TL;DR: Twycross Zoo’s Zoolapalooza runs from 11th July to 6th September 2026 and is packed with live shows, animal talks, keeper sessions, family challenges and daily prize giveaways. Every fortnight brings a new animal spotlight, with the Gorilla Takeover (8th-21st August) and the Giraffe Takeover (22nd August-4th September) still to come. Book online for 15% off admission and get 12 months of free return visits thrown in!
If you’re hunting for a summer day out that’ll genuinely wow the kids, Twycross Zoo has pulled out all the stops this year. Zoolapalooza is the zoo’s biggest summer event ever, and it’s not just a regular zoo visit with a new banner. We’re talking live stage shows, Zoo Crew missions, collectible stickers, surprise prize draws, animal encounters and a whole lot more, all included in your standard admission price.
Whether you’re planning a trip this weekend or squeezing in one last adventure before the school run returns, here’s everything your family needs to know about Zoolapalooza 2026.
What is Zoolapalooza?
Zoolapalooza is Twycross Zoo’s brand-new summer festival for 2026, running from 11th July through to 6th September. Think of it as a summer-long celebration of the animal world, with something different happening every single day across the zoo’s grounds.
At the heart of the event is a rolling programme of fortnightly animal takeovers, each shining the spotlight on a different species. Every two weeks, a new animal becomes the star of the show, with themed activities, keeper talks, and dedicated stage performances built around them. It’s a brilliant way to keep things fresh if you’re planning more than one visit this summer!
What’s included in your Zoolapalooza admission?
- Live stage shows at the Zoolapalooza Main Stage
- Zoo Crew missions and challenges
- Animal talks and keeper insights
- Collectible stickers
- Surprise prizes and daily giveaways
- Zoo Knows Best, the animal-themed family quiz (daily at 2:30pm)
- Interactive discovery experiences
- Themed face painting
- Animal-themed stories and dance sessions
That’s a seriously packed day out, and every single one of these activities is included in your standard zoo ticket. No hidden extras, no awkward upsells at the gate.
The Zoolapalooza Animal Takeovers
The fortnightly takeovers are what make Zoolapalooza genuinely special. Rather than spreading the fun thin across the whole event, the zoo has built concentrated, themed experiences around each featured species. Here’s how the summer schedule breaks down:
| Dates | Takeover | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 11th Jul – 7th Aug | Opening Zoolapalooza | Live shows, Zoo Crew missions, new animal arrivals |
| 8th – 21st Aug | Gorilla Takeover | Themed activities, gorilla keeper talks, troop habitat time |
| 22nd Aug – 4th Sept | Giraffe Takeover | Meet the herd, giraffe facts, interactive family activities |
Gorilla Takeover (8th – 21st August)
Right now, it’s all about gorillas! Twycross Zoo is home to a troop of western lowland gorillas, and during the Gorilla Takeover these magnificent primates are front and centre. Expect themed activities across the zoo, dedicated keeper talks, and extended time watching the troop in their habitat. Twycross is one of very few places in the UK where you can see gorillas up close, which makes this fortnight particularly special for wildlife fans.
Bear in mind: western lowland gorillas are critically endangered, so there’s a genuinely important conservation story woven through the experience too.
Giraffe Takeover (22nd August – 4th September)
Wrapping up the summer with a flourish, the Giraffe Takeover puts Twycross’s giraffe herd in the spotlight. Giraffe-themed stage shows run daily at 10:00, 10:30, 11:30 and 14:30 at the Plaza Stage, with interactive games and family fun woven in throughout the day. If your kids are obsessed with giraffes (and honestly, who isn’t?), this is the perfect final-week visit before the holidays end.
Daily Events and Activities to Look Out For
Zoolapalooza isn’t just about the big fortnightly themes. Every single day at Twycross Zoo is packed with keeper-led experiences and family entertainment. Here’s a taste of what a typical day looks like:
Keeper Talks and Feeding Sessions
Throughout the day, Twycross’s expert keepers run a series of talks and feeding sessions across the zoo. Highlights include:
- Humboldt Penguin Talk and Feed (12:15pm, Penguin Habitat) – watch the keepers dish out fish while learning all about these charismatic birds
- Butterfly House: Meet the Keeper (12:30pm) – a lovely, quieter experience for curious little ones
- Aldabra Tortoise Talk and Feed (2:30pm) – a chance to get close to one of the planet’s longest-living creatures
- Big Cat Talk and Feed (3:15pm) – featuring Amur leopards, Sumatran tigers or snow leopards (check the board on the day!)
Zoo Knows Best Quiz
Every afternoon at 2:30pm at the Plaza Stage, the Zoo Knows Best quiz brings families together for an animal-themed challenge. Spin the mega prize wheel and see what you can win! It’s competitive, it’s silly, and it’s genuinely great fun for all ages.
