Jul 2022
Duluth Area Outdoor Alliance Social
Celebrate and advocate for all the world-class outdoor recreational activities available in and around the City of Duluth. Socialize, meet, network and collaborate with local recreational communities and their members. Any group may bring info for tabling to share with all attendees. Earth Rider beer available.
Find out more »Aug 2022
Duluth Area Outdoor Alliance Social
Duluth Area Outdoor Alliance social meetups are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at a different local business or organization to create a space for groups and individuals to network and collaborate to accomplish goals related to local recreational communities. Outdoor enthusiasts of all types are welcome. This edition is being held in conjunction with the Beer Garden outside Great Lakes Aquarium.
Find out more »Jan 2023
One event on Jan 21, 2023 at 7:30 pm
One event on Jan 27, 2023 at 7:30 pm
One event on Jan 28, 2023 at 7:30 pm
Christmas Aquarium in January or Jokin’ in a Fishy Wonderland
One event on Jan 21, 2023 at 7:30 pm
One event on Jan 27, 2023 at 7:30 pm
One event on Jan 28, 2023 at 7:30 pm
Rubber Chicken Theater presents this sketch comedy show with song parodies, including a look at Otter Quiet Quitting, some Duluth Drunk History, and the Pert Near Complete Minnesota Polka Challenge featuring Steven Solkela’s accordion-wielding Overpopulated One-man Orchestra. Fresh off their sold-out New Year’s Eve performance, Rubber Chicken Theater keeps the eggnog flowing with this new holiday sketch comedy revue. Christmas Aquarium in January, or, Jokin’ in a Fishy Wonderland will be staged Jan. 20-21 and 27-28. Tickets are $20 per person. There…
Find out more »Feb 2023
Nature Play Classes
Nature play is at the heart of learning at the Great Lakes Aquarium. At Chickadees and Kestrels, we emphasize learning through child-inspired and child-directed nature play experiences. Children are encouraged to let their curiosity guide their play as they climb, build forts, jump, examine rocks, and so much more. These types of free play experiences promote the development of observation and questioning skills, safe risk-taking, motor growth, creativity, language skills, empathy, and socio-emotional skills while promoting deep connections to nature.…
Find out more »Mar 2023
Aqua Affair 2023: Electric ’80s Edition
The Great Lakes Aquarium’s annual fundraising event gets a totally tubular makeover for the Electric '80s Edition. Experience the Aquarium in a whole new light with a rad evening of local food and drink among the animals, paired with fresh DJ jams from the Crunchy Bunch. Proceeds from Aqua Affair directly support animal care, educational programming, community outreach and exhibit design all year long. Raffle prizes are scheduled to be announced at 9 p.m. Tickets to the event can be…
Find out more »Art at the Aquarium: Exploring Abstraction
Attendees can draw inspiration from the patterns that allow animals to hide in plain sight. Students examine examples of animal camouflage and other unique patterning found on animals in the Aquarium. Combining the patterns they see, students create an abstract painting inspired by spots, stripes and more. No experience is necessary. Ages 13+
Find out more »Opening Reception for A Western Lake Superior Awe Walking Almanac
“Awe walks” are strolls in natural settings where folks can feel a sense of connection in the presence of something bigger than themselves according to watercolorist and writer Timothy Larson. His exhibit "A Western Lake Superior Awe Walking Almanac" officially opens at Great Lakes Aquarium with a reception on Thursday, March 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. with light refreshments and treats. Admission to the reception is free. The collection of paintings and descriptive prose is on display through May…
Find out more »Apr 2023
Otters’ Birthday
Agate and Ore are turning 10! Help Great Lakes Aquarium celebrate with otter birthday cake, otter-themed crafts and special programming, including special appearances by Splish and Splash, the Great Lakes Aquarium otter mascots! 11 a.m. Otter Program 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Scuba Show 3 p.m. Otter Birthday Cake Available All Day: Otter Crafts, Otter Birthday Cards, Animal Encounters, Feedings and Touchpool Experiences
Find out more »Jun 2023
Great Lakes Almanac Art Opening
Susanna Gaunt’s Great Lakes Almanac art exhibit is at the Great Lakes Aquarium. The art is the culmination of the Duluth artist’s yearlong collaboration with Great Lakes Aquarium and its guests. Twice each month, Susanna set up a table on site to engage with visitors and discover the different ways they experience wonder at the museum. While the younger folks participated in a craft, their older relatives helped fill out a monthly survey of nature-based questions. Their responses, in turn,…
Find out more »Jul 2023
Beer Garden at Great Lakes Aquarium
Beer Gardens are back at Great Lakes Aquarium for the fourth summer in row. Every Thursday in July and August al fresco food and beverages are available on the Duluth Harbor. The event features $5 Earth Rider Brewery beers, Duluth Cider, wine, local non-alcoholic options and more. This series take place on the Great Lakes Aquarium grounds with a lineup of local food trucks, vendors and views of the Aerial Lift Bridge and Duluth Harbor. A rotating ensemble from the…
