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Shimmering golden lines undulate across a soft green gradient. The words, "Wonder of Water," appear in an elegant serif font.

Wonder of Water Gala

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Shedd Aquarium’s signature black tie party for our shared blue planet.

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the stark beauty and sheer wonder of biodiversity.

2024 Chairs: Liz and Matt Connelly

Saturday, September 28

The Shedd Aquarium Wonder of Water Gala

Sold Out!

The Shedd Aquarium Gala is sold out. 

Please contact Wendy McGuigan for more information.

  • The date "9/28" is overlaid over a green background in a delicate serif font.

    Date

    Saturday, September 28, 2024

  • An icon of Shedd's iconic facade is overlaid over a green gradient.

    location

    John G. Shedd Aquarium
    1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive
    Chicago, IL 60605

  • An icon of Shedd's ornate bronze clock overlays a gentle green background.

    schedule

    5:30 p.m. Cocktails 
    7:00 p.m. Aquatic Presentation 
    8:00 p.m. Dinner 
    9:15 p.m. Dessert and Dancing 

  • A selection of appetizers sit on a tray, garnished with olives and sprigs of thyme.
  • Fan and branching corals grow in the glow of underwater sunlight.
  • Tablesettings featuring silver plates and blue napkins are set up on a table covered with a blue tablecloth.
  • The translucent bells of moon jellies undulate in dark blue waters.
  • A long table is set up in Shedd's historic galleries, surrounded by animal habitats and covered in delicate glassware and warm glowing white candles. A curtain of shimmering lights divides the table lengthwise.

“All of us, bodies of water. For we, too are oceans.”

AMANDA GORMAN

SAVE THE DATE:

September 28, 2024

From the Chicago River to Lake Michigan to the ocean, water is all around us, running through our veins and communities. More than 71% of Earth is covered in water, supporting 368,000 known animal species with potentially millions more yet to be identified.

Join us as we celebrate the interconnectedness of water and amplify Shedd’s work to protect these precious waterways for future generations.

Attire is black tie.

A WAVE OF THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

  • $50k
Logo of sponsor Abbvie

Liz & Matt Connelly

Tami & Rich Frain

Logo of sponsor GATX
 Logos of sponsor Northern Trust

Nancy S. Searle

  • $25k

AAR

Ariel Investments

Bank of America

CDW/Microsoft

Bill & Jenifer Chase

Dominic & Sheryl Curcio

Rick & Dixie Erwin

event network

Sarah & John Garvey

Goldman Sachs & Company

Kimberlee S. Herold

ITW

Brian Kenney & Kristin Longley

David & Lesly Koo

Marci M. Matthews

Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Byron Smith

Wintrust

Suzanne Yoon and Luke Molloy

  • 15k

Adams Street Partners

Anonymous

Bell & Anderson

Sharon & Neil Book

Mia Celano and Noel L. (Skip) Dunn

Harry F. and Elaine Chaddick Foundation

CityPASS

Clubb Family

Crescent Cleaning

Gillian Flynn & Brett Nolan

Donna & Anders Gustafsson

Susan Hubbel Smith Hamman

Jenner & Block

JLL

Ann & Gregory Jones

KeyBanc Capital Markets

Klein & Hoffman

Logistics Property Company

Mechanical Services Associates

Pepper Construction Company

Shore Capital Partners

Parita & Alex Singla

Dana Waud

THANK YOU TO OUR IN-KIND SUPPORTERS

Sodexo

ADDITIONAL EVENING SUPPORT

Harvey L. Miller Supporting Foundation

Morgridge Family Foundation

Sponsorship Opportunities

Light glistens on the rippling surface of a wave of water breaking against a pane of glass.