The Sticker Chart Challenge
This one’s a summer-long mission for the kids! Children can collect rewards by completing zoo activities and conservation-inspired tasks at home throughout the holidays. Complete the chart before the end of summer and you’ll be entered into a special prize draw. It’s a clever way to keep the zoo magic alive even on the days you’re not visiting.
Twycross Zoo Zoolapalooza Tickets and Prices
Here’s the brilliant news: all of the Zoolapalooza activities are included in standard zoo admission. You don’t need to pay anything extra to enjoy the live shows, keeper talks, sticker challenges or quiz. Just turn up with your tickets and dive in!
Admission Prices (Advanced Online Booking)
| Visitor Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults (18+) | £28.75 |
| Children (3-17) | £21.55 |
| Infants (under 3s) | FREE |
Prices exclude voluntary Gift Aid donations.
Save 15% When You Book Online
Book your Zoolapalooza visit online and you’ll save 15% off admission compared to gate prices. That’s a decent saving for a family of four, and it means you can spend a bit more on ice cream (obviously the priority).
The 12-Month Return Visit Offer
This is the deal that makes Twycross Zoo genuinely exceptional value. Every ticket comes with the zoo’s “Pay for a day, visit free for 12 months” offer, meaning your admission today covers unlimited return visits for a whole year. If you’re even slightly local to Leicestershire or the wider Midlands, this is a no-brainer.
Exclusive Zoo Crew Champions Pack
When you book your Twycross Zoo tickets through Day Out With The Kids, every child ticket comes with a free Zoo Crew Champions Pack (worth £19.99). It’s an exclusive perk you won’t find anywhere else, and it ties in perfectly with the Zoo Crew missions running throughout Zoolapalooza.
Top tip: Book online in advance to lock in the 15% discount and guarantee your spot, especially during peak summer weeks when the zoo gets busy!
Planning Your Visit: What to Know Before You Go
A little bit of prep goes a long way when visiting a big zoo with the family. Here are the essentials to have on your radar before you head to Twycross this summer.
Opening Times
Twycross Zoo is open 9:30am to 5:00pm, with last entry at 4:00pm. Opening times can occasionally vary for special events, so it’s always worth double-checking your specific visit date on the Twycross Zoo attractions page before you travel.
Getting There
By car: Twycross Zoo is located on the A444, easily accessed via the A5 and the M42 (Junction 11). Follow the brown zoo signage on the roads and you can’t miss it. The full address is: Twycross Zoo, Burton Road, Twycross, Atherstone, Warwickshire, CV9 3PX.
By public transport: The Number 7 bus runs from Atherstone station direct to the zoo. The TZ25 bus also runs from St Margaret’s Bus Station in Leicester.
What’s On Each Day
The daily events schedule changes, so it’s worth checking the zoo’s What’s On board when you arrive. The Zoolapalooza Main Stage is your go-to hub for live shows and prize draws throughout the day.
A Note on the Splash Park
Twycross Zoo’s Wet ‘N’ Wild Splash Park is currently unavailable while the team works to get things back up and running. Keep an eye on the zoo’s website for updates closer to your visit date.
Twycross Zoo’s Other Year-Round Highlights
Zoolapalooza is the headline act this summer, but Twycross Zoo has plenty more to offer beyond the event activities. The zoo is home to the UK’s only four species of great apes, the Gruffalo Discovery Land, big cats including snow leopards and Sumatran tigers, and hundreds of animals from some of the world’s most endangered species. It’s a full day out even without the summer extras!
Is Zoolapalooza Worth It?
Honestly? Yes, and it’s not even close. Zoolapalooza isn’t a rebranded version of a standard zoo visit with a couple of extra signs. The fortnightly animal takeovers give the event a real sense of momentum and purpose, and the daily programme of keeper talks, stage shows and family challenges means there’s always something happening wherever you are in the zoo.
The value story is particularly strong. With all activities included in admission, the 15% online discount, the 12-month return visit offer, and the exclusive Zoo Crew Champions Pack for kids (free when you book through us!), this is one of the best-value summer days out in the Midlands right now.
The bottom line: if you’ve got kids who are even slightly interested in animals, Zoolapalooza is a brilliant summer outing. The Gorilla Takeover is happening right now, and the Giraffe Takeover kicks off on 22nd August. Both are worth planning around.
Book your Twycross Zoo tickets here and don’t forget, every child ticket booked through Day Out With The Kids includes a free Zoo Crew Champions Pack worth £19.99. You can also explore everything the zoo has to offer year-round on our Twycross Zoo attraction page.