Tennessee Aquarium debuts Holidays Under the Peaks

IF YOU GO

Holidays Under the Peaks* When: Nov. 16-Jan. 6.* Where: Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St.* Admission: $24.95 adults, $14.95 children 3-12.* Phone: 800-262-0695.* Website: www.tnaqua.org."The Polar Express" screenings* When: Nov. 23-Dec. 24.* Where: Imax Theater, 201 Chestnut St.* Admission: $12.95 adults, $9.95 children.* Phone: 800-262-0695.* Website: www.tnaqua.org/imax.

The Tennessee Aquarium will celebrate the season with Holidays Under the Peaks, scheduled Friday, Nov. 16, through Sunday, Jan. 6.

According to spokesman Thom Benson, 2012 was an exceptional year for animal births at the Aquarium.

"While aviculturists were busy caring for five penguin chicks, our herpetologists literally had their hands full rearing baby turtles from threatened or endangered species," he said in a news release. "Keepers also had plenty of baby epaulette sharks, seahorses, jellies and cuttlefish to watch over."

Special programming during Holidays Under the Peaks will help connect Aquarium guests with creatures from around the world. Kids can quiz divers, penguin experts and other keepers about family units in the wild and learn how workers care for baby penguins, turtles and tiny jellies.

As an extra treat, Scuba Claus will make weekend appearances underwater Saturday, Nov. 17, through Sunday, Dec. 23.

HOLIDAYS UNDER THE PEAKS SCHEDULE

10:30 a.m. South Pole Penguin Program, Ocean Journey, Penguins' Rock

10:30 a.m. Generations of Butterflies, Ocean Journey, Butterfly Garden

10:45 a.m. Toucan Family Life stage program, River Journey, Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari

11 a.m. Bubbles & Fins programs with scuba divers, River Journey, Nickajack Lake or River Giants

11 and 11:30 a.m. Scuba divers, Ocean Journey, Secret Reef

11 a.m., 12:30 and 12:45 p.m. Animal Adventure stage programs, River Journey, Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari

1:30 p.m. Freshwater Follies, river otter enrichment, River Journey, Cove Forest

1:45 p.m. South Pole Penguin Program, Ocean Journey, Penguins' Rock

2 and 2:15 p.m. Animal Adventure stage programs, River Journey, Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari

2 p.m. Feast for the Fishes with scuba divers, River Journey, River Giants or Nickajack Lake

2 and 2:30 p.m., Scuba divers, Ocean Journey, Secret Reef

3:30 p.m. Seahorse Dads, River Journey

4 p.m. Colorful Wings, Ocean Journey, Butterfly Garden

"The Polar Express 3D" returns Nov. 23 to the Imax Theater. Screenings are scheduled through Christmas Eve.

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