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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
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 100 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.
Since opening in 1992, the Oregon Coast Aquarium has been a premier attraction on Oregon’s central coast and an enduring advocate for the health of our ocean. For over three decades this 501(c)3 non-profit organization has supported marine wildlife and fostered environmental stewardship through its education programs, community partnerships, and rehabilitation efforts. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S., providing visitors with opportunities to connect with 15,000 animals spanning 300 different species. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located at 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR. Learn more about the Oregon Coast Aquarium and its vital work at aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates.
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