Birthday Parties

All individuals participating in the Birthday Party must have a ticket, including adults and children ages 1+. All tickets must be purchased in advance in order to guarantee seating in the reserved birthday party section.

Upon arrival, please check in at the Ticket Office in the lobby and let our staff know whose party you’re here for. The Birthday Assistant will show you to your party room so you may set up.

The maximum capacity for the regular Birthday Party room is 25 people. If the party group is more than 25 people, you will be accommodated in the larger room. Large groups requests will be handled by our Rentals department and may incur additional charges.

Birthday Party bookings are 4 hours, including half an hour on either end of the activities for set up and clean up. The party occupies the room for the full duration of all activities at the Center. The package includes:
-Admission to a live puppetry performance (approximately 1 hour)
-A hands-on Create-A-Puppet Workshop™ (approximately 30 minutes)
-Admission to our museum exhibitions for guests who want to wander

Often Birthday Party planners order pizza or food that can be easily delivered to the Center for Puppetry Arts. You are welcome to bring in supplemental snacks, cake, and non-alcoholic beverages. Please note that refrigeration and heating are not available on-site. Please plan for all your food and drink options to be easy for members of your party to set up and clean up. Please ensure all trash is placed in the designated trash receptical in your room at the end of the party.

Upon arrival, you will have a Birthday Party Assistant working as a host to make sure your day at the Center goes as smoothly as possible! The Assistant will direct your group from the show to the workshop and party room. *NOTE: The Assistant will not be available to help decorate your room, transport items from your vehicle to Harlequin Hall, or facilitate activities during your party.

The Center does not give refunds for tickets, but you will receive rain checks for any unused tickets. The rain checks are valid for up to 6 months after your party to most Family Series performances. Signature Series performances may be excluded from rain checks.

The Center offers FREE, first-come-first-serve parking in the lot on-site.

Birthday groups receive reserved seating towards the front of the theater. Exact row placement varies based on the number of patrons in the performance.

The Center is ADA-accessible, including a ramp leading up the entrance and an elevator that accesses all three floors inside the building. However, both theaters have stairs, so patrons in wheelchairs will be seated in the front row. Please let us know when booking the party if special seating or any other accommodations due to a disability will be needed.

Shows, workshops, and parties start promptly at the designated times listed. It is highly recommended that you and your guests arrive 20-30 minutes prior to your first activity to ensure that everyone makes it to your first activity on time. We recommend making this arrival time clear on your invitation. Refunds or extra party time will not be issued due to groups arriving late for activities. If any guests arrive after the show has started, they will be escorted into the theater at the discretion of the House Managers.

If the party is canceled less than one month prior to the party date or after the deposit has been paid, the $200 deposit is nonrefundable. Once payment is made, tickets and Memberships are nonrefundable as well. If needed, rain checks will be issued for unused tickets.

Each party package is designed for a minimum of 20–25 guests, including both children and adults. If you anticipate more than 30 guests, please contact us in advance to discuss available options and additional fees.

Our birthday packages are best suited for children ages 1–10, but guests of all ages will enjoy the show, workshop, and museum!

Birthday parties are offered on Saturdays and Sundays. Time slots align with our public show schedule. Certain blackout dates apply.

Yes. Your birthday experience includes 4 hours total – including 30 minutes on either side of the typical length of activities for you to use as set-up and clean-up. We provide cafeteria-style tables for your group size, a birthday throne, and a trash can. You are welcome to bring in decorations for the table or surrounding area. Decorations requiring separate vendors are not permitted. 

– One (1) 15’ table with attached bench seating (seats approx. 16 children)
– One (1) 6’ table for food and refreshments
– One (1) throne for birthday child
– One (1) trash can
– One (1) red wagon to collect gifts in the Atrium.
– Several chairs provided for extra adult seating

Yes! If you envision something special for your party or birthday, we’d love to work with you. Our Rentals team can help you plan an unforgettable experience at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Examples include:
– Upgrades to specific spaces across the Center for Puppetry Arts
– Upgraded tables and linen packages
– Involvement of third party vendors for décor, food, or activities
– Extra time for your event

Let us know your vision and we’ll do our best to make it happen!

Yes! Your party guests get full access to our museum galleries before or after the scheduled party activities. This is a great option for the down time during your party or if some adults need a moment of calm.