SLEEP WITH THE SHARKS
Do sharks sleep? Find out for yourself when you spend the night at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. After a fun-filled night including a late night snack, scavenger hunt, and late night activity, drift off to sleep while sharks keep a watchful eye on you!
GROUPS
Offered every night of the year, upon availability
Non-refundable Deposit: $150
COST: $100 +tax per person
1 FREE Chaperone per 10 paid kids
Minimum: 10 guests
Maximum: 120 total guests
The minimum age for participation is 5-years-old
Please note, cancellations, refunds, or date changes must be made at least 72 hours prior to event date.
FAMILY
Do sharks sleep? Find out for yourself when you spend the night at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. After a fun-filled night including a late night snack, scavenger hunt, and late night activity, drift off to sleep while sharks keep a watchful eye on you!
- Open to families who cannot meet Group requirements
- Cost: $100 +tax per person
- Non-refundable Deposit: 50%
- Maximum: 50 Total People
- The minimum age for participation is 5-years-old
*Family Edition programs require a minimum of 10 total participants in order to be held. A group of 10 will be made up of several families. Your group is not required to bring 10 participants in order to participate in family night. If your program gets cancelled due to low attendance, we will refund or transfer monies to a different program date.
Please note, cancellations, refunds, or date changes must be made at least 72 hours prior to event date.
UPCOMING DATES
Dec
30
Sleep with the Sharks-Family Edition!
December 30 @ 8:00 PM - December 31 @ 8:45 AM
Pints & Penguins – 21+ Sleepover
Pints & Penguins Sleepover ToolkitRipley’s penguins may be dressed to impress in their tuxedos for this exclusive, adult-only sleepover event, but you can settle in and get comfortable for an evening full of animal experiences, delicious bites, a full bar, and more! Start your night off with appetizers and drinks, followed by a behind-the-scenes tour of the Aquarium. Next, pick the perfect spot to sleep in the Penguin Playhouse.
Don’t worry—African penguins have unusual sleeping patterns and will keep you entertained until your drift off to dreamland. They take short naps throughout the day and even have the unique ability to sleep while standing up or while floating in the water!
In the morning, you will wake up to a hot breakfast and can get up close and personal with an African penguin, as well as enjoy the Aquarium at your leisure. Inspired by Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies’ sold-out Sips & Sharks events, Pints & Penguins is an even more intimate program, with limited capacity. Booking in advance is highly recommended.
Private Pints & Penguin events are available for groups upon request. Please use the form on this page to inquire.
Cost Per Person: $165
Includes:
- Appetizers
- Two (2) complimentary drink tickets (cash bar also available)
- Behind-the-scenes tour
- Hot breakfast
- Penguin encounter
Please note: Cancellations, refunds, or date changes must be made at least 72 hours prior to event date.
UPCOMING DATES
Fri
06
SOLD OUT: Pints & Penguins – 21+ Sleepover
October 6 @ 8:00 PM - October 7 @ 8:30 AM
Sat
21
SOLD OUT: Pints & Penguins – 21+ Sleepover
October 21 @ 8:00 PM - October 22 @ 8:30 AM
Dec
09
Pints & Penguins – 21+ Sleepover
December 9 @ 8:00 PM - December 10 @ 8:30 AM
Dec
16
Pints & Penguins – 21+ Sleepover
December 16 @ 8:00 PM - December 17 @ 8:30 AM
Private Pints & Penguin events are available for groups upon request. Please use the form on this page to inquire.
Please note, cancellations, refunds, or date changes must be made at least 72 hours prior to event date.
Sips & Sharks – 21+ Sleepover
Sips & Sharks Sleepover Toolkit
Cost Per Person – $129 +tax
Do sharks sleep? Sips & Sharks is an adult-only sleepover event full of animal experiences, delicious bites, a full bar, and more! Start your night off with appetizers and drinks, followed by a behind-the-scenes tour of the Aquarium. After a fun-filled night, drift off to sleep while sharks keep a watchful eye on you!
