Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk offers holiday fun, shark diving Santa, and indoor snow

Photo via The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is kicking off the holiday season with festive events, immersive experiences, and seasonal cheer for families and visitors of all ages. From indoor snow flurries to Santa swimming with sharks, the aquarium is bringing holiday magic to the shoreline.

Guests can experience Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4D, an immersive 10-minute adaptation of the classic holiday special, now showing through Jan. 4. Member-exclusive events include a Member Appreciation Morning on Nov. 28 and Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 6, featuring breakfast buffets, crafts, and 4D movie screenings.

Highlight attractions include Shark Diving Santa, taking place every Saturday and Sunday from Dec. 6–21, with Santa diving alongside sand tiger sharks in the Ocean Beyond the Sound exhibit. Limited extra dives are scheduled for Dec. 23, 24, and 26. A sensory-friendly holiday evening is planned for Dec. 9, with dimmed lights, soft music, and optional calm visits with Santa.

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Visitors can also enjoy the Flurry Zone, where indoor snowstorms fall every hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Elf Power Virtual Reality Experience, offering a sleigh ride through snowy landscapes with holiday surprises. Families with young children can celebrate early with the Noon Year’s Eve Celebration on Dec. 31, featuring crafts, music, and face painting.

The Maritime Aquarium is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with early closings on Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas Eve, and closures on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Memberships and gift certificates are available for those looking to give the gift of year-round aquarium access.

Events details

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4D
Experience the magic of the holidays in a whole new way with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4D, now showing at the Aquarium. This immersive 10-minute adaptation of the beloved television classic brings Rudolph’s journey to life with dazzling visuals and sensory effects, as he meets new friends and escapes the Abominable Snow Monster. Join him on his adventure to save Christmas through January 4.

Member Appreciation Morning (Members Only)
Rise and shine for our Member Appreciation Morning on Friday, November 28 from 8–10 a.m. Skip the crowds and enjoy sweet treats from Elm Street Diner, free 4D movies, extra-deep Gift Shop discounts, and a special thank-you gift. Plus, for one day only, the Aquarium is upgrading everyone to Family Plus-level perks, so bring more friends and family along for the fun.

Shark Diving Santa
Every Saturday and Sunday from December 6 through December 21 at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., watch Santa make a splash as he dives into the Ocean Beyond the Sound exhibit and swims alongside sand tiger sharks! It’s an unforgettable holiday tradition guests won’t want to miss. Limited extra dives will take place on December 23, 24, and 26.

Breakfast with Santa (Members Only)
On Saturday, December 6 from 8–10 a.m., members can start their day in festive style at The Maritime Aquarium’s annual Breakfast with Santa. Guests will enjoy a breakfast buffet, holiday crafts, and sweet treats before meeting Santa Claus for memorable photos. The morning also includes a showing of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4D in the Aquarium’s theater. Pajamas or festive holiday attire are encouraged for this cheerful celebration.

Holiday Sensory-Friendly Evening
On Tuesday, December 9 from 5–7 p.m., The Maritime Aquarium will transform into a serene winter wonderland for guests with sensory-processing differences. All galleries will sparkle with holiday décor while lights are dimmed, music softened, and extra sounds turned off for a peaceful, sensory-friendly experience. The evening includes a special screening of the holiday favorite Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4D in the Aquarium’s theater, presented with lowered sound, brighter lights, and no sensory effects for maximum comfort. There is also an optional add-on visit with Santa Claus in a calm area of the Aquarium.

Flurry Zone! An Indoor Snow Experience
Forget the forecast — The Maritime Aquarium is making it snow every single day in December! Step into the Flurry Zone, where indoor snowstorms swirl through Newman’s Own Hall every hour on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Each flurry lasts five minutes, just enough time for a twirl in the sparkling snowfall. No boots, no shovels, just pure holiday fun.

Elf Power Virtual Reality Experience
Soar over snow-capped mountains in Santa’s turbocharged sleigh on a heartwarming quest to help a child believe in the magic of Christmas again. Feel the rush of winter winds and holiday cheer as you zip through dazzling landscapes. With your Elf Power, surprises await at every turn. Who will you meet on this magical ride? There’s only one way to find out!

Noon Year’s Eve Celebration
On December 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., families with young children are invited to join The Maritime Aquarium’s Noon Year’s Eve Celebration — a festive countdown filled with fun and flair. Enjoy lively music, creative crafts, and colorful face painting as we welcome the new year a little early.

More information on events, tickets, and memberships is available at www.maritimeaquarium.org.

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November events at Fairfield Theatre Company

November at Fairfield Theatre Company is packed with a diverse lineup of events, from live music and tribute shows to film and community gatherings. Highlights include Kelsey Waldon on November 1, Color Me Obsessed: A Film about The Replacements and The Monet plays Jamiroquai on the 2nd, Heather Maloney & Dan Rodriguez on the 4th, Brian Dolzani as the Loner: The Music of Neil Young on the 6th, and the FTC Encore Gala on the 8th. The month also features performances by Zoso, Paul Bogaev, Mike Farris, Tropidelic, Black Flag, Mary Fahl, Shemekia Copeland, Marshall Crenshaw, The Jayhawks, and more, including multi-night appearances from Reid Genauer Soloand festive events like Funksgiving. With something for every taste, November at FTC offers music, film, and seasonal celebrations for the whole community.

November 2025 calendar of events
11/24 -Funksgiving
11/28 – Jake Swamp & The Pine
11/28 – Mullett
11/29 – Faster Things

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November events at PeoplesBank Arena

11/25 – Stonehill College vs UConn Ice Hockey, click here to purchase tickets
11/26 – Springfield Thunderbirds vs Hartford Wolf Pack, click here to purchase tickets

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Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk offers holiday fun, shark diving Santa, and indoor snow