Winter Events at the Arizona Boardwalk
Enjoy the holidays and excellent ‘winter’ weather at Arizona Boardwalk! Celebrate ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ with family and friends – plenty of fun to be had with the kids while they are on school break or relatives who are in from out of town! We’ll see you at Arizona Boardwalk soon!
ODYSEA AQUARIUM EVENTS
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Winter Waterland® at OdySea Aquarium
December 1- January 2
Be part of the wonder and magic at OdySea Aquarium as it transforms into an enchanting Winter Waterland® amidst incredible holiday décor and festive music. Visit Arizona’s only SeaTREK Santa who takes center stage, interacting with Guests as he appears underwater in the Deep Ocean exhibit. Pose with family and friends for professional photos that feature this jolly sea-loving Santa for the perfect holiday keepsake! Participate in a SeaTREK Santa Scavenger Hunt and send him an adoring letter right from the OdySea Aquarium Discovery Desk (and he’ll write back!)! Don’t miss a very special trip on SeaTREK Santa’s sleigh to hear his entertaining, enchanted holiday sea-life narration while riding Voyager as it becomes an oceanic Christmas cruise full of yuletide lights and songs!
**EXCLUSIVE HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE**
VIP SeaTREK Santa Holiday Experience Package
Limited Number Available; Weekends through Dec. 19; Selling OUT fast!
12 p.m. & 3:45 p.m.
$500
The SeaTREK Santa VIP Experience is the perfect way for families and friends to celebrate the holidays in one of the most spectacular and unique settings. VIP Guests will have private use of OdySea Aquarium’s posh VIP Room, with comfortable seating and spectacular backdrop of our Deep Ocean Exhibit, featuring views of Sharks, Stingrays, and more! SeaTREK Santa will join the fun, underwater of course, and pose for pictures with you and the entire family, a must for your next Holiday card!
VIP SeaTREK Santa Holiday Experience Includes:
• Admission to OdySea Aquarium for up to 10 people
• Exclusive access to our spectacular VIP Room for 1 hour
• Private Animal Ambassador Appearance
• Dedicated Elf Concierge/Room Host
• Private 15-minute SeaTREK Santa appearance
• 3 Professional Photos with SeaTREK Santa (printed and packaged to take home)
• Winter Waterland “Arts and Crafts” for Kids
• Light Food and Beverage
BUTTERFLY WONDERLAND EVENTS
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Christmas in the Rainforest
December 1 - December 25
9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Bring family and friends to a seasonal holiday experience, “Christmas in the Rainforest,” featuring an abundance of butterflies from the rainforests of Costa Rica, Africa, and Asia. See Butterfly Wonderland decked in festive décor and enjoy live music from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Butterfly Conservatory by violinist Jonathan Levingston on Dec. 12 and Dec. 26. Pick up a special seasonal Scavenger Hunt sheet for kids and find the hidden “Draco-(water dragon)-on-the-Shelf” or pose for a professional holiday-themed photo with the Magic Memories photographers. These pictures make a wonderful keepsake and can be converted into photo holiday greeting cards at home when a digital package is purchased. Don’t miss the holiday specials in the Butterfly Treasures Gift Shop, the perfect place to find unique holiday gifts. Butterfly Treasures features fine jewelry, apparel, plush animals, and special holiday decorations to fill everyone's wish-list.
Butterfly Wonderland Foundation | Adopt-a-Student Month
December 1 – December 25
In this season of giving, give the gift of education with Butterfly Wonderland’s Adopt-a-Student program. A $10.00 donation allows the Butterfly Wonderland Foundation provide field trips that provide meaningful nature experiences to low-income, underserved students. A trip to Butterfly Wonderland enhances the student’s academic and imaginative potential through hands-on, experiential learning. Make your gift today at: https://estore.butterflywonderland.com/WebStore/shop/
Reptile Encounter Talk
December 3, 10, 17, 31 (every Friday except 12/24)
1:00 p.m. in Theater
Join Assistant Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians Charlie DePuy as he introduces guests to some of Butterfly Wonderland’s most amazing and charismatic rainforest animal friends! Watch Bennie the Ball Python climb his specialized rock wall or meet Draco, a Chinese Water Dragon. Special Q & A session for guests as well. FREE WITH ADMISSION.
Reptiles Up Close!
Every Sunday in December
December 5, 12, 19, 26
2 p.m. at Reptile Exhibit area
In this interactive experience, enjoy an educational talk with Butterfly Wonderland Reptile General Curator Lindsey Meder. Learn about the many reptiles and amphibians that share the rainforest with tropical butterflies. Watch as she feeds the Cuvier’s Dwarf caiman and learn about their behavior and diet. There will also be a Q & A session with Lindsey. FREE WITH ADMISSION.
Bug Club
December 12 and December 26
11 a.m. in Theater
Little ones can learn about amazing insects in this fun story time and educational lesson geared for children. After story time, experts from Butterfly Wonderland introduce the audience to multiple LIVE insects which may include walking sticks, beetles, giant African millipede, or something even more fascinating! FREE WITH ADMISSION.
The Magic of Music and Butterflies – Christmas Edition!!
Dec. 12 and 26
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Take a seasonal stroll through the butterfly conservatory surrounded by gorgeous holiday décor, festive LIVE music, and thousands of dancing butterflies thanks to the irresistible sounds from classical violinist, Jonathan Levingston. With limited holiday performances, plan accordingly to take in a one of these special appearances at Christmas in the Rainforest at Butterfly Wonderland this season! FREE WITH ADMISSION.
