Moody Gardens

You’re Invited to “Garden in the Gulf” Watch Party

April 16, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Hosted by KPRC 2 Chief Meteorologist Anthony Yanez

Garden in the Gulf: A Reef Rescue Mission airing on KPRC 2

Moody Gardens is hosting a public watch party for the premiere of “Garden in the Gulf: A Reef Rescue Mission” airing on KPRC 2. This one-hour TV special highlights vital coral reef conservation efforts by the Moody Gardens Dive Team, in collaboration with NOAA, to help preserve the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary in the Gulf. 

Viewers will gain insight into the progress being made to protect these reefs, uncover the environmental stories hidden within coral cores, and explore the challenges posed by invasive species like lionfish. These ongoing conservation efforts could help rehabilitate living coral reefs around the world, which continue to suffer from the impacts of a growing global population and a changing climate.

Special guests include KPRC 2 Chief Meteorologist Anthony Yanez and Moody Gardens Director of Marine Operations Jake Emmert, who will be in attendance to share more about the making of the special with guests and the important work being done to preserve our Gulf ecosystems.

Though not required, it is recommended to register for this free event online at: www.moodygardens.com/watchparty

A diver from NOAA looks on as a large manta ray swims by during a research expedition at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary located in the Gulf of Mexico.

In 2024, KPRC 2 and Anthony Yanez filmed a three part series called “Saving the Garden in the Gulf of Mexico.” The live presentation being held at the MG3D Theater will be the conclusion to the diving series that took part last year. You can find all three segments below:

Saving the Garden in the Gulf of Mexico – Part 1
Saving the Garden in the Gulf of Mexico – Part II
Saving the Garden in the Gulf – Part III

Easter Weekend Has Arrived

April 15, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Pick a choice of Breakfast with A Bunny, Brunch or Buffet Dining Options and catch a movie!

Come celebrate Easter 2025 by having Easter Brunch or Easter Buffet with us on Sunday, April 20 with us, or have Breakfast with a Bunny on Friday, April 18 or Saturday April 19. See below to read the details for these three special Easter holiday dining options:

Easter Brunch at the Frances Anne Moody Ballroom inside the Moody Gardens Hotel from 10:30am to 2:30pm. Click to view menu or make reservations.

Easter Buffet at the Garden Restaurant inside the Moody Gardens Visitor’s Center from 11:00am to 4:00pm. Click to view menu or make reservations.

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny inside the Garden Restaurant at the Moody Gardens Visitor’s Center on Friday, April 18 at 10am or Saturday, April 19 at 9:30am or 10:30am. Click to view menu or make reservations.

As a special treat, we’re also showing Jerusalem 3D inside the Moody Gardens 3D Theater. Discover the Heart of the World! Archaeologist Jodi Magness travels through the city gaining unprecedented access to holy sites and its vast underground network to unravel some of Jerusalem’s greatest mysteries.

Jerusalem 3D playing this Easter Weekend at the Moody Gardens 3D Theater.

To get tickets to our dining options, attractions and movies, click here to purchase.

Join the iNaturalist 9th Annual City Nature Challenge

April 11, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Get involved with citizen science crowdsourced effort to survey local flora and fauna.

Calling all citizen scientists! iNaturalist will be hosting its 9th annual City Nature Challenge and we want YOU to be a part of it. From April 25-28th, post as many sightings to the iNaturalist app as you can. In 2024, Houston and Galveston placed 7th in the world, can we make it to the top spot in 2025?

Beginning in 2016 as a humble competition between two cities, it has now grown to an international event, with more than 51 countries participating! iNaturalist is a community-driven citizen science project that helps users learn about the nature around them and contribute to scientific research. New to iNaturalist, follow this link to the help page where you can learn more about City Nature Challenge and how to use the app.

Vote for Marley to become ‘Peng-Win Champion’

April 11, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Marley makes it to the Penguins International March of the Penguin Madness Finals!

Marley, the Northern Rockhopper Penguin strikes a fanciful pose.

Penguins International first choose Marley, the Northern Rockhopper Penguin from the Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid to be a competitor in the yearly March of the Penguin Madness competition against 47 other outstanding penguins who were chosen from a pool of hundreds.

We’re proud to announce after 4 rounds of voting, she has made it to the 5th and final round where she will be competing against two other penguins. The Peng-Win champion 🏆 will be recognized as the Penguin Ambassador to represent their species and help raise awareness for wild penguins.

Thank you to those who participated in voting and helping Marley make it through each round. Voting for the 5th and final round begins Sunday, April 13 📅. There are 3 ways to vote:

Get your Beats on the Beach Summer 2025 details here!

April 2, 2025 /

Check out whose playing, event times and more..

