Fin Fest

Now – Tuesday, August 6

We’re putting the spotlight on sharks and stingrays to build a broader appreciation for the diversity, importance and plight of these FINcredible elasmobranchs.

Now – Tuesday, August 6, 10am – 5pm (in-person) 

Sport shark gear! Fin Fest-goers who visit the Aquarium dressed in shark gear (shirt, shorts, socks, tie, cap or costume) will be entered for a chance to win a shark-and-ray-themed $125 Gift Shop prize pack. (daily @10am – 5pm)

Get involved. Pick up an activity booklet with jaw-some word searches, animal facts and more. (daily @10am – 5pm)

See if you can spot 4 species of shark and 5 types of stingrays. When you find the brownbanded bamboo, nurse, sandtiger and sandbar sharks or the ocellate river, hybrid, cownose, southern and Atlantic stingrays, snap a photo and tag @cleaquarium on social. (daily @10am – 5pm)

Meet our mascot, Finn! Snap a photo with a very friendly landshark. (Dates and times vary)

Show us what you know. Identify shark and stingray teeth, learn about deadly animals and get the scoop on biodiversity at our Discovery Cart and get an animal trading card or shark finger puppet. (daily, times vary)

Feed the Stingrays. Stingrays, like sharks, are cartilaginous elasmobranchs. Feed these shark relatives. (daily @3:30pm)

Watch a Shark Feed. (Monday, Wednesday & Friday @2:30pm)

Ask our scuba team your questions about diving with sharks and stingrays during an interactive, in-person, underwater Q&A. (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday @11:30am)

Dive into a craft, experiment or topic with our community partners including Cleveland Museum of Natural History (July 11), Cleveland Water (July 9 & 18, August 1), Drink Local. Drink Tap. (July 16), The Community for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing (July 25 & 30, August 1) and Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (July 11 & 30).  (Tuesdays & Thursdays @11am – 2pm)

Learn something new about sharks and stingrays during weekly Instagram Live Q&As with educators and the animal care team. (Friday mornings on the @cleaquarium IG page, August 2)

Life Support Systems Director Brenton walks us through maintaining the Aquarium shark habitat.

Do you know how long a brownbanded bamboo shark can tolerate low oxygen? Watch the video below to find out!

Aquarist Lando M. tells us all about the 4 species of sharks at Greater Cleveland Aquarium in Español.

People always notice the big sandtiger sharks swimming through their habitat, but what about the smaller sandbar sharks they coexist with? Check out this video to learn 5 interesting facts about these fascinating animals.

Ever wondered what goes into being an Aquarium diver? Learn from a few of the dive team members about their day-to-day responsibilities.

It’s Ray on Rays! Our Curator Ray P. discusses the different species of stingrays here at the Aquarium and what sets them apart.

Have you ever wondered how we feed sharks? Head behind-the-scenes to see how it’s done!

That’s A-Moray

Valentine’s Day Weekend Activities

Friday, February 14, 10am – 7pm (extended hours!)
Saturday, February 15, 10am – 5pm
Sunday, February 16, 10am – 5pm
Monday, February 17, 10am – 5pm

Weedy sea dragons dance, red-eared slider turtles flutter, poison dart frogs trill and damselfish signal jump to attract mates. Love is in the air AND underwater, so why not add a splash of romance to a wintry weekend? Your That’s A-Moray visit includes a romance-themed “I Spy” challenge, animal courtship facts, oversized Valentine’s Day cards and a little mood music.

Enjoy extended hours on Valentine’s Day! On Friday, February 14, Greater Cleveland Aquarium is staying open an additional two hours (10am – 7pm) and adding an optional evening cash bar (5-7pm, credit card only) for anyone 21+ who would like to enjoy an adult beverage and a little more time to stroll the galleries. So, bring a date, a friend or your family and learn about the animals you love with people close to your heart.

That’s A-Moray Weekend is included with general admission.

General $19.95 (ages 13+), $13.95 (ages 2-12), $0 (under 2)
Passholders FREE

As a part of That’s A-Moray Weekend, Greater Cleveland Aquarium is open Friday, February 14 until 7pm, with an optional cash bar (credit card only) available from 5 – 7pm for those ages 21+. Visiting is included with general admission. 

Exclusively for Greater Cleveland Aquarium members. Space limited. 

Passholders $2 with advance registration. Passholders must be logged into their member account online to secure tickets.

We love our Passholders, and it shows. Let your inner artist out by making a card for someone you care about or help our Animal Care Team create festive enrichment décor for the Aviary. You’ll ❤️ meeting our newest Ambassador Animals, engaging with the Guest Experience Team’s favorite Discovery Cart activities, high-fiving our divers, enjoying a complimentary photobooth session or just experiencing the Greater Cleveland Aquarium exclusively with other Passholders.

Space limited. Passholders must be logged into their account to secure their ticket.

$2 for Passholders with advance registration. (You must be logged into your member account online to access tickets.)

Educators of grades 6-12 are invited to join a NOAA Ocean Exploration facilitator Saturday, March 1, 8:30am – 4pm here at Greater Cleveland Aquarium for a full-day, in-person professional development workshop. Together we will explore hydrothermal vents and cold seeps, two deep-sea ecosystems with dense biological communities fueled by chemosynthesis.

