AquaScarium Brings Spooky Fun (And Candy Aplenty) Back To The Riverfront On Oct. 26

Whether by showing off divers’ underwater pumpkin carving chops or spotlighting strange and extraordinary species during special animal encounters, this year’s ODDtober celebration has offered Tennessee Aquarium guests a chance to appreciate nature’s weird side all month long.

 

On Oct.

26, the October fun ends with a bang — or should that be “boo?” — with the return of AquaScarium, the Aquarium’s annual family friendly Halloween bash. This after-hours event has become a tradition for many and is one of Chattanooga’s biggest Halloween events.

 

Guests, young and old alike, are encouraged to come in costume for a spooky (but not TOO spooky) party, which will sprawl throughout both buildings and the Aquarium plaza.

 

The fun begins at 4 p.m. and continues until 8 p.m., well past normal operating hours. Touring the River Journey and Ocean Journey buildings this late in the evening offers guests an opportunity to see different animal activity than they witness during the day. They may even see spy species that tend to hide away when the sun is above the horizon.

 

When they arrive, guests entering the plaza can get their faces painted before snapping a selfie or two with popular costumed characters and Aquarium mascots. They can also get their spooky groove on during the Monster Mash dance party.

 

Inside, visitors will be able to stock up on the sweet stuff at more than a dozen trick-or-treating stations placed throughout both buildings. As they explore the galleries, they’ll encounter mermaids, pirates and other costumed guests, some of whom will be leading special programs showing off animals like sharks and — in the case of one especially mad scientist — creatures of more bizarre origin.

 

AquaScarium is a spirited, safe Halloween party for all ages, but younger guests must be accompanied by an adult. Aquarium members and their children can attend at a discounted rate of $8. Non-member tickets are $40 for adults and $30 for ages 3-12. All tickets include admission to both Aquarium buildings and includes AquaScarium activities like face painting.

 

To pre-purchase AquaScarium tickets online, visit https://community.tnaqua.org/events/member-programs/fall/2018/aquascarium-2018. Tickets also will be available for purchase on-site.