Asleep with the Fishes
Ever wondered what the animals do at night? At our Asleep with the Fishes overnights, spend the night with sharks, turtles, dolphins and more!
Asleep with the Fishes is more than just a sleepover.
You'll get the chance to explore the open exhibit spaces throughout the
evening, come face-to-face with animals, create aquatic crafts, complete a
scavenger hunt and see an Animal Spotlight!
Whether you’re with a group or want to attend an overnight with your family, find your adventure here!
Overnights are designed for families and groups with children ages 5-12.
Ages
Adults must attend with a child between 5 and 12 years old. No exceptions. Participants must be at least 5 years old to stay overnight. Participants 4 and younger may attend with an evening-only ticket.
Dates:
December 16 - 17, 2023
Ticket options
Regular
Cost: $85/person ($70/member)
Reserve your spot and pack your sleeping bag, jammies and toothbrush. Please note that air mattresses are not allowed in our regular sleeping area. Check out our VIP areas below for this special perk!
Evening only
Cost: $40/person ($30/member)
Join our special activities without staying the night.
VIP (Wild Reef) - Sold out!
Cost: $120/person ($100/member)
VIP guests sleep in premium locations and are permitted to bring one twin-sized air mattress per one or more people, and one queen-sized air mattress per two or more people. You'll sleep in the Wild Reef exhibit, featuring corals, rays and sharks of the Philippines.
VIP (Oceanarium) - Sold out!
Cost: $130/person ($110/member)
VIP guests sleep in premium locations and are permitted to bring one twin-sized air mattress per one or more people, and one queen-sized air mattress per two or more people. Wake up next to penguins, whales and dolphins! You'll sleep in the underwater viewing area of the Abbott Oceanarium.
More than 15 people in your group?
You can reserve Asleep for the Fishes for your whole group at once! See the "How do I register my group?" FAQ below for all the details.
Note: All current spots are sold out for groups. You can join our waitlist here.
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You can purchase tickets online here. You may purchase up to 15 tickets online. If you are purchasing more than 15 tickets, see below scenarios for group reservation details.
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If your group is smaller than 15 people and you are ready with payment, you can purchase tickets online here.
If your group is larger than 15 people and you are ready with payment, please call (312) 939-2438 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., seven days a week to make your purchase. Along with your name, phone number, email and address, please be prepared to give us your method of payment.
If you are not ready with payment, but wish to reserve spaces for a group, you may submit a request to hold spots by completing this form. You will hear back from us within 10 business days. Please note that spots may not be held without payment in VIP sleeping areas. If your group wishes to sleep in a VIP area, you may do so by purchasing those tickets online or by calling (312) 939-2438 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., seven days a week. Shedd will hold your group reservation for up to 30 days. If the reservation is not paid in full within 30 days, your spaces will be released. All reservations will be released 30 days before the event date. Reservations may not be made within 30 days of the event date.
To ensure that members of your group are placed together for sleeping assignments, please complete this form for each party arriving together. If you are a group leader, please distribute this form to the other adults in your group to complete. To ensure that everyone in your group gets the most up-to-date information, please include email addresses of the guardians of all children who will be in attendance regardless of whether they will attend the event. -
Yes. If you inform us of who is in your group, we will assign your sleeping areas together. Once you have purchased your tickets, please complete this form to let us know who is in your group.
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No refunds will be issued unless Shedd Aquarium cancels the program. Shedd Aquarium reserves the right to cancel the event for any reason. If your event is canceled, you will be informed by phone as soon as possible. In the event of a cancellation, you will receive a full refund within 30 days, based on your original method of payment.
Age
Activities are geared for children ages 5 to 12 years. Participants must be at least 5 years old to stay overnight. Participants 4 and younger are invited attend with an evening-only ticket. Adults must attend with a child between the ages 5 and 12. No unaccompanied adults will be permitted to attend the event.
Time
Doors open at 6 p.m. Guests may depart the next day any time before 8:30 a.m.
Pricing
Evening only: $40
Regular:$85
VIP: $120-130
Members receive discounted pricing.
What Is Included
Admission to Shedd, including all exhibits, as well as a late-night snack and continental breakfast.
Activities
Overnights at Shedd include animal and science activities, an animal spotlight, animal encounters, aquaticcrafts and a scavenger hunt.
Questions?
Contact us by email or call 312-939-2438.