The fun-filled, full-day workshop includes:

• A brief introduction to NOAA Ocean Exploration
• Several phenomena-based student investigations and hands-on activities that support current science standards
• Reflection and discussion with peer educators about how to implement these materials in the classroom
• A guided tour of additional free, online ocean education resources to keep the excitement of deep-sea exploration alive in the classroom

Lessons are designed for grades 6-12, but may be adapted to additional grades.

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

Pumpkins & Piranhas

Monday, October 28 – Sensory Friendly Experience

Sensory Night (October 28, 5-8pm) – A KultureCity Sensory Inclusive™ certified venue, the Aquarium is offering a sensory friendly Halloween experience with limited noise, softened lighting and adjusted activities to ensure a comfortable environment for those who could benefit from a reduction in external stimuli.

The evening features entertainment, animal encounters, underwater jack-o-lanterns, diver interactions, Halloween-themed décor, an activity booklet and a treat bag for the youngsters as they exit.

5-8pm 

Last admission 7pm.

Adults & children are invited to attend Pumpkins & Piranhas in costume. If adults choose to don a disguise, we do ask they have a good field of vision and keep their outfits family friendly.

General Adult (13+) $19.95
General Child (2-12) $16.95
Under 2 FREE
Adult & Child Passholders $5

Capacity limited. Advance tickets strongly recommended to ensure entry.

The Aquarium’s Education team is hosting a separate online “Wild, Weird & Creepy Creatures” program (Wednesday, October 30, 4 – 4:30pm – $10 per screen, free for Passholders) exploring the salamander’s slimy skin, the octopus’s ability to color change and other unusual adaptations.

United Black Fund

Difference-Makers Days

Saturday, January 18 – Monday, January 20, 10am – 5pm

Learn about pioneering individuals who have left their mark on STEM and conservation fields over the years while supporting United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland (UBF), an organization making a positive impact on the Black communities in Northeast Ohio today. In addition to highlighting the achievements of African American innovators, during Difference-Makers Days (Saturday, January 18 – Monday, January 20, 2025, 10am – 5pm) the Aquarium is discounting same-day admission by $7 per person for every person donating at least $1 to United Black Fund during MLK Day Weekend.

UBF actively engages with grass roots agencies tackling important issues around race, equity, inclusion, poverty, mental health, violence, education and workforce development in Greater Cleveland.  Throughout the weekend, Difference-Makers Days guests have an opportunity to meet UBF team members and learn about their vision for sustainable development and shared prosperity.

Can’t visit during Difference-Makers Days? Anyone interested in giving is encouraged to visit unitedblackfund.org and/or “Text to Give” by sending UBF to 50155.

Every guest donating $1 or more to UBF at the Aquarium during the Difference-Makers Days celebration receives $7 off same-day admission. 

Those attending Difference-Makers Days should wait to purchase admission in-person on the day of their visit.

*NOTE: Greater Cleveland Aquarium is open 10am – 5pm daily. Admission with the $7 savings applied will be $12.95 (ages 13+), $6.95 (ages 2-12) and free (under age 2 and Passholders). Guests visiting on Monday, January 20, 2025, will also enjoy FREE parking.

Scuba Claus

Saturday, December 21, 8 – 10am* (All welcomed! – SOLD OUT)

Sunday, December 22, 8 – 10am* (All welcomed! – SOLD OUT)

Friday, December 20, 5 – 7:30pm (Passholder-Only Milk & Cookie Nights – SOLD OUT)

During the winter holidays you expect to hear “ho, ho, hos” echoing through the grocery store, the mall and your office party, but there’s still one place where the sight and sound of a jolly old elf can still catch you by surprise, and that’s in Greater Cleveland Aquarium’s 230,000-gallon shark habitat! Add a splash of wonder to your holidays with a Scuba Claus Merry Meet & Greet. Talk to the magical man in red while he’s underwater with his dive buddy elves and the grunts, groupers, rays and sharks on his “nice list.” Discuss cookie preferences, ask diving questions or share what you ho-ho-hope to see under your tree on select mornings. The Aquarium has additional Friday evening sessions exclusively for Annual Passholders.

In addition to the unique opportunity to share “fish-mas” wishes with a Christmas icon, all Scuba Claus Merry Meet & Greets include full Aquarium access, a winter-themed activity sheet, a candy cane and a commemorative digital photo of the memorable experience.

Scuba Claus Merry Meet & Greets are limited capacity and only available with advance purchase.

* Scuba Claus exits the shark habitat around 9:30am. 

Open to all guests.

• Saturday, December 21, 8 – 10am (SOLD OUT)
• Sundays, December 22, 8 – 10am (SOLD OUT)

Open to current Passholders. Must be logged into your membership account to reserve. 

• Friday, December 20, 5 – 7:30pm (SOLD OUT)

Advance tickets required for public and Passholders. Admission includes full Aquarium access. No refunds. 

Ages 13+ $24.95
Ages 2-12 $18.95
Passholder Adult or Child $5
Under 2 FREE