All Upcoming Aquarium Programs and Events

Super Saturday: SpongeBob SquarePants! Saturday, October 18, 2008 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Where: South Carolina Aquarium Enjoy a special one-time only appearance by SpongeBob SquarePants! Have your photo taken with SpongeBob, make sponge crafts and more. Enjoy a special day filled with activities, fun and excitement for the whole family. On the third Saturday of the month, the South Carolina Aquarium will offer an extra dose of interactive excitement for visitors to enjoy. Free with general admission to the Aquarium. For more information call (843) 577-FISH (3474).

Fifth Annual Sustainable Seafood Festival Sunday, October 26, 2008 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm Where: Charleston Maritime Center, 10 Wharfside Street Celebrate sustainable seafood as you sample creations from the area’s best chefs at this free outdoor event featuring fresh, local seafood and fun for the whole family. Rate the offerings of more than a dozen of Charleston’s finest chefs as they compete in sustainable seafood cook-off competitions and share their skills in free cooking demonstrations. Enjoy local beers and organic wines, buy fresh shrimp right off the boat and learn how our seafood choices today can ensure fish for the future. This family friendly harbor side event features children’s activities, music and much more. Catch the excitement of the fifth-annual High School Recipe Contest as student finalists from throughout the state face off to prepare their original dishes for a judging panel of culinary experts and compete for scholarships to Johnson & Wales University. Entry to the Festival at the Maritime Center is free. Seafood, beverages and other items are available for purchase. For more information, call (843) 577-FISH (3474).

Fish or Treat! A Members Only Event Thursday, October 30, 2008 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm Where: South Carolina Aquarium Beauty and beasts in all shapes and sizes will join the aquatic animals at the South Carolina Aquarium's annual Halloween event: Fish or Treat. Members can "Fish or Treat" throughout the Aquarium, check out divers of the deep lurking in the Great Ocean Tank, enjoy ghoulish games and boogie at the monster mash dance party. Families are invited to come dressed in their most creative costume and vie for prizes in our annual costume contest. Tickets are $5 for Aquarium Members. Reservations are required. For more information or to join the Aquarium and begin receiving Member benefits today, call (843) 577-FISH (3474).

The Dark Water Masquerade Friday, October 31, 2008 8:00 pm - 12:00 am Where: South Carolina Aquarium Enjoy a night of sophisticated elegance and magnificent surroundings at Charleston’s premier Dark Water Masquerade Ball at the South Carolina Aquarium. Enjoy delicious offerings from Cru Catering and lively music and entertainment provided by A Touch of Class. Come adorned in a stylish mask and black tie dress for the evening’s festivities. The Dark Water Masquerade is a 21 and over Black Tie Affair to benefit the South Carolina Aquarium, a private non-profit organization dedicated to education and conservation initiatives. Advance tickets required. Tickets purchased before October 24, $100 per person, $175 per couple; Tickets purchased after October 24, $125 per person, $200 per couple. For details call 577-FISH (3474).

Volunteer Orientation Saturday, November 01, 2008 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Where: South Carolina Aquarium On Saturday, November 1, the South Carolina Aquarium will conduct a volunteer orientation from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. From divers to Aquarium mascots, the South Carolina Aquarium's Volunteer Program is comprised of hundreds of diverse, enthusiastic individuals who serve in a variety of positions and departments. Volunteers have the opportunity to interact with hundreds of visitors each day, reach into the discovery tank, assist visitors or serve as an Aquarium Ambassador at community events. Enthusiastic youth volunteers, ages 16 and older, interested in marine biology can volunteer as exhibit guides. These youth volunteers have the opportunity to work in the discovery lab and at interpretive carts. To register for Volunteer Orientation, please call the Aquarium's Volunteer Department at (843) 579-8553 or (843) 579-8560.

Tuck in with the Turtles Family Sleepover: A Members Only Event Friday, November 07, 2008 7:00 pm - 8:00 am Where: South Carolina Aquarium Do you ever wonder what sharks and sea turtles do when the rest of us are sleeping? Here is your chance to find out what goes on at the Aquarium after dark! On Friday, November 7, Members are invited to join the South Carolina Aquarium for an overnight adventure at the Tuck in with the Turtles Family Sleepover! Families can set up sleeping bags next to their favorite Aquarium exhibit and rise to a dolphin watch on the Riverside Terrace. Price for this member event include fun kids’ educational programs and activities, snacks and a continental breakfast in the morning. Price is $30 Adult and $20 Child, ages 6 and up. The Aquarium requires one adult per two children attending this event. Reservations are required. To reserve a space, call (843) 577-FISH (3474).

Super Saturday: Reptiles Rock Saturday, November 15, 2008 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Where: South Carolina Aquarium Enjoy a special day filled with activities, fun and excitement for the whole family. On the third Saturday of the month, the South Carolina Aquarium will offer an extra dose of interactive excitement for visitors to enjoy. Free with general admission or Membership.

Holiday Extravaganza: A Members Only Event Monday, December 01, 2008 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm Where: South Carolina Aquarium Kick off the holiday season with a special celebration at the Aquarium! Enjoy pictures with Santa, cookie decorating, holiday crafts, live animal interactions and more. Take advantage of the one-night only 20% discount in the Aquarium Shop, plus complimentary gift wrapping and refreshments. Tickets are FREE for Aquarium Members-only. Reservations are recommended, to reserve a space call (843) 577-FISH (3474).

Toddler Time: A Members Only Event Saturday, December 13, 2008 8:00 am - 9:00 am Where: South Carolina Aquarium Join us for a special morning just for toddlers and their parents before we open our doors! Our 1-2 year old friends will be introduced to sea creatures with up-close animal encounters, dance to fun music, read a story and have several play stations to choose from while adults enjoy complimentary coffee and doughnuts! Snacks for the kids will also be served. Tickets are $6 Members and Member Adults are free with a participating child. Space is limited and reservations are required. To reserve a space, call (843) 577-FISH (3474).

Daily Shows and Programs

Trick or Treat with the Otters: A Mountain Forest Otter Feeding Location - The Mountain Forest Monday - Saturday, 10:00AM - 10:20AM Join us in the Mountain Forest, at 10 o’clock, as the river otters come out of the shadows. Watch them eat and learn about their strange adaptations.

What Lurks Beneath: A Great Ocean Tank Interactive Dive Location - Lower Ocean Gallery Monday - Saturday, 11:00AM - 11:20AM What lurks beneath the waters of the Great Ocean Tank? Join us at 11:00 in the lower ocean gallery to find out.

Night Frights: A Great Hall Live Animal Program Location - The Great Hall Monday - Saturday, 1:30PM - 1:50PM Join us in the Great Hall for Night Frights. Meet some of our creatures that go boo in the night.

Frankenfish: A Great Ocean Tank Interactive Dive Location - The Lower Ocean Gallery Everyday, 3:00PM - 3:20PM At 3:00, join us by the Great Ocean Tank for an interactive dive show. Come play Dr. Frankenfish and help us transform a pumpkin into a fish.

Creepy Crawly Critters A Great Hall Interactive Program Location - The Great Hall Everyday, 4:00PM - 4:20PM At 4:00 crawl over to the Great Hall to get creeped out by our creepy crawly critters.