Splash Into The Spirit of the Season

Christmas Underwater

We hope you all enjoyed the magic of Christmas Underwater this year! Scuba Santa had to swim away to deliver gifts to all the good animals! We look forward to seeing him visit next season.

Adventure Aquarium hosts the most unique holiday tradition in the Philadelphia area -- Christmas Underwater, presented by Shriners Children’s Philadelphia! During Christmas Underwater, guests can surf the yuletide and explore a winter waterland filled with holiday d-eel-ights like Scuba Santa, indoor snow flurries, the World’s Tallest Underwater Christmas Tree, and merry more!

Other holiday delights include the Aquarium’s many holiday-themed photo ops, festive Gift Shop offerings, twinkling lights, jaw-some holiday décor, and the chance to write letters to Scuba Santa.

World’s Tallest Underwater Christmas Tree

Visit our 550,000-gallon Shark Realm exhibit to the tallest underwater Christmas Tree amongst the largest collection of sharks in the Northeast!

The Gill Who Stole Fishmas

Gill “borrowed” Scuba Santa’s magic candy cane and has accidentally knocked out the power to the Rotunda Christmas tree! Can our El-Fish Helper and the audience help him use Christmas Magic to fix it?

Friday-Sunday Only

Merry Fishmas, Boris Puppet Show

The little guppies in your group will enjoy this show as puppet friends Whitney and Finley try to surprise Boris, the shark, with the perfect Fishmas gift.

Employee dressed in elf attire smiling in front of tank

A Fishmas Sing-Along

Join one of our El-fish helpers as they lead the audience through classic songs of the season (with some fun aquarium themed twists!)

Christmas Underwater Story Time

Gather around Scuba Santa’s throne for a seasonal story time. On select dates, story time
will be led by the real star of the show, Mrs. Claus!

Dive into Christmas Magic

Upgrade your experience with the add-ons featured below.

Festive Photo Ops

Capture your family’s annual holiday card in front of several festively themed photo ops perfect for celebrating the season!

Seasonal Fun: Scavenger Hunt

Add to the experience with our winter scavenger hunt. Everyone who participates wins a prize.

Scuba Santa

The star of Christmas Underwater is Scuba Santa, swimming to town to share holiday cheer with believers of all ages (and species!). Guests can interact and snap selfies with Scuba Santa, who will dive daily among sea turtles, sharks, and stingrays with his Elf-ish helpers and a brand new friend in 2026!

Décor Galore

Santa's elves were busy this year. Explore holiday décor surrounded by thousands of aquatic life including ALL NEW beachy Christmas tree in the Boardwalk!

Snow-tunda

Let it snow indoors! Enjoy dazzling lights, festive music, and experience holiday magic as it snows indoors around our 20’ Rotunda Christmas tree every hour, on the hour!

Become A Member

A Membership is your ticket to 364 days (closed on Thanksgiving) of exploring life underwater

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Explore Even More!

While you are exploring a glowing good time, there are thousands of aquatic animals at Adventure Aquarium and one-of-a-kind experiences we love to share with you during every visit.