All Events

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Aquarium Tour comes to Birch Aquarium
Included with Admission, Members, All Ages

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Aquarium Tour

February 16 to March 26, 2026

We're thrilled to host a stop on this year’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons Aquarium Tour, in partnership with Nintendo of America. Inspired by the in-game aquarium experience, guests will dive into a real-world aquarium with an Animal Crossing: New Horizons twist from February 16 through March 26, 2026.

A silhouette of two people sitting on chairs, toasting with drinks while watching a sunset over the ocean. The text "After Hours" with a musical note and burger icon is displayed, along with "Every Sunday 5-7 P.M."
Included with Admission, All Ages, After Hours

Birch After Hours

Sundays | 5 - 7 pm

Looking for the perfect way to wind down after the weekend? Join us for this evening experience featuring discounted tickets, music, food and a relaxing vibe!

Guests of all ages gather at Birch Aquarium to admire a brightly lit coral reef habitat teeming with colorful tropical fish and vibrant corals. A staff member stands nearby and gives a Coral Feeding talk.
Included with Admission, Feedings and Talks

Coral Feeding

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays | 10:30 - 10:45am

Discover our reef residents while an educator reveals the hidden lives of corals!

A Giant Sea Bass swims through an underwater kelp forest, surrounded by tall strands of giant kelp reaching toward the sunlight above.
Included with Admission, Feedings and Talks

Kelp Forest 101

Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays | 10:30 - 11 am

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

Little Blue Penguins 101
Included with Admission, Feedings and Talks

Little Blue Penguins 101

Daily | 3:15 - 3:30pm

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.

A large school of silvery sardines swimming closely together in deep blue water, their streamlined bodies catching the light as they move in unison.
Included with Admission, Feedings and Talks

Open Ocean Feeding

Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays | 2:45 - 3 pm

Join us for a feeding of our Open Ocean habitat and discover how unique adaptations help these animals survive in this diverse and dynamic environment.

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

Penguin Feeding

Daily | 10 - 10:15am

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

A California spiny lobster walks across the sandy seafloor, its long antennae extended forward. In the background, a small ray lies partially buried in the sand against a deep blue backdrop.
Included with Admission, Feedings and Talks

Pier Habitat 101

Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays | 4 - 4:15pm

Discover how scientists at Scripps Pier uncover clues about the climate and study the fascinating ocean animals living on its pilings.

Two scientists sit behind a table displaying information about their penguin research.
Included with Admission, Members, All Ages

Pop-Up Science

Friday, February 06, 2026 | 1 - 3pm

Spend an afternoon exploring polar science and meet researchers from Scripps Institution of Oceanography conducting research in and about Antarctica. 

A Birch Aquarium staff member wearing a blue shirt holds a snake during a reptile meet and greet as a group of children and adults watch attentively.
Included with Admission, Feedings and Talks

Reptile Meet and Greet

Daily (times may vary)

Meet one of our Animal Ambassadors up close and discover how these incredible animals help inspire conservation action!

Two Weedy Seadragons swim in their habitat in Seadragons & Seahorses.
Included with Admission, Feedings and Talks

Seadragon 101

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays | 4 - 4:10pm

Join an educator to explore more about these nearly mythical creatures and learn about the discoveries we've made about such unique and remarkable animals.

Close-up of a leopard shark swimming, showcasing its distinctive spotted pattern and streamlined body
Included with Admission, Feedings and Talks

Sharks & Rays 101

Sundays | 12 - 12:15pm

Join an educator to learn more about our Sharks and Rays residents! Discover the diversity in our local San Diego waters and find out what makes our sharks and rays so special.

A Leopard Shark interacts with a puzzle feeder to retrieve a food item.
Included with Admission, Feedings and Talks

Sharks and Rays Feeding

Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays | 12 - 12:15pm

Join an educator to learn more about our Sharks and Rays residents during their feeding session! Discover the diversity in our local San Diego waters and find out what makes our sharks and rays so special.

Children enjoying storytime in the seadragon nook
Included with Admission, All Ages

Storytime with Seadragons

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays | 9:30 - 9:40am

Join us for storytime in our seadragon nook, perfect for young ocean enthusiasts! Enjoy an enchanting storybook tale about ocean creatures from around the world.

Guest observe a tidepool feeding.
Included with Admission, Feedings and Talks

Tide Pool Feeding

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays | 12 - 12:15pm

Get to know the fascinating creatures that call the intertidal zone home and learn how they survive in such a dynamic and unpredictable environment.

A UC San Diego student presents their research at Birch Aquarium.
Included with Admission, Members, All Ages

Underwater Archeology Presentation

Friday, March 13, 2026 | 11am - 4pm

Join students from UC San Diego's Underwater Archeology class, hosted by the Scripps Center for Marine Archeology, as they present their research!