DECEMBER EVENTS in the ODYSEA IN THE DESERT COURTYARD 2019
A visit to OdySea in the Desert entertainment destination promises to be a festive one as the complex will be decked with twinkling lights, holiday décor, traditional seasonal music, a Christmas Tree Trail of superbly decorated evergreens and a jovial line-up of family-friendly FREE events including opportunities for kids to take a ride on the OdySea Express train and frolic in actual SNOW!! Break out the mittens and gloves as OdySea in the Desert rolls out all the idyllic holiday elements that make this time of year merry & bright!
Here Comes Santa 5K
Sun 12/8 | 8AM
Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus Lane!
Join StartLine Racing at OdySea in the Desert for our inaugural Here Comes Santa 5K Run/Walk!
Jingle around the course and hang out with the Big Man in red. Bring the whole family and make a day out of it by enjoying one of the many activities that OdySea in the Desert has to offer.
The course will take you around OdySea property and will finish right in the center of the complex. All who finish this challenge will receive a unique medal to show off to your friends!
Free Snow Days at OdySea
Sat, Dec 14th
Sat-Sun, Dec 21st-22nd
Thurs-Sun, Dec 26th-29th
Sat-Sun, Jan 4th-5th
10AM Until Snow Melts
FREE - Outside in the OdySea in the Desert Courtyard
No Admission Required
Make new holiday memories with FREE snow days at OdySea in the Desert. Enjoy NINE opportunities in the outdoor courtyard where close to 100 tons of snow will be available to play in over the course of the entire event. No one in town is doing snow as often as OdySea, so make plans to come, play and enjoy all that OdySea in the Desert has to offer this Holiday Season! Each event lasts until the snow melts!
Free Family Fun Holiday Fair and Marketplace
Sat 12/14 | 10AM-2PM
FREE - Outside in the OdySea in the Desert Courtyard
No Admission Required
Enjoy live holiday entertainment on the center stage,visit with SANTA CLAUS, bounce houses, face painting, and meet other special guests! Parents can SHOP LOCAL and finish holiday shopping from various local vendors! Explore everything OdySea has to offer by eating yummy food from a variety of restaurants, visiting retail stores and taking in the cooler weather!
Free Movie - Secret Life of Pets 2
Sat 12/14 | 5PM
FREE - Outside in the OdySea in the Desert Courtyard
No Admission Required
Experience "Movies in the Desert"— a free family event with music, games, and tons of prizes beginning at 5:00 p.m. The movie will begin at dusk. There are plenty of options to grab a bite before the movie in the courtyard. Visit our website for a full list: http://odyseainthedesert.com/directory/eat/
Come early to claim a spot, as space will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Seating is available but its recommended to bring personal own folding chairs.
Other pre-movie activities include:
• Maxx Meet & Greet and Photo Op
• Puppy Craft
• Game Table and Prize Wheel
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Merry FITMAS Workout and Toy Drive
Sun 12/15 | 12PM-2PM
Outside in the OdySea in the Desert Courtyard
Event Admission: FREE when you donate an unwrapped toy for the Toy for Tots program.
The entire family can join a fun and festive workout, all for a great cause! Experience Holiday cheer with fitness instructors from around the valley. Plus, families can also enjoy holiday shopping from local vendors and delicious food from restaurants on property.
Free Snow Ball Family Festival
Sat 12/21 | 11AM-4PM
FREE - Outside in the OdySea in the Desert Courtyard
No Admission Required
Meet Santa, Mrs. Claus, Buddy the Elf, The Snow Queen and The Ice Princess! Play in real snow, enjoy face painting, arts & crafts, the magic mirror photobooth, a book creation station for the kids, raffle prizes, giveaways, and more! Visit over 40 family and child-friendly vendors and tons of on-site food and drink options.