Beats on the Beach returns for yet another year to Palm Beach at Moody Gardens. Every Saturday, starting June 14 until August 4, catch live music followed by a fireworks finale. The party officially starts from 5:30 pm and ends at 9:30 pm. Float down the 650-foot lazy river, catch some surf at the wave pool or zip down one of two 18-foot-tall tower slides for guests of all ages as you jam out to the sounds of summer.

Summer 2025 Dates and Headliners

Velvet Punch
The Line Up
The Examiners
Bama Breeze
Rozy
The Line Up
Citywide Funk
A Sure Thing
Timeless HTX

June 14
June 21
June 28
July 5
July 12
July 19
July 26
August 2
August 9

This family-friendly event features live music suitable for all ages which will cap off the night with a spectacular fireworks display above the waters of Offatts Bayou. Tickets will be sold separately for admission to Beats on the Beach but guests who arrive early to enjoy the Palm Beach waterpark can stay later to enjoy the festivities at no additional charge.

Palm Beach will officially open to the public starting with weekends in May including Memorial Day Weekend before opening everyday from May 31 until August 10. It will go back to strictly weekends from August 16 to September 28 which will include Labor Day. Get your tickets here or visit https://www.moodygardens.com/attractions/palmbeach for more information, amenities, and attractions.

Art & Music Series through Summer 2025

April 1, 2025 /

To commemorate Art of Music and Lasting Impressions with Local Artists and Musicians

The Moody Gardens Art & Music Series debuted on Saturday, March 22, with performances by musician Lyda Plummer and artwork by Sara Nygard. Lyda took the stage as a solo artist in front of the Discovery Pyramid Museum, home to The Art of Music Experience, while Sara showcased her “western-themed” artwork inside the Visitor’s Center.

Lyda Plummer performs in front of the Discovery Pyramid.
Artist Sara Nygard interacts with a guest inside the Visitor’s Center at Moody Gardens.

The concert music series will continue throughout the summer for 2025 with planned performances taking place in front of the Discovery Pyramid from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. See below for a list of names and dates of the scheduled performers:

If you’re visiting us on any of the dates above, be sure to stop by and listen to these very talented artists who all hail from the Galveston area. All acts will be conducting their work as solo performances. Be sure to check out The Art of Music Experience located on the 2nd floor of the Discovery Pyramid!

The Art of Music Experience promo album art

The Art of Music Experience reveals the creators and stories behind album cover art, highlighting illustrators, painters, photographers, art directors, graphic designers, musician’s and the influence of their vision and ability to communicate the music’s energy, the artist’s brand, likeness, image and symbolism. The traveling exhibit features large-scale, hand painted album covers, displays and neon from The Art of Music Collection, themed educational exhibits, and fan activation.

Lasting Impressions is an immersive 3D art and music experience featuring over 100 masterpieces by French Impressionist artists like Monet, Degas, and Van Gogh. Using cutting-edge 3D Motion Sculpting technology, viewers can virtually step into these iconic works, experiencing them in stunning detail and motion. Accompanied by the music of Debussy, Ravel, and French classics, this experience brings the emotional power of art to life. You can view this attraction now playing at the MG 3D Theater located inside the Visitor’s Center. For showtimes, click on https://www.moodygardens.com/visitor-info/hours to see the daily hours of operation as well as theater showtimes.

Pyramid Kids Summer Camps Now Available for 2025!

March 25, 2025 /

Games, crafts, experiments will make this summer thoroughly memorable for campers!

Kids attending the summer session of Pyramid Kids camp wait for a movie to start inside the Moody Gardens 3D Theater.
Kids take a trip through the Rainforest Pyramid as part of a summer camp attraction for Pyramid Kids Camp.

Spring is here, which means summer is right around the corner! It’s never too early to plan an exciting summer for your young adventurers. Moody Gardens’ Pyramid Kids Camp offers an action-packed experience with attractions, games, crafts, experiments, and more! Designed for kids entering grades K-8, these five-day camps run from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, each with a unique theme that keeps campers coming back for more.

Register today at MoodyGardens.org or check out the flyer to scan the QR code. Plus, parents can enjoy discounted hotel rates at Moody Gardens Hotel. For camp guide and forms, please click this link. Don’t miss out—secure your camper’s spot now!

Pyramid Kids 2025 Summer Camp Dates

  • May 26 – 30
  • June 2 – 6
  • June 9 – 13
  • June 16 – 20
  • June 23 – 27
  • June 30 – July 4
  • July 7 – 11
  • July 14 – 18
  • July 21 – 25
  • July 28 – August 1
  • August 4 – 8

Reserve tickets for Pyramid Kids 2025 Summer Camp by clicking here.

A group of young children take a photo in front of Palm Beach waterpark at Moody Gardens during their outing as part of the Pyramid Kids Summer camp program.

Sanctuary Saturdays at Moody Gardens

March 6, 2025 /

Featuring staff from the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

Sanctuary Saturdays featuring staff from the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.
A retractable banner displays flora and fauna from the Flower Garden Banks and a FGBNMS staff member chats with a group of people at a booth display instead the Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid. Photos by Jennifer Lamm.

