The Tennessee Aquarium is in full holiday spirit with Holidays Under the Peaks running through December 28.
Visitors can enjoy festive décor, Christmas music, and daily seasonal programs where kids learn about animal tracks and play with fake snow.
Weekends bring one of the biggest crowd-pleasers: Scuba Claus. Dressed in a full red suit, he dives into the River Journey galleries, waving to kids as they tell him their Christmas wishes through the glass.
SCUBA Claus dives in the Tennessee River exhibit at the Tennessee Aquarium for their annual Holidays Under the Peaks celebration.
“It is so cute and so much fun,” Alison Pryor, Media Coordinator at Tennessee Aquarium, shares.
Traditional Santa photos are also available near the penguins, with online reservations saving guests a little extra cash.
The Aquarium is also offering memorable holiday experiences like Sleep in the Deep, where families spend the night surrounded by fish and sharks, and daily showings of The Polar Express for those who missed the sold-out pajama event.
Beyond the fun, the Aquarium is giving back by partnering with the CHATT Foundation, collecting hats, gloves, scarves, and socks to help keep community members warm this winter. Donations are accepted through December 21 at all entrances.
Holidays Under the Peaks at the Tennessee Aquarium
Looking ahead, Alison highlights the Aquarium’s conservation work as a major point of pride, including the recent Lake Sturgeon release into the Tennessee River.
She also teased an exciting future addition: a brand-new Ocean Journey gallery called Scuttlebutt Reef, opening in spring 2026.
With festive events now and big changes ahead, the Tennessee Aquarium continues to be a place where holiday magic, learning, and community come together.
For more information on upcoming events, programs or event plan your next visit, visit the Aquariums website at TnAqua.com
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