Magical Mississippi Christmas

A Magical Mississippi Christmas for all, Animals BIG AND SMALL

• Celebrate the magic of Christmas with animals big and small! From tiny tetras and playful eels to goliath groupers and massive rays, everyone joins in the holiday cheer with twinkling lights, winter adventures, festive treats, and the joy of sharing love and kindness. A Magical Mississippi Christmas where every creature belongs!

A Magical Mississippi Christmas is BACK with all new offerings + great things to SEA and do!

A Magical Mississippi Christmas Presented by Gulfport Coca-Cola® Bottling Company, UNITED is THE nighttime holiday event at Mississippi Aquarium!

SELECT DATES - November 27 - December 23, 2026

The magic starts nightly at 4:30pm and runs until 8:00pm each night!

Ticketing and Main Gate close at 7:30pm nightly.

Tickets are JUST $15 for adults and $5 for children!

Guests will be able to experience the aquarium at night and enjoy special nighttime dolphin Presentations, a wonderous & festive light display, a projection mapping show featuring four animated penguins, Santa's Workshop, Diving Elves, Special Guests, and so much more!

Ask a Ticketing Ambassador for an Event Schedule during your visit.

*There is no reciprocal entry for 2026 with Mississippi Aquarium's a Magical Mississippi Christmas and Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival.

A Magical Mississippi Christmas is a separate event offering with special pricing.

Annual Pass Holders receive a huge discount at the gate. Tickets can be purchased online below or at the gate. Annual Pass Holders can reach out to the AP ConSEAeirge at annualpassholder@msaquarium.org to purchase their discounted tickets!

Proceeds from this event go toward the on-campus habitat for our endangered African Penguins.

Mississippi Aquarium is still open for daytime hours daily at the regular rate, with holiday hours of 10:00am to 4:30pm. Campus will transform starting at 4:30pm each day with last daytime general admission entry at 4:00pm and then reopen for A Magical Mississippi Christmas at 4:30pm.

A Magical Mississippi Christmas at Mississippi Aquarium will NOT be open on Sunday, December 6th.

Mississippi Aquarium will close their admission at 7:30pm each night.

Special Meet & Greets and Holiday Guests will be from 5:30pm-7:30pm each night!

Mississippi Aquarium will only be open until 3pm for General Admission on Thursday, December 24 in observance of Christmas Eve. Mississippi Aquarium will be closed all day on Friday, December 25 in observance of Christmas.

Want to bring a group of 15+ to experience the joy and magic together? Connect with us about special group rates and packages at sales@msaquarium.org

Annual Pass Holders
As an added bonus, Annual Pass holders receive a huge discount on admission to A Magical Mississippi Christmas. This event is not included with Annual Pass benefits. Annual Pass holders can purchase tickets at the gate and must present valid annual pass and ID to receive discounted pricing of $10 for adults and $5 for children.

Ticket Booth
Event entrance closes at 7:30pm each night.

Parking
The Coast Transit Authority Parking Garage adjacent to the Mississippi Aquarium will be available for parking free of charge on the nights of the event.

Food

Special treats, hot cocoa, and drinks will be available for purchase.

Special Thanks
This special holiday event is made possible by the generosity of Gulfport Coca-Cola® Bottling Company, UNITED.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from your friends at Mississippi Aquarium!

Daytime tickets cannot be used for this special nighttime event.