Get Ready for a Roaring Good Time with Seasonal Beverages, Food, Brand-New Music Lineup and Animals!
Philadelphia, PA – After being postponed due to severe weather, Summer Ale Festival returns to Philadelphia Zoo bigger and better than ever on Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 6:00-10:00pm (taps close at 9:30pm) with over 100 beers, ciders, seltzers, meads, teas, spirits and non-alcoholic options, which includes 13 new vendors, that will suit any taste. This is the single largest beer event in the Greater Philadelphia Region each summer and this fan-favorite 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 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. 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 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.”
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.
Tickets (includes admission to the Zoo):
Early Admission (6-10pm; taps close at 9:30pm): $99
General Admission (7-10pm; taps close at 9:30pm): $85
Non-drinker (admitted with their party at either 6pm or 7pm): $45
NEW FOR 2026, Group tickets of 6 or more: $59
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
Vodka Orange Crush 4% Chill
Vodka Orange Crush 8% Threill
*Aldus Brewing Co.
Orange Crushicle Ale (Fruit Beer)
Pretzel Wheat Ale (American Pale Wheat Beer)
Axe and Arrow
Iron Workers Porter (Porter)
Cherry Dum Dum (Sour Ale w/ Cherry)
BeatBox Beverages
Coconut Breeze (RTD)
Blueberry Lemonade (RTD)
Bellefonte
Beyond the Call (Pilsner)
Lighten Up Francis (American Pale Ale)
Big Oyster Brewery
Mar Rosada (Gose)
Feeding Frenzy (Variety Pack)
Broad Street Brewing
Drop Top (American IPA)
Hey Yo (Hazy IPA)
Bru Daddy’s Brewing Co.
Kickin It Back (American IPA)
Helles (Gold Lager)
Cartesian Brewing
Local Honeyoon (Honey Lager)
Gate Weave (Pale Ale)
Chestnut Hill Brewing
Puppy Love (Wheat Beer)
Deliberance (Hazy Pale Ale)
CT Valley Brewing
Spiked Smoothie Peach Lemonade (Fruit Beer)
The Magic Dragon (Sour Ale)
*Dock Street Brewery
Barracuda (Berliner Weisse)
Bohemian Pilsner
Double Nickel Brewing Co.
Sun Surfer (American Blonde Ale)
Ripe Tangerine (Hazy IPA)
Ever Grain Brewing Co
Ripple (Sour Gose)
Tawny Frogmouth (New England IPA)
Evil Genius
867-5309 (New England IPA)
Fernando (Mexican Lager)
Farm Truck
Qué Pasó (Mexican Lager)
IPA (IPA)
Fegley’s Brew Works
Squishy Kitty (New England IPA)
Ember Daydream (Helles)
Fishtown Iced Tea
Fish Town Iced Tea (Hard Iced Tea)
*Good Boy Vodka
TBD
TBD
Happy Dad Hard Seltzer
Fruit Punch (Seltzer)
Grape (Seltzer)
Heineken 0.0
Heineken 0.0 (NA Beer)
*Horse Hollow Distillers DBA Jimmy Juice
Blanco Ginger Frizzy (RTD)
Classic Orange Fizzy (RTD)
*Ironbound Cider
Black Tea and Lemon (Hard Cider)
Original Cider (Hard Cider)
Jersey Girl Brewing
Queen Gambrinus (Belgian Tripel w/ Mango, Pineapple, and Watermelon)
Sun Kissed Citra (Session IPA)
La Cabra Brewing
Philly Adjacent (American IPA)
Allora (Italian Pilsner)
Lancaster Brewing
Hop Hog (IPA)
Blue Trail (Shandy)
Last Wave Brewing
Dawn Patrol (Guava Sour Ale)
Dolcita (Guava Sour Ale)
Mermaid Spirits
TBD
TBD
MudHen
TBD
TBD
Muller Assorted Distributors
Mother Earth Cali Creamsicle (Cream Ale)
Bubly Variety (Seltzer)
*NA Beer Club
TBD
TBD
Naked Life + Zoa
Naked Life Gin & Tonic (NA)
Naked Life Margarita (NA)
Neck of the Woods
Fun (Mixed Berry Sour)
Chillin Wit My Homies (Witbier)
Punch Buggy Brewing Co.
