Free Zoo Admission for City Employees Weekend

Zoo Atlanta will open its gates for free on Saturday, August 8, and Sunday, August 9, to City of Atlanta residents, Fulton County residents, and employees of both governments, according to the zoo’s event page. The promotion is part of City of Atlanta and Fulton County Family Days, which Zoo Atlanta said have drawn heavy crowds in previous years. The offer is valid only at the gate and cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions, the zoo said. Atlanta Parent also listed the event in its August family calendar. ### Who qualifies for the free admission this weekend? City of Atlanta residents, Fulton County residents, City of Atlanta government employees and Fulton County government employees are eligible for the free-admission weekend, Zoo Atlanta said. The zoo said the benefit is available on the two event dates only — August 8 and 9, 2026. (zooatlanta.org) Atlanta Parent’s event listing says residents or employees of the City of Atlanta and Fulton County government can explore the zoo for free, and directs visitors to check identification requirements before arriving. ### What ID do visitors need to bring? Zoo Atlanta said residents must show a recognized form of identification, such as a Georgia driver’s license or a State of Georgia-issued voter identification card, along with a water, light or gas utility bill showing their address. (zooatlanta.org) The zoo said government employees must present a City of Atlanta employee identification card or a Fulton County Government employee identification card. (atlantaparent.com) The zoo said the offer is not valid online, meaning eligible visitors should go directly to the ticket booth with their identification. Atlanta on the Cheap, which summarized the zoo’s instructions, reported that no timed reservation is required. ### How much does the offer cover? Zoo Atlanta said the promotion includes free admission for up to two adults and up to four children per party. (zooatlanta.org) Atlanta on the Cheap reported that free parking is also included during the two-day event. Saturday and Sunday hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with last entry at 4:30 p.m., according to Atlanta on the Cheap’s posting based on the event details. (zooatlanta.org) Zoo Atlanta said visitors should expect high volume and encouraged guests to arrive early. ### What should families expect once they are inside? Zoo Atlanta’s event page frames the weekend as a regular zoo visit offered free to eligible residents and employees, with access to the zoo during normal operating hours. (atlantaonthecheap.com) The Atlanta Parent listing describes it as a chance to explore the zoo rather than a separately ticketed festival program. The Atlanta Parent “Fun Things to Do This Week” roundup placed the zoo weekend alongside other metro Atlanta family events, but the art-making activities and performances mentioned in that roundup refer to the High Museum of Art’s UPS Second Sunday on August 9, not to Zoo Atlanta’s Family Days listing. ### How can visitors plan ahead before they go? (zooatlanta.org) Zoo Atlanta said visitors are encouraged to consider carpooling or MARTA because Family Days have been “extremely well-attended” in prior years. The zoo’s event page also directs guests to arrive early because of expected crowd levels. The zoo’s event calendar lists City of Atlanta and Fulton County Family Days for August 8 and 9, and Atlanta Parent’s event page includes the venue address at 800 Cherokee Avenue SE in Atlanta and the zoo’s phone number. (atlantaparent.com) August 8 and August 9 are the only dates for the free-admission offer, according to Zoo Atlanta. Visitors can find the latest eligibility rules on Zoo Atlanta’s Family Days page and additional local event listings through Atlanta Parent before heading to the zoo this weekend. (zooatlanta.org) (zooatlanta.org)