Christmastime fun sticks around

Not all symbols of the Christmas season disappear with Santa. Penguins and camels can be found here all year, and t he chance to ice skate continues through mid-January.

CAMELS

Get a feel for the Wise Men’s storied trip at Chattanooga Zoo, 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave. Rides on the resident camels are offered 10 a. m.- 4 p. m. weekends, weather permitting, which leaves only Saturday, Dec. 24, for a Magi- inspired ramble around the pen since the zoo is closed on Christmas Day. You must be at least 38 inches tall to ride unaccompanied. Cost is $5 in addition to regular admission: $ 9.95 adults, $7.95 seniors 65+, $6.95 children 3-12. The zoo is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. 423-6971322, www.chattzoo.org.

ICE SKATES

Relocated from its original riverfront site, Ice on the Landing is now situated beneath the gas lanterns in the Victorian-style gardens at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1400 Market St. The 40- by 140-foot rink is open Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. -4 p.m. and Christmas Day from 4-11 p.m. Other upcoming nights have fun themes: Tonight, Dec. 22, is Family Night from 5 -9 p.m., with one free child per paying adult. Monday, Dec. 26, is Hanukkah on Ice from 5-7 p.m., which includes the lighting of a giant menorah ice sculpture at 6 p.m, Hanukkah stories, free doughnuts, hot latkes, gelt and dreidels, plus kosher food for sale. Tuesday, Dec. 27, is College Student Night, with $2 off for visitors with a valid college ID from 5pm. Wednesday, Dec. 28, is Charity Night, with 20 percent of proceeds from tickets bought between 5 and 8 p.m. going to T.C. Thompson’s Children’s Hospital at Erlanger. Admission is $10 adults, $8 children 12 and younger. www.iceonthelanding.com.

PENGUINS

Santa’s polar opposites can be found frolicking at Penguins’ Rock in the Ocean Journey building at the Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad St. The aquarium is home to two species, gentoo and macaroni penguins, both of which normally live along the Antarctic peninsula and its islands. Interestingly, they’re not necessarily the main attraction during Holidays Under the Peaks. Through Sunday, Jan. 1, the daily Extraordinary Experiences will focus on the octopus in programs at 1: 30 p. m. in Ocean Journey. Guests also will be able to get nose to shell with horseshoe crabs, lightning whelks, crown conchs, top-crown snails and other aquatic beauties in the mobile Yule-tide Pool Touch Tank on the fourth floor of Ocean Journey. The aquarium is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily except Christmas Day. Admission is $29.95 per adult, $18.95 for children 3-12. A tour through the “Monster Fish” exhibit next door is included. And if you’re downtown after dark, look for the facility’s signature peaks to be aglow in red and white candy-cane stripes.