The Best Cheese Festivals From Around The World

It should come as no surprise that you can find cheese festivals in all corners of the globe. Since its discovery centuries ago, cheese has become one of the most popular foods, largely due to its flavor and versatility. Because of cheese’s popularity, there are many festivals dedicated solely to this food. While many occur in the United States, others require traveling, but are well worth the trip for any dedicated cheese aficionado.

The Festival Of Cheese

The American Cheese Society is one of the biggest names in the world of cheese and each year they host the ACS Annual Conference. This event is part conference, part festival and the crowd is a mix of those who appreciate cheese and cheesemakers. If you attend, you even get the chance to sample some cheeses entered in the rigorous competition.

Vermont Cheesemaker’s Festival

Per capita, Vermont is the state that produces the most cheese, making it the perfect location for one of the best cheese festivals. It is located at Shelburne Farms, a historic site by Lake Champlain, every July and includes cooking demonstrations, tastings, and seminars.

Great Wisconsin Cheese Festival

The other big name in cheese in the United States is the state of Wisconsin which hosts a family friendly cheese festival every June in Little Chute. The festival lasts three days and features cheese curd-eating contests, cheesecake contests, cheese carving demonstrations, tastings, music, and more. As with any Wisconsin festival, there is also a carnival for kids to enjoy.

Great British Cheese Festival

Every year, the Great British Cheese Festival features more than 400 different cheeses made from all types of milk, including water buffalo, sheep, goat, and cow. You will also find plenty of beverages to pick from, including perry (a fermented pear drink), cider, beer, and artisan wine. This event is in a different location each year, but always occurs in late September.

Bra Cheese Festival

If you have your mind set on going to a traditional cheese festival full of history and nostalgia, then head to Turin within Piedmont, Italy for the Bra Cheese Festival. This event takes place every other September and attendees include cheese lovers and experts from around the world. You will find workshops, tastings, special dinners, a wine bar with DIY cheese plates, a cheese market, and a pizza piazza. Because of its location, the Bra Cheese Festival includes very rare artisanal cheeses you won’t find anywhere else as well as 700 different wines.