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A very merry Fishmas in store at the NMA as underwater world gets a festive makeover
10th December 2020
The National Marine Aquarium (NMA) is gearing up for Christmas with its exciting ‘Christmas Lights’ theme set to shine a spotlight on all things bioluminescent – and lucky visitors will even get the chance to see Santa taking the plunge and Scuba-Diving in the Eddystone exhibit.
The NMA – which is run by conservation charity, the Ocean Conservation Trust - will be twinkling with lights from the Ocean and getting a fun festive makeover, with visitors given the chance to take part in a special trail and to discover what it really feels like to be thousands of metres below the surface by stepping inside its magical bioluminescence cave.
There will also be a chance to see Santa diving deep into the Aquarium’s Eddystone exhibit during its 1.30pm dive shows on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, making for an unusual experience you won’t find anywhere else in the city.
Children will be invited to write letters to Santa back at the North Pole and post their Christmas wish lists into a special mailbox, the contents of which will be delivered directly to Santa so that he knows just what to fill their stockings with this year.
Lottie Hawkins, Public and Community Engagement Coordinator at the NMA, said that despite the year we’ve all had, a fun and festive Christmas is in store for all the Aquarium’s guests.
“With Christmas just around the corner, we’re really starting to get into the festive spirit, and our underwater world is getting a Christmas makeover! We’re excited to welcome our visitors into our Ocean winter wonderland, where they will have the chance to discover more about the bioluminescent creatures that live in the deep, as well as getting the chance to have a unique Santa experience as he dives daily into our Eddystone Reef Exhibit during our 1.30pm dive shows.”
As well as a fun and festive experience during the daytime for all the family, the NMA will also be holding the latest instalments of its popular ‘Dine at the Aquarium’ during evenings throughout December.
With the NMA set to be decked out with beautiful festive decorations and of course, the customary Christmas tree, it’s a great time of year to discover its fascinating underwater world – as well as to meet its 5,000 amazing Ocean animals and find out all about why the NMA and its parent charity, the Ocean Conservation Trust – want everyone to start to ‘Think Ocean’ in their daily lives.
Visitors can also pop into the NMA’s Ocean Gift Shop and safely browse for some unique Christmas gifts, with a range of trinkets, toys, stationery and more to choose from, as well as a hugely popular range of eco-products that are perfect for hiding under the tree.