Kickstart the Holidays with Festive After-Hours Events at Shedd Aquarium

Celebrate the season with magnetic music, curated cuisine and aquatic animals

October 14, 2026

Fish flit around a plastic skull placed in their habitat.

Shedd Aquarium invites guests to dust off their spooky costumes and ugly sweaters for two festive after-hours events in the fall and winter months. At these standout celebrations, guests can enjoy a curated menu and themed drinks while coming eye-to-eye with sea otters, sturgeon and stingrays.

As autumn skies grow darker, neon lights rise throughout Shedd. High-energy music and joyous dancing fill the aquarium halls, inviting nature lovers to unite and let loose. Learn about the ocean’s often vilified predator at Haunted House Party and rock around the aquarium at Holiday House Party.

Haunted House Party

Dare to meet the eyes of a vampire shrimp or bird-eating tarantula? Discover these curious animals and more at Shedd’s one-of-a-kind Halloween party! Guests are encouraged to wear their creepiest, kookiest costumes and groove to the spirited sounds of DJ Gene Hunt and DJ Heather. Our bravest guests are invited to board a ghost train and travel through a frightening funfair in the Jinxed Virtual Reality Experience. Packed with eerie eats and energizing beats, this party will conjure up a night to remember.

  • Ages: 21+; photo ID required for entry
  • Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026 from 7 – 11 p.m.
  • Costs: Adults $29.95; Members $19.95

Holiday House Party

Don your ugly sweaters and twinkling necklaces – but don’t forget your dancing shoes! Dee Jay Alicia and DJ Ron Troupe will be spinning festive house beats all night at Shedd’s merriest event of the year. When guests need a break from the dance floor, they can check out the emerald tree boa, red sea urchin and other celebratory surprises. Cherish these holiday festivities with animals from under the seas – and from around the world!

  • Ages: 21+; photo ID required for entry
  • Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026 from 7 – 11 p.m.
  • Costs: Adults $29.95; Members $19.95

VISUALS: Find high-resolution photos here: https://personal.filesanywhere.com/guest/fs?v=8e71678c5e6276b9a99d&C=50. Photo Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium / [Name on folder]