The Tennessee Aquarium is a favorite place for families during the holiday season. For many, it has become a tradition to spend time reconnecting with extended family members while surrounded by some of nature’s most spectacular gifts. It’s an experience that’s enjoyable for all ages.
Families will have fun learning about the Aquarium’s generations because 2012 was an exceptional year for significant animal births. While aviculturists were busy caring for five penguin chicks, our herpetologists literally had their hands full rearing baby turtles from threatened or endangered species. Keepers also had plenty of baby epaulette sharks, seahorses, jellies and cuttlefish to watch over.
Special programming during Holidays Under the Peaks, Nov. 16 – Jan. 6, will help connect Aquarium guests with creatures from around the world. Kids can quiz divers, penguin experts and other keepers about family units in the wild and learn how we care for baby penguins, turtles and tiny jellies.
Guests will also be delighted by special appearances by SCUBA Claus who will be making weekend appearances underwater from Nov. 17 through Dec. 24.
The Polar Express 3D, another family holiday tradition, returns to the IMAX Theater Nov. 16 with showings through Dec. 24. This magical journey to the North Pole has audiences grasping at snowflakes as a young boy discovers how the wonders of life never fade for those who believe. Or, learn about a mother polar bear and her struggles to nurture and protect her twin cubs while watching To The Arctic 3D. Another giant screen adventure follows the generations of butterflies that migrate north from the mountains of Mexico to Canada and the super-generation of millions of monarchs that makes that single journey back again to a place they’ve never seen. Flight of the Butterflies 3D will delight and amaze viewers in the same compelling way that March of the Penguins made us appreciate dedicated penguin dads.
“Holidays Under the Peaks” daily schedule - Nov. 16 - Jan. 6, 2013
(The Aquarium is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.)
- 10:30 a.m. – South Pole Penguin Program – Ocean Journey – Penguins’ Rock, Level 2
- 10:30 a.m. – Generations of Butterflies – Ocean Journey – Butterfly Garden, Level 4
- 10:45 a.m. – Special Presentation:Toucan Family Life – River Journey – Stage Program in Ranger Rick’s Backyard Safari
- 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – Quiz our SCUBA divers about reef life. Learn about sharks & sea creatures – Ocean Journey -- Secret Reef, Level 2
- 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. & 12:45 p.m. – Animal Adventure Programs – River Journey – Stage Program in Ranger Rick’s Backyard Safari
- 11: 00 a.m. – Bubbles & Fins – Watch SCUBA divers in action – River Journey – Nickajack Lake or River Giants
- 1:30 p.m. – Freshwater follies - Enjoy the playful antics of river otters during “enrichment” time.– River Journey – Cove Forest, Level 4
- 1:45 p.m. – South Pole Penguin Program – Ocean Journey – Penguins’ Rock, Level 2
- 2:00 pm and 2:15 p.m. – Animal Adventure Programs – River Journey – Stage Program in Ranger Rick’s Backyard Safari
- 2:00 pm – Feast for the Fishes – SCUBA divers feeding freshwater fish – River Journey - River Giants or Nickajack Lake exhibits
- 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. --Talk to saltwater SCUBA divers to learn about sharks and sea turtles – Ocean Journey -- Secret Reef, Level 2
- 3:30 p.m. – Seahorse Dads- Join an Aquarium expert to learn fascinating facts about seahorses and pipefish – River Journey, Level A
- 4 p.m. – Colorful Wings – Learn about partridges, a peacock pheasant & release butterflies - Ocean Journey – Butterfly Garden, Level 4
- *See SCUBA Claus Diving at the Tennessee Aquarium Weekends from Nov. 17 – Dec. 23
- Look for SCUBA Claus at 11 a.m. on Saturdays in the Nickajack Lake exhibit or 2 p.m. on Sundays in the River Giants exhibit
Upcoming events:
Event Name: Holidays Under the Peaks
Date: November 16, 2012 through January 6, 2013 (The Tennessee Aquarium is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.)
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Venue with street address: Tennessee Aquarium – One Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Age-appropriateness: All
Admission fee: Adults: $24.95; Children 3 to 12: $14.95
Is advance registration required? No
Brief description of event/activities: Engaging animal programs help connect families to fascinating creatures from around the world. Quiz divers, penguin experts and other keepers about family units in the wild. Special weekend appearances by SCUBA Claus Nov. 17th – Dec. 23rd. Phone and website: 800-262-0695 www.TennesseeAquarium.com
Event Name: Polar Express 3D at the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater
Dates: Nov 16th – Dec 24th
Time: Various, check website for showtimes
Venue with street address: Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater – 201 Chestnut Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Age-appropriateness: All
Admission fee: Adults: $12.95; Children 3-12: $9.95
Is advance registration required? No
Brief description of event/activities: Climb aboard the Polar Express for an extraordinary 3D train ride to the North Pole. During this magical journey, audiences grasp at snowflakes as a young boy discovers the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. Experiencing this giant-screen classic at the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater has become a tradition for many families. *Note: On December 24th Polar Express 3D will be the only film shown at IMAX - Noon, 2pm and 4pm.
Phone and website: 800-262-0695 http://www.tnaqua.org/IMAX
Event Name: New Year’s Eve Sleep in the Deep
Date: Monday, Dec. 31st, 2012 – Tuesday, Jan 1st, 2013
Time: 5:30 pm – 8:30 am
Venue with street address: Tennessee Aquarium – One Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Age-appropriateness: Families with children AGE 6 and older, accompanied by an adult
Admission fee: Non-member: $55.00 per person, Aquarium members: $45.00 per person
Is advance registration required? Yes
Brief description of event/activities: Usher in 2013 at the Tennessee Aquarium by registering for the New Year’s Eve Sleep in the Deep. Celebrate New Year’s Eve visiting animals and habitats from around the world and then raise a “midnight” toast with a sparkling non-alcoholic beverage. This night of adventure includes activities in both Aquarium buildings. Explore behind the scenes, get up-close with our critters, and at lights out, bed down in the Undersea Cavern of Ocean Journey. Includes overnight, guided tours, special activities, pizza and continental breakfast.
Phone and website: 423-267-FISH (3474) http://www.tnaqua.org/Events.aspx
New Year’s Eve Sleep in the Deep