Make the Most of the Holidays with Santa & SeaTREK at The Florida Aquarium
The Florida Aquarium is spreading holiday cheer this season with YuleTides presented by GEICO, currently underway and continuing through January 4, 2026 (closed Christmas Day). Guests can enjoy festive décor, immersive experiences, holiday-themed activities, and meaningful gift opportunities. Starting December 20, YuleTides activities will be offered daily, giving families and visitors even more chances to celebrate coastal holiday magic during winter break.
**CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD BROADCAST-QUALITY VIDEO &
PHOTOS OF YULETIDES**
Courtesy: The Florida Aquarium
Make Memories with Santa
Your last chance to catch Santa before the big day! Santa is visiting The Florida Aquarium December 20-21 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and December 22–24 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Families can snap photos, share their wish lists, and enjoy a holiday moment with Santa in his coastal-inspired suit.
Vacation Santa: Post-Holiday Fun
Once again, Santa Claus is returning to The Florida Aquarium for a post-Christmas retreat. From December 26 through January 1, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily, guests can visit Santa’s Wharf to snap photos with a relaxed, tropical Santa wearing a festive shirt, white pants, sandals, and his signature Christmas hat as he enjoys Florida’s sunshine and the Aquarium’s marine life.
Special Holiday Ticketed Events
Parents’ Time Off | December 20, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.: Parents’ Time Off lets you recharge your way while children explore, learn, and play in a safe, exciting space designed just for them. So go ahead and take some time off to relax, reset, or tackle the day. PTO has never felt this good.
SeaTREK Through the Heart of the Sea | Daily Dec. 20 to Jan. 4 (Closed Christmas Day)
Take an aquatic adventure with SeaTREK, a guided underwater walking tour designed for non-divers ages 10 and older. Held in the Aquarium’s 15-foot-deep Heart of the Sea habitat, SeaTREK lets participants explore coral caves alongside a rich diversity of Indo-Pacific marine life, including Māori wrasse, blue speckled grouper, spotted unicornfish, and even a loggerhead sea turtle. No swimming is required, making this an immersive and accessible underwater experience.
Seasonal Fun for All Ages
Guests can enjoy festive activities daily December 20 to January 4 (closed Christmas Day), including Arctic Coast Blast with ice-block igloo building, snowball target toss, and flurries on the green; crafts on the TECO Deck near the green space, with ornament decorating, popsicle stick frames, winter friendship bracelets, and special sessions with Mrs. Claus; YuleTides Stage performances by the Coralers and local school groups; and the Holiday Tree Regatta, festive scavenger hunts, and more.
Give More Than a Gift This Season
The Aquarium’s Holiday Gift Guide makes it easy to give gifts with impact:
- Give the Gift of Membership: Holiday membership gives loved ones unlimited visits, exclusive events, and the chance to join the Aquarium in protecting marine wildlife.
- Symbolic Animal Adoption: Support Aquarium residents while gifting a personalized certificate, plush, and educational materials. Limited-time savings available through December 31.
- Sea of Support Sculpture Sponsorship: Honor a loved one with a hand-crafted metal fish or bird in the Aquarium lobby while helping marine conservation.
- Mangrove Legacy Project: Donate or adopt a mangrove in someone’s honor to restore Florida’s coastline and waterways.
YuleTides is included with general admission. Plan your visit to experience festive fun, holiday magic, and gifts that make a difference at The Florida Aquarium this season. For more information, click here.
The Latest from The Florida Aquarium
January 8, 2026
Major Coral Restoration Milestone as 9,000 Coral Babies are Transferred to Reef Restoration Partners Across Florida
Florida’s investment in coral reef restoration reached a major milestone as The Florida Aquarium successfully transferred 9,000 juvenile corals to restoration partners Reef Renewal USA and The Reef Institute. This marks one of the largest statewide deployments of land-grown coral babies under the Florida’s Coral Reef Restoration and Recovery (FCR3) Initiative. The corals—born and raised…
Read More
January 5, 2026
Santa’s Post-Christmas Getaway Returns to The Florida Aquarium
Santa Claus is once again making The Florida Aquarium his post-Christmas destination, offering families a relaxed and uniquely Florida way to extend the holiday season. From December 26 through January 1, guests can visit Santa’s Wharf daily from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for photos with Santa in his tropical attire. **CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD…
Read More
December 23, 2025
The Florida Aquarium Returns Iconic Exhibits to TPA Ahead of Holiday Travel
As one of the top attractions in Tampa Bay, The Florida Aquarium has returned its iconic aquatic exhibits to both the Red and Blue Baggage Claim areas just in time for the busy holiday travel season. The exhibits were removed in summer 2024 to protect the fish during nearby construction. With work in the Red…
Read MoreStay 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.