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
Host your child's next birthday party at the Virginia Aquarium! Choose one of the two themes offered during the summer months!
Under the Sea
Celebrate your child's birthday with fun experiences and a chance to meet our animal ambassadors! Enjoy ocean-themed activities and get up close to touch some amazing creatrues. Birthday parties are led by an experienced Aquarium educator and include a live animal for children to see and touch.
Age: 3-12
Location: Classroom in the Main Building
Days: Saturdays and Sundays
Times: June through August 2019: 9 to 10:30 a.m.
September 2019 through May 2020: 9 to 10:30a.m. 11:30a.m. to 1p.m. 2:30 to 4p.m.
Marsh Adventure- New for Summer!
Give your child the gift of outdoor adventure for their birthday! Hike the trail with an Aquarium educator in search of birds, bugs, reptiles, and amphibians. Explore the water's edge for fish and crabs, and spend your birthday with periwinkle snails! After your adventure, celebrate on a private deck space. A special visit from one of the Aquarium's fairies is available for an additional fee; call for more information.
Age: 5-12
Location: Wildflower Deck
Days: Saturdays and Sundays
Times: June through August 2019: 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Party Costs
$199 for Aquarium members
$249 for non-members
Parties can accommodate up to 25 attendees, which includes the birthday child, family members, and parents of the guests.
To reserve a date for a birthday party, or to receive additional information, contact the Youth Programs Team at (757) 385-0278 or (757) 385-0311between 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.
