What does a Zoo Brews ticket include on October 23 and 24?
Zoo Brews general admission covers a sampling cup, beer and cider samples and unlimited rides. Food costs extra; guests must be 21+.
You know the key ticket question before you head out: what does your admission cover, and what will cost extra? A Zoo Brews: Howls and Growls general admission ticket includes a souvenir sampling cup, beer and cider samples, unlimited rides on three attractions, and access to the event’s entertainment and themed areas. Food costs extra.
The event runs on two nights, and each ticket is for guests 21 and older. You can check the event details from Lincoln Park Zoo before choosing a date.
The answer
Your general admission ticket includes a souvenir sampling cup, beer and cider samples at themed stations, unlimited rides on the carousel, Ferris wheel and giant slide, and access to the event’s entertainment and activities.
Zoo Brews: Howls and Growls runs from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, at Lincoln Park Zoo. The event is for guests 21 and older.
You can visit the “trick or treat” stations around the zoo for beer and cider samples. Your ticket also covers roaming entertainers in themed areas, a live pumpkin-carving demo, a live DJ and a costume contest. Food is sold separately, so plan to pay extra if you want to eat during the event.
The ticket includes unlimited rides on the carousel, Ferris wheel and giant slide. That gives you access to the event’s attractions alongside its sampling and entertainment. The ticketing page lists the event’s admission options.
What it costs right now
As of Oct. 8, general admission is $65 in the zoo’s Last Call price tier, with the event-day price listed at $70. The zoo’s ticketing system also adds a $0.50 fixed fee and a percentage fee.
The earlier tiers were $55 for Early Bird tickets through June 30 and $60 for general admission from July 1 through Sept. 30. Members save 20%. The current ticket details show the available ticket information; your checkout total includes the applicable ticketing fees.
Tickets are nonrefundable, though you can give yours to another person who is at least 21. Both nights had plenty of tickets left as of the morning of Oct. 8. Availability can change, so check the event session listings before you buy.
The non-drinker option
An NA ticket includes unlimited nonalcoholic drinks at Eadie Levy’s Landmark Cafe, served one at a time with a wristband.
The drink options include fountain drinks, coffee, canned teas, energy drinks and specialty boba. You show your wristband when ordering, and each drink is served individually.
This option gives you a way to enjoy drinks at the event without choosing an alcoholic sampling ticket. Check the ticketing page for the current NA ticket option and its terms before you purchase.
How the sampling works
You can visit eight themed stations for samples, with the number you receive depending on how many stations you visit.
The stations are Dead Man’s Tale, Hop-notic, Barrel of Laughs, Monster Mash, Hazy Hollow, Jack’s Pumpkin Bash, Caskets of Blood and the Growler Grave DJ stage. Brewer participation may change, so the lineup can vary.
Most habitats are open during the event, giving you room to move around the zoo between stations. Buildings close by 9:30 p.m., which is 30 minutes before the event ends. If you want to see an indoor space, plan to visit before that closing time.
Rules worth knowing
You must be 21 by the event date and show both your ticket and ID to enter.
Costumes are welcome, with one clear restriction: full-face-covering costumes are not allowed. Choose a costume that leaves your face visible when you arrive.
The event takes place rain or shine, so prepare for the forecast when deciding what to wear. Your ticket is nonrefundable, and you can transfer it to someone else who is 21 or older if your plans change.
Getting there
You can reach Lincoln Park Zoo by car, rideshare or public transit.
Paid parking is available at the zoo lot at Fullerton Parkway and Cannon Drive. If you arrive by rideshare, use the West Gate drop-off at Stockton Drive and Webster Avenue.
For CTA service, you can use the Armitage or Fullerton station. Bus routes 22, 36, 151 and 156 also serve the area. Allow time to reach the event entrance after you arrive, especially if you need to park or walk from a transit stop.