Aquarium of the Pacific Opened New HoloTheater
The Long Beach attraction launched a specialized theater on September 4 using immersive holographic technology.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Aquariums
Live Poll
Do you prefer traditional museum exhibits or high-tech immersive experiences when visiting local attractions?
The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach officially opened its new HoloTheater on September 4. The immersive venue allows guests to view 3D films without the need for wearable technology.
Why it matters
The installation aims to transform how audiences interact with educational storytelling and inspire greater curiosity through cutting-edge projection technology.
The HoloTheater accommodates 132 guests and utilizes six projection surfaces to deliver a 25-minute experience. The system relies on panoramic projection, holographic imagery, and spatial audio to function without 3D glasses.
The players
Aquarium of the Pacific
Located in Long Beach, this major non-profit public institution serves as a leading center for marine education and conservation.
BASE Xperiential
This media production company specializes in creating immersive location-based entertainment experiences for global audiences.
Paquin Entertainment Group
A multifaceted entertainment company that develops, produces, and markets high-profile live and digital content worldwide.
MacGillivray Freeman Films
Known as a premier producer and distributor of giant-screen and IMAX documentaries for educational and theatrical markets.
The details
Guests at the Aquarium of the Pacific can now experience the inaugural 25-minute show titled Dinosaur Discoveries, which was produced by BASE Xperiential and Paquin Entertainment Group. The theater utilizes a complex arrangement of holographic imagery and spatial audio to create an immersive environment without requiring VR headsets.
Timeline
The HoloTheater opened at the Aquarium of the Pacific on September 4.
The follow-up show, Ocean Giants Revealed, is scheduled to launch later this year.
Culture Shift
The HoloTheater represents a move toward localized, glasses-free 3D immersion that diverges from the standard viewing experience established by the IMAX giant-screen projection system. This shift suggests a growing trend in museums prioritizing interactive digital engagement over passive viewing.
Visitors to the Long Beach facility can now access the theater as part of their standard aquarium experience without needing to bring or rent 3D equipment. Guests should prepare for a 25-minute show duration when planning their visit to accommodate for the scheduled film runtimes.
The takeaway
This new installation illustrates how modern attractions are integrating sophisticated spatial audio and projection to eliminate the barrier of wearable tech. Visitors interested in the experience should check the aquarium schedule to ensure they catch the current dinosaur presentation.
Further reading
Discover more about the latest innovations in marine exhibits on our Aquariums page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Blooloop.
Live Poll
Do you prefer traditional museum exhibits or high-tech immersive experiences when visiting local attractions?
