The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island will celebrate its 50th anniversary Sept. 9-12, with a series of public events inviting guests to join in the festivities. The aquarium, part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and one of four facilities in the N.C. Aquariums system, first opened its doors to the public on Sept. 9, 1976.
Guests are invited to visit on Wednesday, Sept. 9, for free public programs themed around the Aquarium’s 50th anniversary. Activities will include interactive stations, shipwreck stories featuring divers speaking with guests from inside the 285,000‑gallon shark habitat, creature features with animal ambassadors, and other special experiences throughout the aquarium.
On Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Aquarium will host "Sea‑lebration by the Sound," a family‑friendly daytime event honoring the Aquarium’s 50th anniversary. Guests can enjoy hands‑on activities, creative crafts, and interactive experiences inspired by coastal wildlife and the Aquarium’s rich history. The celebration will feature face painting, sandcastle building, craft and creation stations, an inflatable slide, carnival‑style games, a scavenger hunt, prizes, photo opportunities with the Aquarium’s giant inflatable crab, and regularly scheduled programming such as creature features with animal ambassadors. Shark Bites Snack Bar will offer exclusive menu items for the celebration, including special root beer floats and corn dog bites available for purchase. Sea‑lebration by the Sound is included with general admission and designed for guests of all ages.
The celebration continues Saturday evening with Golden Tides, an elegant after‑hours event for guests ages 21 and older from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Golden Tides invites attendees to experience the Aquarium at night while honoring five decades of conservation, education, and community engagement. The evening will feature live jazz performances by Sam on Sax and Joe Mapp and the Coordinates; freshly shucked oysters; heavy hors d’oeuvres; beer, wine, and other libations; and opportunities to explore the Aquarium’s exhibits in a unique nighttime setting. Guests may visit the Touch Pools, encounter aquatic animals, watch the sunset from the Soundside Pier, and observe a live painter creating an original work inspired by the Aquarium. Guests are encouraged to wear gold in honor of the milestone.
Each Golden Tides ticket includes two complimentary drink tickets, unlimited seafood and hors d’oeuvres, after‑hours access to the Aquarium, exclusive 50th anniversary gifts including a commemorative koozie, pint glass, and specialty photo keepsake, and access to all scheduled entertainment. Tickets are $75 for nonmembers and $65 for Aquarium members. Proceeds support the nonprofit North Carolina Aquarium Society, advancing the Aquarium’s mission of conservation, education, and exceptional care for aquatic life. Tickets for the Golden Tides celebration are available on the North Carolina Aquariums website. Space is limited.
About the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island
Located on the Outer Banks in Manteo, N.C., the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island is part of N.C. Aquariums, which includes four attractions along North Carolina’s coast and is a division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The 63,000 square-foot facility on 16 acres overlooks the Croatan Sound and houses over 2,200 animals. Over 315,000 guests visit the Aquarium each year to see the 285,000-gallon "Graveyard of the Atlantic" shark and ocean habitat, visit the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (S.T.A.R.) Center, and learn why North Carolina's waterways are so special. As an educational attraction, the mission of N.C. Aquariums is to inspire appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments. The Aquarium is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more information, visit www.ncaquariums.com/roanoke-island.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina — its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. At more than 100 sites across the state, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.