Festival of Lights December 12, 2008

Discover the true spirit of the holiday season during the Festival of Lights at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration on December 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. Hosted by the Friends of Mystic Aquarium (FOMA), this free, festive event benefits the Gemma E. Moran United Way Labor Food Center in New London.

The enchanted evening includes a special sea lion show at 6:30 p.m. (for the first time ever at the festival), carolers, bell choirs, holiday music, storytellers, photos with the Eastern Connecticut Ballet’s Sugar Plum Fairy, costumed characters, face painters and a visit from Santa – all against a backdrop of more than 20 uniquely decorated trees, fish and invertebrates on the main exhibit floor, as well as hundreds of luminaries.

Entertainers throughout the evening include the Fitch High School carolers, Cutler Middle School band, Ledyard High Sax Quartet, Waterford High Flutes, Mystic Middle School band, ISAAC Swing Choir, Mrs. Brown and Friends, Dara Blackstone and Friends and the Winter Lady with Ice Brites and Frosty.

Admission to the Aquarium’s indoor exhibits is free that evening with the donation of one canned food item per person. “Dig It! Prehistoric Creatures of the Sea,” an interactive exhibit where children can dig for authentic sea creature fossils, will be open. Admission to the exhibit is $3 per child. Festival of Lights is made possible by FOMA and Mystic Transportation Company.

Across the street, Olde Mistick Village will provide complimentary refreshments and holiday music amidst luminaria from dusk to 9:30 p.m.

For more information, call (860) 572-5955 or visit mysticaquarium.org.

Official Website: http://www.mysticaquarium.org