The Georgia Aquarium is Atlanta’s most beloved attraction with animal encounters, Dolphin Tales, behind-the-scenes adventures and so much more.
Is there anything better?
Well…yes! It’s Christmas Georgia Aquarium style!
Christmas is such a special time at this amazing aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia. They have thousands of lights, festive music and special events with Santa and SCUBA Claus — all of which make the holiday events here the perfect place to make lasting memories. Christmas at Georgia Aquarium is the festival of the season!
Ready to go walking in a winter WATERland! Here are 11 awesome ways to celebrate Christmas with the Georgia Aquarium!
CHRISTMAS GEORGIA AQUARIUM
Winter WATERLand at the Georgia Aquarium will take place November 11, 2022-January 2, 2023. During this time, you’ll find the magic of the holidays everywhere you look.
Enjoy holiday music in the atrium, their 40-foot live tree, special events, and holiday favorites — like pictures with Santa Claus and more!
The water animals cannot wait to SEA you! Here’s everything you can expect during the holidays at the Georgia Aquarium this year.
Want more Ho Ho Ho and less ho-hum? Get Skip-the-Line tickets now for faster entry into the aquarium.
HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING
DATES: Daily, November 11, 2022 – January 2, 2023 at 10am
No matter what day you decide to come to the Georgia Aquarium during the holiday season, you’ll be able to experience holiday magic during the Holiday Tree Lighting!
The aquarium likes to get the day kicked off right with a tree lighting in the atrium, every day at 10am. Santa will be there to welcome guests and wish everyone a happy holiday season. Promptly at 10am, the holiday decor in the atrium, along with their 40-foot-tall live tree will be lit!
This fun event is included with your general admission ticket.
oin in on kicking off our holiday spirit with our tree lighting. Join Santa as he welcomes guests and wishes everyone a happy holiday season by lighting up our holiday décor, including our live 40-foot tree!
Read More: GEORGIA AQUARIUM: ATLANTA’S BELOVED ATTRACTION LIVES UP TO THE HYPE
HOLIDAY MUSIC IN THE ATRIUM
DATES: Daily, November 11, 2022 – January 2, 2023
One step inside the Georgia Aquarium, and you’ll immediately be in the holiday spirit. The Atrium at the aquarium is all decked out for the holiday season!
Enjoy holiday music, winter-inspired projections, and a water fountain display too! This is also where you’ll find their 40-foot live tree — perfect for pictures!
SCUBA CLAUS
DATES: Thursdays-Sundays, Nov. 25-Dec. 24, 2022, around Midday
The holidays at Georgia Aquarium wouldn’t be complete without a visit from their very own underwater Santa — SCUBA Claus! Come face-to-face with Santa as he dons his specially-designed Santa wetsuit and plunges into the world’s largest aquatic habitat, Ocean Voyager Built by The Home Depot.
Old Saint Nick loves to dive among the whale sharks and manta rays!
Seeing SCUBA Claus is included with your general admission ticket.
Read More: MEETING THE GEORGIA AQUARIUM OTTERS CAN’T BE MISSED (+ OTHER FUN ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS!)
4D EXPERIENCES AT THE GEORGIA AQUARIUM
THE POLAR EXPRESS 4D EXPERIENCE
DATES: Nov. 11 – Dec. 7, 2022, check times upon arrival
While you’re at the aquarium, join in on an extraordinary 4-D adventure this holiday season on THE POLAR EXPRESS™! When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ 4-D Experience is based on the inspiring and beloved Caldecott Medal children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg.
(And it “snows” in the theater! My kids thought it was amazing.)
This experience is included with general admission ticket, but Reservations are required upon arrival to Aquarium.
RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER 4D EXPERIENCE
DATES: Dec. 8, 2022 – Jan. 2, 2023, check times upon arrival
See the beloved reindeer go down in history at the all-new Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4D Experience!
When young Rudolph is teased for his red nose and runs away from Christmastown, he sets off a series of adventures, meets new friends Hermey the Elf and Yukon Cornelius along the way and escapes the clutches of the Abominable Snow Monster.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4-D uses the same stop motion animation as the beloved television classic to deliver a visually brilliant, high definition 3-D experience. This experience is included with general admission ticket, but reservations are required upon arrival to Aquarium.
Want more Ho Ho Ho and less ho-hum? Get Skip-the-Line tickets now for faster entry into the aquarium.
PICTURES WITH SANTA
DATES: Select dates and times from Nov. 25 – Dec. 24, 2022. Santa enjoys a break from Noon-1pm each day.
No holiday season is complete without a photo with Santa!
During your Aquarium visit, capture a photograph with Georgia Aquarium’s own seaside St. Nick. Santa is available for kids of all ages during scheduled dates and times. Photos are available for purchase, and package prices vary.
