
This winter at the Aquarium, visit our new animals, including bigfin reef squid now on display in the Tentacles and Ink exhibit in the Tropical Pacific Gallery. This shoal of squid was raised from eggs behind the scenes at the Aquarium. They are expected to be on view through the end of January. In other cephalopod news, meet several bigeye octopuses in the Northern Pacific Gallery and a two-spot octopus in the Southern California/Baja Gallery. A brilliantly colored peacock mantis shrimp is now on view in the Tropical Pacific Gallery. Also don’t miss our new penguins, sharks, rays, and sea lion.
Celebrate your loved ones at the Aquarium’s annual Valentine’s Day Dinner. Visit the event page for the full menu and to reserve your seats. The next night, February 15, the Aquarium will host Night Dive, featuring live bands, art installations, and food trucks. Free Shark Lagoon Nights return on Fridays starting January 18. On select Shark Lagoon Nights enjoy live music and food and drinks for purchase.
The Aquarium’s annual Festival of Human Abilities will be held on January 26 and 27. This weekend festival celebrates the creative talents and abilities of people with disabilities and features wheelchair dance, sign language choirs, art demonstrations, and accessible SCUBA diving demonstrations. On February 23 and 24 the Aquarium will host its seventeenth annual African-American Festival, featuring live music and dance performances, plus interactive drum circles and storytelling.
Ahead of its Urban Ocean Festival on March 30 and 31, the Aquarium is accepting entries into its annual Urban Ocean Art Contest and the Trashin’ Fashion contest for designs using recycled materials. Winning pieces will be displayed at the Aquarium during the festival weekend. Entries for the art contest are due February 28, and entries for the fashion contest are due March 8.
Aquarium members have several exclusive events slated, including Member Kids Activity Nights on February 7 and 8 and Member Prom on March 5. Member Kids Activity Nights will have a mad science theme and feature a special show for kids, science-inspired crafts, and demonstrations. Member Prom, for adults ages twenty-one and older, will have a Mardi Gras theme and feature a live band, cash bar, and activities for members.