Nickelodeon is celebrating SpongeBob SquarePants’ 25th anniversary in a year-long extravaganza! Kicking things off, SpongeBob SquarePants (voiced by Tom Kenny) and Patrick Star (voiced by Bill Fagerbakke) will be the first-ever animated hosts of the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2024. They will host live from their underwater home of Bikini Bottom on July 13th. This slime-filled, immersive broadcast marks the beginning of a multitude of events across various platforms for this beloved animated series.

The Kids’ Choice Awards 2024 premieres just before the SpongeBob series anniversary, launched on July 17, 1999. The award show will be in a unique animated setting using advanced graphics and augmented reality. It will be simulcast across Nickelodeon, TeenNick, Nicktoons, and Nick Jr.. And will honor favorites in movies, television, music, sports, and more. The location for the awards ceremony will be Pauley Pavilion on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, with nominees, presenters, and celebrity appearances to be announced soon.

New SpongeBob 25th Anniversary Episodes, The Sandy Cheeks Movie, and more

Following the Kids’ Choice Awards 2024, Nickelodeon will roll out a wide range of programs for the SpongeBob SquarePants’ 25th anniversary. Inviting audiences worldwide to LIVE, EAT, GAME, PLAY, and WATCH LIKE A SPONGE. Here’s a glimpse of what’s to come:

• SpongeBob SquarePants Anniversary Specials: A series of brand new, specially produced episodes will debut in July on Nickelodeon worldwide. Filled with Easter eggs and nods to fan-favorite moments. Get ready to catch up with former jellyfishing champion Kevin C. Cucumber, journey through different eras of Bikini Bottom, and even travel 2,000 years into the future with Plankton!

• Paramount+: As the streaming home for SpongeBob fans, Paramount+ will offer the most content. These include SpongeBob SquarePants seasons 1-13, the original spinoff series Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years, and The Patrick Star Show season one. Movie buffs can enjoy theatrical films like The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. While anniversary-themed specials will be available throughout the year.

• Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie:  The first SpongeBob movie spotlighting Sandy Cheeks! Debuting August 2nd on Netflix. This action-packed film follows the resourceful squirrel on a mission to save Bikini Bottom from a villain’s clutches.

• Play Like a Sponge UK Shorts: Nickelodeon UK has partnered with ParalympicsGB to produce Play Like a Sponge, a short-form series. This series features SpongeBob cheering kids on as they learn about and try new sports with Paralympic athletes, all in preparation for the upcoming Paris games this August.

Location-Based Experiences

• The Krabby Patty Kollab: For the first time ever, the iconic Krabby Patty will surface in the real world and onto menus across North America and in London through “The Krabby Patty Kollab.” This fall, chefs and celebrities will use their culinary talents to bring hundreds of unique interpretations of the secret formula to life, allowing hungry fans to sample a variety of meals inspired by the most coveted recipe in all of Bikini Bottom. More information will be revealed soon.

• San Diego Comic-Con: Nickelodeon and Paramount+ will celebrate SpongeBob SquarePants through one-of-a-kind immersive fan-first experiences, exclusive digital content, consumer products, and giveaways, to be announced in the coming months.

Contests for schools and youth groups

• Calling all aspiring thespians! Concord Theatricals and Nickelodeon have teamed up for The SpongeBob Musical Contest. This exciting competition awards ten schools or youth groups in the U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec) with a free license to perform The SpongeBob Musical between September 2024 and December 2025. The contest is open to all schools, with a special focus on Title 1 schools and under-resourced communities. Click HERE for details.

Exciting Rides

• Dive into Bikini Bottom like never before! The first-ever SpongeBob SquarePants interactive dark ride, created by Sally Dark Rides with Paramount, is now open at Circus Circus Las Vegas. Buckle up for a hijinks-filled journey through everyone’s favorite underwater city, brought to life with vibrant sets, dazzling special effects, wacky animatronics, and stunning projections.

• SpongeBob invades Mirabilandia! This July, Nickelodeon Italy brings Bikini Bottom fun to the Emilia Romagna park with character meet-and-greets, themed activities & surprises!

• Making a splash in Colombia! This July and August, Nickelodeon Latin America partners with Parque Arauco malls for a SpongeBob SquarePants experience. Kids can learn about ocean conservation, and explore Bikini Bottom through games, VR, and family-friendly photo ops.

Museum and Aquariums

• Aquarium Experience: In select aquariums across the U.S. and the globe this summer. Visitors will be treated to an immersive SpongeBob experience with exhibit signage, branded scavenger hunts, episode screenings, and more.
• Science of SpongeBob 3.0: Nickelodeon Our World and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) are celebrating 25 years of everyone’s favorite porous pal with Science of SpongeBob 3.0, an online and in-person educational module that introduces kids and families to the science that inspired the undersea world in the series.

Exciting New Collectibles

• Funko Pop! Figures and Pop Plush: Funko will launch seven new SpongeBob SquarePants’s 25th anniversary Funko Pop! Figures this summer, pulled from iconic moments throughout the series, such as DoodleBob, Caveman SpongeBob, and SpongeBob with Glove Light. Also available, are five new collectible Funko Plushies of SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, Mr. Krabs, and Gary.

• Joining the fight for clean oceans! To celebrate World Ocean Day, SpongeBob SquarePants teams up with German retailer Müller for a sustainability campaign across Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Until June 30th, Müller and MBRC will collect a plastic bottle for every toy purchased in their stores.

Apparel and Accessories

• Crocs SpongeBob SquarePants Collection: Iconic global footwear brand Crocs dives into Bikini Bottom for SpongeBob SquarePants’ 25th anniversary with a limited-edition collection inspired by the relentlessly optimistic SpongeBob, his best friend Patrick and their undersea world.  Shop at Crocs.com while supplies last.

• Nickelodeon teams up with trendsetting sportswear brand Overtime! A limited-edition collection of hoodies, shirts, shorts, and accessories is coming later this month, letting next-generation fans rep their favorite Nick characters in style. The exclusive collection is available on the Overtime Shop.

• Fans can now shop this exclusive Loungefly collection of accessories. Loungefly has created a SpongeBob Mini Backpack, Zip Around Wallet, Convertible Backpack and Tote Bag, and a Krusty Krab-inspired Crossbody Bag.

Home Decor and more

• Noreen Seabrook Handmade Krabby Patty Custom Rug: Crafted with meticulous attention to detail by Noreen Seabrook master weavers, this luxury rug is handmade to order in the style of Tibetan weaving, and is perfect in any SpongeBob superfan’s space.

• FYE will launch a collection of unique snacks and drinks inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants in June. This collection will include a chocolate bar, refreshing pineapple seltzer, dill pickle aioli, and pineapple habanero sauce. Exclusive artist series apparel and accessories will be available here.

New Social Media, Roblox, and YouTube Content

• Nickelodeon is looking to recruit a bubbly, and meme-savvy social media creator to work on the SpongeBob SquarePants’ TikTok account. Those interested in making a splash can apply for the opportunity here.

• Nickelodeon and Gamefam team up to kick start an epic multiweek (June 21 – July 18) SpongeBob 25th Anniversary event on Roblox where players will experience an unforgettable unlock in SpongeBob Simulator after completing the multigame challenge, as well as exclusive UGC rewards and Bikini Bottom buddies.

• All new short-form originals emerge this summer on the SpongeBob YouTube channel. This will include new episodes of “SpongeBob: Reimagined,” “SpongeBob: IRL,” and a DoodleBob YouTube Shorts series.