Looking ahead to 2026? From February through May, cheese professionals and enthusiasts alike have plenty of opportunities to learn, connect, and taste. Here’s a chronological roundup of upcoming cheese events happening around the country.
Hudson, New York (Feb. 13) · New York City (Feb. 15) · Washington, D.C. (Feb. 16) · Philadelphia (Feb. 17)
Author Trevor Warmedahl hits the road to celebrate Cheese Trekking, his new book exploring rare and endangered cheeses through the people, places, animals, and microbes that make them possible. Each stop features an author talk and tasting—part travelogue, part love letter to disappearing dairy tradition.
Miami (March 31) · Washington, D.C. (April 21) · Detroit (May 5)
A trade-only day of cheese education and networking, organized by culture and featuring cheesemakers from across the US and around the world. Expect sharp insights, deep dives, and plenty of time to connect with industry peers.
World Championship Cheese Contest
Madison, Wisconsin (March 3-4)
Hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, the World Championship Cheese Contest returns to Monona Terrace with public access to the preliminary rounds of judging. Visitors can watch top technical experts evaluate thousands of cheeses from around the world and sample a wide range of entries. The contest concludes with a livestreamed awards ceremony on March 5, announcing the Top 20 cheeses and the World Champion title.
Various Cities (March 5-April 22)
Marissa Mullen tours 10 cities nationwide in support of her new book, I’ll Bring the Apps. Each stop brings cheese boards, styling tips, and plenty of snack-forward inspiration. The tour includes a stop at Toluma Farms and Tomales Farmstead Creamery in Tomales Bay, California (March 21), where baby goats will take center stage. Click here to see all the dates and cities.
Northeast Dairy Innovation Summit
Albany, New York (March 10-11)
Hosted by the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC), this two-day summit brings dairy farmers, processors, and service providers together at the Desmond Hotel to focus on innovation and opportunity in regional dairy. Programming includes workshops on farm innovation, processor expansion, workforce development, and regional policy, with an emphasis on growth and sustainability for dairy businesses of all sizes.
Rosendale, New York (March 21)
A special screening of the film A Shelf Life at the Rosendale Theatre, benefiting the Meeting of the Milkmaids and the New York State Cheese Council. The afternoon includes cheese, community, and a panel discussion at 2 p.m., plus an option to attend the New York State Cheese Council’s Annual Spring Conference earlier that morning.
Burlington, Vermont (March 21)
Up your fermentation education by attending talks and demos and noshing all day long on a variety of fermented foods, including cheese. Plus, there’s the opportunity to buy fermented foods from local vendors.
California Artisan Cheese Festival
Sonoma, California (March 20-22)
A three-day celebration of California cheesemaking, complete with tastings, seminars, and opportunities to meet the makers behind the state’s most iconic wheels. Equal parts educational and indulgent.
Central Point, Oregon (April 25 & 26)
A lively showcase of Oregon cheese, artisan foods, and local beverages. This weekend festival highlights the region’s producers and offers plenty of chances to taste your way through the state.
Lee, Massachusetts (May 2)
Held at High Lawn Farm, this gathering is geared toward cheese professionals (though passionate cheese lovers are welcome). The event centers on women in dairy and cheesemaking, with a community, connection, and shared experience focus.
San Diego (May 15-17)
The ultimate cheese-and-drink pairing event. The first night is Maker’s Night—an exclusive, trade-only tasting and networking event (free for trade professionals). The following two days are open to all, featuring all-you-can-eat cheeses, bottomless beverages, and plenty of opportunities to taste and learn.
Los Angeles (May 30)
The first-ever California Dairy Day promises to be a “lively showcase of the Los Angeles International Dairy Competition during the LA County Fair.” There, thousands of attendees will gather to “discover, taste, and celebrate all things dairy.” Sounds delicious to us!
The Great Canadian Cheese Festival
Peterborough, Ontario (June 13 & 14)
This recently relaunched event returns right before summer in a new location: Peterborough, outside of Toronto. The festival promises an elevated lineup of returning favorites and newly added vendors, offering guests the opportunity to sample, shop, and connect directly with the makers behind Canada’s most celebrated cheeses.
Have an upcoming cheese event you’d like included? Email us with the details to be added to the list.
Josie Krogh
Josie Krogh is culture's Digital Strategy Lead. She earned her master's degree in Agricultural and Applied Economics from The University of Georgia. Josie developed a love of food while working at farmstands in the D.C. area as a young adult, and discovered her love of cheese while living and working on a dairy farm on Martha's Vineyard. Josie currently lives in Catskill, NY.