DECEMBER EVENTS 2019
Be part of the wonder and magic at OdySea Aquarium as it transforms into an enchanting Winter Waterland! Create cherished holiday memories with loved ones while meeting real mermaids, a swimming Santa, Fairy Tale Princesses or even a live penguin at Arizona’s largest aquarium – home to 370 incredible animal species and two million gallons of water! From special guest appearances to an awesome kid-friendly rockin' New Year’s countdown — OdySea Aquarium makes this season the "most wonderful time of year!"
Mermaid Magic welcomes SeaTREK Santa, November 28—December 1--- FOUR DAYS ONLY!!
The holiday season at OdySea Aquarium kicks-off on Thanksgiving with an exclusive appearance by gorgeous mermaids as they welcome another special guest to join in the fun: SeaTREK underwater Santa! Mermaid appearances will take place throughout the Aquarium featuring special opportunities to meet and interact with these sea-dwelling beauties.
SeaTREK Santa Walks the Deep Ocean Floor, November 29—December 25
A jolly ol' helmet-diving SeaTREK Santa makes three appearances per weekend day, November 29—December 20, interacting with guests through the SeaTREK exhibit windows! SeaTREK Santa makes three appearances daily December 20 -- 25 so be on the lookout for him.
Naughty and Nice Characters Visit OdySea Aquarium, December 20—January 5
The spirit of the holidays continues…but who’s on the naughty or nice list this year? These guys! Meet the NAUGHTY Christmas Greench and NICE Fairy Tale Princesses in the magical Deep Ocean Theater. The Fairy Tale Princesses know all about festive fun and holiday cheer, while the nefarious Christmas Greench pouts his way through the most wonderful time of the year! Meet both in the magical Deep Ocean Theater, only at OdySea Aquarium!
Santa Meet & Greet and Photo Opportunity with Penguins,December 7 – December 23
When Santa is not walking the Deep Ocean Floor, he is visiting children on dry land with his favorite feathered friends – penguins!! Don’t miss this unique photo opportunity weekends from December 7 – December 23. **Professional photographer will be taking these photos, and all will include Santa and a penguin; separate ticket price.
New Year’s Evening at OdySea Aquarium, December 31
Rock-out at this kid-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration that will end before bedtime – perfect for the pint-sized partiers in the group! The celebration includes a countdown to the New Year in Deep Ocean Theater, a family dance party and more!
Giving the Gift of “Experience and Memories” – Online e-Store Gift Shop
Give the gift that creates adventure and memories in the form of an OdySea Aquarium Gift Card, Annual Pass or General Admission Tickets! Purchase through our special holiday e-store on our website (odyseaaquarium.com) and unwrap some real adventures for the New Year!
DECEMBER EVENTS 2019
Every Friday
VIP Behind the Scenes Tour of Butterfly Wonderland
1:00-3:00 p.m.
Take a special VIP Behind the Scenes Guided Tour around the whole attraction, including access to several places closed to the general public. The Tour includes a guide throughout your whole experience, a special butterfly release, trip to the back of house of the Reptile Rainforest, interactive bug talks (including a chance to eat bugs!), viewing of the 3D movie, and opportunities to engage with an expert in the chrysalis gallery and conservatory. Tickets: $8 for adults/$5 for children (ages 3-12), in addition to General Admission ticket. Tours are limited to 12 people. Call (480) 800-3000, ext. 210 to register
Christmas in the Rainforest Nov. 29 through Dec. 28
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bring family and friends this holiday season to experience Christmas in the Rainforest featuring an abundance of butterflies from the rainforests of Costa Rica, Africa and Asia. Festive décor. Don't forget to visit our jewels of the rainforest...our colorful dart frogs in our Rainforest Reptiles exhibit and new exhibit: Baby Bug Nursery.
