There’s something about early summer when the patios open weekends feel a little freer and every day feels like an invitation to explore!
Take this as your sign to plan a delicious getaway to Peterborough for the Great Canadian Cheese Festival, where Canada’s top cheesemakers, artisans and producers come together for a full-sensory celebration of flavour, craftsmanship and unforgettable stories. Come hungry, discover something new and taste your way through one of the cheesiest weekends of the season.
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Quick Bites: What You Need to Know
- What: The Great Canadian Cheese Festival
- When: June 13 + 14, 2026
- Where: The Morrow Building, 151 Lansdowne Street West, Peterborough
- Why Go: The ultimate comfort food crawl—creative, cozy, and completely delicious
- Don’t Miss: Don’t miss two epic days of cheesy goodness with unlimited tastings of small-batch cheese, artisan food, craft beverages and local flavours from producers across Canada.
Curated Marketplace, Filled with Flavour
Set inside the Morrow Building, conveniently located at the intersection of Lansdowne Street and George Street in Peterborough, the festival transforms into a curated marketplace of flavour, where every corner introduces you to something new. Wander from booth to booth, meet the makers, and build your own tasting journey.
Start with a creamy triple-cream. Move into something sharp and aged. Pair it with a crisp cider or a refreshing Ontario wine and repeat as needed!
What’s on the Menu?
With the move of this festival to Peterborough, it is spreading its wings and getting bigger, bolder and even more delicious.
Expect a mix of returning favourites and exciting new additions, including:
- Artisan cheesemakers from across Canada
- Fresh-baked, small batch treats
- Ontario cideries, breweries and wineries
- Don’t forget to checkout Feast On® Certified producers attening the festival this year, including Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese and The Grange of Prince Edward Winery
And the best part? Your general admission includes unlimited sampling — yes, you read that right!
This isn’t just about tasting: it’s about discovering the stories, passion and creativity behind every cheesy product and tasty pairing.
Go Beyond Tasting: The Tutored Experience
If you want to take things to the next level, this is where it happens.
The festival’s signature Tutored Tastings are hosted by cheese sommelier Jackie Armetoffer an intimate, guided dive into the world of cheese pairings.
The immersive, educational sessions on offer this year include:
- Strange Bedfellows: Cheesing Outside the Box presented by Karyn Stowe on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. and Sunday at 12:00 p.m.
- All Across the Cheese Board (a cross-country journey) presented by Vanessa Simmons on Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
- Cocktails and Cheese? Yes, Please! Presented by Roxanne Renwick and Mark Bower on Saturday at 3 p.m.
A Delicious Reason to Plan a Getaway
If you’ve been looking for an easy escape to get you into the right headspace for the summer season, this is it.
Just 90 minutes from Toronto, Peterborough offers that perfect mix of relaxed charm and vibrant culture. Spend the day at the festival and then take some time to explore local shops and patios, catch some live music and turn your visit into a full weekend experience.
We’re not into fussy planning – so keep it casual. Bring your appetite for a good time (and, of course, delicious cheese).
Plan Your Visit
Dates: June 13–14, 2026
Location: Peterborough Memorial Centre + Morrow Building
Tickets include:
- General Admission (day or weekend passes) with unlimited sampling
- Premium options with swag bags and tasting glasses
- VIP experiences with exclusive access to tutored tastings
- Individual Tutored Tasting sessions available for deeper experiences
Be sure to reserve your tickets HERE.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get my tickets and what do they include?
Tickets are available online, and you have options. You can opt to get a single day general admission or a weekend pass. Looking to bring your experience to the next level? Choose a Premium or VIP pass that include added perks and exclusive Tutored Tastings.
Tickets start at $45.85.
How many vendors are participating?
More than 50 vendors from across Canada are participating.
How many samples can I have?
Your sampling options are unlimited – and span a wide range of cheese, baked goods, sweet treats, savoury bites, as well as wine, cider and beer pairings.
Are there local vendors?
There sure are! If you’re familiar with Peterborough, you’re likely acquainted with folks who are serving up delicious tastes here. Local vendors include: Bobcaygeon Brewing Company, Carolina’s Colombia (coffee), Crosswind Farms (goat cheese), Hard Winter Bakery, and Lofty Butter Company.
Keep Calm and Cheese On!
Grab your tickets, bring your appetite, and get ready to indulge in one seriously gouda weekend.
