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Tuesday, September 22, 2026

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Coming Up:

At 9:15  AM

Sea Otter Encounter

At 10:00  AM

Beluga Rescue Chat

Amphitheater
At 10:30  AM

Kelp Forest Chat

Oceans
At 11:00  AM

Penguin Chat

Underwater Viewing

Must See Tour

View Today's Full Schedule
Open 9 am - 9 pm (Late Close)
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    Before You Arrive

    • Planning Your Visit
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    At the aquarium

    • An icon of the Shedd building's grecian facade. Today at Shedd
    • A map icon. Aquarium Map
    • Soundings Café in Shedd's Oceanarium serves up paninis, soups and sandwiches. Shopping & Dining
    • Rockhopper penguins have long, feathery yellow "eyebrows" of feathers above their eyes. Animal Encounters
    • A giant Pacific octopus with eight arms covered in round, grasping suckers spread out to feel its habitat. 4-D Experiences
    • A guest gently touches the rough, prickly surface of a sea star in sea star touch. See all experiences

    Exhibits

    • A view of Shedd Aquarium from above with a new, large entry pavilion attached to the building's south side. Experience Evolution
    • The Wonder of Water exhibit. Wonder of Water
    • A young visitor stands next to a brightly lit habitat as huge fish and turtles swim by beyond the glass. Amazon Rising
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  • Animals

    Animals

    • A black tip reef shark, observed by Shedd researchers in the Bahamas, cruises overhead. Sharks
    • Beluga whale Beethoven looks out of the water at Shedd Aquarium. Belugas
    • A juvenile Barbour's map turtle peers interestedly at the camera, the sharp ridges at the top of its shell's dome distinctive. Turtles
    • Rockhopper penguins have long, wispy feathers that sweep back from above their eyes like eyebrows. Penguins
    • Sea otter Luna peers interestedly at a visitor behind the scenes in Shedd's Oceanarium. She has her long body comfortably wedged into a large rubber bucket. Sea Otters
    • The mandarin dragonet is a tiny fish about the size of one's thumb, constantly fanning its fins as it searches for food along the reefs where it lives. See all Animals

    Protecting Animals & Habitats

    • A mussel's size is measured as part of a freshwater mussel survey. Center for Species Survival
    • A sea lion sits in a bucket of water in a California rescue and rehabilitation facility. Global Conservation Partnerships
    • A woman crouches on a pair of plant beds floating in the Chicago river, checking the ties that keep them together. South Branch Initiative
    See all conservation research

    Animal Care

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  • Programs & Events

    Programs & Events

    • Laguna perches on the edge of a habitat behind the scenes at Shedd Aquarium. Animal Encounters
    • Under the purple-lighted canopy protecting Shedd's north terrace from the elements, a man spins a woman as they dance salsa to a stage of live musicians in the background. He is wearing nice but casual white shirt and brown dress slacks, and she is wearing a comfortable, breezy striped yellow and black dress with tasteful ruffles at the hem. Evening Events
    • A girl and a dolphin look at each other through the glass in underwater viewing. The dolphin and the girl are about the same size. Youth & Families
    • A group of participants in Shedd's Kayak for Conservation program float in single-person kayaks on the Chicago river, surrounded by greenery and with a bridge in the distance. Conservation Action
    • Educators work on an activity together during Shedd's annual Science Educator Conference. Educators
    • A beluga and calf peer at an underwater camera in Shedd's Oceanarium. All Programs & Events

    Upcoming Events

    • Two dancers strike a dramatic pose in front of Shedd's historic rotunda. Ritmo del Mar
    • A moon jelly stands out from a smack of jellies at Shedd Aquarium Haunted House Party
    • A yellow sea horse in oceans gallery, its long snout and curved neck distinctive. Calm Waters
    See all Events

    Beyond Shedd

    • Travel with Shedd
    • Online Learning
    • Marine Ecology Course
    • Freshwater Ecology Course

    Host an Event

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  • Act & Support

    Action Spotlights

    • An image of a glass containing several plastic pellets, often called nurdles, found in a natural waterway. Reduce Plastic Pollution
    • A girl signs a pledge to reduce her use of single-waste plastics. Fight the Foam
    • A group of people, some carrying buckets, walk through grasslands. Restore Local Habitats
    Act with Shedd

    Support

    • A man and his son sit together gazing up at the huge glass wall of a wild reef habitat as it curves above them. Become a Member
    • A tiny baby penguin sits in the cradle of someone's palm. Make a Gift
    • A black family smiles as they are presented by an animal handler with a beautiful green-winged macaw. Join Aquarium Council
    Support Us

    More ways to support

    • Volunteer at Shedd
    • Join Teacher Advisory Council
    • Eat Sustainable Seafood
    • Keep Sharks Swimming
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Become a Member Get Tickets

  1. < BLU: THE NEXT WAVE
  2. < BLU: THE NEXT WAVE FAQS

Blu: The Next Wave FAQs

  • The dress code is cocktail attire.

  • Museum Campus has several lots where you can park, including Soldier Field north garage, East museum lot and Adler lot.

    You can reserve parking in advance through SpotHero, the nation's leading parking reservations app. To reserve your parking spot, visit the Shedd Aquarium SpotHero Parking Page.

    Learn more about Directions and Parking.

  • Guests will enter through the main entrance.

  • Yes, a complimentary coat check will be provided.

  • After the featured presentation, concluding at 8:30pm, heavy appetizers will be served at food stations located throughout the aquarium.

    There will be vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options provided.

  • VIP check-in begins at 6:30 p.m.

    General Admission check-in begins at 7 p.m.

    The event ends at 11 p.m.

  • Last entry for the VIP experience will be at 7:30 p.m.

    Last entry to the event will be at 9:30 p.m.

  • 6:30 p.m. VIP Entry and VIP Reception

    7:00 p.m. General Entry

    7:00 p.m. Cocktails

    8:00 p.m. Featured Presentation

    8:30 p.m. DJ, dancing, drinks and food available

    11:00 p.m. Event ends

  • Yes, all programming throughout the evening will be accessible by wheelchair.

    More information about Shedd’s accessibility can be found here: https://www.sheddaquarium.org/plan-a-visit/accessibility 

    For wheelchair or rollator needs, please contact [email protected] prior to the event.

  • All attendees must be 21+. Please be sure to bring your ID.

  • While we cannot offer a refund on tickets, we are able to accommodate a ticket transfer. Please contact [email protected] to complete this request.

  • The event includes all available exhibits. Some exhibits may close early due to animal care needs, and lights in certain habitats will be dimmed to create a natural nighttime environment for the animals. Please refer to event signage for more information.

  • Absolutely! Your gift will help ensure the next 100 years include a world where resilient ecosystems and resilient communities thrive together. You can contribute to support of the Auxiliary Board’s efforts here: https://www.sheddaquarium.org/donations/auxiliary-board


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  • Look Closer

    Extraordinary Experiences

    Whether it’s a penguin encounter or a chance to meet a sea otter, we’ve got experiences you’ll never forget.

    Learn More

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