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Changing Tides Festival

Date: Aug 24 - Aug 30, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

SAILebrating 6 Years as your Mississippi Aquarium!


Changing Tides Festival - A Celebration of Education, Conservation, and Community

During this week of celebration of our 6-year anniversary, Mississippi Aquarium will SAILebrate in special ways all throughout the week!


Stay tuned for more details!

WE’RE CELEBRATING OUR 6TH BIRTHDAY ALL WEEK LONG!

🎉 Join us from August 24 – August 30 for a full week of wild fun, incredible promos, unique animal encounters, and tasty treats!
Here is what’s happening during our birthday week bash:

🍔 ALL WEEK SPECIALS & PROMOS


• Pelican Pointe Café Specials: Shark Bite Punch, Donut Burger, Party Pizza, Birthday Cake Cup, & Funnel Cake Fries!

• Birthday Party Discount: Every birthday party booked from August 24-30 with a deposit will get a 15% discount on the birthday package. Party can be any day before December 31, 2026.

• Daily Scavenger Hunt: Guests will use the daily schedule for clues to find all the letters that spell out spell out "BIRTHDAY" in Changing Tides.

📅 DAILY HIGHLIGHTS

• Mon, Aug 24 -BLOOD DRIVE

Guests that donate blood with our Partner Singing River Health System and The Blood Center will receive a coupon for $6 off General Admission.

Times: From 10:00am to 4:00pm

Where: MSAQ Service Road


First 10 people to register will receive FREE ADMISSION on August 24th.*



*Free admission ticket will be given after blood donation appointment.

• Tue, Aug 25 - TWO for the Price of One PROMOTION

Times: All Day 2-for-1 Tuesday!
Where: Ticketing
Buy one admission, get one FREE at the ticketing window.

• Wed, Aug 26 - Happy Bird-day

Meet the penguins on Campus starting at 1:00pm.
Plus if you donate $10 to the penguin habitat fundraiser you'll get a free 4x6 photo print from our tower with a special limited edition photo background.

Special Silent Auction: Bid on a private session for two with an Animal Care Specialist and a penguin to make their own painting.

Times: From 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Where: Changing Tides Building


• Thu, Aug 27 - Piñata Party Day

Piñata Pulls every hour!

Participants selected randomly, ticket rounds to be distributed at the big window.
Prizes include: Encounters, general admission, free gifts, special event tickets, annual passes and more!


Times: One every hour. 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm and 4:00pm.
Where: Big Window, Aquatic Wonders.


• Fri, Aug 28 (Day time events) - CUPCAKES Day

Free Cupcakes in the Aquatic Wonders Lobby starting at 10:30am (while supplies last), followed by ArtSEA from 6pm–9pm!

Times: Start at 10:30am while supplies last.

Where: Lobby of Aquatic Wonders


• Fri, Aug 28 (Night time events) - ArtSEA

Times: 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Where: Aquatic Wonders building

Sat, Aug 29 (Morning Event) - BEACH CLEAN UP

We're holding a beach cleanup to demonstrate our commitment to conservation and community. This is a great opportunity to get hands-on and make a direct impact on our local environment.

Times: From 8:00am to 10:00am

Where: Gulfport beach.

Meet up point: Jones Park. Parking spots at 20th Av. Tent and MSAQ van will be there.



• Sat, Aug 29 (Day time event) - Birthday SAILEBRATION:

Live entertainment - Enjoy free face painting and live music!

Where: Live music by Gram Rea will be on main stage in front of Changing Tides Building.

Follow the artist at @GramReaMusic & https://www.facebook.com/gramreamusic .

Face Painting will be located inside Aquatic Wonders Lobby

* Face painting based on availability.*

Times: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Turtle Trouble hands-on rescue experience

Where: Aquatic Wonders – Big Window

Times: 10am-11:30am and 1pm-2:30pm

Kids will be able to experience what it’s like to help with the intake on a rescued sea turtle before we start the rehabilitation process.




Sunday, August 30 - Spirit Day

Show your spirit by representing your favorite animal. Take a photo at the selfie station for a change to win special prices. T-shirt, onesie, homemade costume, however you want to showcase your favorite aquarium animal.

Times: All day

Where: Photo tower in Changing Tides Building.

The Exclusive Birthday Week Menu At The Cafe!

Grab your tickets in advance and save!

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