Things to See and Do at the Aquarium This Fall

September 4, 2019

This fall at the Aquarium, see new animals, enjoy seasonal festivals and special events, and experience Pacific Visions.

Visit the new Pacific Visions wing to experience a state-of–the-art immersive theater, interactive art installations, engaging multimedia displays, and several new live animal exhibits. Explore underwater realms, future possibilities, and help create a new planet right here on Earth. The Honda Pacific Visions Theater show, which is 8 minutes long, is free with Aquarium admission and plays every 15 minutes. It is open to all ages. After your visit, continue your journey to sustainability by downloading the Pacific Visions EcoAlliance app for Apple and Android smart phones. The Pacific Visions EcoAlliance app includes a series of games, challenges, and activities to learn more about conserving resources and making sustainable decisions in your daily life. Players can also collaborate on virtual projects in the app to visualize a sustainable future.

While immersing themselves in the underwater world of the Pacific Visions art gallery, visitors can also get a marine “manicure” by tropical cleaner shrimp at a mobile shrimp cart Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. In addition the Aquarium’s animal ambassadors will be stationed outside the entrance to Pacific Visions four times each day between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Meet these animals up close and learn how they are connected to the messages in Pacific Visions.

The Aquarium has two species of cephalopods on view in the Tropical Pacific Gallery. See bigfin reef squid in the Tentacles and Ink exhibit, and look for new pajama squid in the Tropical Jewels exhibits. The Aquarium features several opportunities to get up close to and even touch or feed animals from the Pacific Ocean. Feed a ray at the Ray Touch Pool for $5. These feedings will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays until November 3. Visitors can purchase a cup of food at the Ray Touch Pool at the start of the feeding.

Events this fall include a ‘90s-themed Night Dive on September 27 and free Shark Lagoon Nights on Fridays from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Explore the Aquarium to take the photos you’ve always dreamed of on Photographers Night on October 6. Participate in the Aquarium 5K and Kids Fun Run on October 12 (Kids Fun Run participants receive free Aquarium admission). Learn about the government agency that monitors the ocean and environment on NOAA and Our Planet Day on November 2.

Admission is free for police officers, sheriff’s deputies, firefighters, and 911 dispatchers on First Responders Day, September 11. On November 10 the Aquarium will host Autism Families Night for families with adults or children with autism. Admission is $7 per person. Veterans and military personnel with service ID receive free admission on Veterans Day, November 11.

The Aquarium’s fall calendar of cultural festivals includes Moompetam: Native American Festival on September 21 and 22, Baja Splash on September 28 and 29, Southeast Asia Day on October 5, and the Autumn Festival on November 16 and 17. Families can celebrate Halloween together at Scarium of the Pacific on October 26 and 27, and you can help support the Aquarium’s animal care, conservation, and education programs at Sea Fare, our annual fundraiser on October 19. Visit our calendar for a full list of events.

While students return to school this season, adults can pursue continuing education through the Aquarium’s Aquatic Academy, which begins on October 2. This course, offered in partnership with financial planning firm Halbert Hargrove, will explore longevity. People are living longer, healthier, more fulfilling lives. Learn the secrets and how to afford them from experts in financial planning, retirement, and health and wellness. The Aquarium also offers a year-round Guest Speaker Series. Visit the lectures page to view a full calendar of events.