Special Events

Party For the Planet

April 22 - June 8

Celebrate Earth's biodiversity with nature-based presentations, activities, and animal encounters. We'll host on-site, themed days from April through June. These days will be free with NC Aquarium admission or membership. Join us in crafts, activities, and special programs. 

April 22 Earth Day

May 20 Endangered Species Day

June 8 World Ocean Day

In addition to these on-site events, we'll be hosting special, free, community events throughout the summer. Make sure you register for the events that require registration. 

April 30 Teacher Workshop: teaching climate science. Held at the Aquarium Please register in advance.

May 19 Suds for Sharks: shark conservation fundraiser at Crystal Coast Brewing Company in Atlantic Beach. No registration is needed.

May 25 Shoreline Restoration: help restore the shoreline during a marsh grass planting at the Aquarium. Please register in advance. 

Teacher Workshop

APRIL 30 FREE EVENT

Teachers of grades 3-12 can join us from 1-3 p.m. for a free teacher workshop that will help bring climate science understanding to your classroom.  Learn how to effectively introduce your students to climate science and how changes to our global environment are impacting our communities. We will use teaching tools provided by North Carolina Aquariums, NOAA, and other community partners to improve your and your students’ climate science literacy and build a solid foundation for continuous education on the subject.

Suds for Sharks

May 19

Raise a glass for sharks and celebrate this charismatic animal during Suds 4 Sharks, a shark conservation fundraiser 5:30 p.m. -8 p.m. May 19 at Crystal Coast Brewing Company in Atlantic Beach. We’ll have a silent auction of shark-themed swag. We'll update you with speakers and more information. Part of our Party for the Planet Celebration! 

No registration is needed to attend! Bring your family and friends or come yourself! 

Shoreline Restoration

Join the Aquarium education team and let’s get to work and make a positive change in our communities! The Shoreline Restoration project is a free event available for individuals, families, and groups to volunteer for a few hours to participate in marsh grass planting efforts that help restore the shoreline. Learn about the habitats, and animals that live in the area that we will be helping to protect. The event is free and required advance registration.

City Nature Challenge

April 28- May 1

Started in 2016 as a competition between San Francisco and Los Angeles, the City Nature Challenge (CNC) has grown into an international event, motivating people around the world to find and document wildlife in their cities. Run by the Community Science teams at the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the CNC is an annual four-day global "bioblitz" at the end of April, where cities are in a collaboration-meets-friendly-competition to see what can be accomplished when we all work toward a common goal, and also which city can gather the most observations of nature, find the most species, and engage the most people in the event.


Joining Team Coastal NC is a Snap! 

1.     Download the iNaturalist app & Create an Account

2.     Snap photos of wild plants & animals

3.     Upload & share your observations

Carnival to Combat Climate Change

April 29

Learning about climate change, how to mitigate its impacts, and ways to help the environment, shouldn't be scary. Youth Leaders at the Aquarium wanted to host an event that allowed teens, young adults, and other youth to discuss climate and environmental issues in an educational but fun way. Carnival to Combat Climate Change brings together youth and community leaders in conservation and science. 

The event will be held at the Aquarium from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. April 29. Community leaders in science and conservation will be stationed at booths and ready to talk about climate change. Educators will be hosting fun activities throughout the day.

The event was made possible by a grant from NOAA in conjunction with Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center (CELC) Network.

Advisory Committee

The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores Advisory Committee regularly meets quarterly at the Aquarium from 1-3 p.m. The Advisory Committee had its first meeting of 2023 in February. The following are the next scheduled Advisory Committee meetings: Wednesday, May 10, 2023; Wednesday, Aug 9, 2023; Wednesday, November 8, 2023.