FAQs

What is Taste of Madison?
The Taste of Madison is a non-profit event located in downtown Madison! Over 30 area volunteer groups work together to make the event a success. Taste of Madison is honored to donate $90,000+ annually to these local non-profit and charitable organizations. When you support the Taste of Madison, you help our community thrive! Held since 1983, Madison's finest in eats and entertainment, families and friends, gather in the Capitol Square for this admission FREE festival featuring over 80 restaurants, 27 beverage stands, 3 live music stages.

When is Taste of Madison?
Taste of Madison is held over Labor Day weekend each year. In 2024, dates are Saturday, August 31st from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Sunday, September 1st from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Where is the Taste of Madison?
The event takes place in downtown Madison at the Capitol Square. See our Map for a floor plan of the event!

Is there an admission fee?
There is no admission fee for Taste of Madison. Food and beverage is available for purchase. All food purchase revenues stay directly with the restaurant you are purchasing from. Revenue from beverage sales are what cover the costs to host this event and allow the Taste of Madison to remain an admission-free event. Tips left at beverage stands stay directly with the non-profit group working the stand, so tip big! If available, leftover event profits are re-invested in the event and applied to a community grant program administered by Madison Festivals.

Where should I park?
Street parking with and without meters is available near Capitol Square. Many ramps are also available in the area. See real-time parking availability in downtown ramps

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

How much is the soda, water, beer, wine?
See our "Beverages" page. Make sure to bring your ID if you plan to drink beer, wine, or malted beverages!

How do I pay for food and beverages?
Payment varies between each food vendor. Some take cash, some take cards, and some take both!
The beverage stands are credit/debit card only and do not accept cash.

Is this a charity event?
Yes. Volunteers earn an hourly wage, plus 100% of the tips benefit local non-profit and charitable organizations. In 2022 the event donated over $96,000 to local non-profits.

General Event Guidelines:
Entering this event constitutes implied consent of each event-goer to Taste of Madison's use of his/her image and/or likeness incidental to any photographic, digital or video use, publication, display, transmission or recording of the event. No unauthorized vendors, solicitations, handbills, sampling, giveaways, etc. Alcoholic beverages may not be taken in or out of entrances. Taste of Madison reserves the right to deny entry or remove anyone from the event in violation of these policies.

How many people attend?
Taste of Madison is free and open to the public. An estimated 275,000 people come over the course of the whole weekend.

Does the city of Madison put on this event?
No. The city simply supplies permits which the event and vendors pay for. No tax dollars go toward Taste of Madison.

Who puts on this event?
The Taste of Madison is a Madison Festivals, Inc. event. Madison Festivals is a non-profit volunteer organization that enriches our community by bringing together people, businesses and charities.

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

Can I bring my pet?
Animals other than service dogs or police animals are not allowed at Taste of Madison. City of Madison Ordinance 23.315 prohibits animals from any event with more than 10 food vendors. This ordinance carries a $100 fine plus court costs. State of Wisconsin law bans animals on the Capitol Square park.

Can I bring my own cooler to the Taste of Madison?
Please abide by the "NO CARRY IN" policy. There are plenty of delicious food and drink options and the sales benefit charities! Our liquor licenses requires alcohol to be dispensed by trained servers and supervised by bartenders. All tips at beverage stands go directly to represented charities. Madison Festivals donated over $90,000 to charities that supply the Taste of Madison volunteers. Income derived from beverage sales and restaurant vendor fees offset expenses for entertainment, government services including police and paramedics, power, permits, volunteers and cleanup in order to provide this event and the free entertainment.

Are any of the roads closed?
Capitol Square and surrounding 100 blocks and the 200 block of MLK and Wisconsin Ave are closed to traffic.

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 an application basis.

Who picks the "Best of" winners?
Many "Best of" winners are chosen prior to the event by a panel of about 50 judges. "Best of Taste" is voted on and chosen by you, the guest! Vote for your favorite overall restaurant on the app.

Does Madison Festivals take a percentage of what the restaurants earn?
No! Restaurants pay a flat fee to participate in Taste of Madison and keep what they make during the weekend.

Can I perform, protest, demonstrate and/or hand out literature or promotional items at the Taste?
Street performers, musicians, artists, mascots, vendors, and nonprofit groups are not permitted on the Capitol Square or surrounding 100 blocks during the Taste of Madison unless contracted with Madison Festivals, Inc. per our Street Use Permit.