Macaroni penguins check out boxes of treats.From chameleons more colorful than Clark Griswold's holiday lights to special underwater appearances by the Jolly Old Elf, the Tennessee Aquarium will be packed to the gills with memorable yuletide experiences during Holidays Under the Peaks.
Holidays Under the Peaks festivities begin Friday, Nov. 17, and continue through New Year's Eve.
Thom Benson, Aquarium director of external affairs, says the seasonal fun benefits Aquarium members and guests who want to enjoy the exhibits at a leisurely pace or take photos in front of tanks and not be rushed by a large volume of visitors such as visit in summer.
Aquarium guests will enjoy close encounters with colorful chameleons, merry mammals and other saltwater wonders. Visitors are encouraged to download the Aquarium's free app to help plan their visit around special programs offered each day. From meeting creatures with "Sandy Claws" to the new storytime with penguins, there will be a lot going on to keep the eyes of tiny tots aglow.
Aquarium educators will engage children in a series of "Young Scientists" mini programs. Each Sunday from 1:15 to 2 p.m., families can join in activities that appeal to inquisitive minds and feed curiosity about wildlife and the natural world. Young Scientist programs are held in a classroom in the lower lobby of River Journey.
Weekly topics for Young Scientists will be: opossums, Nov. 19; migratory birds, Nov. 26; microscopes, Dec. 3; stream science, Dec. 10; and gifts for animals, Dec. 17.
The Aquarium's animal experts are also planning special, unadvertised holiday enrichment programs for the animals. Guests may see otters frolicking with frozen treats or lemurs opening special gift bags from time to time.
Scuba Claus will return Saturday, Nov. 18, to mingle with the Aquarium's freshwater fishes. He'll continue to make weekend appearances through Dec. 17. (After that he'll be a pretty busy fellow.)
"Scuba Claus is very popular with 'kids from 1 to 92,' and I'm not sure who enjoys it more, Scuba Claus or our guests," says Benson.
Guests are invited to wear their pajamas to two screenings of "Polar Express 3D" at the Imax Theater, where the train's conductor will greet them."It's also gratifying to see people interacting with our experts and educators during daily programs. Many times kids come into the Aquarium with a lot of enthusiasm and knowledge about our creatures. They carry on some lively conversations with our staff."
Attending a screening of "Polar Express 3D" on the six-story screen at the Tennessee Aquarium Imax Theater has become a holiday family tradition for many. This Oscar-nominated animated film reaches new levels of brightness and clarity on the Imax with laser projection system, but the magic really ramps up when watching in the comfort of pajamas.
PJs and Polar Express special screenings will be shown at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 17-18. Before the film, guests can meet The Conductor, sip hot cocoa and snack on pastries. Register in advance at www.tnaqua.org/events-programs.
Holidays Under the Peaks Special Programming
Nov. 17-Dec. 1
Noon. Magnificent Marine Invertebrates (Ocean Journey Level 4)
1:15 p.m. Freshwater Pipefish Feeding (Rivers of the World, River Journey Level 2)
Dec. 2-16
10:30 a.m. "Sandy Claws" Crab/Lobster Program (Boneless Beauties Gallery, Ocean Journey Level 2)
3 p.m. Colorful Chameleons (River Journey Lobby)
Dec. 17-31
11 a.m. Penguin Storytime (Penguins' Rock, Ocean Journey Level 2)
1 p.m. Merry Mammals (River Journey Auditorium)
Scuba Claus Dive Schedule
Nov. 18: River Giants, 11 a.m.
Nov. 19: Lake Nickajack, 2 p.m.
Nov. 25: Lake Nickajack, 11 a.m.
Nov. 26: River Giants, 2 p.m.
Dec. 2: River Giants, 11 a.m.
Dec. 3: Lake Nickajack, 2 p.m.
Dec. 9: Lake Nickajack, 11 a.m.
Dec. 10: River Giants, 2 p.m.
Dec. 16: River Giants, 11 a.m.
Dec. 17: Lake Nickajack, 2 p.m.
Caroling With the Fishes
This holiday party returns to the Aquarium on Sunday, Dec. 3.
From 6 to 8:30 p.m., guests will be able to explore specially decorated galleries of the Ocean Journey and River Journey buildings. Live entertainment by choruses, singers and local musicians will entertain visitors in both buildings.
Guests may visit with Santa and take home a keepsake photo.
The party is free for Aquarium members, $14.50 all others.
Register in advance at www.tnaqua.org/events-programs.