Mississippi Aquarium hosting penguin-themed events this weekend

Written on 01/13/2025
Caleb Salers

Mississippi Aquarium will be kicking off Penguin Awareness Weekend with plenty of opportunities to interact with the endangered species and learn more about them.

On Saturday and Sunday, the Gulfport facility will have a plethora of activities and special offerings to highlight penguins and conservation. The animal care crew at the aquarium will also be on-site to inform folks how they can help protect penguins.

Currently, Mississippi Aquarium is in the process of building a habitat for 11 African penguins. In the meantime, folks will get a taste of what is to come.

Here’s what will be happening:

Penguin Meet and Greet

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Changing Tides exhibit

Attendees can meet a live African penguin and learn more about the feathered friend.

African penguin
African penguin (Photo from Mississippi Aquarium)

Penguin Puzzle

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Mississippi Aquarium Campus
The puzzle will be located at the back of the daily schedule and made available when entering the aquarium.

Who’s your Mama?

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Aquatic Wonders building — Shark Room

This is an interactive exhibit where guests will work to match the baby penguin to its parent.

Where in the World?

1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Aquatic Wonders building — Shark Room

Guests will have the chance to identify each penguin’s natural habitat — whether the penguin lives in cold weather or on beaches.

Special Menu Items

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Pelican Pointe Cafe

The cafe will feature penguin-themed items. Folks are encouraged to tune into Mississippi Aquarium’s social media pages for further information.

Penguin-themed gift shop items

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | The Gulf Shop

Guests can take home a penguin plushie, penguin hat, or a one-of-a-kind painting created by one of the aquarium’s penguins during an enrichment session.

Tickets

Passes are available at the box office, but Mississippi Aquarium encourages prospective visitors to buy tickets in advance online for the best possible prices.