The Aquarium of the Pacific Announces Its 25th Anniversary Celebration

June 28, 2023

Since opening its doors in 1998, the nonprofit Aquarium of the Pacific has connected millions of people from around the world to the beauty and wonder of our ocean planet. The Aquarium celebrates its 25th anniversary with new programming, events, a photography exhibit, and a short film—all highlighting Southern California’s natural world.

Southern California is home to ocean treasures that rival those around the world. Through its 25th Anniversary Celebration, the Aquarium will highlight this special region in a variety of ways, including announcing new major exhibits slated to open this summer and its vision for the future. Throughout each day of the anniversary celebration, visitors can take in a new short film projected in the Aquarium’s Great Hall next to a life-sized model of a blue whale. During this experience, you can see the Aquarium’s work in saving local species and habitats.

On the Aquarium’s second floor, you can explore photography celebrating people’s connections to nature in Southern California. This exhibit will showcase the work of the top ten winners of the Aquarium’s 25th Anniversary photo contest. Also, during the celebration, the first guest who finds an octopus figurine hidden in a different exhibit each day will win a limited-edition commemorative Aquarium pin. During the summer, the Aquarium’s First Wednesdays guest speaker series, which includes music and a cocktail/social hour, will focus on the theme of connecting to nature. In addition, the Aquarium will launch its new podcast series and will have new 25th anniversary merchandise in its gift store.