CONEY ISLAND, N.Y. — Sept. 9, 2025 — Halloween magic meets marine wonder at the New York Aquarium as Ascarium, the beloved fall festival, returns bigger than ever for three spook-tacular weekends in October. Running October 11–13, 18–19, and 25–26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., this year’s celebration introduces exciting new activities, including a hands-on sand dig, lawn games, and a collaborative community mural, all while families explore the mysterious and fascinating world of marine life.

Ascarium gives families a unique way to celebrate Halloween while discovering the amazing animals that call our oceans home, with programming that includes Halloween crafts, whimsical storytelling, and crowd-pleasing magic shows. These experiences offer even more opportunities to connect with marine life and learn that animals often considered spooky are actually fascinating species that play vital roles in ocean ecosystems.

The expanded festival celebrates its third year by adding an extra weekend due to overwhelming popularity, giving more families the chance to experience Halloween festivities alongside incredible encounters with over 5,000 aquatic animals. The festivities now include the long weekend from October 11-13, giving guests even more opportunities to join. Ascarium is included with Aquarium admission and is free for WCS members.

This year’s festival features an exciting lineup of new and returning activities designed for all ages, including:

• Natural Treasures Dig (NEW): Discover shells and spot animals in our sand table activity and learn more about the wildlife that inhabits New York’s waters.
• Community Mural (NEW): Add your personal artistic touch to a massive collaborative mural that celebrates Halloween and ocean wildlife.
• Lawn Games (NEW): Challenge family and friends to oversized versions of classic games, including four to score, Jenga, and cornhole.
• Mystery Wall (NEW): Reach out and touch mysterious textures and materials, including corals, anemones, fish eggs and more - can you identify different kinds of aquatic life just based on touch?
• “Strange Things” Station (NEW): See some “stranger things” from the ocean depths and hear unique stories from Aquarium staff about amazing encounters and discoveries.
• Face Painting: Transform into your favorite sea creature or spooky character with free face painting for children ages 3 and up.
• Carnival Games: Learn and play to win a prize from 11am - 4pm.
• Halloween crafts: Decorate your own marine life puppet and join the fun during the costume parade.
• Costume parade: Join costumed performers and aquatic puppets for a festive parade at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.
• Storytelling: Settle in for not-so-scary tales of the sea at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. at the Discovery Room inside Playquarium.
• Spooky Scavenger Hunt: Explore exhibits on a self-guided scavenger hunt throughout the aquarium to learn why creatures like moray eels, sharks, and piranha aren't as frightening as they might seem.
• Augusta Sea Lion’s Carnival of Aquatic Anomalies: Experience this one-of-a-kind show that challenges your misconceptions about mysterious aquatic animals, featuring puppet sea creatures at Wildlife Theater at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Magic Shows: Enjoy aquatic-inspired magic at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.

WCS members enjoy free entry but should secure their timed tickets in advance. Membership includes year-round admission to all five WCS parks (Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and New York Aquarium) while supporting wildlife conservation efforts worldwide. View membership options.

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