Santa brings ‘fishmas’ joy to Aquarium of the Pacific
By Orange County on December 5, 2021
Even seals, otters and sharks get into the holiday season.
The Aquarium of the Pacific kicked off its winter festivities this weekend, with the popular Long Beach tourist destination decked out in Christmas decorations. There were crafts, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa stories, and other holiday activities.
And Santa traded in his reins for scuba gear, entertaining folks from under the water. Santa Diver, as the aquarium calls him, swam with the fish and, after he toweled off, also took photos with children.
Santa Diver delivers holiday gifts on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 to the fish inside the Blue Cavern exhibit at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Diver delivers holiday gifts on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 to the fish inside the Blue Cavern exhibit at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Staff member Brett Long feeds Harpo the Sea Lion who also might have eyes on his Christmas stocking on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Maureen Lawrence of the Jewish Community Center teaches youngsters how to play the traditional game of Dreidel on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 during a Hanukkah storytelling session at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Members of the Crowder family from Long Beach and Huntington Beach have their picture taken with Santa Claus on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Maureen Lawrence of the Jewish Community Center leads a Hanukkah storytelling session on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Maureen Lawrence of the Jewish Community Center leads a Hanukkah storytelling session on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Holiday decorations are on display Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 throughout the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Holiday decorations are on display Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 throughout the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Diver delivers holiday gifts on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 to the fish inside the Blue Cavern exhibit at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Diver delivers holiday gifts on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 to the fish inside the Blue Cavern exhibit at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Diver delivers holiday gifts on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 to the fish inside the Blue Cavern exhibit at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Diver delivers holiday gifts on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 to the fish inside the Blue Cavern exhibit at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Diver delivers holiday gifts on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 to the fish inside the Blue Cavern exhibit at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Diver delivers holiday gifts on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 to the fish inside the Blue Cavern exhibit at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Diver delivers holiday gifts on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 to the fish inside the Blue Cavern exhibit at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Diver delivers holiday gifts on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 to the fish inside the Blue Cavern exhibit at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Diver delivers holiday gifts on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 to the fish inside the Blue Cavern exhibit at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Diver delivers holiday gifts on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 to the fish inside the Blue Cavern exhibit at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Diver delivers holiday gifts on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 to the fish inside the Blue Cavern exhibit at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The aquarium’s marine animals also received special “fishmas” treats.
The holiday festivities will continue until Dec. 23.
Advance reservations are required to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific and can be made on its website. Admission is free for members. General admission is $36.95 for adults (ages 12+), $26.95 for children (ages 3-11), $33.95 for seniors (ages 62+) and free for children younger than 3.
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