Zip Zip (Hazy IPA)
Chai Heff (Hefeweizen)
Requiem
Select Premium Lager (Lager)
Weathered Statues (American IPA)
Revolution Bees Meadery
Buzz Strawberry (Mead)
Buzz Lemon Basil (Mead)
*Ship Bottom Brewery
Blueberry Wheat (Wheat Ale)
Linvilla Orchards (Hard Cider)
*Singlecut
Kim Hibiscus (Sour Ale)
Psychedelic (IPA)
Space Cadet
Breaking Brews (Type not listed)
Devolution (Hazy IPA)
Spellbound Brewing
Cherry Triple (Belgian Tripel)
Hypnotic Hops (IPA)
Singlecut
TBD
TBD
Stateside
Surfside Iced Tea (RTD)
Surfside Blueberry Lemonade (RTD)
Swedesboro Brewing Company
Trash Panda 4 (Hazy IPA)
New Sweden Blonde Shandy (Summer Shandy)
Three 3’s Brewing
Sunset Echo (Strawberry Wheat)
Lost Reality (New England IPA)
*Top Dog Cocktails
Greyhound (RTD Cocktail)
Peach Mango Tea (RTD Cocktail)
Tullamore DEW
TBD
TBD
*Urban Village Brewing Company
Money Premium (Light Pilsner)
Super Villain (Hazy IPA)
*Vault
Pink Sheets (Gose Style Ale)
Teller Pilsner (Pilsner)
*Victory
TBD
TBD
vonC Brewing
Walking on Clouds (Hazy IPA)
Lime Danny (American Lager)
*Wander Back Beerworks
Future Proof (German Pilsner)
Breese (Summer Lager)
Warwick Farm Brewing
Orange Crush Shandy (Shandy)
DDH Citra Sensation (Imperial IPA)
Widowmaker
Cursed Blade (New England IPA)
Lager (Lager)
Wild Air
Wind-Up Bird (Japanese Style Rice Lager)
White Moonlight (Belgian Wit)
Wissahickon Brewing
Daybreak (New England IPA)
Schooner (Pilsner)
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
Angus Beef Brisket, Pulled Pork, Smoked Wings, St. Louie Ribs
Bacon on a Stick
12 inches of thick-cut bacon with your choice of sauces include Honey Hot, Garlic Parmesan, Bourbon Cinnamon and Jamaican Jerk
Burrito Feliz Philly
Tacos, Burritos and Bowls with Birria, Steak, Chicken Al Pastor, Chicken Tinga, Carnitas, Grilled Shrimp, Baja Shrimp, Baja Fish, Fajita Veggies, Tofu “Chorizo”
Kelly’s Water Ice
Variety of Water Ice Flavors
Kona Ice
Shaved ice treats with 10+ flavors to choose from
Waffles Philly
Loaded liège waffles with a variety of toppings
Tubotots
Loaded Tatertots
The Little Sicilian
Arancini Riceballs filled with flavors like Broccoli Rabe, The Pizzalball, Spinach & Mozzarella, Prosciutto, Buffalo Chicken
The Pasta Truck
Pastas including Penne Alfredo, Rigatoni Marinara, Farfalle Pesto Primavera and more
Wok Works
Made from scratch and made to order bowls
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
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.
ABOUT PHILADELPHIA ZOO
At Philadelphia Zoo, the Zoo moves around you! Pioneering Zoo360, a first-in-the-world system of animal exploration trails, Philadelphia Zoo has inspired more than 70 zoos around the globe to design new ways to invite animals to travel and roam through their own campuses. Passing through treetops, crossing over pathways and connecting habitats, Zoo360 provides Philadelphia Zoo’s beautiful big cats, playful lemurs, and lively monkeys innovative ways to explore and marvel at one another and our guests. Visit our internationally-known Galapagos tortoise hatchlings inside the Reptile and Amphibian House, our quickly-growing orangutan infant in PECO Primate Reserve, the Ankole cattle hillside, Amur tigers at Big Cat Falls, Victorian crown pigeons at McNeil Avian Center, and hippos, zebras and white rhino throughout African Plains. Share a space with critically endangered lemurs as you wander through Lemur Island, look up as you feed the world’s tallest animal at Giraffe Experience, or get up-close as you hand-serve colorful birds their meals at Wings of Asia. Philadelphia Zoo is one of the region’s foremost conservation and education organizations and home to endangered, and in some cases extinct, animals in the wild. By connecting people with wildlife, Philadelphia Zoo creates joyful discovery and inspires action for animals and habitats. Philadelphia Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is a non-smoking facility. For more information, visit philadelphiazoo dot org. Facebook: PhiladelphiaZoo; Instagram: @philadelphiazoo; X (formerly Twitter): @phillyzoo; TikTok: @philadelphiazoo