Once a month, Moody Gardens hosts Sanctuary Saturdays, an event that brings experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to the public. Staff from the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary share insights on their work within the reef, as well as efforts in conservation and environmentalism.

This Saturday, March 8, the public is welcome to join us at the Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid. Personnel from the FGBNMS will be discussing the corals that live off the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana as well as leading a hands-on activity. The program will be located on the lower level of the aquarium in front of the Coral Rescue Lab, where corals from the FGBNMS are housed.

Moody Gardens and NOAA staff on the surface waters above the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of Galveston.
Staff from Moody Gardens and NOAA on the surface above the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.
Breathing gear for underwater operations. Photo by Kerry Toorcana
Breathing gear display for underwater operations as part of a dive presentation at Moody Gardens. Photo by Kerry M. Toorcana

The program was first started in October of 2024, which has highlighted topics such as sanctuary corals, invasive lionfish, dive gear, mooring buoys, and have even celebrated the sanctuary’s 33rd birthday. Interactive activities have given visitors the opportunity to learn more about the sanctuary in a way that enhances their overall visit.

You can follow the activities at the Flower Garden Banks via social media on Facebook @FGBNMS or Instagram @flowergardnbanksnms.

Moody Gardens welcomes Executive Pastry Chef Kristy Riley

February 28, 2025 /

Moody Gardens is thrilled to welcome Executive Pastry Chef Kristy Riley, whose passion for crafting delectable and imaginative desserts shines through in every creation.

Born in Malaysia and raised in the vibrant culinary hub of New Orleans, Kristy brings over 18 years of experience in the food industry. She honed her expertise at the Louisiana Culinary Institute, earning a degree in Fine Art Baking & Pastry, alongside a Bachelor’s in Business Management.

Executive Pastry Chef Kristy Riley
Moody Gardens Executive Pastry Chef Kristy Riley (2025). Photo by Olivia Phu.

In 2023, Kristy fulfilled a dream by opening Pignoli Bakery in Pearland, Texas, where her artistry and love for pastry took center stage. Now, she brings that same dedication to Moody Gardens, where guests can enjoy her exquisite pastry masterpieces at Shearn’s Seafood & Prime Steaks or during the many holiday dining events hosted throughout the year. When she’s not in the kitchen, she enjoys traveling and cherishing time with her husband and daughter. We are excited to see—and taste—the creativity she brings to Moody Gardens!

Photos by Oliva Phu

Preserving Paradise: A Journey to Pacuare Reserve

February 26, 2025 /

Join Us for a Special Presentation featuring
Guest Speaker, Lola Crassard!

Preserving Paradise: A Journey to Pacuare Reserve with a picture of an Agami Heron perched on a dry, mossy and decomposing broken trunk of a tree with dense vegetation in the background.
An Agami Heron perched on a branch at the Pacuare Reserve.

Mark your calendars for a free special event at the MG 3D Theater! Join us on Friday, March 14, at 7:00 PM or Saturday, March 15, at 9:30 AM for a guest speaker presentation by Lola Crassard, Wildlife Monitoring Technician biologist at the Pacuare Reserve. Guests may attend one or both sessions, but advance registration is required due to limited seating—early reservations are highly recommended.

Register Here

Moody Gardens & Pacuare Reserve Partnership

In 2025, Moody Gardens committed to a three-year partnership with Ecology Project International (EPI), which manages the Pacuare Reserve in Costa Rica. As part of our commitment, we are providing funding through the Moody Gardens Conservation Fund to aid in studies on the populations of the Agami heron and sea turtles.  This funding will support the construction of a bird blind and a sea turtle hatchery. 

About Pacuare Reserve

The Pacuare Reserve in Costa Rica

The Pacuare Reserve is the only known Agami Heron nesting site along the Costa Rican Caribbean, between Southern Mexico and Northern Colombia. The reserve also provides critical nesting sites for leatherback, green and hawksbill sea turtles. Research conducted here plays a crucial role in shaping conservation strategies and informing decisions by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

About Lola Crassard

Lola Crassard at Pacuare Reserve

Lola Crassard is a dedicated wildlife biologist specializing in ecological research, wildlife monitoring, and environmental education. At the Pacuare Reserve, she studies felines, large mammals, and primates through camera trap monitoring and transect sampling, while also researching Agami Heron nesting populations.

Her previous experience includes behavioral research and enrichment program development for captive animals at Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center, as well as biodiversity research in Peru’s Tambopata National Reserve. She holds a Biology and Ecology degree from Université de Montpellier and is fluent in English, Spanish, and French.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to learn about wildlife conservation from an expert in the field. Whether you’re passionate about birds, biodiversity, or conservation efforts, this presentation promises to be both informative and inspiring!

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