Find out more »Beer Garden at Great Lakes Aquarium (Canceled)
Beer Gardens are back at Great Lakes Aquarium for the fourth summer in row. Every Thursday in July and August al fresco food and beverages are available on the Duluth Harbor. The event features $5 Earth Rider Brewery beers, Duluth Cider, wine, local non-alcoholic options and more. This series take place on the Great Lakes Aquarium grounds with a lineup of local food trucks, vendors and views of the Aerial Lift Bridge and Duluth Harbor. A rotating ensemble from the…
Find out more »Nov 2023
An event every week that begins at 10:00 am on Wednesday, repeating until Feb 28, 2024
Wonder Wednesday at Great Lakes Aquarium
An event every week that begins at 10:00 am on Wednesday, repeating until Feb 28, 2024
Every Wednesday the Great Lakes Aquarium offers reduced admission from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and new nature-themed activities and toys. The early learning play space is also be open from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Find out more »Feb 2024
Night Out at Great Lakes Aquarium 2024
Floundering for Valentine’s Day plans with (or without) that special salmon? Your search o-fish-ally ends here. All adults are welcome for animal encounters, a SCUBA show, touchpool experiences and the oppor-tuna-ty to explore a child-free exhibit floor. Also: the GLA will decorate the exhibit floor with animal-specific (*ahem*) mating facts. Featuring the musical stylings of Misisipi Mike Wolf and on-site bar service available all evening.
Find out more »Mar 2024
Camp Aqua Affair
Break out the friendship bracelets and hike up those tube socks! Great Lakes Aquarium’s 6th annual fundraising event is going to camp! Great Lakes Aquarium is setting up for an adults-only, after-hours evening adventuring back to a simpler time while exploring a festively decorated exhibit floor, SCUBA show, animal encounters and touchpool experiences. Ticket gets you unlimited food and beverage sampling from local vendors, camp-themed activities and décor, fresh vinyl jams from TNT HiFi Soundsystem, access to our raffle and…
Find out more »Apr 2024
Otters’ Birthday
Great Lakes Aquarium celebrates the 11th birthdays of two otters: Agate and Ore. Otter birthday cake is served along with otter-themed crafts, animal encounters, touchpool experiences and a SCUBA show. Schedule: 11 a.m. - Otter Program on the first floor (Otter Cove) 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. - SCUBA Show on the first floor (Isle Royale) 3 p.m. - Otter Birthday Cake on the first floor (Otter Cove) All day - Otter Crafts, Otter Birthday Cards, Various Animal Encounters, Feedings & Touchpool…
Find out more »Jul 2024
An event every week that begins at 5:00 pm on Thursday, repeating until Aug 29, 2024
Beer Garden at Great Lakes Aquarium
An event every week that begins at 5:00 pm on Thursday, repeating until Aug 29, 2024
Beer Garden events are held outside the Great Lakes Aquarium every Thursday in July and August and feature al fresco food and beverages on the Duluth Harbor. The series takes place on the Great Lakes Aquarium grounds with a lineup of local food trucks, vendors and views of the Aerial Lift Bridge and Duluth Harbor. A rotating ensemble from the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra will be performing from 6 to 8 p.m. each week. Admission into the Beer Garden is…
Find out more »Aug 2024
Beer Garden at Great Lakes Aquarium (Canceled)
Beer Garden events are held outside the Great Lakes Aquarium every Thursday in July and August and feature al fresco food and beverages on the Duluth Harbor. The series takes place on the Great Lakes Aquarium grounds with a lineup of local food trucks, vendors and views of the Aerial Lift Bridge and Duluth Harbor. A rotating ensemble from the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra will be performing from 6 to 8 p.m. each week. Admission into the Beer Garden is…
Find out more »Oct 2024
Scarium at the Aquarium 2024
During Scarium at the Aquarium, guests explore a spookily-decorated Great Lakes Aquarium, visiting trick-or-treat stations among the exhibits and showing off their creative costumes. In addition to exploring the aquarium, guests can participate in a variety of themed activities like building a paper chain snake, boo-gying at the Discovery Center dance party, and watching scuba divers compete in underwater pumpkin carving. Great Lakes Aquarium participates in the Teal Pumpkin Project, which means that no edible treats are provided during trick-or-treating.…
Find out more »Nov 2024
An event every week that begins at 10:00 am on Wednesday, repeating until Feb 26, 2025
Wonder Wednesday
An event every week that begins at 10:00 am on Wednesday, repeating until Feb 26, 2025
A discounted-ticket day that happens every Wednesday at Great Lakes Aquarium during the winter. Each week, there are early-childhood classroom explorations and other activities for families to explore. Regular parking rates apply.