Santa is set up in the Atrium, and he can’t wait to hear all your holiday wishes!
Check out the 2022 Georgia Aquarium Santa schedule HERE.
HOLIDAY THEMED DOLPHIN PRESENTATION
BEGINNING: Nov. 19, 2022
If you’ve visited the Aquarium before, you may have seen their Dolphins in the Depth show…but you’ve never seen it like this!
During the holiday season, the Aquarium dolphins celebrate with their new presentation, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.
Beginning November 19, 2022 in the Dolphin Coast Theater, you can enjoy this new presentation that showcases the amazing bottlenose dolphin in a fun and festive way. You’ll learn more about these amazing animals, and may even get splashed!
The Dolphin Presentation is included with your General Admission ticket, but reservations are required on the day of your visit. You must arrive 15 minutes before your presentation starts to get seated.
Read More: A GEORGIA AQUARIUM SLEEPOVER: 16 IMPORTANT THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
A MERRY MORNING WITH SANTA
DATE: December 11, 2022, 8am – Noon
Spend a Merry Morning with Santa in the Ocean’s Ballroom at the Georgia Aquarium!
During this special ticketed event, you’ll enjoy a light breakfast from Wolfgang Puck Catering, arts and crafts, and animal keeper talks. You can also take a selfie with Santa! If you want more pics, a complimentary 4×6 photo with a special holiday backdrop is included.
This is a special ticketed event that requires advance reservations. Merry Morning with Santa is $24.99 for non-members, but is FREE for members.
Looking for creative holiday gifts? Enjoy an exclusive 20% off all memberships, animal encounters, and programs purchased during the Merry Morning event.
STROLLING CAROLERS
DATES: Nov. 12-13, 19-20, and 26-27; Dec. 3-4, 10-11, and 17-18, 2022
Nothing celebrates the holiday season more that Christmas music, and you can find the Strolling Carolers at the Georgia Aquarium spreading Christmas cheer on select days during the Winter Waterland event.
A quartet of singers will serenade guests while strolling through the aquarium. You’ll enjoy classic Christmas carols and more.
You’ll catch them throughout the aquarium from Noon – 3pm on select days.
HOLIDAY TODDLER TIME
DATE: December 14, 2022, 9:45am – 11am
Bring your toddler on a fun and educational adventure in Georgia Aquarium’s Oceans Ballroom. During each experience, children can participate in Coral Craft Time, visit Storytime Shore, shake their wiggles out during Jelly Jams, and meet a special guest.
Each month, Toddler Time will last an hour and 15 minutes and feature a different theme. In December, Toddler Time will be holiday themed!
This is a special ticketed event, and does not include the price of aquarium admission. Toddler Time is $24.99 for 1 adult and 1 child for non-members, is $20.99 for 1 adult and 1 child for members, and each additional child is $8 each.
Read More: WHY GEORGIA AQUARIUM IS THE BEST PLACE TO SWIM WITH WHALE SHARKS
HOLIDAY TREATS AT CAFE AQUARIA
Café Aquaria is in the holiday spirit serving up Winter Waterland holiday treats and hot cocoa all season long.
In addition to holiday treats, you can also find their typical menu featuring delicious foods the whole family will enjoy. Think pizza, burgers, salads, chicken tenders, and more.
STAY NEAR THE AQUARIUM FOR A FUN HOLIDAY ADVENTURE
MORE INFORMATION FOR HOLIDAY FUN IN ATLANTA
- CHRISTMAS EVENTS: 2022 Christmas in Atlanta: Your Guide To Only The Very Best Events
- CHRISTMAS TRAINS: 23 Spectacular Christmas Train Rides in Georgia & The Southeast
- STONE MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS: Your Complete Guide To All the Holiday Fun at Stone Mountain Park
- BOTANICAL GARDEN LIGHTS: Atlanta Botanical Gardens: Brilliant Holiday Fun
- BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: Best Breakfast with Santa Options in Atlanta
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With a lifetime of journeys that span multiple countries and over 30 states in the US, her passion for travel was sparked by a nomadic lifestyle.
Lesli thrives on unearthing lesser-known, eccentric, and unique destinations, and engaging with locals to reveal hidden gems. Whether she's adventuring across the country in her RV, trekking through the forest, or delving into the local whiskey scene, Lesli's exploratory spirit remains unquenchable.
She travels with her two young explorers - Cooper and Elliot - and her husband, soulmate, and business partner, Dan. Currently, they're enjoying an extended stay in the rugged west, but Atlanta is still close to her heart. Her extensive travel experience and profound love for Atlanta give Lesli an unparalleled advantage when it comes to serving the South (and the world's busiest airport) with travel content from around the globe.