Shedd Aquarium Is Asking You to Do One Thing This Summer: Touch Water

Photo Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium
Photo Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium

Shedd Aquarium Is Asking You to Do One Thing This Summer: Touch Water 

Embrace whimsy and nostalgia with Shedd this summer through parties, adventures and aquatic animal discoveries


Chicago (May 4, 2026) – This summer, Shedd Aquarium is celebrating countless ways to help people disconnect from digital distractions and wade into a whimsical underwater world. Some guests might be looking for the nostalgia of legacy music nights, while others are seeking out new adventures in the outdoors – either way, Shedd offers an exciting escape from the mundane to explore and admire the diversity of life in aquatic ecosystems.

 

“In a world that can sometimes feel loud and overwhelming, people are searching for intentional ways to prioritize joy and the simple things in life,” said Johnny Ford, vice president of communications at Shedd Aquarium. “Whether it's reliving a nostalgic visit from your school days, reconnecting with what you love about Chicago or rediscovering your favorite animal, Shedd Aquarium is offering several ways for people to reclaim their summer.”

 

Illinois residents can visit the aquarium for free every Tuesday evening throughout the summer, with advanced ticket reservations highly recommended due to high demand. For free entry year-round, a Shedd Membership serves as an unlimited passport to visit coral reefs, kelp forests and lush rainforests all under one roof, plus additional discounts for Shedd programs, experiences and events. Guests can also dive deeper and get a unique behind-the-scenes look at Shedd with an expert-guided Must See Tour to add to their visit.

 

WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS AND WEEKENDS 

As the sun sets over the skyline, the lakeside aquarium offers evening events that provide a place to commune, connect and create lasting memories. The ever-popular series Jazzin’ at the Shedd returns this summer on Wednesday nights with a lineup of local musicians performing against a backdrop of aquatic wonder. For adults-only experiences, after-hours events like House Party, Ritmo del Mar and Pride Night invite guests to move to the rhythms of the ocean, grab a cocktail with friends and discover the animals in ecosystems around the world. Replace a night of meal prepping and laundry with an evening of dancing next to electric eels, sharks, anemones and bluegills.

•             Jazzin’ at the Shedd: Wednesdays, May 27 through September 2, 2026, from 5-10 p.m.

•             House Party: Saturday, May 9 and Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 7-11 p.m.

•             Ritmo del Mar: Saturday, August 15 and Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 7-11 p.m.

•             Pride Night: Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 6-10:30 p.m.

 

TOUCH GRASS – AND STINGRAYS 

Swap doomscrolling for nature-strolling with Shedd’s outdoor programs throughout the city. During Kayak for Conservation eco-adventures, paying participants paddle along the Chicago River guided by a Shedd nature expert. Discover floating gardens with flourishing flora and fauna, see the skyline from the second shoreline and come closer to creatures and critters that call the river home. Back on land, Action Days with Shedd are free opportunities to find joy in giving back by lending a hand for the birds, amphibians, mammals and fish that call Chicagoland home. Volunteers may roll up their sleeves to clean litter from local beaches, tap into an inner scientist to collect data or throw on a pair of gardening gloves to plant native flora. Soak up the sun, get exercise and make a positive difference for local wildlife, all without a screen in sight – except maybe to take photos!

 

Back at the aquarium, summertime guests can engage all their senses for a truly interactive and participatory experience with nature. Starting with the seasonal Stingray Touch exhibit, free with admission and open May 23, uncover the unique texture of cownose rays. Add a Stingray Feeding to feel the gentle bottom feeders slurp up seafood from between guests’ fingers. Aquatic animals are the masters of whimsy and guests will hear about cownose rays’ unique adaptations, such as dental plates to crush oysters and fins that can flap to sift through the sand. After checking off “sight” and “touch” from the bucket list of sensory experiences, guests can go further with a 4D Experience in a brand-new, reimagined theater and dive into the hidden worlds of octopuses, sharks or penguins with an immersive short film.

 

EMBRACE NOSTALGIA 

Shedd Aquarium is proud to have welcomed guests for over 95 years, and while the building is evolving, Chicagoans craving a sense of nostalgia can find echoes of their childhood aquarium all around. Guests can visit the gift shop to finally buy the giant beluga plushie they’ve always wanted, crank a lever to get a coin from the penny press, admire historical architecture in the Grand Hall and Wonder of Water exhibit and grab a classic frozen treat or popcorn, reliving the days of school field trips and Chicago summers past.

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