Featured Events ~ Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Looking for something special during your visit? Check out what’s coming up in our featured events.

Or if you want to check out what’s happening each day, you can visit our Daily Events calendar.

Toddler Tuesdays (Virtual)

Tuesday, May 18, 2021 11:00 AM

We invite you and your child to join Miss Jenny virtually as she brings age-appropriate pre-school programs that may include a letter of the day, colors, stories, and songs. While these events are free, you must register for each event separately.

On this virtual Toddler Tuesday Miss Jenny will highlight the frog, with a spotlight on the letter F, and a reading of Frog and Beaver, written by Simon James!

To learn more about our upcoming Virtual Toddler Tuesday Events and other opportunities for your little learner, please visit our Toddler Programs page HERE.

Party for the Planet 2021

Thursday, May 20, 2021 9:00 AM

May 20-22 | Virginia Beach oceanfront

Flowers are blooming, bees are buzzing, and noses are sneezing which means it's time to #SpringIntoAction! What better way than with a bit of spring cleaning on our oceanfront?

The Virginia Aquarium is joining the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in a Party for the Planet! We invite you to join this worldwide celebration of Earth Day, Endangered Species Day, and World Ocean Day by helping us with a 3-day beach cleanup.

No registration is required, and no difficult instructions needed for this call to action. This is a come-when-you-can kind of event. Just slather on your eco-friendly sunscreen, don your hat and sunglasses, snag something in which to collect trash, and head to the oceanfront. You can come alone or grab your buddies. Come for the day or just an hour. Watch for Aquarium staff on the boardwalk or out on the shoreline. We can all participate in the party and show our love for this amazing planet!

Looking to get even more connected to this global event? You can download the Globalearthchallenge app here. Use the code AZA2021 to log the trash you find during the clean-up!

Made possible with funding from Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

FYI Dates:
4/22 Earth Day: Party for the Planet Kick-Off
5/21 Endangered Species Day
6/8 World Ocean Day: Official End to Party for the Planet

Blood Drive

Monday, May 24, 2021 9:00 AM

Be the lifeline people need and give blood! Please consider the gift of life.

The American Red Cross continues to need blood donations to be adequately prepared to respond to unexpected high demands. They are also performing COVID-19 antibody tests, vital to the continued fight against the pandemic.

We're all in this together, and here is a great way everyone can step in and help!

For the safety of everyone, participation is by appointment only.

Good news! You can easily set an appointment time that works for you HERE. Use sponsor code VAMS.

For a speedier check-in, visit RapidPass on the day of but prior to the time of your appointment.

Learn more HERE.

Virginia Aquarium Turtle Trot

Friday, June 11, 2021 9:00 AM

It's time for our 2nd annual Virginia Aquarium Turtle Trot Virtual 5K run/walk!

Once again we are combining two celebrations with a single event - our Virtual Turtle Trot!

What are we celebrating?

On June 14, the Virginia Aquarium will celebrate 35 years of being on mission to inspire conservation of the marine environment through education, research, and sustainable practices. On June 16, World Sea Turtle Day, we are recognizing the important work being done to protect the world's threatened sea turtle populations. We hope you will join the celebration, join the fun, and join the mission.

REGISTER HERE (Registration is open now)

*The first 200 registrants to sign up will receive an event t-shirt!*

What is a virtual 5K?

Sign up at the link above.
After signing up, participants are on the honor system to walk, run, or perform a combination of each for 5 kilometers, beginning June 11 through June 13.
Complete your 5K in your neighborhood, on your home treadmill, or your favorite park!
Click HERE for a suggested route.
Document your time, steps, or kilometers on the registration website.

Registration and logs must be completed by June 13.

Share a photo or video of your run on social media using #VAQTurtleTrot and tag @VAAquarium

Proceeds will go to support the future of our ocean and help us offer educational opportunities, provide exceptional care to our animals, operate our Stranding Response Program, and much more.

Prizes*

Participants 21 and over will receive one voucher good for one 16oz pint from Smartmouth Brewing Co. Must be 21 or older to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly.
Participants under 21 will receive a $5 OFF voucher to Smartmouth Brewing that can be used towards non-alcoholic beverages.

*Please note: Limited to one voucher per paid participant. Vouchers to be redeemed at Smartmouth Brewing's Virginia Beach location between June 11-June 18, 2021. Restrictions may apply, subject to change.

We want to say a special thank you to all our sponsors!

Sensory Friendly Morning

Saturday, June 12, 2021 7:30 AM

We will open early exclusively for individuals and families wanting a quieter Aquarium experience with soft lighting, limited sounds, and other modifications. We hope that this special event will allow guests to enjoy the animals and exhibits at their own pace and ensure a comfortable visit for everyone before the doors open to the general public at 9:00am

Advanced registration/timed ticketing is required and regular admission rates apply.

Please note: One caretaker will be admitted at no charge if they are working with a guest who is visiting the Aquarium. A caretaker is defined as a required attendant without whom the guest could not tour the Aquarium, and the guest may request an additional caretaker be admitted at 50% of the regular admission.