Zoo a la Carte – Milwaukee County Zoo

Name: Zoo a la Carte – Milwaukee County Zoo
Start: 2026-08-20T09:30:00-05:00
End: 2026-08-20T21:00:00-05:00
Location: Milwaukee County Zoo

August 20 @ 9:30 am - 9:00 pm

Back in 2026: Zoo a la Carte at the Milwaukee County Zoo! Don’t come just for the food, stay for musical performances from national and local bands throughout the Zoo! 30 Milwaukee area restaurants, along with the Zoo’s in-house food and beverage offerings, 6 stages of entertainment, plus a premium wine tent.

Mark your calendar for this Milwaukee tradition as the Zoo comes alive with music, food, and fun! Popular Milwaukee restaurants are scattered throughout the park, offering delicious fare, AND top national and local entertainment perform for guests on six stages. And don’t forget the animals!

To celebrate four decades of tradition, the Zoo will be offering daily giveaways, photo opportunities, and more!

And, for the first time, Thursday is Kids Day at A La Carte! In addition to special entertainment and activities, kids ages 3-12 will receive half-priced admission from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the admissions booth (children two and under are always free). Guests must purchase this rate in person.

Thursday: Kids Day

The first 500 kids in attendance will receive a special penguin backpack and hippo bookmark.

Friday, August 21

We’re throwing it back to the ’80s, when A La Carte first began! The first 500 groups on Friday will receive a retro, Zoo-themed Rubik’s cube.

Saturday, August 22

Get here early for Tank and the Bangas — 40 Tank fans will receive a Milwaukee County Zoo camp chair!

Sunday, August 23

Celebrate the final day of A La Carte, when 40 lucky guests will receive a festival essentials pack (tote bag, bucket hat, and water bottle).

Note Hours for Zoo a la Carte:

A La Carte at the Zoo is August 20-23
Open 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday – Saturday
Open 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Note payment system:
Food and beverage vendors are accepting credit cards or debit cards only – NO CASH.
A cash-to-card kiosk is available in the U.S. Bank Gathering Place. Cash, credit, and debit cards are accepted for admission, parking, merchandise, and attractions.

BUY TICKETS IN ADVANCE

2026 Zoo a la Carte Details Caribou Main Stage Headliners

Thursday, August 20 — lovelytheband
Friday, August 21 — Chris Lane and jackrabbit. featuring Dermot Mulroney
Saturday, August 22 — Tank and the Bangas

* All musical entertainment is included with Zoo admission. Parking, food, attractions, and rides are offered for an additional fee. Zoological Society membership is valid for A La Carte.

2026 Zoo a la Carte Local Eats –

Enjoy a variety of cuisines as you stroll through the park to enjoy the renowned animal population. Participating restaurants include:

A la Crepes (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Adventure Africa Cart
BBQ Belle
Bear Garden (vegetarian)
BelAir Cantina (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Brew City Snowballs (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Bubble Waffle Shoppes (vegan, vegetarian)
Caribou Beverage Bar
Catalano Corn (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Cedar Crest Ice Cream Parlor
Chillwaukee Coffee – NEW (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Chillwaukee Pops (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Crust & Copper – NEW (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
C-viche (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, sustainable seafood)
Flip’s Mini Donuts – NEW
Fly By Night – NEW
Fresh & Safe – NEW (vegan, vegetarian)
Funnel Cake Factory
Giraffe Beverage Bar
Giraffe Wine Bar
Hot Dog Grill (gluten-free)
Kings Catering – NEW (gluten-free)
Leinie Lodge
Lumpia City

Milwaukee Pretzel Company (vegetarian)
MIL-WOK-EE (40th year) (vegan, vegetarian)
Penguin Beverage Bar
Penguin Cart
Po’ Manz Food
Saz’s (40th year) (vegetarian)
Scrima’s Wood-Fired Pizza (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Shawarma House (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Shuckers CrabShack & Oyster Bar – NEW
Snack Barn (vegetarian)
Taco Caja (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
The Coop
The Grazing Experience – NEW (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
The Watering Hole – NEW
Thunder Bay Grille (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Tiki Bubble
Tots on the Street (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Ultimate Confections Desserts featuring Suzy’s Cream Cheesecakes (vegetarian)
West End Snacks
Wild Burger (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
Woody’s Custard
Zoo Pride Root Beer Floats (vegetarian, gluten-free)

Check out these reader tips from our Lake Country Family Fun Facebook followers.

Scope it out first to see what you want.
Sometimes restaurants sell out.
Buy a variety and share with your family/friends.
The Zoo is a smoke-free attraction (including e-cigarettes). Smoking is allowed in the parking lots only.
Carry-in of alcoholic beverages is prohibited. No glass bottles or glass containers are allowed.