Don’t Miss It! Celebrate the Long Weekend with 50% Off at The Florida Aquarium
With many students off Friday for Florida State Fair Day and most schools closed Monday for Presidents Day, families across the Tampa Bay area are enjoying a long holiday weekend, and The Florida Aquarium is inviting guests to make the most of it and even save 50% on admission up to four general admission tickets by bringing in Gasparilla beads.
Whether planning a family outing, a Valentine’s date, or a staycation-style adventure, visitors can explore immersive exhibits and hands-on learning opportunities throughout the long weekend.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD BROADCAST-QUALITY VIDEO & PHOTOS
Highlights:
- Valentine’s Day Highlights:
- Live Valen-Tunes performances by the Aquatunes singers
- Valentine-inspired music playlists throughout the Aquarium
- A hands-on activity where guests can leave messages for loved ones or their favorite animals at the Heart of the Sea exhibit window
- Café Seventy One will feature a Chocolate Molten Lava Cake with Vanilla Bean Crème Anglaise and Espresso Caramel, available at the café pickup window.
Guests can also take part in Marvelous Matches, a special AquaEd experience exploring the fascinating ways animals connect with one another and their environments:
- Saturday, February 14: 10:30–11:30 a.m. and 1:30–2:30 p.m.
- Sunday, February 15: 10:30–11:30 a.m. and 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Aquarium Experiences & Exhibits:
The Tide Pool, the Aquarium’s newest exhibit, recently ranked 5th in the nation in USA TODAY’s 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards for Best New Attraction, further positioning The Florida Aquarium and Tampa Bay as a premier destination for immersive experiences.
For guests looking to elevate their visit, premium add-on adventures include penguin encounters, SeaTREK underwater walking tours, dolphin cruises aboard the Bay Spirit II, stingray feeding experiences and even a two-toed sloth meet-and-greet.
For more information, operating hours, and to purchase tickets, click here.
The Latest from The Florida Aquarium
-
March 5, 2026
The Ultimate Spring Break ’26 Staycation at The Florida Aquarium
No need to pack bags or worry about flights this spring break. Families can enjoy a week of adventure, discovery, and up-close animal encounters in downtown Tampa at The Florida Aquarium. From March 14–22, the Aquarium will extend its hours and feature an expanded lineup of interactive programs, live music, and hands-on activities for all…
Read More -
February 20, 2026
Final Days to Recycle Gasparilla Beads at The Florida Aquarium
The beads have been tossed, the parades have passed, and now there’s one more way to celebrate Gasparilla season with purpose. This is the final weekend to recycle your beads through Bead-Free Bay at The Florida Aquarium. Through February 22, 2026, guests who bring in their unwanted Gasparilla beads can receive 50% off up to…
Read More -
February 19, 2026
Penguins Return to the Capitol to Highlight Storm Protection and Coral Funding Priorities
The Florida Aquarium’s beloved African penguins—Archi, Enzi, Nuru, and Pebbles—waddled through the State Capitol this week, meeting with lawmakers to help advocate for state funding to strengthen storm protection at the Aquarium’s downtown Tampa campus and sustain Florida’s coral reef restoration efforts. “These critically endangered animals are more than ambassadors for their species—they’re a reminder…
Read More
Stay Up to Date
Want to know what’s happening below the surface? Sign up to receive our email newsletter, “The Current”, and dive into the latest news, events, and exhibit updates happening here at the Aquarium.