Activities | Merchandise | Beverages | Lodging | FAQs

What is Taste of Madison?
When is Taste of Madison?
How many people attend?
Is there an admission fee?
How much is the food? How big are the serving sizes?
How much is the soda, water, beer, wine?
How do I pay for food and beverages?
Is this a charity event?
Does the city of Madison put on this event?
Will the Farmer’s Market still take place on Saturday?
Can I bring my dog?
Can I bring my own cooler to the Taste of Madison?
Who puts on this event?
Are any of the roads closed?
Where should I park?
How are the restaurants selected?
Who picks the “Best of…” winners?
Does Madison Festivals take a percentage of what the restaurants earn?

What is Taste of Madison?
The Taste of Madison is a celebration of food, entertainment, and fun! For the past 25 years, Madison’s finest in eats and entertainment, families and friends gather in the Capitol Square for this free festival. This year, Taste of Madison features 67 restaurants and over 200 menu items, 20 beverage stands, 4 stages, and over 35 live musical performances.

When is Taste of Madison?
Taste of Madison is held over Labor Day Weekend, Saturday, Sept. 4 from 2 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 5 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

How many people attend?
Taste of Madison is free and open to the public. An estimated 150,000 people come over the course of the whole weekend.

Is there an admission fee?
There is no admission fee for Taste of Madison.

How much is the food? How big are the serving sizes?
All the food at the Taste of Madison is priced between $1 and $4. All the food is 6 ounces or less. Smoothies are 12 ounces.

How much is the soda, water, beer, wine?
We offer Pepsi products and bottled water for $2. Beer is served in 16 ounce plastic cups: Bud Light is $4; Capital Brewery’s Capital Amber and Island Wheat are $5. Tola Wine is returning this year and will sell for $4 and $5, depending on the type. Make sure to bring your ID if you plan to drink beer or wine!

How do I pay for food and beverages?
Only cash is accepted. There are plenty of ATMs located all around Capitol Square.

Is this a charity event?
Taste of Madison is a benefit for United Cerebral Palsy, raising more than $250,000 in the past 10 years. And Taste of Madison’s volunteers that represent local charity groups earn a monetary donations toward their non-profit organizations for every hour worked.

Does the city of Madison put on this event?
No. the city simply supplies permitting. No tax dollars go toward Taste of Madison.

Will the Farmer’s Market still take place on Saturday?
The Farmer’s Market does take place on the Saturday of Taste from 6 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Can I bring my dog?
No pets (with the exceptions of service dogs) are allowed at the Taste of Madison. We strongly urge people to respect this rule. It’s for everyone’s health and safety.

Can I bring my own cooler to the Taste of Madison?
No personal coolers are allowed at Taste of Madison due to health and safety reasons. There are plenty of delicious food and drink options and the sales benefit charities!

Who puts on this event?
The Taste of Madison is a Madison Festivals, Inc. (MFI) event. Madison Festivals Inc. is a non-profit volunteer organization that produces events that aim to enhance the quality of life for residents, showcase the Madison area, and benefit local charities. Purple Door Productions manages the events of MFI.

Are any of the roads closed?
Yes, the Capitol Square as well as the surrounding 10 blocks are closed to traffic.

Where should I park?
Street parking with and without meters is available near Capitol Square. City parking ramps are located at the intersections of Dayton and Carroll, Mifflin and Henry, Doty and Pinckney, Butler and Washington, and Mifflin and Webster at Special Event Prices. (See http://www.ci.madison.wi.us/parking/downtownMap.html for more information on parking.)

How are the restaurants selected?
Restaurants at the Taste of Madison must have an established business in the area. They are voluntary participants and are permitted to sell their wares at Taste on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Who picks the “Best of…” winners?
Many “Best of…” winners are chosen prior to the event by a panel of about 30 judges. “Best of Taste” is voted on and chosen by you, the guest! Vote for your favorite overall restaurant at the Madison Festivals booth.

Does Madison Festivals take a percentage of what the restaurants earn?
Restaurants pay a flat fee to participate in Taste of Madison and keep what they make during the weekend.