Adventure Aquarium will celebrate the holiday season all month-long with events throughout the local Camden community and surrounding area as well as during its 7th annual Christmas Celebration featuring Scuba Santa, larger-than-life decorations and twinkling lights dispersed among 8,500 aquatic species. Visitors are invited to get in the holiday spirit in a variety of ways, including participating in local parades, tree lightings and more!
“The holidays are a truly magical time of year for our guests and the entire Adventure Aquarium family,” said Vince Nicoletti, Executive Director and Vice President, Adventure Aquarium. “We are excited to take part in local community events as well as offer guests a unique Christmas experience within the Aquarium, all with the spirit of the season at its very heart.”
Schedule of Events
Operation Christmas Child
Each year, Adventure Aquarium, in conjunction with parent company Herschend Family Entertainment, is honored to participate in Operation Christmas Child as part of Samaritan’s Purse. Local Delaware Valley churches are invited to pack shoeboxes with gifts for children all over the world and are given Adventure Aquarium admission passes based on their participation. Millions of shoeboxes are collected during National Collection Week, November 16 through 23, to ensure delivery by Christmas.
Christmas Celebration Returns, December 4 – 31
One of the region’s most unique holiday traditions, Christmas Celebration returns to Adventure Aquarium on the Camden Waterfront for its seventh year. Christmas Celebration wouldn’t be complete without an appearance by the beloved Scuba Santa. Children of all ages can see Scuba Santa swim alongside rare sharks, gigantic sea turtles and stingrays in the aquarium’s 760,000-gallon Ocean Realm.
Highlights include:
Attend the “I Believe in Scuba Santa” Live Show – Scuba Santa’s #1 Helper shares the story of Christmas Celebration and puts the final touches on the decorations in the Wonderland Theater with the help of Scuba Santa himself.
Meet with holiday characters – Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and his friend Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster will make daily appearances in the Rotunda.
Light the tree with Bumble – Listen to an elf tell the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with four of his special helpers. At the very end of the story, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster will make it snow inside the Aquarium.
Drop off letters to Scuba Santa – Each day during Christmas Celebration, children can share their wishes with Scuba Santa by dropping their personalized letters in a special mailbox in Ocean Realm. Families that provide an email address will even receive a special email from Scuba Santa!
Marvel in the joys of the holidays with the entire family at Adventure Aquarium. All daily activities are included with general admission. To learn more or purchase tickets online, visit www.AdventureAquarium.com.
Annual TD Bank Tree Lighting – Saturday, December 5
Adventure Aquarium sponsor TD Bank will kick off the holiday season at its corporate offices located at 1701 Route 70 East in Cherry Hill with the lighting of a 55-foot tree – one of the region’s largest holiday trees and decorated with over 50,000 glowing lights. The Aquarium will bring along African Penguins and other animals to help celebrate the occasion during this community event from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. with the tree lighting taking place at 5:00 p.m.
5th Annual Camden Holiday Parade – Thursday, December 10
Watch as Adventure Aquarium mascot, Gill, joins in the fun during the 5th Annual Camden Holiday Parade, presented by the Camden District Council Collaborative Board. The Parade, which begins on Cooper Street and ends at the Camden Children’s Garden, starts at 6:00 p.m. and features holiday performances and, of course, Santa Claus!
Teddy’s Toys for Tots – Thursday, December 17
For the 3rd consecutive year, Adventure Aquarium, in partnership with the Camden Children’s Garden and hosted by Mayor Dana L. Redd, will serve as the Teddy’s Toys for Tots gift pickup reception venue. Local Camden families will enter through the Garden and have complimentary access to the Aquarium as well as meet with Santa. In addition, each child will choose a special toy and enjoy hot cocoa and cookies during this holiday event beginning at 5:30 p.m.
New Year’s Eve Splash – Thursday, December 31
Ring in the New Year among family, friends and fish at our family-friendly New Year’s Eve Splash – the perfect way to celebrate the start of 2016 – included in the cost of admission and held through 6:00 p.m. Visit with favorite animals during twilight hours, dare to walk through the Shark Tunnel and end the evening with fireworks over the Delaware River. In addition, parking is complimentary for all guests.
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