Twenty-eight nights, three starting prices
Aquarium Aglow runs 28 select nights from November 20 to December 31 at the South Carolina Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Entry slots run to 7:30 p.m. Guests stay until 9 p.m.
Each date card prints a starting price. Nine dates start at $25.95 for an adult and $21.95 for a child. Eighteen dates start at $29.95 and $24.95. December 31 starts at $39.95 and $34.95.
The nine lower dates are November 20, November 22, November 29, December 3, December 6, December 10, December 13, December 16 and December 17. Four are Sundays. Three are Thursdays. November 20 is the Friday opening. December 16 is an adults-only night.
The starting price sits on the late slots
Each date carries six entry slots. The 5:30, 5:45 and 6:00 slots cost $28.95 on a lower date and $33.95 on a standard date. The 6:30, 7:00 and 7:30 slots carry the starting price.
December 31 runs 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Its six slots run from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at a flat $39.95.
Book before October 31
Early bird pricing takes 15 percent off through October 31, 2026, at checkout. Members take 20 percent off once signed in, which the ticket page describes as all season long. The page states the two offers do not combine.
Every ticket, member tickets included, rises $3 on the day of the event. Early bird pricing does not apply to December 31.
Tickets are non-refundable. The Aquarium honours tickets bought through its own site.
Scheduled entry, no early access
Staff admit guests at the time printed on the ticket. The Aquarium states that no early access is allowed. A guest who books 5:30 gets the longest visit.
Scuba Claus dives in the Great Ocean Tank each night. The Aquarium notes he may be in vacation mode after December 25.
December 31 adds a countdown and a pufferfish ball drop at 6:45, 7:45 and 9 p.m. Face painting is included while supplies last. Curtains in the sea turtle recovery area close at 8 p.m. each evening.
Park at 24 Calhoun Street
The city runs the Aquarium Garage at 24 Calhoun Street, beside Liberty Square. It takes credit cards only. The Aquarium does not operate it.
Navigation apps route to the garage address. The Aquarium warns that the building address can send drivers into a lane the public cannot use.
Public restrooms sit inside the garage. An accessibility vehicle runs from the garage to the entrance. Call (843) 579-8507 after parking. The Aquarium does not guarantee transport.
Metered street parking covers the surrounding blocks on the same pay-to-park terms.
Ride DASH route 210 for free
CARTA runs DASH, a free downtown shuttle. Route 210 stops at the Aquarium door.
A guest staying downtown leaves the car at the hotel. The shuttle removes the garage payment and the exit queue at close.
Five rooms near the wharf
Our directory lists these Charleston properties with street addresses and road distance to the Aquarium.
The Ansonborough Charleston, 21 Hasell Street, 0.60 miles. Francis Marion Hotel, 387 King Street, 0.73 miles. The Dewberry, 334 Meeting Street, 0.75 miles. Hotel Bennett, 404 King Street, 0.81 miles. Market Pavilion Hotel, 225 East Bay Street, 0.91 miles.
Two of the five sit inside three-quarters of a mile. A guest booked at either walks to the door and skips the garage.
Ask each property for the all-in nightly figure. Room rent carries state and local accommodation taxes on top of the quoted rate.
Lights, sensory tools and house rules
Parts of the event use flickering lights. The Aquarium flags them as unsuitable for some guests with photosensitive epilepsy.
The Aquarium lends KultureCity sensory bags free at Admissions and the Info Desk. A bag carries noise-reducing headphones, strobe glasses and communication cards.
Flash photography is prohibited. Commercial photography, video and recording need prior authorisation.
Smoking and vaping are banned on Aquarium property and around Liberty Square. Staff can ask a guest to leave with no refund.
Refreshments come from Rosemary & Rye. Alcohol requires a guest aged 21 or over and a photo ID.
What the evening costs
Two adults on a value night pay $51.90 at the late slots and $57.90 at the early slots. The garage rate sits on top.
The event runs rain or shine. A weather closure that shuts the Aquarium triggers refunds for ticket holders booked on those dates. All other sales are final.
Set the order
Pick the date first. Nine of the 28 nights carry the low starting price. Buy before October 31 and the 15 percent lands at checkout. Book a room on a cancellable rate. Confirm the garage payment method before leaving the hotel.