Book a Birthday Party

Mississippi Aquarium offers birthday party packages to fit every party size. Our standard birthday party packages are based on the number of party guests. If your child has a special interest in marine life and conservation, we offer a PARTY WITH A PURPOSE!

Does your child have a passion for aquatic life and conservation? Make an impact and have a Party with a Purpose! In lieu of presents, guests make a donation in your birthday child’s name to Mississippi Aquarium! To celebrate your child’s special day, as well as being a conservation hero, he or she will receive the items in our standard party package, as well as a Mississippi Aquarium Animal Adoption Package.

Mississippi Aquarium parties are designed for children ages 3-10, however, children of all ages are welcome to celebrate their special day with us!
‍Please note that no matter how old the children present are, Mississippi Aquarium requires a ratio of 2 adults for every 10 children present, and for children under the age of 5, a ratio of 1 adult for every 2 children is highly recommended.

No worries! Children younger than the suggested age range are always welcome to celebrate with us, but please keep in mind our parties are designed for children ages 3-10 years old. We also do not have access to highchairs and “smash” cakes are not permitted.

Birthday parties are available most Saturdays and Sundays at 10:00 AM or 12:00 PM. Parties are booked on a first-come-first-served basis.

Birthday parties are priced depending on the number of attendees.

For all parties, a non-refundable 50% deposit is due at the time of the reservation. Please note if a party is booked less than 3 weeks in advance, payment in full is due at the time of booking. Final head count and final payment are due 7 days prior to the party date.

Yes! We appreciate our members, and as a thank you for supporting us throughout the year, we offer members a discount on the birthday party package of their choosing.

Your guest count includes every adult and child attending the party. Infants (0-2 years) do not count towards the cost of the party but are counted towards the capacity of your party room. Due to the capacity of the party rooms, birthday parties CANNOT EXCEED the 30-guest maximum. If your party exceeds the maximum limit of 30 guests, consider hosting a private party. Contact our Event Sales Manager for details.

Yes, a second birthday child can be added to your party.

Submit your information online by clicking BOOK YOUR PARTY. A member of our Event Staff will contact you within 48 business hours to confirm the details. Let the Fun Begin!

Once you have completed and submitted an online REQUEST TO BOOK YOUR PARTY, a member of Mississippi Aquarium’s Event Staff will contact you within 48 business hours to confirm your party date, schedule a party time, and take your food and beverage order. A non-refundable 50% deposit is due at the time your reservation is confirmed. (If a party is booked less than 3 weeks in advance, payment in full is due at the time of booking.)

We will need your final headcount and payment 2 weeks in advance of the party date.

You are welcome to bring a birthday celebration cake or cupcakes of your choice from a licensed bakery. Cakes must be brought with you on the day of your party. We cannot accommodate cake deliveries, nor do we have space to store cakes before your scheduled party time. If desired, please bring birthday candles to accompany your cake or cupcakes. “Smash” cakes are not permitted. Mississippi Aquarium will provide a cake knife and a birthday candle lighter, as needed. For the safety of our animals, no other outside food or beverage is permitted (except birthday cake or cupcakes.)

Absolutely! Mississippi Aquarium’s in-house caterer offers a selection of Pizzas and Beverages. Food and Beverage can be added to your order from the time your party is booked until the time of the final headcount.

Food & beverage orders less than $80 will be charged a $10 service fee.

Leftover food and beverage may be taken with you. Please note the Aquarium does not provide materials to package leftover food, nor do we have the ability to store leftover food on your behalf.

In keeping with our commitment to conservation, Mississippi Aquarium provides Eco-Friendly plates, napkins, cups, utensils, and table coverings. You are welcome to provide your own themed paper goods to include napkins, plates, cups & tablecloth. Note: straws and plastic utensils are not permitted.

The Aquarium provides aquatic-themed table decorations your choice Sea Life, Mermaid, Shark, Pirate. Parents can add some additional table decorations. Please contact Mississippi Aquarium Event Staff for approval before purchasing decorations. Refer to our list of restricted items below. You will have access to the party room 10 minutes in advance of scheduled party start time to Decorate. All decorations brought by you must be removed immediately following your party.  

For the safety of our guests and animals, items not allowed on Mississippi Aquarium premises include but are not limited to: 

Balloons, confetti, streamers, noisemakers, straws, piñatas, decorative marbles, balls, frisbees, hackeysacks, riding toys, bug nets, plants/flowers, artificial flowers, grains, sand, gravel, fog machines, bubble machines, glass, saranwrap, skateboards, laser pointers, drones, whistles, yo-yo’s, sparklers/fireworks, pyrotechnics, knives, weapons
No live animals of any type may be used in decorations including but not limited to centerpieces, party favors/goodie-bags (i.e., beta fish, goldfish, hermit crabs)

No items may be nailed, screwed, or adhered to walls, floor, or exhibits. The placing of foreign objects into Aquarium exhibits is strictly prohibited. MSAQ reserves the right to refuse any decoration/themes that may be considered a health or safety problem or cause damage to the Aquarium property. 

No animals are permitted on Mississippi Aquarium premises, with the exception of pre-approved service animals.

*Service animals may be restricted to certain parts of the premises or banned altogether; please discuss with your Event Sales Manager.

Mississippi Aquarium has a no balloon policy. For the safety of our animals and the risks posed to the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding environment, balloons, and inflatables, are not permitted.

No outside vendors are permitted.

Our birthday parties are alcohol-free events. Under no circumstances can alcohol be brought into or consumed in the party room, even if it has been purchased at the Aquarium. For the safety of the children, the party guests, and our animals, this is strictly enforced.

Mississippi Aquarium is unable to refund your party due to weather conditions; we will try to the best of our abilities to accommodate your party as planned. Activities that are weather dependent will be replaced with an alternative activity or modified to accommodate the weather.

Mississippi Aquarium does not have designated parking for guests.  The Coast Transit Authority (CTA) owned parking structure located on the east side of the Aquarium accommodates up to 450 cars. Guests are responsible for CTA parking fees. Downtown public parking is also available.

We understand that sometimes plans change, and our Event Staff is here to help. All requests to reschedule a birthday party should be made in writing at least 3 weeks in advance of the original party date and are subject to a 20% processing fee.

All cancellations are subject to a processing fee in the form of a non-refundable deposit. Cancellations must be made at least 3 weeks in advance. If less than a three-week notice is given, the full cost of the party will be charged. All cancellations will be effective from the date Mississippi Aquarium receives written notice from the birthday party’s main contact, together with payment in full of the cancellation fee.