December 7, 14, 21 and 22, Butterfly Fairy Leslie Campa visits Butterfly Wonderland from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Butterfly Brushstrokes - Painting Class FOR CHILDREN
Saturday, Dec. 7
10am-12pm
Children can learn basic art skills while painting a beautiful butterfly by local artist, Alex Simonet. Space is limited to 15. Geared for ages 8 to 17; $15/general public; $20/adults. Free for members. Class does not include Admission to Butterfly Wonderland. Pre-registration required; RSVP by Dec. 6. Call (480) 800-3000, ext. 210 to reserve.
Music and Butterflies
Sunday, Dec. 8 and 15
11am-3pm
Elevate the experience with beautiful music by classical violinist Jonathan Levingston as he performs live in the Butterfly Conservatory. FREE with admission
Homeschool Days
Monday & Tuesday, Dec. 9 and 10
Reserve your Homeschool field trip and special pricing at butterflywonderland.com, click Plan Your Event, and then Homeschool. Pre-registration is required.
Kids Time: Critters & Crafts
Wednesday, Dec. 11
10am-11am
Especially for preschool through 3rd grade, get an up-close look at Butterfly Wonderland’s incredible bugs. Education Specialist Vicki Smith will also have a fun and educational story time and craft activity. Meet in the Multi-Purpose Room. FREE with admission; attendees are eligible for 10% off a Butterfly Wonderland annual pass to enjoy this fun activity time again and again!
Butterfly Brush Strokes at Night
Friday, Dec. 13
6pm-8:30pm
Plan a creative night out with friends or date night at Butterfly Wonderland with a unique painting class featuring artist Michael Danebread. Guests will learn to paint a beautiful butterfly. All paint supplies provided. Limited to 25 people. $25/general public; free for members. Light refreshments served. Pre-registration required; RSVP by Dec .12. Call (480) 800-3000, ext. 210 to reserve
Butterfly Origami Class (For Ages 7 & up)
Saturday, Dec. 14
10:00-11:00a.m.
Learn from origami instructor Jasmine Tawfik how to make beautiful origami butterflies, bees, reptiles and other critters. Cost: $10 for child. Free for members. Does not include Admission. Class is limited to 15. Pre-registration required by Dec. 13; call (480) 800-3000, ext. 210 to reserve.
Kids Time: Critters & Crafts
Thursday, Dec. 19
4pm-5pm
Especially for preschool thru 3rd grade, get an up-close look at Butterfly Wonderland’s incredible bugs. Education Specialist Vicki Smith will also have a fun and educational story time and craft activity. Meet in the Multi-Purpose Room. FREE with admission; attendees are eligible for 10% off a Butterfly Wonderland annual pass to enjoy this fun activity time again and again!
Concert in the Conservatory
Saturday, Dec. 21 and 28
11am-3pm
Every 3rd Saturday, elevate the experience in our Conservatory with a live musical performance by Aaron White. FREE with admission.
Waking Up with Butterflies with Professional Photographer Adam Rodriguez
Saturday, Dec. 21
8:30am-9:30am; check in 8:15am
Guests are invited to enjoy a quiet hour photographing the butterflies and reptiles as they awake. Get helpful information on better shots from photographer Adam Rodriguez. Ages 18 & up; FREE for members; $30 (general public - Includes Admission.) Pre-registration is required; call (480) 800-3000, ext. 210 to reserve.
Butterfly Brushstrokes - Painting Class
Saturday, Dec. 21
10:00-12:00pm
Guests will learn to paint beautiful butterflies by local artist, Michael Danebread. Space is limited to 15. Ages 12 & up; $20/general public; free for members. Class does not include Admission to Butterfly Wonderland. Pre-registration required by Dec. 20; call (480) 800-3000, ext. 210 to reserve.
Senior Day
Monday, Dec. 30
A day dedicated to Senior learning and entertainment. Special talks all day from our knowledgeable curators. FREE with admission.
OdySea Aquarium Launches Two Digital Series & Ways to Support the Animals During Indefinite Closure!
moreGet Priceless Holiday Photos with Tropical Santa & a LIVE African Penguin ONLY at OdySea Aquarium
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