The Tennessee Aquarium will be offering some fun new programs to delight kids from one to 92 during Holidays Under the Peaks Nov. 20 through Jan. 3. 

In addition to more than one dozen Extraordinary Experience programs offered free with Aquarium admission each day, new holiday programs will be offered each week.

Sandy Claws

Guests will have opportunities to encounter a Mantis Shrimp, a sea creature that’s not normally exhibited at the Aquarium. This colorful crustean appears to be decorated for the holidays, but he’s a bit of a Grinch. His powerful appendages pack the animal kingdom’s most powerful punch. It’s just too bad that blazingly fast speed cannot be harnessed to wrap packages.

Furry Paws

The Aquarium’s North American River Otters are always in a joyful mood. From time to time throughout the season they’ll receive special gifts to play with and even some snow to dash through. “On Digger, on Hunter. On Maya and Bennie!....”

SCUBA Claus

The eyes of tiny tots are aglow when SCUBA Claus makes weekend appearances in the River Journey building. You’ll either see him diving with ducks, turtles and the native freshwater fishes in the “St. Nick-a-jack” Lake exhibit, or underwater alongside the huge freshwater stingrays, giant catfish and prehistoric-looking fishes in the River Giants exhibit. “Ho, ho, H2O!”

Jiggle Bells

The Aquarium’s touch tanks are extremely popluar with guests of all ages. A special holiday touch tank will give visitors a chance to safely touch the jiggly bells of moon jellies. This experience will be available from Dec. 20 through Jan. 3.

View the complete daily program schedule, with the weekly list of featured Holidays Under the Peaks programs at: tnaqua.org/holidays . Or, download the FREE Tennessee Aquarium app to help you make the most of your holiday visit.

Big Holiday Fun at IMAX

For many families, experiencing The Polar Express 3D on the giant six-story screen has become a tradition for many families. Fans of this holiday classic can register online for one of the “PJs and The Polar Express” special events at IMAX. Kids and meet the conductor and sip hot cocoa and enjoy brunch muffins before the movie.

Special screenings of JERUSALEM 3D will return to IMAX Nov. 27 through Jan. 3. This award-winning film takes audiences on an inspiring tour of one of the world’s oldest and most enigmatic cities. National Geographic filmmakers were granted special access to parts of the city that are normally not seen to reveal the many layers of history, culture and timeless ceremonies that are deeply meaningful to billions of people.

Sing in the Season

Kick off the holidays by Caroling with the Fishes on Sunday, Dec. 6. The galleries within the River Journey building will be filled with sounds of the season. Guests will have opportunities to sing along and spend a little time with Santa. 

Bring a new, unwrapped toy to Caroling with the Fishes and receive a free child’s ticket to the event. All collected gifts will be distributed to our community through the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults.

- Photo2 by Tennessee Aquarium