by Noella Noelophile®
Merry Christmas! And no, this wasn’t a post intended to go up yesterday.
That’s because, according to tradition, it’s still Christmas–right up until January 6th, Twelfth Night.
With that thought in mind, you might like to see a few locations that are still celebrating, and would like to welcome you, in Southern California.
Aquarium of the Pacific
From now through January 5th, the Aquarium of the the Pacific offers one more Christmas gift.
Tonight begins their “Discounted Late Nights”, with special extended hours!
After 5 pm, adults, seniors and children ages 3-11 can see the sharks, jellies and other sea denizens for an admission price of $14.95. With the exception of the Lorikeet Forest, the entire Aquarium will be open, and you’ll get to explore until 8 pm.
(Say “hi” to my favorites. I love the penguins, and “Lou”, the sea turtle, really put on a performance as the Aquarium celebrated its 20th anniversary in May.)
Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, in Long Beach, offers “Discounted Late Nights” with extended hours from Wednesday, December 26th through Saturday, January 5th. Please note that there are no “Discounted Late Night” hours on Monday, December 31st. Here’s the link for information.
Queen Mary
(Photograph courtesy of the Queen Mary, and used with permission.)
Meanwhile, just a couple of miles away, a royal celebration continues, through Twelfth Night.
(Photograph courtesy of the Queen Mary, and used with permission.)
New this year aboard the Queen Mary is a “Queen Mary Christmas”, with nightly tree lightings and community entertainment. In the stern of the great ship is a Gingerbread Village, and there’ll be DIY opportunities for the kids to decorate a gingerbread house of their own.
Also, plan on joining Santa for a “Meet and Greet” in the Captain’s Quarters–and Mrs. Claus, who’ll be reading stories in the Starboard Lounge. And if you step into the ship’s 4D theatre, you’ll get to see a special screening of the Christmas classic, The Polar Express.
“Queen Mary Christmas” continues from now through Sunday, January 6th, at the Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Highway in Long Beach. Tickets start at $22 for adults, and $16 for children. Here’s the link for more information.
Greater Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
And congratulations to the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens! Their “L.A. Zoo Lights” show has again been named a USATODAY Best Readers’ Choice winner for Best Zoo Lights in the country!
That comes as no surprise.
We “ooohed” and “ahhhed” all over the place in November, when they opened the 2018 edition of their show. Our 2018 favorites included their “Twinkle Tunnel”, which had expanded since 2017 and included a performance finale, and the “L.A. Phants”.
(You’ll just have to see them. A picture really doesn’t do them justice.)
And we loved the reindeer!
Especially the cute new arrival, five-month-old “Nutmeg”, in Reindeer Village from now through January 6th.
These come in from a farm in Northern California, and the Los Angeles Zoo is one of the few places in Southern California you’ll actually get to see live reindeer. And if you’ve wondered what they’re really like, now’s your chance to find out. Expert reindeer keepers give daily talks during “Reindeer Romp 2018“, from now through January 6th.