Divers in festive gear swam with tropical fish during a unique Christmas event at Panama’s Biomuseo this Sunday. The museum on the Amador Causeway combined science, music, and holiday spirit for a family-friendly celebration marking the start of the 2025 holiday season.
The “Christmas Dive” formed the centerpiece of the day. Costumed divers entered the museum’s permanent “Divided Oceans” exhibition tanks. They interacted with and fed the resident fish populations while displaying holiday messages to delighted visitors watching from the other side of the glass.
Museum officials stated the event aimed to create a memorable bridge between ecological education and cultural tradition. The activity provided a novel way to engage the public with the institution’s core message about biodiversity.
“This is a way to bring the community closer to our natural heritage in a festive and educational context,” said a museum spokesperson. [Translated from Spanish]
Divided Oceans Exhibit Provides Unique Backdrop
The celebration took place within one of the museum’s most iconic spaces. The Biomuseo‘s Divided Oceans display features two large semicylindrical aquariums and three additional tanks. It visually explains how the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea evolved differently after the rise of the Isthmus of Panama.
This geological event separated marine species millions of years ago. The exhibit allows visitors to compare the distinct aquatic life from each coast of Panama side by side. The Christmas divers swam through these separate ecosystems, highlighting the vibrant life within them.
Children and adults responded with smiles and applause as the divers moved through the water. The visual spectacle turned a scientific exhibit into a dynamic holiday performance.
Music and Tradition Enhance Festive Atmosphere
The underwater show was not the only attraction. The Victor Raúl González band from the Moisés Castillo Ocaña school in La Chorrera provided a live soundtrack. Their special performance filled the museum with classic Christmas melodies.
This combination of marine biology and musical tradition created a full cultural experience. Attendees enjoyed an afternoon where learning and celebration seamlessly merged. The event underscored the museum’s role as a community hub beyond its architectural and scientific significance.
Located at the entrance to the Amador Causeway, the Biomuseo is designed by famed architect Frank Gehry. Its focus remains on Panama’s role as a land bridge that connected continents and separated oceans. Sunday’s event proved its spaces can also connect people through shared festive experiences.
“Seeing the children’s faces light up is our greatest gift. We are showing that a museum can be a place of wonder and joy, especially during the holidays,” the spokesperson added. [Translated from Spanish]
The successful event may inspire similar future programming. Museum management often seeks innovative methods to draw local and tourist audiences. Interactive holiday events effectively achieve that goal while promoting their educational mission.
Panama’s holiday season now includes an unexpected new tradition. An underwater Christmas celebration offers a fresh twist on classic festivities, blending national heritage with universal joy.