Underwater Santa Claus Returns To Oklahoma Aquarium

Santa Claus is coming to town, and he is bringing his scuba gear.

Diving Santa will be at the Oklahoma Aquarium on Tuesday, Dec. 19th from 5 to 8 p.m. and Dec. 21-23 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Tillie Holliday is a dive safety officer at the Oklahoma Aquarium and one of several Diving Santa volunteers.

"I got my diving certification when I was very, very young and I am very honored to be able to come out, hang out as Santa, be in this tank, and share it with the community because it is tons of fun," she said.

Santa scuba dives in the Polynesian Reef exhibit of the aquarium.

"The coolest thing about it is being able to get in and hang out with the warm water fishes, instead of the cold of the North Pole," Holliday said.

Every December for nearly two decades Diving Santa has visited the Oklahoma Aquarium.

"Everybody knows how popular Santa is, so we feel very lucky that he wants to come here and visit us during his very busy month of December," education specialist Hallie Moss said.

She said it makes for a truly unique Christmas experience.

"We do not usually get to see Santa underwater, so it is a really fun perspective to get to see Santa scuba diving," she said.

It also allows for some fun photo opportunities for families and kids who are a bit hesitant to sit in Santa's lap.

"This is a great way for littles to see Santa, especially those who might be a little bit anxious about actually meeting Santa face-to-face," Moss said, "He is in the water behind acrylic glass, so there is no actual contact with Santa."

Diving Santa is included in general admission to the aquarium.

For more information or to buy tickets, CLICK HERE.