The CretAquarium dresses up for the holidays and invites the public to live a magical experience deep under the sea. The rich festive programme kicks off on the weekend of 20 & 21 December 2025 and continues through to Epiphany (6 January 2026).

This year, Santa Claus will dive into the amphitheatrical tank of the Aquarium, offering a unique experience for all our visitors! His spectacular appearance will be joined by the beloved Mermaid Evryali, sharing smiles, wishes and messages about protecting the marine environment.

The celebratory schedule includes a wealth of events that will delight children and adults alike: magician shows, theatrical performances, shadow puppetry, puppet theatre, fairy tales on stage, “journeys beyond the deep sea” and festive concerts — moments full of fun and laughter. At the same time, our little explorers are invited to take part in guided tours and get creative in craft workshops, making their own Christmas souvenirs. Get ready for endless play and many surprises in a magical underwater world!

The Christmas events conclude on Tuesday 6 January 2026 with the traditional Blessing of the Waters, closing the circle of celebrations.

See the full festive event schedule below:

Saturday 20 December 2025
11:00–12:00 SCHEDIA – Festive art workshop with Dimitra
12:00–12:45 Santa Claus dives into the Aquarium
13:00–14:00 SCHEDIA – “With a ship of wishes!” children’s theatre group with Athina Chroniari

Sunday 21 December 2025
11:00–12:00 “Underwater Celebrations” – Christmas theatrical play
12:00–12:45 Santa Claus dives into the Aquarium
13:00–14:00 “The most peculiar Christmas letter” – dance‑theatrical play
Heliahtida bazaar

Tuesday 23 December 2025
11:00–12:00 Christmas science lab – festive experiments
12:00–12:45 Santa Claus dives into the Aquarium
13:00–14:00 “The Grinch’s cookies” – dough workshop
Heliahtida bazaar

Wednesday 24 December 2025
Games throughout the Aquarium route for the whole family.

Thursday 25 December 2025
Same games programme as above.

Friday 26 December 2025
11:00–12:00 “Colourful Tales” – musical‑narrative performance
12:00–12:45 Santa Claus dives into the Aquarium
13:00–14:00 Magician ROKO
Heliahtida bazaar

Saturday 27 December 2025
11:00–12:00 Theatrical performance “We build bridges, we break silences”
12:00–12:40 Santa Claus dives into the Aquarium
12:30–13:00 The Mermaid swims with us
13:00–14:00 Parent‑child dance workshop

Sunday 28 December 2025
11:00–12:00 Puppet theatre “The Christmas conspiracy of the goat”
12:00–12:40 Santa Claus dives into the Aquarium
12:30–13:00 The Mermaid swims with us
13:00–14:00 Guided tour (with reservation)

Monday 29 December 2025
11:00–12:00 Theatrical performance “We build bridges, we break silences”
12:00–12:40 Santa Claus
12:30–13:00 The Mermaid
13:00–14:00 Shadow theatre “The Goblins”
Heliahtida bazaar

Tuesday 30 December 2025
11:00–12:00 Aquarium tour (with reservation)
12:00–12:45 Santa Claus dives into the Aquarium
13:00–14:00 Sea‑print workshop with Carolina Salassa
Heliahtida bazaar

Wednesday 31 December 2025
Games throughout the Aquarium route.

Thursday 1 January 2026
Same games programme as above.

Friday 2 January 2026
11:00–12:00 Magic tricks with magician ROKO
12:15–12:45 The Mermaid
13:00–14:00 Puppet theatre “The Dewdrops”

Saturday 3 January 2026
11:00–12:00 Christmas musical‑movement workshop
12:15–12:45 The Mermaid
13:00–14:00 Pottery with clay – crafting workshop

Sunday 4 January 2026
11:00–12:00 “The Nutcracker” – Books on stage
12:15–12:45 The Mermaid
13:00–14:00 Children’s concert – “Ms Sindtore and the Cosmic Arithmetic”

Monday 5 January 2026
11:00–12:00 Cretan Planetarium – dome screenings
12:15–12:45 The Mermaid
13:00–14:00 Cretan Planetarium – dome screenings

Tuesday 6 January 2026
Blessing of the Waters (Agiasmos ton Ydadon)

Looking forward to the festive magic underwater!