Aquarium at the Boardwalk dives into Ozark Mountain Christmas with all new ‘Christmas Under the Sea’
Aquarium at the Boardwalk will debut Christmas Under the Sea: An Underwater Holiday Shell-E-Bration, Nov. 6, 2026-Jan. 3, 2027.
Since 1988, Ozark Mountain Christmas has filled Branson with millions of lights, live Christmas shows, decorated trees and special events each November and December. This year, Aquarium at the Boardwalk is joining the festivities with a fully indoor Christmas adventure set beneath the waves.
“Ozark Mountain Christmas is part of what makes Branson so special during the holidays, and we’re proud to add something completely different,” said Tej Sundher, co-owner of Aquarium at the Boardwalk. “Christmas Under the Sea brings together the wonder of the ocean and the joy of Christmas in a way families haven’t seen before. We hope it becomes something visitors look forward to year after year.”
Throughout the Aquarium, colorful tropical fish, sharks, rays, jellyfish, seahorses and thousands of other sea animals remain at the heart of an imaginative Christmas story.
The adventure begins at Candy Harbor with Santa before guests climb aboard his sleigh for a 6D race through a snowy woodland. An unexpected bump sends a bag of Christmas magic tumbling into the sea, setting the story beneath the waves in motion.
Families will encounter sand snowmen beneath the waves, drift among glowing moon jellies, climb through a 24-foot red-and-green kelp forest and take in the beauty of a living coral reef. A Christmas Passport quest sends them in search of nine life-size Nutcracker Sea Guardians throughout the Aquarium to earn a special prize.
Outside, the Aquarium’s Dancing Waters will present free Christmas fountain shows every 30 minutes, while Aquarius, the giant octopus sculpture overlooking Highway 76, gets a Christmas transformation of his own.
On opening day, Nov. 6, Aquarium at the Boardwalk will attempt the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the largest Santa hat sculpture. The enormous hat will crown Aquarius for a larger-than-life kickoff to Christmas Under the Sea. An official Guinness World Records adjudicator will be on-site, with additional event details to be announced separately.
Christmas Under the Sea is included with Aquarium admission. Santa will greet guests Wednesdays through Sundays from 1-7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now, with the lowest pre-buy rates at AquariumAtTheBoardwalk.com/Christmas.
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