Upcoming events and hours at North Carolina Aquarium

-Thursday, Nov. 27, Thanksgiving Day: The Aquarium is closed; reopens at 9 a.m. Nov. 28. Normal operating hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Aquarium and the Gift Shop are in effect for the rest of the holiday weekend.

-Saturday, Dec. 6: Holiday Open House and Food Drive. Do a good deed, see the fishes and tell Santa your wishes at the annual Open House and Food Drive. The Aquarium waives admission fees for all visitors donating one non-perishable food item per person. The donated food goes to Martha’s Mission Cupboard in Morehead City, a charitable organization providing food for those in need. Regular admission applies for visitors not making food donations. Santa will take requests from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Aquarium and Gift Shop are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

-Thursday, Dec. 25: The Aquarium is closed; reopens Dec. 26 at 9 a.m.

-Monday, Dec. 29 – Wednesday, Dec. 31: Aquatic Adventurers winter camp for grades 2-3. Campers enjoy indoor and outdoor adventures from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. each day. Advance registration required; $100 per participant.

-Wednesday, Dec. 31 – Deadline for entries in the North Carolina Aquariums photo contest. Categories include photos taken in North Carolina waters and at any of the three North Carolina Aquariums. Call or see the website for information.

-Thursday, Jan. 1: The Aquarium is closed; reopens at 9 a.m. Jan. 2.

-Monday, Jan. 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday; free admission for all visitors. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

-Monday, Jan. 19 – Wednesday, Jan. 21: Coastal Explorers winter camp for grades 4-5. Campers enjoy indoor and outdoor adventures from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. each day. Advance registration required; $100 per participant.

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Free admission during Dec. 6 Food Drive at NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

See the fishes, tell Santa your wishes and enjoy free admission in exchange for doing a good deed on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.

The Aquarium will waive admission fees for all visitors donating one non-perishable food item per person during the annual all-day Open House and Food Drive.

The edibles go to Martha’s Mission Cupboard in Morehead City, a non-profit organization that provides food for those in need. Regular admission applies for visitors not making food donations.

Santa will take requests from 10 a.m. until noon and from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. As a reward for St. Nick’s hard-working transportation department, Aquarium elves will hand out packets of special “reindeer food.”

The Aquarium, five miles west of Atlantic Beach, is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the day of the food drive and every day of the year except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The Aquarium Gift Shop is open the same hours as the Aquarium.

Regular admission is $8 for ages 18-61, $7 for ages 62 and over and $6 for ages 6-17. Children 5 and under and North Carolina Aquarium Society members are admitted free. Call 252-247-4003 or see www.ncaquariums.com for other information on winter events.