New England Aquarium announces extended late Friday nights and new Fall hours

Aquarium to be open during new hours effective Sept. 14

BOSTON, MASS. (September 2020) – The New England Aquarium will be open late on Friday nights beginning this week and in effect through at least November 1, 2020. During that timeframe, the Aquarium’s adjusted hours are:

• Monday through Thursday – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Friday – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Doors will be open to visitors until 8 p.m. on Friday nights, with the last online ticket slot at 6:40 p.m. and the last walk-up entry at 7 p.m. This change in fall hours is designed to accommodate families, working adults without children, and young adults for a fun night out.

“We are very excited to be able to host late night hours on Fridays,” said Vikki N. Spruill, President and CEO of the New England Aquarium. “We look forward to accommodating people with different schedules and giving everyone an opportunity to enjoy the Aquarium at a time most people don’t typically get to experience it.”

Once the sun sets, the Aquarium lights dim, too, to mimic the naturally occurring hours of nighttime. Visitors who come during Friday night hours will notice the lighting changes, particularly in the Giant Ocean Tank (GOT). The lighting system in the GOT is designed to simulate natural lighting transitions to help maintain the rhythm of a Caribbean coral reef and ensure the well-being of the animals in the tank.

After closing its doors to the public on March 13, the Aquarium reopened on July 16 at just under 15 percent capacity, or about 240 visitors plus staff at a given time and will continue operating this way. In addition to the reduced number of visitors, there are enhanced cleaning efforts including contactless entry, a one-way guest flow, mandatory face coverings, and some experiences are limited for hygiene and social distancing purposes.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Pam Bechtold Snyder, psnyder@neaq.org; 617-686-5068