(Photo courtesy of the Aquarium of the Pacific)
The Aquarium of the Pacific is hosting a variety of holiday events through December 24th. In addition to their new jellies exhibit, Sea Otter Habitat, and Shark Reef, they will be offering all kinds of Winter fun.
Not only can the kids get their photo with Santa, but they can watch him scuba dive and feed the fish. There will also be real snow on the front lawn. Guests can see a gingerbread house display, enjoy carolers singing holiday music, watch snow fall daily in the Great Hall, and take pictures with the Aquarium costumed characters in their holiday outfits (I will confess the sting ray weirds me out just a little bit).
The cafe is offering special treats this month including tamales and turkey-cranberry sandwiches, as well as peppermint mochas, holiday blend coffee, gingerbread lattes, crème brulee lattes, eggnog, hot chocolate, and holiday cookies.
On December 12th and 13th, “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.”
There will be a special event on December 21st from 6:30pm until 9:30pm where you can enjoy dessert with Santa. Admission is included in the price, and you can wander through the exhibits during special evening hours. $29.50 Child 3-11: $19.50 Members: Adult: $19.50 Child 3-11: $9.50.
The Aquarium will be continuing its usual weekend schedule of activities during December. At 10am on weekend mornings, you can get up close and personal with the Magellanic penguins as they waddle through the Northern Pacific Gallery on their weekly Penguin Walk. Friday nights between 6pm and 9pm, there is free entry into the Shark Lagoon area. During Shark Lagoon Nights, guests “will have the opportunity to touch bamboo sharks and see large sharks such as sandtigers as well as rays in the Aquarium’s Shark Lagoon” while listening to live bands. Coffee, hot cocoa, beer, wine, desserts, and snacks are available for purchase. That’s right, sharks and beer. Yup.
$28.95 adult (12+), $25.95 senior (62+), $14.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age three and Aquarium members. Through early January, The LA Zoo and the Aquarium of the Pacific will be offering a discounted combo ticket so you can enjoy all of the holiday events. You can visit both attractions on the same day, or on separate days. It can be purchased online or at either location for $39 per adult (12+), $26 per child, and $38 per senior (ages 62+).
(Photo courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific)
