Milwaukee Zoo A La Carte 2026: Your Family Guide
The Milwaukee County Zoo’s fan-favorite A La Carte at the Zoo returns August 20–23, 2026, celebrating its 40th year with animals, live music across six stages and food from more than 30 Milwaukee-area vendors. It’s an easy choose-your-own-adventure day for families: visit the animals, share a few dishes and catch a performance without leaving the Zoo.
Before you go, check the official A La Carte event page for the latest updates and schedule changes.
2026 Dates, Hours and Location
Dates: Thursday, August 20–Sunday, August 23, 2026
Location: Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Bluemound Road, Milwaukee
Hours:
Thursday–Saturday: 9:30 a.m.–9 p.m.
Sunday: 9:30 a.m.–8 p.m.
The Aviary closes at 3:30 p.m. each day. Other animal buildings close one hour before the festival ends, so plan animal viewing earlier in your visit.
New for 2026: Thursday Kids Day
For the first time, Thursday, August 20 is Kids Day. Children ages 3–12 receive half-priced admission from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. when tickets are purchased in person at the admissions booth. Children age 2 and younger are always free.
Kid Boogie Down, a family and youth hip-hop group, performs on the Miller Lite Caribou Stage. The first 500 kids in attendance will also receive a penguin backpack and hippo bookmark, while supplies last. The Kids Day discount must be purchased in person and is not an online ticket offer.
Tickets and 2026 Admission
Online A La Carte tickets are date-specific and save $3 per ticket. Listed online prices are:
Milwaukee County residents: $21 adults ages 13+, $19 seniors ages 60+, $18 children ages 3–12, and free for ages 0–2.
Non-county visitors: $22.75 adults, $21.75 seniors, $19.75 children ages 3–12, and free for ages 0–2.
Prices and availability can change. Zoological Society memberships are valid for A La Carte. Parking, food, rides and attractions cost extra. Discounted tickets may also be available at Tri City National Bank branches while supplies last.
Official resources: 2026 food vendor list and A La Carte tickets.
More Than 30 Food and Drink Stops
The 2026 lineup mixes longtime favorites with new vendors. Returning options include A la Crepes, BelAir Cantina, Bubble Waffle Shoppes, C-viche, Lumpia City, Milwaukee Pretzel Company, Saz’s, Scrima’s Wood-Fired Pizza, Shawarma House, Taco Caja, Tots on the Street, Wild Burger and Woody’s Custard.
New vendors for 2026 include Chillwaukee Coffee, Crust & Copper, Flip’s Mini Donuts, Fly By Night, Fresh & Safe, Kings Catering, Shuckers CrabShack & Oyster Bar and The Watering Hole. MIL-WOK-EE and Saz’s are both marking 40 years at the festival.
Gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian choices will be available.
Payment note: Food and beverage vendors accept credit or debit cards only. Cash can be converted to a prepaid card in the Zoo Administration office. Admission, parking, merchandise and attractions accept cash, credit and debit cards.
Live music at Zoo a la Carte
Live Music: 2026 Headliners and Schedule
All musical entertainment is included with Zoo admission. Headliners perform on the Miller Lite Caribou Stage:
• Thursday, August 20 at 7 p.m.: lovelytheband
• Friday, August 21 at 7:30 p.m.: Chris Lane
• Friday also features jackrabbit. featuring Dermot Mulroney
• Saturday, August 22 at 7 p.m.: Tank and the Bangas
• Sunday, August 23 at 6 p.m.: Milwaukee’s De La Buena
Local and regional performers fill six stages with hip-hop, jazz, country, rock, Latin music, DJs and youth showcases.
Official entertainment schedule
40th-Anniversary Giveaways
The Zoo is celebrating four decades of A La Carte with photo opportunities and a different limited giveaway each day:
• Thursday: The first 500 kids receive a penguin backpack and hippo bookmark.
• Friday: The first 500 groups receive a retro Zoo-themed Rubik’s cube.
• Saturday: Forty Tank and the Bangas fans receive a Milwaukee County Zoo camp chair.
• Sunday: Forty guests receive a festival essentials pack with a tote bag, bucket hat and water bottle.
Giveaways are available while supplies last.
Animals and Powerful Pollinators
A La Carte admission includes access to the Zoo’s more than 2,300 animals. Most animal buildings stay open into the evening, closing one hour before the festival ends; the Aviary closes at 3:30 p.m.
Families can also see the 2026 summer exhibit, Powerful Pollinators. Rides and attractions such as the Safari Train, Carousel, Sky Safari and virtual reality experiences cost extra.
Family Planning Tips
Bring comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, refillable water bottles, your Zoo Pass membership card, a credit or debit card for food vendors, and a stroller or wagon for younger children.
Thursday Kids Day is the best value for families with children ages 3–12, but the half-price rate is only available in person from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Arrive early for giveaways, and visit animals before focusing on evening music.
Official 2026 A La Carte event page
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