¡Muévelo! Join us at Shedd Aquarium for the Ritmo del Mar.
Enjoy a night of music, cuisine, culture and mesmerizing animals with an aquatic backdrop like nowhere else in Chicago. Dance to the sounds of salsa, cumbia, merengue and Latin jazz. ¡Será una noche inolvidable!
Admission includes all aquarium exhibits and entertainment. Food and beverages are available for purchase.
¡Muévelo! Únete a nosotros en el Shedd Aquarium para Ritmo del Mar.
Disfruta de una noche de música, gastronomía, cultura y animales fascinantes con un fondo acuático como en ningún otro lugar de Chicago. Baila al son de la salsa, la cumbia, el merengue y el jazz latino. ¡Será una noche inolvidable!
La entrada incluye todas las exposiciones y espectáculos del acuario. Habrá comida y bebida a la venta.
We are in the process of transforming our building as part of Shedd's Centennial Commitment. You may see construction fences, walls and trailers that indicate these changes are in progress. Additionally, the North Terrace will be unavailable as we build new exhibits that will enhance your future visits and make events even more spectacular! We appreciate your patience and look forward to sharing these incredible updates with you!
FAQs
The event includes all exhibits, touch experiences and entertainment. Some exhibits may close early due to animal care needs, and lights in certain habitats will be dimmed to create a natural nighttime environment for the animals. Wild Reef closes at 9 p.m. Oceanarium and Amazon Rising close at 10 p.m. Please refer to event signage for more information.
Please note, this year’s event festivities are fully indoors - the North Terrace will be unavailable as we build new exhibits that will enhance your future visits and make events even more spectacular!
August 15, 2026
Chicago Latin Groove Band: Chicago Latin Groove Band (CLG) has been the Midwest’s premier tropical music band since they began in 2012. They have earned recognition for offering energetic, inspiring and dance-provoking performances. CLG cemented the market in tropical music by performing a little of everything tropical: salsa, cumbia, merengue, bachata, Latin jazz, ballads and cha-cha-cha… and yes, even some disco!
DJ Mala Vida: DJ Mala Vida is a vinyl and digital selector born in La Haciendita, Guanajuato and raised on the Southside of Chicago. For the past 8 years, she has shared the stage with artists like Yeison Landero, Son Rompe Pera, Los Daddy's, Discos Resaca, Chhoti Maa and Joyce MXPower Cumbiero. Her international sets blend cumbia, house and reggaeton, bridging the worlds of vinyl and digital to celebrate tradition while pushing sound forward. In addition to performing, she teaches high school students how to DJ, passing on the art of mixing and musical storytelling to the next generation.
September 19, 2026
Caribe Project: Established in 2013, Caribe Project has captivated audiences en masse with their infectious, tropical Latin salsa and merengue renditions from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Colombia, Venezuela and Dominican Republic. Caribe Project epitomizes a harmonious Latin fusion of classic and contemporary musical elements immortalized by its Founder/Latin Percussionist, Carlos Santiago, and Band Director/Latin Percussionist, Richie Santiago. Their musician roster showcases 12 distinguished members hailing from Chicago who have accompanied luminaries of Latin music, including India, Jerry Rivera and Tito Nieves.
DJ Señor Eddy: Born and raised in La Villita, Señor Eddy has deep roots in Chicago’s record community. He is a founding member of the Sonorama DJ collective and record label, Tropico DJ partner, and Lumpen Radio DJ. He collects eclectic sounds and rhythms from all eras in Latin America and around the globe and always aims to bring a few surprises to his DJ sets.
DJ La Queen: Thelma Uranga, aka La Queen, is a Chicago-based DJ and self-proclaimed Juana of all trades. Thelma collects a variety of records to craft feel-good sets that blend disco, house, freestyle, R&B, and the nostalgic Latin rolas of her youth. Her love for house and freestyle is rooted in childhood memories of her older sisters playing those genres on repeat. Whether she's warming up a dance floor or setting the mood at a gathering, Thelma brings joyful energy to the turntables. When she’s not DJing, you can find her treasure hunting at thrift stores, baking pies, or hanging with her beloved dog, Tula.
Schedule for August 15, 2026
7:15 - 10:45 p.m. Chicago Latin Groove Band (Bubble Net Stage)
9:45 p.m. Last entry to Oceanarium and Amazon Rising
10:00 p.m. Navy Pier Fireworks (Lakefront Terrace)
10:30 p.m. Last Call
Horario para el 15 de Agosto de 2026
7:15 - 10:45 p.m. Chicago Latin Groove Band (Bubble Net Stage)
7:30 - 10:45 p.m. DJ Mala Vida (Grand Hall Stage)
7:30 p.m. Plática de alga marina (Oceans Gallery) [En inglés]
7:50 p.m. Plática de tiburones (Wild Reef) [En español]
8:00 p.m. Lecciones de salsa por Mayambo Dance Co. (Grand Hall)
8:15 p.m. Plática de pingüinos (Polar Play Zone) [En español]
8:30 p.m. Lecciones de bachata por Mayambo Dance Co. (Grand Hall)
8:45 p.m. Plática de tiburones (Wild Reef) [En inglés]
9:00 p.m. Última entrada al Wild Reef
9:00 p.m. Lotería (Oceans Gallery)
9:45 p.m. Última entrada al Oceanarium y Amazon Rising
10:00 p.m. Fuegos Artificiales de Navy Pier (Lakefront Terrace)
10:30 p.m. Última llamada
Menu coming soon!
Last entry for the event is at 10 p.m., one hour before the event concludes.
Please fill out our Performer Interest Form and a member of our team will contact you. Thank you!
Accessibility
We believe there should be no boundaries to your Shedd Aquarium experience. If you have an accommodation request related to a disability, please contact us at [email protected].
