Birthday Parties

Have Fun for Everyone with a Birthday Party at the Center for Puppetry Arts!

Make Birthday Memories That Last a Lifetime

The festivities begin with priority seating for family and friends at one of our live puppet shows, including a special announcement before the show recognizing the birthday child. Next, it’s off to Harlequin Hall for the perfect birthday celebration! You can even add a Create-A-Puppet Workshop so each guest can make a souvenir puppet to take home. It’s a one-of-a-kind party for your one-of-a-kind kid!

Plan Your Birthday Party

Member and Non-Member Pricing

Party Room Rental Rates are the base prices incurred for Birthday Packages. Select your activities Package from the options and contact us to estimate the full party cost.

PARTY ROOM RENTAL RATESRegular Room
(Up to 25 guests)
Upgraded Half-Room
(26-40 guests)
Upgraded Full-Room
(41-80 guests)
Members$250$350$400
Non-Members$300$400$450
*Party room rental rates only apply for patrons booking a birthday package. Other rental inquiries will incur the Facility Rental rate for Harlequin Hall.

Available Packages

Select the Package for Your Party

Package A: All-Inclusive Party
  • All-inclusive tickets for your group provide a puppet-filled party experience with 3 activities: Family Series show performance, Create-A-Puppet Workshop, and Museum admission.
  • Members get a discounted room rental rate.
  • Groups of 20+ qualify for group pricing of $3 off regular price all-inclusive tickets. Prices vary depending on performance and day of the week. Everyone aged 2+ MUST have a ticket.
Package B: Performance & Party
  • This package provides parties of 20 guests or more with the experience of a show and a private space to host your party.
  • Groups of 20 or more are eligible for a discounted performance-only ticket price of approximately $15.00.
  • Members get a discounted room rental rate.
  • Prices vary depending on performance and day of the week. Everyone aged 2+ MUST have a ticket.
Package C: Workshop & Party
  • This package provides guests with the experience of a Create-A-Puppet Workshop and a private space to host your party.
  • Groups of 20 or more are eligible for a discounted workshop-only ticket price of approximately $5.75.
  • Members get a discounted room rental rate.
  • Prices vary depending on performance and day of the week. Everyone aged 2+ MUST have a ticket.
Package D: Museum & Party Room
  • This package provides guests with access to all Museum galleries and a private space to host your party.
  • Groups of 20 or more are eligible for a discounted museum-only ticket price of $12.00.
  • Members also get a discounted room rental rate.
  • Everyone aged 2+ MUST have a ticket.

Packages includes 60 minutes for set-up prior to start, one (1) hour while the group is in the show (A&B), 30 minutes for the puppet workshop (A&C), and one (1) hour and 30 minutes for the party room use and clean-up. Standard furnishings include lunchroom-style tables with attached seats. (Furnishing upgrade available, see add-on section.)

What You’ll Get for Your Party
  • Packages A & B include priority seating in the theater for you and your guests with a birthday announcement before the show
  • All Packages include a one-hour Party Room set-up period before the show or activities begin.
  • All Packages include Party Room throne seating to provide a royal treatment for your child.
  • Packages A & C include the Create-A-Puppet Workshop . Party guests will create a puppet based on the theme of the current Center for Puppetry Arts performance. This self-guided activity takes place in an upstairs classroom and takes about 30 minutes. 
  • Access to the Isdell Family Play Area (playground), weather permitting

All tickets must be purchased in advance in order to guarantee seating in the reserved birthday party section.

Price & Payment

Final Costs Depend on the Number of Guests & Add-ons
  • The base package for a non-member birthday party starts at $300.00. Actual costs depend on the total number of guests at your party, and associated ticket prices for the package you choose.
  • Extra time in the party room will incur a $100 per hour fee past the allotted party time.

Additional time can be added for set-up, party time, or clean-up, depending upon availability and party schedule. Time must be reserved and paid for in advance. If the party extends past the scheduled end time, a $250 per hour fee will be charged to the credit card on file.

*Prices are subject to change without notice. All activities are subject to availability and must be booked in advance.*

All parties are subject to paying for clean-up costs if the party spaces or Center property are damaged or if additional clean-up is required.

Upgrades

Enhance Your Party with Add-ons and Upgraded Party Rooms:

Parties larger than 25 MUST reserve an upgraded room size. Tickets are not included with room rental. Upgraded rooms are subject to availability, so please inquire at the time of booking.

Standard furnishings include lunchroom-style tables with attached seats. Upgrades to 60″ rounds with folding chairs and linens are possible with an extra fee depending on your party size.

Prices are subject to change without notice. All activities are subject to availability.

How to Reserve

To reserve your party, please call 404-881-5151 or email KateBiddle@puppet.org.
  • Final payment and headcount for tickets are due 1 week before the party. Please note that shows may sell out in advance, so if you anticipate having a large party, notify the coordinator when booking. This helps ensure that tickets are available for the performance and that those tickets will be reserved in the designated birthday party section of the theater. Additions on the day of the party are often not available.
  • All children ages 2+ and all adults attending the show must have a ticket.

Many shows sell out, so tickets MUST be reserved and paid for in advance. This guarantees that enough tickets are reserved and that your group will be seated together.

Birthday Party FAQs

I am a Member at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Can my friend have their child’s party at the Center using my Membership?

