All Events

A kid stands in front of a Moon Jelly habitat wearing a glowing skeleton costume.
Seasonal, All Ages, After Hours

Halloween Aglow is a family-friendly event that features live music, a costume contest, trick-or-treat stations and so much more! Don’t miss skeleton divers in the Giant Kelp Forest or the opportunity to learn about some weird and wonderful research being done at Scripps Oceanography.

Scuba diver feeds fish in the Giant Kelp Forest habitat.
Included with Admission, Feedings

Discover how we care for a variety of animals in our Giant Kelp Forest like Moray Eels, Leopard Sharks, a Giant Sea Bass and more!

Two kids get up close to Little Blue Penguins swimming around habitat.
Seasonal, All Ages

Birch Aquarium is proud to be participating in Kids Free October! Tickets must be reserved online in advance for a specific date and time and may not be used with other discounts, for the Halloween event, or other special events or programs.

Little Blue Penguins 101
Included with Admission

Immerse yourself in the world of Little Blue Penguins and find out what makes this species of penguins so unique! Learn all about our colony and how our husbandry team cares for them during this daily presentation.

Oceans at Night
For Adults, Oceans at Night, After Hours

Tickets for October's Oceans at Night go on sale Oct. 3 at noon for members and Oct. 5 at noon for the general public.

Oceans at Night illuminates the courtyard.
For Adults, Oceans at Night, After Hours

Come celebrate the wonders and mysteries of the ocean after dark! Sip craft cocktails, dance to live music, play games and so much more! Heads up this is a 21+ event, IDs are required for entry.

SOLD OUT
A women gets up close to a Giant Pacific Octopus during a behind the scenes at the aquarium.
Behind the Scenes Tours

During this 60-minute guided tour, you’ll get up close to our Giant Pacific Octopus, learn about their amazing and unique adaptations and discover how our Husbandry Team cares for this intelligent species!

party for the planet
Included with Admission, Seasonal

Are you ready to Party for the Planet? We’re participating in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Party for the Planet — a family friendly event celebrates our ocean planet’s biodiversity and highlights simple steps we all can take to make a difference!

Little Blue Penguins getting fed some fish.
Included with Admission, Feedings

Watch our penguins waddle, swim and eat and find out how our husbandry team cares for them during this daily feeding event.

Little Blue Penguins explores its habitat.
Behind the Scenes Tours

Discover what it takes to care for the world’s smallest penguins and learn how you can help protect this amazing animal. During this tour, you’ll venture into our Penguin Care and Conservation Center, chat with a member of our animal care team and meet our Little Blue Penguins!

Weedy seadragon swims among some kelp.
Included with Admission, Feedings

Watch our Weedy Seadragons use stealth and speed to snap up a meal!

A women feeds a seahorse behind the scenes at the aquarium.
Behind the Scenes Tours

Venture behind the scenes and explore the fascinating world of seahorses. Get a glimpse of seahorse babies, learn about Birch Aquarium's renowned breeding program, and understand what it takes to care for these unusual fish!

Leopard Shark swims around its habitat.
Included with Admission, Feedings

Come join us for a feeding with our sharks and rays! Learn all about our local sharks and rays and discover how our husbandry team cares for them during this feeding.

Leopard Shark swims around its habitat.
Included with Admission, Feedings

Come join us for a feeding with our sharks and rays! Learn all about our local sharks and rays and discover how our husbandry team cares for them during this feeding.

scripps pier
Outdoor Adventures, Seasonal

Join Birch Aquarium naturalists on an exclusive walking tour of Scripps Pier. Discover the research conducted at Scripps Oceanography, examine plankton samples under the microscope, dissect a squid, learn about local shark research and more! Advanced Reservation Required.

Teacher Appreciation Night

Be our guest as we introduce you to the world beneath the waves and the resources available to you and your students through Birch Aquarium at Scripps.

SOLD OUT
Two students stand in front of the Giant Kelp Forest exhibit.
Seasonal

In honor of Triton Weeks of Welcome (TWOW), Birch Aquarium is offering FREE admission to UC San Diego Students from September 7 to 30, 2023. Capacity is limited, so advanced reservations are required.