Underwater jack-o'-lanterns are glowing again inside the Greater Cleveland Aquarium's tanks this October as the venue brings back its after-hours Halloween tradition, Pumpkins & Piranhas. The event mixes full aquarium access with costumed scuba divers and animal encounters, giving families a not-too-scary way to celebrate the season indoors.
According to the aquarium's official event listing, the celebration runs on select nights: Thursday, Oct. 22 is reserved exclusively for passholders, while Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23 and 24, are open to the general public. A sensory-friendly night follows on Sunday, Oct. 25. The aquarium lists event hours as 5:30 to 8 p.m., according to the Pumpkins & Piranhas event page; a separate Northeast Ohio Parent listing gives 6 to 8 p.m. for its 2025 event on Oct. 24 and 25.
What's Included With Admission
Ticket holders get more than just tank-side views. Per the Greater Cleveland Aquarium, admission covers full access to the galleries, which will be decked out with underwater jack-o'-lanterns, skeletons and other Halloween décor alongside seasonal music. Guests can also expect interactions with costumed scuba divers, animal encounters, face painting, temporary tattoos, a fortune teller, photo opportunities and a four-page activity booklet, the aquarium's event page notes.
Costumed children will walk away with a take-home treat bag, though the aquarium is direct about the fact that supplies aren't unlimited. Capacity is capped for each night, and the venue strongly recommends buying tickets in advance to guarantee entry and a treat bag for costumed kids, per the aquarium's website.
A Dedicated Night for Sensory-Sensitive Guests
The Oct. 25 sensory-friendly night is built specifically for guests who benefit from a calmer environment, with limited capacity, reduced noise and softened lighting. The event also has limited capacity, and advance ticketing is recommended.
A cash bar will also be available on Friday, Oct. 30, according to the event page, giving adult guests an option during what's shaping up to be the month's final Pumpkins & Piranhas date. Beyond that, the aquarium's messaging around Pumpkins & Piranhas leans heavily on the idea that it's meant to be family-friendly first — after-hours exploration paired with Halloween fun rather than a haunted-house-style scare-fest, as the aquarium describes it on its site.
Anyone planning to attend should check the aquarium's own listings closely, since the event spans multiple nights with different audiences. Tickets and additional details are available directly through the venue.
