Free Carousel Rides at Como Zoo are back in 2026!

The famous Cafesjian’s Carousel at Como Zoo is open all summer long from May 1st through Labor Day, plus weekends in September and October, and offers free rides from 11:00am – 4:00pm on select dates in the summer.

You can ride FREE on the last Tuesday of each month all summer long in 2026!

Free Ride Dates for 2026

Tuesday, May 26th
11:00am – 4:00pm

Tuesday, June 30th 
11:00am – 4:00pm

Tuesday, July 28th
11:00am – 4:00pm

Tuesday, August 25th
11:00am – 4:00pm

Tuesday, September 29th
11:00am – 4:00pm

Otherwise, on all other days, rides are $4 each. Exception: Children under age 1 ride free with paying adult. 

Note – the carousel does not operate when the temperature is below 45 or above 95 degrees (guess those horses get hot – ha!). So check in advance if it’s operating.

And the carousel is accessible and can accommodate one wheelchair per ride.

Cafesjian’s Carousel is located in St. Paul’s Como Park, just south of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory and the Visitor Center.

Stay at Como Zoo for the day!

Como Zoo is free EVERY day. They do accept donations though. 

So if you’re headed to the carousel you might as well stay and see the animals!

NEW EXHIBIT:

Como Zoo has a new exhibit for the summer called “Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea.” There are 10 sculptures made entirely from plastic pollution collected from beaches and waterways.

Como is home to 10 Washed Ashore sculptures this summer, including:

• Chompers Bull Shark
• Gertrude African Penguin
• Hugo Humpback Whale Tail
• Sea Jelly Bloom
• Scrappy the Sea Lion Pup
• Priscilla Rainbow Parrotfish
• Rosa Bald Eagle
• Nora Salmon
• Natasha Sea Turtle
• Sebastian James the Puffin

Como Town is open for kids too!

For more free Twin Cities summer fun see my guide:

Free Summer Fun for Twin Cities Kids & Families 2026

BONUS: Download my FREE Printable Summer Activity Planner for Kids! 

There are 8 pages of summer planning fun:

• Summer Bucket List (32 ideas for summer fun!)
• Summer Schedules with themes and ideas
• “10 Things I Want to Do this Summer” Worksheet
• 3 Coloring Pages

Print whatever pages you want! To get this FREE Printable Summer Activity Planner for Kids, be sure you’re signed up for my FREE weekly email! You’ll get the links to the FREE printables INSTANTLY, and you will be subscribed to my weekly email newsletter which so you can get MORE freebies, deals and fun! Your information will not be shared with anyone and you can unsubscribe anytime.

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