Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Virginia Beach, VA – The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year, Ocean Commotion , will include an annual online auction and a separate in-person event to support education and conservation.
The Ocean Commotion fundraising event will be on Saturday, October 3 from 6 to 10 p.m. and will feature an 80’s theme to celebrate the Virginia Aquarium’s 40th anniversary. The evening will offer the ultimate after-hours experience with live music, animal encounters, and games to benefit a meaningful cause. Embrace the spirit of the decade by wearing neon and raising a glass with fellow supporters to honor four decades of conservation and education.
Tickets are $200 for the fundraising event, and VIP tickets are $250 to also experience an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour. A couple’s ticket is available, which includes two tickets for a discounted price. Tickets can be purchased online .
Those who cannot make the event can still support the Virginia Aquarium through the online auction by bidding on rare Aquarium experiences and one-of-a-kind items. The most notable experiences include diving with the sharks, diving in the aquarium tunnel with spotted eagle rays, observing veterinary rounds, touring behind the scenes with the crocodile, and more. Among the auction items are paintings made by Aquarium animals and numerous offerings from local businesses. The auction will open for bids on September 21 and run through October 3.
Ocean Commotion is presented by title sponsor Capital Group and auction sponsor Checkered Flag Motor Co. Additional sponsors include Bob & Leslie Fort, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management-The Campbell, Johnson & Earl Wealth Group, TowneBank, and Premier Events.
For more information about Ocean Commotion and how to make a gift to the Virginia Aquarium Foundation, visit VirginiaAquarium.com. Donations are also accepted in person or by mail for Virginia Aquarium Foundation at 717 General Booth Blvd., Suite 10, Virginia Beach, VA 23451.
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 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that 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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