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Special Events

March

In Touch with Sharks

March 13 (Sat.)

Free with Aquarium admission

Photographer Chris Fallows will talk about his experiences with sharks and other wildlife in Africa in this special auditorium presentation. Chris and his wife Monique have been featured in, or facilitated more than 40 international documentaries on the famous breaching sharks of False Bay, South Africa including Air Jaws I and II and Planet Earth. Chris has recently published his first book, Great White: The Majesty of Sharks.

Auditorium programs at 11:30, 1:00, and 3:00
Book signings at 12:00, 1:30, and 3:30

Hot Pink Flamingos – Exclusive Member Previews

March 27-28 (Sat. & Sun.)
12 p.m.-6 p.m.

Member event

As a member, you're invited to see our newest special exhibition before it opens to the general public on March 29. Hot Pink Flamingos will show you the impacts of climate change through the eyes of amazing animals like flamingos, wading birds, corals, jellies, sea turtles and penguins. You'll also discover how people around the world are fighting climate change in positive and practical ways. This exhibit is made possible by support from our members and donors. Thank you!

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Member Night

March 28 (Sun.)
7 p.m.-9 p.m.

Member event

We stay open late just for members and their guests on Member Nights. Tickets for guests can be purchased on the night of the event.

Need a bite before you spend the evening with your favorite exhibits? A fixed-price dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. in the Portola Restaurant. Call (831) 648-4870 to make a reservation with a credit card.

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April

Día del Niño

April 25 (Sun.)

Free with Aquarium admission

Join us as we celebrate children during Día del Niño, when all children ages 12 and under will be admitted free. Festivities include live music, folk dancing, skits, a craft room to create your personalized take-home souvenir and much more!

May

Cooking for Solutions

May 21-22 (Fri.-Sat.)

Fee & reservations required

Join us for our ninth Cooking for Solutions celebration—the culinary event of the year—takes place May 21-22. It's an elegant way to discover how your food choices protect the health of the soild, water and ocean life. Tickets go on sale in January, so save the date!

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June

World Ocean Day Celebration

June 5-6 (Sat.-Sun.)

Free with Aquarium admission

Join us for our World Ocean Day Celebration. Activities include live music, special guest speakers, book signings, auditorium presentations, a family craft room, face painting for kids and much more! Free with Aquarium admission.

Member Night

June 5 (Sat.)
7 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Member event

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July

Evenings by the Bay

July 3-Sept. 5 (Sat.-Sun.)

Free with Aquarium admission

This summer join us for an Evening by the Bay. The Aquarium will stay open until 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from July 3 through September 5. In addition to all your favorite exhibits, enjoy dinner with an ocean view in the Portola Restaurant and live music from Monterey Jazz Festival musicians.

Member Night - Picnic by the Bay

July 22 (Thurs.)
7 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Member event

Picnic on our oceanfront decks, or in front of your favorite exhibit, where you can watch an evening sea otter feeding and training session, or a kelp forest feeding. You can bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages, or purchase them in the Aquarium. The Portola Restaurant will not be serving dinner.

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August

Evenings by the Bay

July 3-Sept. 5 (Sat.-Sun.)

Free with Aquarium admission

Member Night

August 19 (Thurs.)
7 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Member event

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September

Evenings by the Bay

July 3-Sept. 5 (Sat.-Sun.)

Free with Aquarium admission

Otter Days

Sept. 25-26 (Sat.-Sun.)

Free with Aquarium admission

Join us for a weekend of fun programs and activities as we celebrate all things otter. Enjoy the antics of our playful southern sea otters as they romp, tumble and wrestle in our 55,000-gallon exhibit. Includes feeding and training sessions, games and otter spotting on the bay.

October

Fiesta del Mar

Oct. 3 (Sun.)

Free with Aquarium admission

Celebrate ocean conservation with a day-long Hispanic cultural festival. Enjoy bilingual feeding shows, games and more. Children under 12 admitted free.

Member Night - Halloween at the Aquarium

October 30 (Sat.)
7 p.m.-10 p.m.

Fee & reservations required

Put on your costume and join the skeletons and sea stars, black cats and bat rays for an evening of haunted activities and ghostly good times. Kids of all ages love this event featuring face painters, strolling magicians and stilt walkers.

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November

Feathered Friends

Nov. 20-21 (Sat.-Sun.)

Free with Aquarium admission

Get to know some amazing birds this Thanksgiving at the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s “Feathered Friends” event on Saturday and Sunday, November 20 and 21. The weekend of activities highlights animals with beaks, wings and feathers—including the Aquarium’s blackfooted penguins, Laysan albatross and shorebirds from our aviary.

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Member Night

November 20 (Sat.)
6 p.m.-8 p.m.

Member event

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December

Member Night - Holidays In Store

December 3 (Fri.)
7 p.m.-10 p.m.

Member event

Kick off the holidays with a special Member Night featuring our gift and bookstores! Shop for unique holiday gifts and meet the authors, artists and craftspeople who created them. Share local wines and cheer in the Aquarium at its festive best.

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Aquarium Adventures

Behind-the-scenes tours and sailing trips on the bay are just a few of the special adventures we offer. There’s something for everyone, so join the fun and take your Aquarium visit to a whole new level.

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Celebrating 25 Years of Ocean Conservation