Newport Aquarium - Scuba Santa's Water Wonderland

Newport Aquarium’s Scuba Santa’s Water Wonderland runs from late November through Christmas Eve, adding holiday flair to one of the region’s best aquariums. Like other attractions, if you have a membership, the seasonal event is included—no extra ticket required.

The Main Draw: The Aquarium Itself

Let’s be honest: the main draw here is the aquarium. Newport Aquarium is excellent year-round, and the holiday event is really just a festive bonus on top of an already great experience. If you’re looking for an excuse to visit the aquarium during the holiday season, Scuba Santa provides it.

Holiday decorations throughout the aquarium

Scuba Santa

The signature attraction is Scuba Santa himself—Santa in full scuba gear, swimming in the giant tank with the fish, sharks, and rays. We actually missed Scuba Santa during our visit this year, but we’ve seen him in past years and it’s genuinely novel.

The Decorations

The aquarium puts up holiday decorations throughout, and there are some interesting touches. A few tanks feature candy canes and ornaments worked into the displays, which is a creative way to add holiday spirit without disrupting the aquatic environments.

Festive decorations in the aquarium

That said, I’ll be honest: I think their Halloween decorations blow their Christmas ones out of the water (pun intended). The Halloween event feels more immersive and creative.

For Members

If you have a Newport Aquarium membership, this is a no-brainer. You’re already getting free admission, so stopping by to see the holiday decorations and hopefully catch Scuba Santa is just a bonus. For non-members, it’s really a question of whether you want to visit the aquarium anyway—the holiday additions are nice but probably not worth the full admission price on their own.

Practical Details

• Dates: November 28 - December 24, 2025
• Special Events: Breakfast with Santa (December 14), Sensory-Friendly Hours (December 14), 21+ After-Hours Event (December 26)
• Location: Newport, Kentucky (just across the river from downtown Cincinnati)
• Tip: Reservations are strongly recommended due to high demand

Final Thoughts

Scuba Santa’s Water Wonderland is a pleasant holiday addition to an already excellent aquarium. The decorations are cute and Scuba Santa is a fun novelty, but the real value is having an excuse to visit Newport Aquarium during the holiday season. If you’re a member, definitely go. If you’re not, consider whether you’d enjoy the aquarium regardless—the holiday elements are a bonus, not the main event.