Host An Event

Plan a Memorable Private Event at the Oregon Coast Aquarium

An otterly wonderful place to host a party, corporate event or any special gathering.

Set on 36 acres on the beautiful Yaquina Bay, the Oregon Coast Aquarium offers several venues to host your private event.

The Aquarium acts as a dynamic venue for a variety of events. Private events help support the quality care our animals receive, our education programs, conservation projects, and animal rehabilitation efforts.

Choose Your Venue Type

The entire Aquarium can be rented for private, after-hours events; this does not include access to behind-the-scenes areas. This area includes the Main lobby, the Gleason Room, Passages of the Deep, and our indoor galleries. The Aviary and outdoor exhibits close at the end of the day during public hours.

Maximum Capacity:

Expansive windows provide guests with generous views of the Aquarium grounds, while a large, moon jelly cylindrical tank acts as a living centerpiece, allowing guests to witness the graceful dance of moon jellies as they dine. The lobby is only available after hours.

Maximum Capacity:

The Gleason Room allows guests to see eye-to-eye through a spectacular of the sharks, rays, and schooling fish that reside in our Open Sea habitat. This area also includes an attached terrace overlooking the scenic estuary that borders the Aquarium. This space has projector and screen equipment that can be configured for presentations as needed. The Gleason Event Room can accommodate guests during the daytime or after hours; an adjoining lobby is also available for after hour events, providing space for an additional 40 guests. This room is located adjacently to our Passages of the Deep, an underwater tunnel snaking through three ocean environments, the largest exhibit at The Aquarium.

Maximum Capacity:

Included with the full facility rental, if needed you may expand your event into our indoor galleries. Featuring jewel tanks, kreisels, and our colorful Indo-Pacific coral reef habitat, the galleries take guests on a journey through four areas: Sandy Coast, Rocky Coast, Connected Coasts, and the Jelly Gallery. These areas include our iconic touch pool and a pier piling habitat that mimics the aquatic environments found right here in Newport.

Catering by the Aquarium

Your event is unique, so your dishes should be too! Customize your event with our catering menu, featuring a variety of customizable options!

If you have specific dietary restrictions, please let our Catering & Events Manager know in your contact form submission below.

Event Policies

Please note that clients must abide by standard Aquarium policies; for example, guests are not permitted to smoke on premises, chewing gum is prohibited, and pets are not allowed within the facility. Please read below or view our general Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.

  • All décor and outside vendors must be approved by the Events Manager in advance. Because of the sensitivity of our exhibits and animals, no confetti, balloons, sand, live fish, sea shells or other dried marine life, glitter, rice, bird seed, mylar ribbon or monofilament line are allowed in the Aquarium.
  • All decorations, supplies, rental equipment, etc., must be removed immediately following the event. It is essential for the care of our animals that all clean up and removal of decorations must be completed by the Client by 9:30pm.
  • Any decorations or additional set-up requirements require approval in advance of the event.
  • No food or beverage is allowed to be brought in by the Client unless approved by the Catering & Events Manager in writing. Birthday, Anniversary desserts are the exception.
  • Wine by the bottle or a keg is permitted with a cork and/or tap fee.
  • Flash is permitted in all exhibits except for the octopus tank and the spider crabs. Photos taken may not be sold commercially.
  • Due to the health and safety concerns of Aquarium animals, pets are not allowed past the front entrance. The exception to this rule are certified service animals, including seeing-eye or hearing-ear dogs.
  • Clients and their guests may not climb on the rocks, run in the exhibits or on the paths. Tapping on gallery windows and excessive noise disturbs the Aquarium animals; we ask that guests respect the sensitivities and needs of our animals.
  • The Aquarium is not responsible for any materials or equipment left behind.

Event Frequently Asked Questions

This is dependent upon availability and could incur additional charges. Please consult with our events manager for more details

Yes, as long as they follow the guidelines of the contract and with our events managers approval. All setup and breakdown of any items not provided by The Aquarium or our catering staff are the responsibility of the client. Outside catering and alcohol are not permitted.

It does not, the room rental or Full Facility fee is a separate fee which supports Aquarium operations.

Yes, please consult with our events manager for more details.

Our staff diligently works to maintain acceptable noise levels for the health and safety of our animals. Should noise exceed acceptable levels, guests may be asked to take appropriate measures, such as reducing music volume.

Room rental fee includes professional event staff, set-up and breakdown of tables, chairs, linens, tableware and if desired an IT Tech to ensure A/V set-up as requested with our available equipment.

We do offer aquarium admission as an add-on to any daytime event. Please consult with our events manager for more details.

We will consider small (no more than 50 attendees) for a wedding or reception. After hours only.

We do not host proms or school social events.

We do not host birthday parties in our café; however, other venues within the Aquarium may host birthdays, such as the Gleason Room. Read Policy agreement for more information.

Yes; specific venues within the Aquarium are available after hours.

The Gleason Room is available to rent for daytime events. Event staff, tables, chairs, linens, dishes, silverware, etc. are all included, as is set-up and tear down. All Food and Beverage must be supplied by OCAq.

Not at this time. Please check for updates on tastings.

Contact Us or Submit an Inquiry