Awash in pearls, shells, iridescence and scalloped edges—#mermaidcore has gone mainstream. This, of course, is more recently thanks to Disney’s live-action blockbuster The Little Mermaid, a remake that’s ignited a whole new generation of mermaid enthusiasts. (Disney also greenlit an animated series for preschoolers, Ariel, to debut in 2024.) If your little ones are caught up in the frenzy and you’re looking for more ways to make mermaid culture part of your world—we’re right there with you. We sought out where in Dallas-Fort Worth and beyond you can take your little girls and boys to see, meet and swim alongside costumed mermaids—professionals, aficionados and environmental activists included.
Mermaid Capital of Texas
San Marcos was once the home of the Aquarena Springs theme park at the aquifer-fed Spring Lake where for decades aquamaids performed in a submarine theater. Today, the city’s mermaid legacy continues with the annual Mermaid Promenade & Downtown Street Faire, returning Saturday, September 23.
This event is well worth making the trip on the first weekend of fall. The two-hour parade begins at 10am, followed by the fair until 6pm. Of the approximate 100 floats, expect to see one from Mermaid Society, the local nonprofit of river guardians that puts on the fest. This diverse group of freshwater mermaid ambassadors, called AquaReinas and AquaReys, educates local youth about environmental issues and river conservation.
Festival co-director Jamie Shelton, whose mersona (mermaid persona, get it?) is an ancient ocean mermaid named Zahira, suggests families to nix the body glitter and jewels (to keep it out of river) in their own costumes and to bring a rolling cart so kids can lay out in their mermaids tails.
New to the fair this year: an expanded kids’ zone with mermaid selfies, live animal interactions, A.R.R.R.T. (Art, Recycle, Reuse, Reimagine Together) activities, and wholesome games like “pin the sea creature on the mermaid.” Follow on Facebook at @mermaidsocietysmtx for event updates.
While you’re visiting San Marcos, be sure to experience mermaid culture by seeking out the 10 hand-painted mermaid statues on display around town, go tubing the San Marcos River or ride the glass bottom boats at the Meadows Center.
202 North CM Allen Parkway, San Marcos
512/825-2819
mermaidsocietysmtx.com
The Texas Pool
Have you ever seen a mermaid slide down a water slide? Merpeople are welcome to splash and play anytime here at the Texas Pool in Plano, one of the only guaranteed mermaid-friendly pools in North Texas. This historic, volunteer-run pool that’s shaped like the State is also filled with saltwater (adding buoyancy)—all welcoming conditions for members of the Texas Pool Merfolks Pod.
Kids and adults of all ages are welcome to join the pod for casual Mermaid Meetups, held on select days through the summer season. But as Janet Vermillion Moos, the Texas Pool Foundation CEO, explains that as mermaids are magical creatures, there’s no guarantee they’ll show up on certain days. Saturdays get crowded quickly, so she says the best meetup times for families to join are Tuesday around 5:30pm and Sunday noon–6pm through Labor Day. (Lifeguards are on duty during the summer). Families are welcome to reach out to mermaid ambassador Hannah Nash. She coordinates or hosts informal lessons. Depending on the time of year, mermaids may be available for private parties too.
The can’t-miss event of the season, though, is the Mermaid Tea Party on Sunday, August 13 from 2–6pm. Come to have your photo taken with mermaids—and possibly pirates too—and enjoy snacks like Goldfish crackers and lemonade. $10 per person; free for Texas Pool members.
Plano
972/881-8392
texaspool.org
Mermaid Dream School
Ready to meet mermaid royalty? Lenisa Ann Careaga is a former Miss Mermaid Texas and Miss Mermaid USA (among other titles) and a mermaid pageant coach. You may also recognize her from Netflix’s MerPeople docuseries, episode four. She’s a certified PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) mermaid instructor and owner of Mermaid Dream School, which serves the Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin and Houston areas.
Careaga and her school’s network of mermaid princesses are available for swim lessons (small class sizes only, for children as young as 6) as well as birthday parties, book readings and “mermaid for a day” photoshoots in a tail on land or underwater. You can even book a mermaid play time, where kids can learn about things like bubble kisses and mermaid language. To keep the fantasy alive, Careaga’s fiancé serves as her mertender, dressing up as a sailor or a fisherman to carry her into the party and place her poolside. Sweet, right?
Follow her on Instagram @lenisalove and @mermaiddreamschool to check her out, and email her at mermaiddreamschool@gmail.com to inquire about her classes or parties in advance
DFW area
mermaiddreamschool.com
Children’s Aquarium Dallas at Fair Park
Mermaids are elusive creatures. Keep your eye open for possible future sightings at this local aquarium where mermaids have been known to pop up. Follow them on Instagram @childrensaquarium and on Facebook @ChildrensAquariumDallas) to stay tuned for future mermaid appearances or story times from a mermaid(s).
Planning a birthday party at the aquarium? Request to have her appear at your child’s Under the Sea party. This aquarium is worth a visit anytime to touch starfish, pet stingrays and visit other sea creatures, such as a highly intelligent giant Pacific octopus named Athena. Open daily; admission $13.95 for adults, $9.95 for children; under 3 free.
1462 First Avenue, Dallas
469/554-7340
childrensaquarium.com
SeaLife Grapevine Aquarium
We’re crossing our fingers tight that one day soon SeaLife brings back its mermaid meet and greets and mermaid makeovers. Sign up for their emails to stay in the know. Did you know that epaulette sharks’ eggs are called mermaid’s purses? See if you can spot them from inside the 360° Ocean Tunnel, or come anytime during open hours to visit the rescued sea turtles and touch more ocean creatures in the rockpool. Want to get closer? Book a special behind-the-scenes tour. Open daily; advance admission from $24.99.
3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway, Grapevine
469/444-3050
visitsealife.com/grapevine
Top photo courtesy of Mermaid Society of Texas
