Sip With Snow Leopards and Toast Near Tigers: Philadelphia Zoo’s Summer Ale Festival Returns This July
Sip With Snow Leopards and Toast Near Tigers: Philadelphia Zoo’s Summer Ale Festival Returns This July
The wildest beer festival in the region is back. Philadelphia Zoo’s Summer Ale Festival returns on Saturday, July 18, 2026, taking over the Zoo’s full 42-acre campus for one unforgettable night of craft beer, live music, food trucks, and animals. With over 100 beers, ciders, seltzers, meads, teas, spirits, and non-alcoholic options — including 13 brand-new vendors — this is the only place in the region where your tasting flight comes with a side of snow leopards.
“For many of our guests, Summer Ale Festival has become a can’t-miss tradition,” said Philadelphia Zoo VP 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.”
Three Philly-based bands take the Impala Lawn Stage throughout the night:
- 6:00 – 7:00 PM — Echo Kid
- 7:15 – 8:15 PM — Moonroof
- 8:30 – 9:45 PM — Nik Greeley and the Operators
ENJOY POURS FROM:
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
FOOD TRUCKS INCLUDE:
Between pours, explore what’s new at the Zoo, including Carey Bear Country — the brand-new state-of-the-art Andean and sloth bear habitat — plus Flamingo Cove, ZOOtopiaries, and the new Detours store.
This is a 21+ event — no exceptions, including children and infants. Tickets are available exclusively through the Zoo’s website and will not be sold at the door. Early bird pricing is expiring soon, so grab yours now.
- Early Admission (6 – 10 PM): $75 – $99
- General Admission (7 – 10 PM): $65 – $85
- Non-Drinker: $45
- Groups of 6 or more (new for 2026): $59
A few things to keep in mind: parking is free, there will be no complimentary shuttle from 30th Street Station this year, and all taps close at 9:30 PM. Rain or shine, the festival goes on.
Every ticket sale directly supports the care of the Zoo’s animals — so drink up for a good cause.
Tickets available at philadelphiazoo.org.
