Nationally, Discovery Channel’s Shark Week programming includes more than twenty hours of new specials. Viewers can look forward to episodes such as “Dancing with Sharks,” hosted by longtime television personality Tom Bergeron, which explores the unlikely fusion of choreography and marine biology as divers interact through movement with various shark species. “Surviving Jaws” revisits the film’s legacy and separates cinematic fiction from biological fact, while “Great White Reign of Terror,” “Florida’s Death Beach,” and “Caught! Sharks Strike Back” bring a gripping blend of scientific analysis and dramatic storytelling. The programming airs nightly from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET/PT across Discovery Channel, Discovery+, and Max.
Here in Illinois, Shark Week takes on a more personal dimension with family-friendly activities and educational encounters across the state. In Downers Grove, Happy Dog Barkery is once again hosting its popular “Sharkery’s Shark Week” celebration. The event is scheduled for Sunday, July 13, 2025, from noon to 4:00 p.m. and promises shark-themed treats, interactive games, and novelty items designed for pets and their families. The Barkery, located at 5118 Main Street, is known for its playful approach to seasonal events and its commitment to pet wellness through homemade, high-quality products.
In Chicago, Building Blocks Toy Store brings shark excitement to young audiences through two separate “Shark Week Funday” events. On Wednesday, July 16, the Lakeview location will host an afternoon of shark-themed crafts and interactive learning from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. The festivities continue the following week at the Wicker Park location, with a similar event scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. These educational gatherings encourage children to explore the natural world through creative play.
For those interested in a more immersive and scientific look at sharks, Chicagoland institutions continue to offer outstanding experiences year-round. Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Shark Feeding Adventure remains one of the most unique programs in the region, allowing participants to assist with feeding the sharks at The Living Coast exhibit. Available on select days through November 2025, this program is open to individuals aged twelve and older and includes the opportunity to prepare food, learn species identification, and assist during public feedings. Zoo personnel provide insight into the biology, care, and importance of these misunderstood creatures.
At Shedd Aquarium, the Shark Feeding Tour continues to be one of the institution’s most popular educational offerings. Held every Saturday and Sunday through August 2025, the 60-minute program takes guests behind the scenes of the Wild Reef exhibit, an expansive 400,000-gallon habitat that replicates the coral reefs of the Philippines. Participants observe sharks being fed and learn how aquarium staff prepare seafood diets tailored to each species. One of the most captivating aspects of the tour is watching the sharks respond to personalized audio cues, a technique that demonstrates the animals’ ability to form associative behaviors during feeding. Open to guests aged six and older. Shedd’s Wild Reef is home to more than twenty sharks, including blacktip reef sharks, sandbar sharks, zebra sharks, horn sharks, and swell sharks.
Shark Week also serves as a reminder of the ecological importance and conservation challenges facing sharks today. Researchers estimate that over 100 million sharks are killed annually, many due to unregulated commercial overfishing and bycatch practices. These losses threaten global marine ecosystems, as sharks play a critical role in maintaining the balance and health of ocean food chains. Shedd Aquarium’s research team, led by scientists such as Dr. Steve Kessel, continues to conduct fieldwork in the Caribbean and other regions to monitor population dynamics, identify migration patterns, and advocate for better policy protections. Their work informs conservation strategies that aim to reduce human impact and preserve biodiversity for generations to come.
As Illinois joins the rest of the country in celebrating Shark Week, we have a chance to engage meaningfully with the legacy, science, and spirit of shark conservation. Shark Week is an invitation to connect with nature, support education, and contribute to efforts that ensure the future of one of Earth’s most ancient and awe-inspiring animals. The power of Shark Week lies not only in the programming on our screens but also in the conversations and actions it inspires, from our neighborhoods to the oceans we all share.