The Saint Louis Zoo is getting a head start on autumn with Zootoberfest, an Oktoberfest-style celebration that swaps the usual summer zoo visit for oompah bands, German-inspired food, and steins of beer for the grown-ups. It’s free for all guests, with food and beverages available for purchase, running across select dates in September.
What’s actually on offer
Zootoberfest layers a festival experience on top of a normal zoo day:
- Live music with an oompah-band, German-festival feel
- German-themed food and drink, including beer and a root beer option for kids
- Family-friendly educational activities aimed squarely at younger visitors
- Full access to the Zoo’s open exhibits and attractions throughout the event
It’s a smart bit of scheduling, too — by moving an Oktoberfest-style event into September rather than waiting for the traditional October window, the Zoo gets ahead of the fall festival rush and gives families another reason to visit before the weather turns.
A nice tie-in for zoo regulars
For families who already have a Zoo membership, Zootoberfest is a low-effort way to make a regular visit feel like an event. And for anyone who’s been meaning to check out the Zoo’s newest children’s book, “The Story of the Saint Louis Zoo,” the Zootoberfest dates are a natural excuse to pick up a copy while you’re there.
Planning your visit
Because the event runs on select dates rather than for the entire month, it’s worth double-checking the specific Zootoberfest days before heading out, especially if the beer garden and live music are the main draw for the adults in your group. As with any free, high-traffic Zoo weekend, arriving earlier in the day tends to mean shorter lines and easier parking.
Whether you’re there for the pretzels or the polka, Zootoberfest is a low-stakes, high-fun way to ease into fall in St. Louis.
