Celebrate the holiday season at the Aquarium this December with special events and holiday décor all month long. The Aquarium will host a tree lighting ceremony on December 1 at 10:00 a.m. at the Honda Blue Cavern exhibit. Visitors will be able to enjoy festive décor throughout the Great Hall.
Starting December 5 snow will fall daily in the Great Hall, and the Aquarium’s costumed characters (including the polar bear, penguin, ray, and sea otter) will appear in their holiday outfits. Décor will include a professionally made gingerbread house donated by the Great Dane Baking Company, as well as other gingerbread creations made by Aquarium staff members on display throughout the Aquarium.
On the first three weekends in December carolers will regale Aquarium visitors with holiday songs, and a snow play area will be set up on the front lawn. Santa will also make appearances on all three weekends of Aquarium Holidays for photo opportunities.
On December 5 and 6 the Aquarium will host its annual Holiday Treats for the Animals festival. “Santa Diver” will deliver gifts of special enrichment treats to the penguins, sea otters, seals, sea lions, lorikeets, and other animals, and the animals’ exhibits will be specially decorated for the season. Families can also enjoy holiday music, crafts, special presentations, unique photo opportunities, and holiday shopping in the Pacific Collections gift store. There will be a special Hanukkah presentation in the Marine Life Theater each day.
On December 12 and 13 the Aquarium will be collecting toys for the annual Spark of Love Toy Drive. Bring a new and unwrapped toy valued at $15 or more for the Long Beach Fire Department’s Annual Spark of Love Toy Drive and receive a coupon for $10 off adult and $5 off child admissions. Donations may include books, toys, sports equipment, and school supplies. This drive will directly benefit Long Beach families and children in need this holiday season.
On December 21 the Aquarium will host Desserts with Santa. Explore the exhibits during special evening hours and enjoy cookies and desserts with Santa.
In addition to all the holiday fun, visitors can also view all of the Aquarium’s animals and exhibits, including the new species added for the Jellies exhibits opened this summer, Lily the young penguin born in June, and the rest of the 11,000 Pacific Ocean animals that call the Aquarium home. The Aquarium’s Pacific Collections store also offers a variety of unique marine-themed gifts, including toys, books, home décor, clothes, and more.
Looking for a fun and creative gift for friends and family members? Aquarium memberships make an excellent gift that last a full year, or you can give the gift of an animal adoption, which comes with several potential benefit levels, including a certificate and photo of the adopted animal, plush toy, and Aquarium tickets, depending on the adoption level. You can also make a gift to the Aquarium and support its animal care, conservation, and education programs through the Feed Our Fish campaign.