Get in the spirit of the spooky season and celebrate Fishy Fest at Heal the Bay Aquarium!

Visit the haunted Heal the Bay Aquarium on October 28 and 29 from 12 PM – 4 PM for family friendly fun including activities that honor the unique holidays of Halloween and Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Halloween Fun with Heal the Bay

Celebrate Halloween in our Dorothy Green Room for a ghostly deep-sea experience as it becomes our ‘”Ghoulish Green Room” for Spooktacular Story Time, on Saturday, October 28, 2002 at 1 PM. Then explore our Deep-Sea Creature Lab and swim through our Ocean Graveyard if you dare!

All little ghosts and goblins are invited to join The Heal the Bay Halloween Costume Parade on Sunday, October 28, 2022, staring at 2:30 PM.  Grab your favorite Halloween garb and get ready to trick-or-treat on the Santa Monica Pier.  The procession will start at 2 PM in front of the Aquarium and will make its way along the pier for trick-or-treating with participating friendly local businesses.

Take a Dive into Día de los Muertos

Commemorate Día de los Muertos with Heal the Bay all weekend long. Visit the Aquarium to add a memento of your loved ones to our Día de los Muertos Ofrenda, create colorful Día de los Muertos crafts, and much more! Our Ofrendas will stay up through Day of the Dead, celebrated on November 1 and 2, 2023, to commemorate this important cultural holiday.

What is Día de los Muertos?

“Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is a time to honor and revere our deceased family members and ancestors. This tradition is rooted in the native Mexican belief that life on earth is a preparation for the next world, and of the importance of maintaining a strong relationship to the dead.

It is a time for families to gather and welcome the souls of the dead on their annual visit home. Cempasúchil (marigold) flowers, burning copal incense, fresh pan de muertos bread, candles, sugar skulls, photographs and mementos of the departed adorn special altars. In Mexico, Day of the Dead is celebrated over an entire week with the preparation of altars, foods, dance, music, and special offerings for people who have died.” – Mano a Mano: Mexican Culture without Borders

Spooky Schedule of Events:

Join our Fishy Fest celebration, taking place on both Saturday and Sunday from Noon – 4pm, at Heal the Bay Aquarium for a fun-filled weekend.

Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023

12:00pm – Aquarium Doors Open and the Fishy Fun Begins

1:00pm – Spooktacular Story Time

3:00pm – Saturday Animal Feeding

Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023

12:00pm – Aquarium Doors Open and the Fishy Fun Begins

2:30pm – Santa Monica Pier Trick-or-Treat Costume Parade

3:00pm – Sunday Shark Feeding Presentation