Homeschool Days
Monday & Tuesday, December 13-14
Reserve a Homeschool field trip with special pricing! Visit the Homeschool page under Group Events on ButterflyWonderland.com to learn more. A minimum of 10 students/chaperones are required to receive a discounted price. Pre-registration is required. Call (480) 800-3000, ext. 206 to reserve.
Vibration Emergence - Gong Meditation
December 14
5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Take a deep breath and relax with gentle gong meditation in the Chrysalis Emergence Room. This hour-long class begins with a short walk through the tranquil Butterfly Conservatory followed by a guided series of stretches and meditations. Bring a mat, water, small pillow, and comfortable clothing. Ages 18 & up; $30/person. Limit to 10 guests. Pre-registration required; visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/butterfly-wonderland-gong-meditation-tickets-181329008947?aff=ebdsoporgprofile to register or call (480) 800-3000, ext. 210. (In order to comply with local SRPMIC directives, masks are required for all event guests regardless of vaccination status.)
Butterfly Brush Strokes at Night
December 17
6 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Plan a night out with friends or a special date at Butterfly Wonderland. Enjoy light refreshments while learning to paint a beautiful, abstract butterfly in this creative session led by artist Judith Nunez. Class is held in the Café. Supplies and paint provided. Buy tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/butterfly-wonderland-brushstrokes-painting-class-tickets-25933633195?aff=ebdsoporgprofile or call (480) 800-3000, ext. 210. $30/public; $15 for Butterfly Wonderland members. Proceeds from the event benefit the Butterfly Wonderland Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization supporting conservation-based, experiential education.
Waking Up with Butterflies
December 18
8:30a.m.-9:00 a.m.
Check in at 8:15 a.m.
Enjoy a quiet hour photographing the butterflies, birds, or reptiles. Entomologist Derek Kellogg will be available to answer questions from guests about butterflies, plants, and the rainforest environment. Tripods are welcome. Ages 18 & up; $24.95+tax for public. Free for members. Registration required. Register here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/butterfly-wonderlands-waking-up-with-butterflies-tickets-136045258029?aff=ebdsoporgprofile or call (480) 800-3000, ext. 210. To comply with local SRPMIC directives, masks are required for all event guests regardless of vaccination status.
The Buzz About Bees
December 19
12 p.m.
Learn about bees, maintaining hives and more from local Beekeeper Cricket Aldridge, founder of AZ Backyard Beekeepers. Visit her in the Conservatory at the Honeybee Exhibit. There will also be a special Q&A. Honey is available for purchase in the Butterfly Treasures Gift Shop. FREE WITH ADMISSION.
RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT EVENTS
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NEW! Lincoln: Assassination and Honor Exhibit
The Science of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
December 10 - January 18 LIMITED TIME!!
Sun—Thurs: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Fri & Sat: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
(12/24 & 12/25 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
On view for a limited time, Lincoln: Assassination and Honor, a special exhibition featuring a collection of authentic and verified artifacts related to President Abraham Lincoln’s life and death, including one of the two derringer guns carried by John Wilkes Booth the night of the assassination. These rare items are on loan for a short period of time from Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!®
View first-hand a variety of rare relics from the fateful night in 1865 when Lincoln lost his life at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. including a piece of the curtain Booth hid behind in the Presidential theatre box, a pall from Lincoln’s casket, and a lock of hair taken post-mortem from the President at the request of his wife, Mary. These historic pieces and more take guests back in time to Lincoln’s assassination, followed by the elaborate, three-week series of events where the country mourned his death and memorialized his life.
Spark some interest in U.S. history over school break and make plans to see these authentic and remarkable Lincoln-focused pieces (19 new exhibit items!) in Lincoln: Assassination and Honor. History buff or not, The Science of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! has something for everyone from intriguing animals oddities and amazing artifacts (from dinosaurs to outer space) to dynamic works of art and captivating displays of various cultures around the globe! The educational and entertaining aspects of The Science of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! are endless!
ARIZONA BOARDWALK OUTDOOR FREE EVENTS
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Here Comes Santa 5K
December 11
6 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Outside in the Arizona Boardwalk Courtyard
Join StartLine Racing for their 3rd Annual Here Comes Santa 5K Run/Walk! Sign up now to jingle around a festive course and hang out with the man in red himself! Bring the whole family and make a day out of it after the race! Advance registration required. Register here: https://raceroster.com/events/2021/39602/here-comes-santa-5k-runwalk
NEW! Dino Weekend Festival (FREE)
December 18 & 19
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Outside in the Arizona Boardwalk Courtyard
This FREE weekend event will feature interactive Dinosaur Live Shows and meet and greets, live reptiles from Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary, Dino inflatables and games, Jurassic Park motor pool, face painting, prehistoric talks from Dino experts, activities from attractions within Talking Stick Entertainment District, and more! No admission required!
NEW! Snow Much Fun Event (FREE)
December 27-30
11 am.-3 p.m.
Outside in the Arizona Boardwalk Courtyard
https://www.facebook.com/events/2084251741729817
It’s all about FUN as Arizona Boardwalk hosts the ultimate holiday celebration complete with MASSIVE amounts of falling SNOW!! Bring the family out to take it all in as the kids can leap, jump, and play in the inflatable bounce houses, obstacle courses, and slides surrounded by idyllic holiday décor and festive LIVE music! Guests won’t believe it’s December in Scottsdale as Arizona Boardwalk magically makes it snow at this one-of-a-kind event! No admission required!