Find out more »Dec 2024
Cafe Scientifique Twin Ports: Field Trip to Great Lakes Aquarium
The Great Lakes Aquarium partners with Café Scientifique Twin Ports on an after-hours, behind-the-build exploration of "Lava to Lakes," the newest GLA exhibit that opens in late spring of 2025. All adults are welcome to join in on this panel discussion, explore a full after-hours, child-free exhibit floor and enjoy local beer, wine, cocktails and N/A offerings from the Aquarium’s full-service bar. Admission and parking is free for event guests during this event.
Find out more »Feb 2025
Night Out at Great Lakes Aquarium 2025
The annual Night Out at Great Lakes Aquarium offers animal encounters, a SCUBA program, touchpool experiences, and the oppor-tuna-ty to explore a child-free exhibit floor. The exhibit floor is decorated with animal-specific *ahem* mating facts, and there is on-site bar service all evening. There will also be live music by Ross Thorn. For more information and to pre-register for tickets, visit glaquarium.org. This is a 21+ event, so valid ID is required to enter. Great Lakes Aquarium is a 501…
Find out more »Mar 2025
Women in Science Panel
This inaugural panel will focus on studying diverse relationships with water in the Great Lakes region with special appearances from local scientists as they discuss the impact of their work on our region and communities. Guests are invited to participate in this panel discussion as well as explore the Aquarium’s exhibit floor before and after presentations. Parking for this event is free to the public Go to glaquarium.org/Women-in-Science for more information.
Find out more »Apr 2025
National Library Week Kickoff Celebration
Kick off National Library Week with a family-friendly interactive story time with Minnesota children’s author Mary Casanova, featuring her books "One-Dog Canoe" and "Utterly Otterly Day". Families can also enjoy craft stations around the aquarium and have the chance to win exciting door prizes.
Find out more »Otters’ Birthday
The Great Lakes Aquarium otters, Agate and Ore, are turning 12 years old this year. The celebration of the otters' golden birthday will have an otter birthday cake, otter-themed crafts and special programming. The celebration will also include special appearances by Splish and Splash, the Great Lakes Aquarium otter mascots. Normal admission rates apply; members are always free.
Find out more »May 2025
Lava to Lakes: New Exhibit at the Great Lakes Aquarium
The new exhibit at the Great Lakes Aquarium focuses on the geological history and formation of the Great Lakes region, including how volcanic activity and lava flows have shaped the landscape. It aims to educate visitors about the relationship between these geological processes and the development of the Great Lakes watershed. There are shark and moon jelly touch pools, horseshoe crabs, giant isopods and more so that visitors can see what roamed the ancient seas long before the Land of…
Find out more »Jul 2025
An event every week that begins at 5:00 pm on Thursday, repeating until Aug 28, 2025
Beer Gardens at Great Lakes Aquarium
An event every week that begins at 5:00 pm on Thursday, repeating until Aug 28, 2025
Beer Garden events are held outside the Great Lakes Aquarium every Thursday in July and August and feature rotating food trucks and musical artists, with views of the Aerial Lift Bridge and Duluth Harbor. Admission into the Beer Garden is free. Cash or credit cards are accepted for food and beverages purchased at the outdoor bar. Families and non-human companions are welcome (though guests must be at least 21 years old to consume alcohol). Great Lakes Aquarium is open for…
Find out more »An event every week that begins at 5:00 pm on Thursday, repeating until Aug 28, 2025
Beer Gardens at Great Lakes Aquarium
An event every week that begins at 5:00 pm on Thursday, repeating until Aug 28, 2025
Beer Garden events are held outside the Great Lakes Aquarium every Thursday in July and August and feature rotating food trucks and musical artists, with views of the Aerial Lift Bridge and Duluth Harbor. Admission into the Beer Garden is free. Cash or credit cards are accepted for food and beverages purchased at the outdoor bar. Families and non-human companions are welcome (though guests must be at least 21 years old to consume alcohol). Great Lakes Aquarium is open for…
Find out more »
