New Year, New You!

This New Year, our animals are all about out with the old and in with the NEW! Visit Mississippi Aquarium to learn about this super species that shed their past selves to start a new from penguins to millipedes and everything in between.

During our New Year, New You month, YOU will be able to get up close to some of the most interesting animals around. Ask the animal care crew questions, snap photos and dive into all the facts about these species as you kick off the new year.

Animal Meet & Greets are included with general admission.

Photos will be available for purchase.

Special animal ambassador meet & greets each weekend!

Weekend 1 – January 3 & 4, 2026

Animals: Surprise Species! You may SEA a Blue tongue skink, Gargoyle geckos, Hognosed snake, Ball Python, Rose haired tarantula, African Millipedes, Madagascar hissing roach, Domestic rabbits, or Tortoises!

Animal species appearances will vary due to animal behavior, shed, or wellbeing.

Times: 2:30pm-3:30pm

Weekend 2 – January 10 & 11, 2026

Animals: Surprise Species!

You may SEA a Blue tongue skink, Gargoyle geckos, Hognosed snake, Ball Python, Rose haired tarantula, African Millipedes, Madagascar hissing roach, Domestic rabbits, or Tortoises!

* Animal species appearances will vary due to animal behavior, shed, or wellbeing.

Times: 2:30pm-3:30pm

Weekend 3 – January 17 & 18, 2026

Animals: African Penguins

These beautiful birds are hard to miss on the beaches of Africa, distinguished by their striking black and white plumage and loud donkey-like bray.

Times: 12:00pm-1:00pm and 2:00pm-3:00pm

Learn more about project penguin

Weekend 4 – January 24 & 25, 2026

Animals: Surprise Species! You may SEA a Blue tongue skink, Gargoyle geckos, Hognosed snake, Ball Python, Rose haired tarantula, African Millipedes, Madagascar hissing roach, Domestic rabbits, or Tortoises!

Animal species appearances will vary due to animal behavior, shed, or wellbeing.

Times: 2:30pm-3:30pm

Weekend 5 – January 31 & February 1, 2026

Animals: Surprise Species! You may SEA a Blue tongue skink, Gargoyle geckos, Hognosed snake, Ball Python, Rose haired tarantula, African Millipedes, Madagascar hissing roach, Domestic rabbits, or Tortoises!

Animal species appearances will vary due to animal behavior, shed, or wellbeing.

Times: 2:30pm-3:30pm

Annual Passholders

Annual Passholders will be able to get in for free with their annual pass.

Additional Information:

The 1pm Penguin Encounter will be closed on the Penguin Visit weekend January 17 & 18. The 1:30pm Penguin encounter will still be available for booking.

Purchase your tickets in advance online to save time and money!