Beginning November 24th, dive into holiday fun with the South Carolina Aquarium. Guests will enjoy festive fun including visits from Santa, special animal programs and more. Kids can even drop off letters for Santa in the Aquarium’s North Pole mailbox and complete a scavenger hunt to receive a prize.
Dive shows featuring festive elves will be happening daily within the deepest saltwater tank in North America, the Great Ocean Tank. Guests may also see animals with new holiday decor in their environment, snacking on frozen “fish pops” or accompanying an educator for up-close animal encounters.
Santa will be visiting the Aquarium during “Santa Sundays” December 3th, 10th and 17th. Santa visits will take place beginning at 10 am and end promptly at 2 pm and are included with general admission tickets or member reservations, with professional photos available for purchase.
Guests can “Feed the RAYndeer” in The Shallows as they give the cownose rays a fishy snack from 10:15 am to 4 pm daily, while supplies last. Feeding vouchers will be available for purchase at Admissions and the Information Desk.
On select nights starting November 16th, the Aquarium will open its doors at dusk for Aquarium Aglow. Guests can venture through the Aquarium's dazzling light spectacular to experience a new view of South Carolina's habitats, from the icy starlight of the mountains to the neon lights of the coast. Aquarium Aglow features Scuba Claus diving in the Great Ocean Tank, multiple frame-worthy photo ops and more. Refreshments will be available for purchase, including a selection of adult beverages. Please note, Aquarium Aglow is not included with general daytime admission tickets.
Anyone can spread holiday cheer while making a difference with gifts that give back! The Aquarium’s gift guide features options for everyone on your list this holiday season with memberships, symbolic animal adoptions and more. A portion of proceeds from every gift on the list goes directly toward fulfilling the Aquarium’s mission, including caring for sick and injured sea turtles, providing education programming for students and continuing critical conservation work throughout the state.
For more information on holiday fun at the South Carolina Aquarium, visit scaquarium.org/holidays.