12:00–1:00 PM and offers a relaxed, cozy way to connect with ocean stories and each other.
Click here to purchase tickets, which include general admission to the aquarium and event admission. Limited spots available!
Sunday, January 25th - Aquarium Bingo
Come by the aquarium on Sunday, January 25, 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!
Tuesday, January 27th - 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.
Saturday, January 31st - National Axolotl Day
National Day of the Mexican Axolotl is celebrated on February 1st each year, to bring awareness to the popular, yet critically endangered salamander. We will be celebrating a day early on January 31st!
We will have new information and an Educator posted at our Axolotl exhibit to help you learn even more about them. One of our Educators will be stationed at the exhibit from 11:00am-12:00pm. Afterward, you can meet our axolotl mascot, Buttercup, from 12:00pm-1:00pm. Then head over to the touch tank room to color your axolotl bookmark to take home, while supplies last.
There’s axolotl to love about these creatures, and ours hope to see you Saturday, January 31st!
Friday, February 20th - Children's Day Camp
Looking for a fun and educational way to keep your child engaged over school break? Our Day Camp is the perfect place for kids to learn, explore, and have fun! It’s the ideal blend of creativity and adventure—all in one unforgettable day at the Aquarium.
Camp Itinerary: Friday, February 20th: Sensational Stingrays Camp
Get ready to make a splash with our sensational stingrays! Campers will meet them up close, hand-feed them, learn how aquarists care for them, discover what makes them different from bony fish, and create their very own stingray craft to take home.
Important Details: This camp is offered as a full-day experience only, 10:30 AM–4:00 PM. Open to students in 4th–7th grade or ages 9-13.
Click here to purchase tickets!