Facility Rentals
Bring your private event to life! The Virginia Aquarium is the perfect place for a unique and memorable private event. Call Cecelia Campbell, Private Events Coordinator, at (757) 385-0306 or email her at
CSCampbe@virginiaaquarium.com for more information. Site visits are by appointment only.
We offer a selection of rooms for evening events. Mix and match rooms to fit your needs, or rent the entire Bay & Ocean Pavilion, and amaze up to 1,200 guests!
The McLeskey Promenade Room features floor to ceiling windows overlooking Owls Creek, perfect for a wedding, family gathering, or business reception. At 1,560 square feet, the McLeskey Promenade Room accommodates up to 120 guests seated around a dancing area, with additional guests accommodated for a standing reception.
For a truly unique experience, enjoy dinner with the sharks, stroll by the sea turtles, or spend some private time with our octopus and jellies. The Sharks & Sea Turtles Gallery, located adjacent to the Promenade Room, accommodates up to 50 guests for dinner or 300 for a standing reception.
Include this spectacular exhibit in your event. Komodo dragons, rare crocodiles, hedgehogs, and the walkthrough Red Sea Tunnel will delight up to 350 guests.
Great for a speaking engagement, presentation, or after-hours showing of one of our movies, the Giant Screen Theater seats nearly 260 people.
Approximately halfway along the Nature Trail, this lovely outdoor area can be tented or left open-air for an early evening wedding ceremony, reception, garden party, or musical recital for up to 150 guests.
Our 65-foot catamaran, the Atlantic Explorer, is a great venue for casual office parties, family reunions, birthdays, receptions, and more. Up to 120 guests can relax and mingle while enjoying the sights of Owls Creek, Lake Rudee, Rudee Inlet, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Birthday Parties
Celebrate your child's birthday with fun activities and a chance to meet our animal ambassadors. Birthday parties are available on Saturdays and Sundays, led by an experienced Aquarium educator, and include two live animals for children to see and touch. Choose from one of the themed parties below, and bring your birthday to life!
Under the Sea (for age 3 to 12)
Play ocean themed games and get up close with some of the ocean's most amazing creatures. See the sharks, sea turtles, and stingrays as you tour the Bay & Ocean Pavilion.
Location: Classroom in the Bay & Ocean Pavilion
Days: Saturdays and Sundays
Times: June through August from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
NEW! Beginning September 2018:
Birthday Party (for age 3 to 12)
Spend your special day with sharks, rays, and sea turtles. Play ocean-themed games and get up close to touch some of the ocean's most amazing creatures.
Location: Classroom in the Bay & Ocean Pavilion
Days: Saturdays and Sundays
Times: 9 to 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Party Costs
$175 for Aquarium members
$225 for non-members
Cost includes materials and activities for up to 25 attendees. This includes the birthday child, family members, and parents of the party guests.
To reserve a date for a birthday party, or to received additional information, contact the Youth Programs Team at (757) 385-0278 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Let the Aquarium Café take care of your refreshment needs, including pizza and other fun foods for your party!
Order here.
Add an Aquarium goodie bag for your birthday child and guests for only $1 each! Call the Aquarium Store at (757) 385-0321 for more information.
Photography Policy at the Aquarium
Paying guests are welcome to take pictures of their visit to the Virginia Aquarium. For those who wish to schedule a private photography or videography shoot, we offer after business hours options that will fit any need. All requests must be made at least two weeks in advance of your desired date. All photographers/videographers must carry insurance policies that adhere to the City of Virginia Beach minimum levels.
If you are interested in scheduling a private photography/videography session, please see the Private Events Fee Schedule for costs and click here for the request form.
If you would like to use the Virginia Aquarium for a commercial or broadcast photography, videography, recording, or art project, please see the Private Events Fee Schedule for costs and click here for the request form.