Includes:
- Appetizers
- Two (2) complimentary drink tickets (cash bar also available)
- Behind-the-scenes tour
- Overnight Stay in our Shark Lagoon Tunnel
- Hot breakfast
Please note, cancellations, refunds, or date changes must be made at least 72 hours prior to event date.
UPCOMING DATES
Sat
07
Sips & Sharks – 21+ Sleepover
October 7 @ 8:00 PM - October 8 @ 8:45 AM
Nov
25
Sips & Sharks – 21+ Sleepover
November 25 @ 8:00 PM - November 26 @ 8:45 AM
Dec
15
Sips & Sharks – 21+ Sleepover
December 15 @ 8:00 PM - December 16 @ 8:45 AM
Mermaid Slumber Party
Join us for a one-of-a-kind Mermaid Slumber Party! Sleep under the sea in our Shark Lagoon tunnel, and meet the marvelous mermaids of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies!
COST PER PERSON: $129.99
Please note, cancellations, refunds, or date changes must be made at least 72 hours prior to event date.
Includes:
- Mermaid-themed activities
- Overnight stay in our Shark Lagoon tunnel
- Exclusive mermaid breakfast
- Photo with a mermaid
UPCOMING DATES
There are no upcoming events at this time.
PJ PARTY WITH THE PENGUINS
Bring your penguin pajamas and find out what these birds do at night when you spend the night at the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Penguin Playhouse! After a fun-filled night including a late night snack, scavenger hunt, and late night activity, waddle your way into slumber while Ripley’s penguins keep you company! In the morning you’ll get a chance to meet them one-on-one.
Please note, cancellations, refunds, or date changes must be made at least 72 hours prior to event date.
UPCOMING DATES
There are no upcoming events at this time.
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
*Note this is only a sample schedule, activities and schedules may change.
8:00 – 8:15 p.m. – Arrival & Gear Storage
8:15 – 8:45 p.m. – Intro, Rules & Warm-Up Game
8:45 – 9:15 p.m. – Stingray Touch
9:15 – 10:15 p.m. – Late Night Activity
10:15 – 10:45 p.m. – Late Night Snack in Feeding Frenzy
10:45 – 11:45 p.m. – Scavenger Hunt
11:45 – 12:00 p.m. – Scavenger Hunt Answers
12:00 – 12:30 a.m. – Set Up Camp in Tunnel
12:30 a.m. – Lights Out!
7:00 a.m. – Wake Up!
7:00 – 7:45 a.m. – Ready for Day
7:45 – 8:15 a.m. – Breakfast in Feeding Frenzy
8:15 – 8:45 a.m. – Creature Feature
8:45 – 9:00 a.m. – Certificate Distribution & Wrap Up
9:00 a.m. – Aquarium & Gift Shop are Open
SLEEPOVER FAQs
Where do we sleep?
For the Sleep with the Sharks program you will be sleeping under the Shark Lagoon tunnel. For the PJ Party with the Penguins program you will be sleeping in the penguin exhibit.
Can people from our group join in on activities, but not stay the night?
Anyone who participates in any part of the overnight program will need to be included in your final numbers and would pay the same rate as the other participants.
Can we stay in the Aquarium the next morning?
Yes! The Sleep with the Sharks and PJ Party with the Penguins overnight programs include admission to the Aquarium the following morning.
Can we bring air mattresses?
Air mattresses are only permitted depending on the size of the group. Your confirmation will list whether or not you will be able to bring them.
Are meals included?
During the Sleep with the Sharks and PJ Party with the Penguins overnight programs, we provide an evening popcorn snack and continental breakfast in the morning.
Where do we park?
There are 6 bus parking spots located directly behind the Aquarium. These spots are first come first served. Overnight program guests are welcome to park here until the program ends at 9:00 am the following morning. All vehicles must display the parking permit that is sent upon booking. After the program ends everyone will need to move their personal vehicles to the city owned parking garage located directly behind bus parking.
