Philadelphia Zoo’s Summer Ale Festival Returns with 100+ Beverages, Live Music and Wild Animal Encounters

Summer Ale Festival returns to Philadelphia Zoo once again this year, with more drinks and bites and live music throughout the evening. The event is for people 21+ only and allows visitors to experience the Zoo in a unique after-hours environment while sampling drinks from dozens of providers. Proceeds from the festival contributes to the care of animals and the conservation work at the Zoo.

According to a press release from the organizers, the 2026 edition of the Summer Ale Festival will take place on Saturday, July 18.

There will be over 100 beers, ciders, seltzers, meads, teas, spirits and non-alcoholic options, including 13 new vendors. This fan-favorite event is the only place in the region where you can sip with snow leopards, toast near tigers and cheers with Andean bears! Performing live this year on the Impala Lawn Stage are Philly-based bands Nik Greeley and the Operators, Echo Kid and Moonroof.

This year’s beverage lineup includes newcomers like Bald Birds Brewing Company, Ship Bottom Brewery, Good Boy Vodka, Ironbound Cider and NA Beer Club. For tasty bites throughout the night, some of the region’s best local food trucks will be serving up specials to satisfy any appetite. This annual summer tradition will take over trhe Zoo’s 42-acre campus for the wildest festival of the season. Hours are from 6:00pm to 10:00pm for VIP admission, and 7:00pm to 10:00pm for general admission. All taps will close by 9:30pm. Summer Ale Fest is limited to those 21 or older with valid identification; no children, including infants, permitted.  Tickets are available exclusively through the Zoo’s website and will not be available for purchase at the door. This is a rain or shine event.

“For many of our guests, Summer Ale Festival has become a can’t-miss tradition with friends and family,” said Philadelphia Zoo Vice President of Marketing and Communications Patrick McMaster. “The party atmosphere around the Zoo is impeccable, with more than 100 unique and refreshing beverages to sample, plus the best food trucks in the region serving up top quality dishes. We also have an awesome lineup of live music for everyone to enjoy. Most important of all, every ticket sale directly supports the care of all the Zoo’s animals, including many that guests can meet while they’re here.”

Tickets (includes admission to the Zoo):
* Early Admission (6-10pm; taps close at 9:30pm): $75-$99; early bird pricing expiring soon
* General Admission (7-10pm; taps close at 9:30pm):  $65-$85; early bird pricing expiring soon
* Non-drinker (admitted with their party at either 6pm or 7pm): $45
* NEW FOR 2026, Group tickets of 6 or more: $59; early bird pricing expiring soon

Know before you go:
* No charge complimentary parking
* There will NOT be a complimentary shuttle from 30th Street Station this year; please plan accordingly.
* Early Admission and General Admission guests will receive one (1) souvenir tasting cup
* Non-drinker guests will not receive a tasting cup.
* This is a rain or shine event
*  Taps close 30 minutes prior to event end at 9:30pm
* This is a 21+ event. No one under 21 will be admitted, including children and infants

Early Brewery and Beverage Vendor List (*NEW FOR 2026)
(Subject to Change; full beverage list to be announced)

2Moods
*Aldus Brewing Co.
Axe and Arrow
*Bald Birds Brewing Company
BeatBox Beverages
Bellefonte
Big Oyster Brewery
Broad Street Brewing
Bru Daddy’s Brewing Co.
Cartesian Brewing
Chestnut Hill Brewing
CT Valley Brewing
*Dock Street Brewery
Double Nickel Brewing Co.
Ever Grain Brewing Co
Evil Genius Beer Company
Farm Truck
Fegley’s Brew Works
Fishtown Iced Tea
*Good Boy Vodka
Happy Dad Hard Seltzer
*Hore Hollow Distillers DBA Jimmy Juice
*Ironbound Cider
Jersey Girl Brewing
La Cabra Brewing
Lancaster Brewing
Last Wave Brewing
Mermaid Spirits
MudHen
*NA Beer Club
Neck of the Woods
nicethingsBEVERAGE
Punch Buggy Brewing Co.
Requiem
Revolution Bees Meadery
Sea Isle Iced Tea
*Ship Bottom Brewery
*Singlecut
Spellbound Brewing
Spring House Brewing Company
Stateside
Swedesboro Brewing Company
Three 3’s Brewing
Tom’s River Brewing
*Top Dog Cocktails
Triple Bottom Brewing Company
Tullamore DEW
*Urban Village Brewing Company
*Vault
*Victory
vonC Brewing
*Wander Back Beerworks
Warwick Farm Brewing
Widowmaker
Wild Air
Wissahickon Brewing
Yards

Full Food Truck Lineup (subject to change)

After guests quench their thirst, they can enjoy delicious lite bites purchased at more than a dozen food trucks also situated throughout the Zoo. This year’s early food truck list includes:

Babalouie BBQ
Burrito Feliz Philly
Tubotots
The Little Sicilian
Bacon on a stick
The Pasta Truck
Scoops & Smiles
Kelly’s Water Ice
Many Hands Coffee
Wok Works

Full Music Lineup (subject to change)
Impala Stage:

6:00-7:00pm- Echo Kid
7:15-8:15pm- Moonroof
8:30-9:45pm- Nik Greeley and the Operators

New at the Zoo while visiting:
* ZOOtopiaries
* Flamingo Cove
* Carey Bear Country
* Detours New Store

Summer Ale Fest serves as a fundraiser and supports Philadelphia Zoo in its mission to create joyful discovery and inspire action for animals and habitats.