Nickelodeon has announced events for the 25th anniversary of SpongeBob SquarePants, running all year and beyond. The festivities will kick off with SpongeBob SquarePants (voiced by Tom Kenny) and Patrick Star (voiced by Bill Fagerbakke) hosting the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2024, live from Bikini Bottom. Airing Saturday, July 13th, at 8 P.M. (ET/PT), this will mark the first time animated characters will host a full-length awards show.
Kids’ Choice Awards 2024 is premiering just ahead of the anniversary of the series, which officially premiered on July 17th, 1999, and will take place in an animated setting through enhanced graphics and advanced augmented reality, simulcasting across Nickelodeon, TeenNick, Nicktoons and Nick Jr.
“SpongeBob SquarePants combines creator Stephen Hillenburg’s love of the ocean with his passion for animation and love of quirky character comedy,” said Tom Kenny. “From its first splash, SpongeBob has resonated with people of all ages, and I’m truly grateful to celebrate 25 years of positivity, optimism, and nautical nonsense. Our entire cast and crew look forward to celebrating SpongeBob’s Silver Jubilee with our friends and fans across the globe!”
“When I first saw the pilot episode ‘Help Wanted’ in 1998, I was thrilled. I felt flushed with a childlike joy.” said Bill Fagerbakke. “This celebration of creativity, uniquely layered humor and playful delight have characterized SpongeBob SquarePants for the past 25 years. To portray Patrick, who still makes me laugh, amidst my stellar castmates and brilliant creative team is a gift beyond measure.”
Other events announced to celebrate the 25th anniversary, both in the U.S. and around the world include:
CONTENT
SpongeBob SquarePants Anniversary Specials
A series of new episodes, with Easter eggs and nods to fan favorite moments, will debut in July on Nickelodeon around the world and will continue to roll out through the year. Viewers will catch up with former jellyfishing champion Kevin C. Cucumber, journey through different eras of Bikini Bottom, travel 2000 years into the future with Plankton, and more.
Play Like a Sponge U.K. Shorts
Nickelodeon U.K. and ParalympicsGB have partnered to produce Play Like a Sponge, a shortform series that sets out to inspire kids to find their inner SpongeBob as he cheers them on as they learn about and sample new sports with paralympic athletes ahead of the upcoming games in Paris this August.
Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie
The new movie centers on Sandy Cheeks as she journeys to Texas to save Bikini Bottom from a villainous plot. It will debut on Netflix on August 2.
LOCATION BASED EXPERIENCES
The Krabby Patty Kollab
The Krabby Patty will surface to 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 cook up a variety of different interpretations of the secret formula, giving fans the opportunity to sample a variety of meals inspired by the coveted secret formula. More information will be revealed soon.
San Diego Comic-Con
Nickelodeon and Paramount+ will celebrate SpongeBob through immersive fan experiences, exclusive digital content, consumer products and giveaways that will be announced in the coming months.
The SpongeBob Musical Contest
Concord Theatricals and Nickelodeon have launched The SpongeBob Musical Contest, which will award 10 schools or youth groups in the U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec) with a license package to perform The SpongeBob Musical from September 2024 to December 2025. The contest is open to all schools and youth groups in the aforementioned areas, particularly Title 1 or other schools or programs in under-resourced communities.
Science of SpongeBob 3.0
Nickelodeon Our World and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) are celebrating 25 years SpongeBob with Science of SpongeBob 3.0, an online and in person educational module that will introduce kids and families to the science that inspired the undersea world in the series.
SpongeBob’s Crazy Carnival Ride
Created by Sally Dark Rides in partnership with Paramount, the first ever SpongeBob interactive dark ride is now open at Circus Circus Las Vegas, taking guests on a ride through Bikini Bottom, which is brought to life through sets, special effects, animatronics and vivid integrated projections.
Aquarium Experience
In select aquariums across the U.S. and around the world this summer, visitors will be treated to an immersive SpongeBob experience with exhibit signage, branded scavenger hunts, episode screenings, and more.
Italy’s Mirabilandia Amusement Park
Nickelodeon Italy is partnering with Mirabilandia amusement park in Emilia Romagna, Italy this July to provide visitors with a day that will be filled with SpongeBob themed activities, character meet and greets, and other surprises.
Colombia’s Parque Arauco Malls
Nickelodeon Latin America is partnering with Parque Arauco malls in Colombia for a SpongeBob mall experience in July and August. With this, kids can learn about ocean conservation and explore Bikini Bottom with games, virtual reality and photo ops for the whole family.
CONSUMER PRODUCTS
Funko Pop! Figures and Pop Plush
Funko will launch seven new SpongeBob 25th anniversary Funko Pop! Figures this summer. The figures are pulled from iconic moments throughout the series, such as DoodleBob, Caveman SpongeBob and SpongeBob with Glove Light. Also available, are five new collectable Funko Plushies of SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, Mr. Krabs and Gary.
Crocs SpongeBob SquarePants Collection
Footwear brand Crocs will release a limited-edition collection inspired by the SpongeBob, Patrick and their undersea world.
Overtime x SpongeBob SquarePants Collab
A limited edition collection of hoodies, shirts, shorts and accessories from Overtime, a leading sports brand, and Nickelodeon will drop later this month. The exclusive collection is available on the Overtime Shop.
Loungefly 25th Anniversary Collection
Available now is an exclusive collection of accessories, including a SpongeBob Mini Backpack, Zip Around Wallet, Convertible Backpack and Tote Bag, and a Krusty Krab-inspired Crossbody Bag.
Noreen Seabrook Handmade Krabby Patty Custom Rug
Crafted by Noreen Seabrook master weavers, this luxury rug is handmade to order in the style of Tibetan weaving.
FYE SpongeBob Collection
FYE will launch a collection of snacks and drinks inspired by SpongeBob in June, including a chocolate bar, pineapple seltzer, dill pickle aioli, and pineapple habanero sauce. Exclusive artist series apparel and accessories will also be available.
German Retail Sustainability Campaign
SpongeBob is the face of local retailer Müller’s sustainability campaign in Germany, Switzerland and Austria to celebrate World Ocean Day. Running now through June 30th, Müller and MBRC will collect a plastic bottle for every toy purchased at a Müller retail store, and Müller locations.
DIGITAL
Creator Consultant, SpongeBob TikTok
Nickelodeon is looking to recruit a bubbly, creative, and meme savvy social media creator to work on the SpongeBob TikTok account. Those interested can apply on the Paramount careers site.
SpongeBob Simulator on Roblox
Nickelodeon and Gamefam are teaming up for an epic multiweek (June 21st through July 18th) SpongeBob 25th Anniversary event on Roblox where players will experience an unlock in SpongeBob Simulator after completing the multigame challenge, as well as exclusive UGC rewards and Bikini Bottom buddies.
YouTube
All new short form originals will debut this summer on the SpongeBob YouTube channel, including new episodes of SpongeBob: Reimagined, SpongeBob: IRL, and a DoodleBob YouTube Shorts series where he uses a pencil to redraw classic SpongeBob scenes starring himself as the main character.
