Wednesday, March 11, 2026
The Aquarium will host unique mermaid-themed events throughout the month
Virginia Beach, VA – Enjoy more mer-magic this April at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center with three different mermaid-themed events, including the annual Mermaids event featuring diving mermaids.
Mermaids
Mermaids is a family-friendly event that invites guests to come face-to-face with mermaids and mermen swimming in the Red Sea Aquarium, happening April 9, 10, and 11 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Enjoy an evening of special mermaid encounters, face painting, photo opportunities, and interactive activities throughout the Aquarium.
Admission for Mermaids is $35 for Aquarium members and $43 for non-members. To allow full viewing of the mermaids by guests, strollers are discouraged for this event. This event is the only April event that will feature underwater diving mermaids.
For an exclusive look at how mermaid magic comes to life, guests can book a behind-the-scenes experience to meet and interact with the diving mermaids privately after their swim. Admission to the Mermaids event and the behind-the-scenes experience is $75. Guests must be at least 8 years old and 48” tall to attend the behind-the-scenes tour.
Sharks After Dark – Mermaids & Margs
For ages 21 and up, Sharks After Dark is a monthly evening event offering a nighttime aquarium experience with a DJ, while serving delicious bites and drinks available for purchase. On April 2, Sharks After Dark will boast a “Mermaids & Margs” theme in keeping with the month’s mermaid activities. Bring an appetite to crush a taco bar, sip a margarita, and mingle with a mermaid. The event will take place in the Aquarium’s North Building from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Mermaid Paint Party
Use mermaid magic to create an art craft at the Virginia Aquarium’s Mermaid Paint Party . This colorful and artistic afternoon is on Wednesday, April 8 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in The Promenade at the Aquarium’s North Building. For guests of all ages, attendees will receive a wooden mermaid keepsake to paint, courtesy of The Mermaid Factory, while enjoying the company of a real-life mermaid. Aquarium admission is not included in the paint experience. Space is limited to 30 guests, and tickets are $30 for the public and $25 for Aquarium members. Youth must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Event tickets are on sale now at the Virginia Aquarium's website .
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s mission is to connect people to the marine environment, inspiring a more sustainable future. The Aquarium aspires to be a driver in conservation, education, tourism, and sustainability, leading the charge to save wildlife and their ecosystems. Owned by the City of Virginia Beach, the Aquarium operates as a city department in partnership with the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation. The Aquarium is proud to be an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, supports the work of the Virginia Aquarium. The Foundation procures and maintains the Aquarium's exhibits, including the animals and habitats. It is also responsible for annual and capital fundraising, administration and funding for the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program, conservation and scientific research efforts, and the Aquarium's mission-related education programs. You can be a part of our mission by making a tax-deductible donation to support our programming.
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