Taking advantage of the wonderful Milwaukee County Zoo, which has quite literally been labeled as one of the “gold standards” of zoological facilities, is a wise move just about any day. Add food from more than 20 area restaurants and a whole bunch of music, and it becomes a can’t-miss sort of thing.
That’s what A La Carte at the Zoo has grown into across its nearly four decades, a mark it will move one step closer to when the event returns Aug. 14-17. Besides the more than 2,220 animals you can visit, this year’s A La Carte will feature its usual wide selection of food and drink from more than 40 different vendors, including five newcomers for 2025:
- A la Crepes (vegetarian)
- BBQ Belle
- Bear Garden
- BelAir Cantina (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
- Brew City Snowballs
- Bubble Waffle Shoppes (vegan)
- Caribou Beverage Bar
- Catalano Corn (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
- Chillwaukee Pops (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
- C-Viche (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, sustainable seafood)
- Funnel Cake Factory
- Giraffe Beverage Bar
- Giraffe Wine Bar
- Ice Cream Parlor
- La Masa
- Leinie Lodge
- Lumpia City – NEW (vegetarian)
- Margaux Brasserie – NEW
- Milwaukee Pretzel Company (vegetarian)
- MIL-WOK-EE (vegan, vegetarian)
- Motor Restaurant – NEW
- Nothing Bundt Cakes (gluten-free)
- Nourish 414
- Penguin Beverage Bar
- Pie Craft Pizza
- Po’ Manz Food
- Saz’s
- Scrima’s Woodfired Pizza
- Shawarma House (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
- Snack Barn
- Summer County Fare
- Taco Caja – NEW
- The Coop
- Thunder Bay Grille (vegetarian)
- Tiki Bubble – NEW
- Tots on the Street (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free)
- Ultimate Confections Desserts featuring Suzy’s Cream Cheesecakes
- Watering Hole Root Beer Floats
- West End Snacks
- Wild Burger (vegan, gluten-free)
- Woody’s Custard
- Wok in the Zoo
Also coming back for 2025 are the national headliners appearing on the Miller Lite Caribou stage at 7 p.m. the first three days of the event. That lineup starts Aug. 14 with Phillip Phillips, continues Aug. 15 with Los Lonely Boys and wraps up Aug. 16 with country act LOCASH. Including those big names, the event will bring in more than 50 different artists to play across the zoo’s six stages.
You can find the full entertainment scheduled below and find all the information about A La Carte at the Zoo, including your ticket options, on the event’s webpage.
A La Carte at the Zoo performers
Thursday, Aug. 14
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
- 11:30 a.m. – Scott E. Berendt and The Us Project
- 3:30 p.m. – Jake Warne Duo
- 7 p.m. – Phillip Phillips
Gilbane Building Company Flamingo Stage
- 11:15 a.m. – Mississippi Leg Hounds
- 2:45 p.m. – Frogwater
- 6 p.m. – ’90s Jake Band
Zoofari Stage
- 11 a.m. – Bobby Way and the Fabulous Wayouts
- 2:45 p.m. – Sawyer Road
- 6 p.m. – The Playlist
Renewal By Andersen Lakeview Stage
- 11 a.m. – Jon Rouse
- 2:30 p.m. – Bill Stone Duo
- 6 p.m. – Grimm Brothers Trio Featuring Linda Lee
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
- 11:30 a.m. – Phil Norby
- 2:45 p.m. – Chris Esenberg
- 6 p.m. – Keanen Kopplin
North Shore Bank Wine Tent
- 11:30 a.m. – Marcell
- 2:45 p.m. – Dave Ciccantelli
- 6 p.m. – Downtown Harrison
Friday, Aug. 15
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
- Noon – Judson Brown Band
- 3 p.m. – Bruce Humphries and the Rockabilly Rebels
- 7 p.m. – Los Lonely Boys
Gilbane Building Company Flamingo Stage
- 11:15 a.m. – Post Turtles
- 2:45 p.m. – the brightside
- 6 p.m. – Eric Barbieri & The Rockin’ Krakens
Zoofari Stage
- 11 a.m. – Zoot Suit Boogie
- 2:30 p.m. – The Bar Downs
- 6 p.m. – Retrosonic
Renewal By Andersen Lakeview Stage
- 11 a.m. – Ronnie Nyles
- 2:30 p.m. – Steve Cohen and Jimmy Ray
- 6 p.m. – Barbara Stephan and Peter Mac
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
- 11:15 a.m. – Ryan McIntyre
- 2:45 p.m. – Keshena Armon
- 6 p.m. – Van Jaeger
North Shore Bank Wine Tent
- 11:15 a.m. – Christopher’s Project Duo
- 2:45 p.m. – Windy Hope
- 6 p.m. – Downtown Harrison
Saturday, Aug. 16
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
- 11 a.m. – Brett and The Dandys
- 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. Dirty Boogie
- 7 p.m. – LOCASH
Gilbane Building Company Flamingo Stage
- 11:15 a.m. – The Mighty Ms. Erica Trio
- 2:45 p.m. – Superopus
- 6 p.m. – Fire and Ice
Zoofari Stage
- 11 a.m. – Shuga Blu
- 2:30 p.m. – Jackson Park Jazz Orchestra
- 6 p.m. – 5 Card Studs
Renewal By Andersen Lakeview Stage
- 11 a.m. – Hearthfire Duo
- 2:30 p.m. – Anthony Deutsch
- 6 p.m. – Bourbon in the Basement
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
- 11:15 a.m. – ’90s Jake Band
- 2:45 p.m. – Nate John Herlache
- 6:15 p.m. – Eric Barbieri
North Shore Bank Wine Tent
- 11:15 a.m. – Patrick Van Bibber
- 2:45 p.m. – The Belle Weather Duo
- 6 p.m. – Downtown Harrison
Sunday, Aug. 17
Miller Lite Caribou Stage
- 12:30 p.m. – The Hot & Dirty Brass Band
- 5:30 p.m. – The Supertramp Tribute Band
Gilbane Building Company Flamingo Stage
- 11:15 a.m. – Listening Party
- 4 p.m. – Busted Mullet
Zoofari Stage
- Noon – Kitty Soft Paw
- 4:30 p.m. – The SenSations
Renewal By Andersen Lakeview Stage
- 11:30 a.m. – Mueller & Hill
- 4:30 p.m. – Mission Accomplished
Mad City Windows & Baths Woody Stage
- 11:30 a.m. – The Consequence
- 4 p.m. – Ben Janzow
North Shore Bank Wine Tent
- 11:30 a.m. – Big Al Dorn and the Blues Howlers
- 4 p.m. – Downtown Harrison
