Pumpkins & Piranhas returns to Greater Cleveland Aquarium Wednesday through Friday, October 27–29 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. (last admission at 6 p.m). 

“Costumes are encouraged and very much appreciated,” says Education Coordinator Matt Debelak, noting that baby sharks, superheroes, princesses, scarecrows and seahorses roamed the galleries in 2019.  “It’s funny to me to see a T-Rex reaching out to touch a stingray—an animal that predates that dinosaur.”

The family friendly fun days are included with general admission ($19.95 ages 13+, $13.95 ages 2-12, $0 passholders and guests younger than 2) and feature extended hours, underwater pumpkin decorations, costumed SCUBA divers, a small, take-home treat bag for children, pop-up animal enrichment and I-Spy/trivia activities focused on some of the curious creatures residing at the Aquarium. 

“Moray eels, poison dart frogs, sharks and many of the animals we might think are scary are really fascinating and a little misunderstood,” explains Debelak.  “Piranhas aren’t really a danger to humans, but an Amazon River basin expedition story President Theodore Roosevelt penned about seeing hungry piranhas in a feeding frenzy gave the fish a fearsome reputation.” 

The Aquarium asks that guests purchase advance general admission tickets to ensure entry.  “We are deliberately limiting attendance and timing arrival to ensure social distancing,” explains Debelak.  “We wouldn’t want to disappoint anyone who came out in costume on a sold-out day.” 

The Aquarium will also be hosting Pumpkins & Piranhas-themed videos leading up to Halloween

Greater Cleveland Aquarium is located in the West Bank of the Flats, 2000 Sycamore Street in Cleveland.  For more information call 216-862-8803 or visit www.greaterclevelandaquarium.com.