No, each person must do their own booking.

Is there a deposit required?

Parties must be reserved with the coordinator and paid for at the time of booking. At the time of booking to reserve your party, a minimum payment of $150 for non-members is due while for members, a minimum payment of $100 is due. (*NOTE: Ticket prices are based on performance. Ticket prices vary for Signature Performances, different performance titles, and days of the week.)

Can I see the party facility prior to making a reservation?

We will be happy to show you our facility prior to making a reservation, or prior to your party date. Please coordinate in advance with the Birthday & Rentals Coordinator to find a mutually agreeable time. Unscheduled walk-up requests to view the space may not be possible to accommodate.

When do I have to give a final head count and pay for my party?

Final payment is due on or before the party date. You can make the final payment by calling the Ticket office or at the ticket office when you pick up your show tickets. The headcount for show tickets is finalized once the contract is signed and the first payment is made. Any additional tickets needed must be purchased at the Ticket office. Please note that shows may sell out in advance, so if you anticipate having a large party, notify the Facility Rentals Coordinator when booking. This helps ensure that tickets are available for the performance and that those tickets will be reserved in the designated birthday party section of the theater. Additions on the day of the party are often not available.

What about siblings and adults of my invited guests?

All party guests attending the show must have a ticket, including adults and children ages 2+. All tickets must be purchased in advance in order to guarantee seating in the reserved birthday party section.

Where do I check in for my party?

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.

How many people does the party room hold?

The maximum capacity for the regular birthday party room is 25 people. If the party group is more than 25 people, you will be required to upgrade to a large space based on your guest count. All rooms are subject to availability and advance notice is required for booking.

How long do I get the party room and what is provided in the room?

Typically birthday parties last 3 hours, plus an hour for set-up. Packages includes 60 minutes for set-up prior to start, one (1) hour while the group is in the show (A&B), 30 minutes for the puppet workshop (A&C), and one (1) hour and 30 minutes for the party room use and clean-up. You are welcome to have an adult(s) stay in the room during the show or other activities. Additional time must be reserved in advance.

What type of food should I serve?

Papa John’s Pizza delivers right to the Center for lunch! Call 404.872.5252 and ask about the Center’s Birthday special. Or, you are welcome to choose any other food vendor that you like, as long as your refreshments are approved by the Center.

Will someone be there to assist me during the party?

There will be a Birthday Party Assistant working with you to make sure your day at the Center goes as smoothly as possible! The Assistant will be responsible for setting up your party room with the items provided by the Center and then showing you to your room upon arrival. The Assistant will direct your group from the show to the workshop and party rooms, as well as be available to assist you with any needs you may have during the party. *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 hour-long party.

What if I pay for the party and not all my guests show up?

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.

Where should my guests and I park?

The Center offers limited FREE parking in the lot on-site.

Where will we sit in the theater?

Birthday groups receive reserved seating, which is directly behind the Members-only Seating in the front of the theater. Exact row placement varies based on the number of Member tickets purchased for each performance. *NOTE: When there is more than 1 party per show, groups will be seated behind each other.

Is the Center ADA-accessible?

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 front of Member Seating. Please let the Birthday & Rentals Coordinator know when booking the party if special seating or any other accommodations due to a disability will be needed.

What if I am running late or my guests arrive late?

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 (please check with Birthday & Rentals Coordinator to confirm your set-up time) to ensure that everyone makes it to your first activity on time. 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 they arrive too late to view the show or participate in the workshop, you will be given rain checks for those unused tickets.

What if I need to cancel or reschedule my party?

If the party is canceled less than one month prior to the party date, the party room rental fee is non-refundable. Once payment is made, tickets and Memberships are nonrefundable as well. If needed, rain checks will be issued for unused tickets.

Absolutely amazing!!! The best host venue we have ever experienced!! The staff for Shiloh’s birthday party was absolutely wonderful. They did everything right! I only realized that the bartender (Abigail) was taking tips at the end of the party and I didn’t have cash— but please tell me how to send a tip. Just wonderful. Everyone was amazing!! From our attendants Sarah, Vanessa, and Abigail to even the facilities person (I’m sorry I didn’t get his name) who brought a cart to help unload party supplies! Everyone was super helpful and friendly. It really made the experience the best birthday party ever! Shiloh had an amazing time and everything went so smoothly for us as parents we couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

Hanan T.

We all had a blast! My daughter summed it up best when she said “this is the best day ever”!! You were lovely to work with and I look forward to more events in the future at the center!

Michelle F.

I wanted to thank you for the most excellent party arrangements for Andrew’s 6th birthday back in January. Each and every guest we invited had an absolute ball and the beautiful puppets stay with me to this day. Elizabeth and Summer made everything so easy and fun—they were the dream team. Our son has never had a real birthday party before due to the pandemic. For this to be his first was truly special and will be a lifelong memory for us.

Suzanne S.

What a great time we had at the Center for Puppetry Arts while attending a birthday party. Staff was pleasant at every encounter and the entertainment was delightful. So well done! The facility is clean and welcoming, a happy place to be. We will definitely be back!

Anonymous

We would like to thank you all for an amazing party for Stella at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Also a big shout out to Daniel for being so helpful and all others who were working behind the scenes. It was one to remember for years to come.

Rex and Dedra

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