Splash Into the Holidays with the ALL-NEW YuleTides at The Florida Aquarium!
The holidays are here and so is a BRAND-NEW event from The Florida Aquarium! YuleTides is an immersive seasonal celebration inspired by coastal holiday traditions from around the world. From November 29, 2024-January 5, 2025, guests to experience a fresh and festive take on the season!
“With YuleTides, we’re celebrating the holiday season in a way that’s unique to Florida, merging marine life and conservation with coastal traditions to create an unforgettable experience for our guests,” said Corey Romberg, Director of Guest Engagement at The Florida Aquarium. “Our holiday trees, memorable photo op locations, and Santa meet-and-greet at the wharf are all designed to highlight the beauty of our oceans and the importance of preserving them, while also capturing the joy of the season.”
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What to Expect at Yule Tides
There will be several eco-friendly event highlights at YuleTides. As guests arrive, they’ll be greeted by the Reclaimed Beach Treasure Tree, a towering holiday tree crafted from upcycled beach toys that symbolizes the Aquarium’s dedication to sustainability.
The Lighthouse Icon will serve as the welcoming beacon and signature icon of YuleTides. It will stand approximately 20 feet tall in the main lobby and will be styled with seashell garland and seaside lanterns.
Explore a trail of trees inspired by Tampa Bay’s cherished boat parade tradition at the Tree Regatta, where you can explore themed trees “floating” in boats. Themes include:
- Coral Tree: Showcasing the Aquarium’s coral conservation efforts.
- Beach Treasures Tree: Decorated with driftwood and sea glass.
- Tampa Bay Tree: Featuring famous local landmarks in vintage postcard style.
- New England Tree: Inspired by the rocky New England coast.
- Coastal Vibes Tree: Honoring beloved holiday regattas and vibrant celebrations that light up Florida’s coastlines during the season.
Kids of all ages can enjoy a keepsake cup of hot chocolate for purchase and deck it out with brownies, Rice Krispie treats, sprinkles, and more at the toppings bar. Guests 21 and up can indulge in holiday-themed cocktails including a Reindeer Blitz, Spicy Mimosa, or Mistletoe Margarita.
Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus!
Head to Santa’s Winter Wharf to meet Santa in his elegant, ocean blue robe with rhinestone waves. He’ll be making several stops at the Aquarium so be sure to bring your camera to capture those special moments!
Santa’s visits will take from 11 am-3 pm on the following dates:
- November 29 -December 1
- December 7-8
- December 14 -15
- December 21-24
Guests can also purchase star-shaped cookie kits complete with sprinkles and icing to decorate cookies on the rooftop with Mrs. Claus!
Performances at YuleTides
Check out holiday carols with a coastal twist! Enjoy live musical performances by The Coralers, a talented group of carolers who bring the ocean to life with marine-inspired renditions of classic holiday songs. See them perform at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm on select dates. During these interactive performances, guests are invited to sing along, dance, and join in on the merriment while overlooking the beautiful bay from the rooftop.
Students from elementary to high school Hillsborough County schools will perform on the rooftop stage on select dates, showcasing a variety of musical talents from choirs and orchestras to jazz bands, drumming, and violin ensembles.
Tickets and Info
YuleTides will take place at The Florida Aquarium from November 29, 2024-January 5, 2025 (excluding December 25) during regular business hours and is included with general admission.
The Florida Aquarium is located at 701 Channelside Dr., Tampa. FL 33602.
Be sure to check out all of our favorite holiday events for families in Tampa Bay!