The Aquarium of the Pacific will host its twenty-third annual Baja Splash Cultural Festival in celebration of cultures from México, Central and South America, and beyond. The event features traditional dance, live music, educational programming in English and Spanish, booths from participating organizations, and an award ceremony. Throughout the weekend, the Aquarium’s Pacific Pals will debut their new character—Pablo the Sea Turtle. Visitors of all ages will be able to meet, engage, and take photos with him on both days of the festival.

Festival Programming

Meet and Greet with Pablo the Sea Turtle—the new Pacific Pals Character: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. / Tropical Pacific Preview

Saturday, September 21, 2024:

• 10:00 a.m. Omo Aché Afro-Cuban Music & Dance Co. / (music/dance of Cuba) / Honda Blue Cavern
• 10:30 a.m. Martin Espino’s Latin American Interactive Music Program / Marine Life Theater
• 10:50 a.m. Panamanian Golden Frog Keeper Talk / (bilingual presentation and see tadpoles) / FROGS: The Tropics in the Tropical Pacific Gallery
• 11:30 a.m. Grupo Folklórico Eterna Primavera / (dances of Guatemala) / Honda Pacific Visions Theater
• 12:15 p.m. Maha and Company / (dances of Argentina, Brazil, and Dominican Republic) / Honda Blue Cavern
• 1:00 p.m. GAHFU’s Traditional Garifuna Drumming Ensemble / (Garifuna dance/music) / Honda Pacific Visions Theater
• 1:40 p.m. Interactive music with Martin Espino / Marine Life Theater
• 1:45 p.m. Ballet Folklórico Viva Panamá / (dances of Panama) / Honda Blue Cavern
• 2:30 p.m. Award Ceremony honoring House of Puerto Rico, San Diego with a musical performance by Manny Cepeda Orchestra duo / Honda Pacific Visions Theater
• 3:15 p.m. Folklórico del Alma / (dances of Mexico) / Honda Blue Cavern
• 3:35 p.m. Panamanian Golden Frog Keeper Talk / (bilingual presentation and see tadpoles) / FROGS: The Tropics in the Tropical Pacific Gallery
• 4:00 p.m. Danza Azteca Cultural Ketzaliztli / (Mexica danza and drumming) / Honda Pacific Visions Theater

Sunday, September 22, 2024:

• 10:00 a.m. Pasión Bolivia / (dances of Bolivia) / Honda Blue Cavern
• 10:30 a.m. Interactive music with Martin Espino / Marine Life Theater
• 11:30 a.m. NAZCA / (music of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Perú) / Honda Pacific Visions Theater
• 12:15 p.m. Grupo Guardabarranco Nicaragua / (dances of Nicaragua) / Honda Blue Cavern
• 1:00 p.m. Raíces Peruanas / (music/dances of Perú) / Honda Pacific Visions Theater
• 1:40 p.m. Martin Espino’s Latin American Interactive Music Program / Marine Life Theater
• 1:45 p.m. Ballet Folklórico El Torogoz / (dances of El Salvador) / Honda Blue Cavern
• 2:30 p.m. Folklore de Mi Tierra La Puya Loca / (dances of Colombia) / Honda Pacific Visions Theater
• 3:15 p.m. Folklore Cinco Estrellas / (dances of Honduras) / Honda Blue Cavern
• 3:40 p.m. Ocean Conservation Lotería Game with Prizes / Ocean Theater
• 4:00 p.m. Danza Azteca Cultural Ketzaliztli / (Mexica danza and drumming) / Honda Pacific Visions Theater

Cultural Demonstrators & Event Exhibitors:

• Caracol Museo de Ciencias (Caracol Science museum)
• City of Long Beach Latino Employees Organization (Saturday only)
• Fish Contamination Education Collaborative
• Los Angeles Zoo
• Mujeres de la Tierra (Saturday only)
• Museum of Latin American Art (Sunday only)
• Puente Latino Association
• SACNAS – CSUF Chapter (Saturday only)
• Teen Climate Council (Aquarium of the Pacific) (Sunday only)