CheeseFest, Australia’s largest celebration of cheese, marks its 21st year with a two-day festival at Rundle Park/Kadlitpina on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October 2026. The program brings together more than 100 cheese, food, wine, beer, spirit and beverage producers, alongside cooking demonstrations, masterclasses and live entertainment.
This year introduces a theatrical new tradition to open proceedings. Celebrity chef Miguel Maestre will perform the inaugural ceremonial cracking of an enormous 45kg wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano. Before the ceremony, the prized wheel will make a lap of Rundle Park aboard the official CheeseFest cart, led by a roaming minstrel. Miguel will then tap the wheel, listen for hollow areas, and crack it open using specially designed Parmigiano Reggiano knives. The Parmesan will feature in his cooking demonstration, with portions given away to festivalgoers throughout the weekend.
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The producer line-up
The 2026 stallholder roster includes 24 newcomers alongside established favourites. New South Australian cheesemaker Stefano Magrofuoco presents Fromaj, joined by first-timers Copperhead Creamery, Hanging Cheese & Pasta, Mercato and Bunchilicious Australia. Returning producers include Long Paddock Cheese, Woodside Cheese Wrights, Kris Lloyd Artisan, Vannella Cheese, Cremeux, Milawa Cheese Company, Coal River Farm, Moondarra Cheese and Project Burrata.
First-time food stallholders Francesca’s Pizza + Sandos, Pseudo Spaghetti, Pardon My French, Braising Boy, Asador Al Grill and La Mia Luna Pizza join returning favourites Gang Gang, Taco Cartel, That Arancini Guy and Gelato Bello, who will offer a special CheeseFest gelato flavour.
The drinks program welcomes Two Hands Wines, Vinteloper, Lenswood Cider Co., Shapeshifter Brewery and Tancello Spritz alongside Never Never, Threefold Distilling, Sidewood Estate, Prancing Pony Brewery, Kimbolton Wines and LOBO Spirits & Cider.
Cooking demonstrations and masterclasses
Miguel Maestre headlines the RAA Cooking Demo Stage on Saturday. He is joined across the weekend by MasterChef 2025 winner Laura Sharrad, Callum Hann, Warren Mendes, and mother-and-son duo Eddie Noble and Jane Reilly OAM.
Sunday’s Long Paddock Cheesemaking Talk & Taste masterclass sees cheesemaker Gaetan Chapon guide guests through the ripening stages of the award-winning Silver Wattle, paired with local Prosecco. A new masterclass from Olsson’s Salt Master James White and Mandy Hall’s “The Art of Seasoning” session round out the program. All masterclasses have limited spaces.
Trails, tastings and entertainment
The free Great Wine Voyage invites festivalgoers to explore Great Wine Capitals’ Best Of Wine Tourism award-winning South Australian regions, collecting stamps for the chance to win a premium wine pack. The Foodland Mighty SA Food Trail is available as a free add-on, with participating stall stamps entering ticket holders into a draw for Foodland shopping vouchers.
Live music from emerging Australian artists runs throughout the weekend. Children under 12 enter free when accompanied by an adult and can enjoy dedicated kids’ entertainment. Free cooking demonstrations and tastings at participating stalls are included with general admission.
The festival’s bold new visual identity comes from acclaimed South Australian artist Billie Justice Thomson, whose vibrant, nostalgic depictions of food and drink feature across the program and limited-edition merchandise.
Tickets and details
When: Saturday 17 October, 11am–8pm; Sunday 18 October, 11am–6pm
Where: Rundle Park/Kadlitpina, Adelaide
Tickets:
- Cheese Curious (entry): $29
- Cheese Master (entry + souvenir glass): $34.70
- Cheese Addict (express entry + souvenir glass + tote): $39.80
- Weekend pass: $50
- Children under 12: free with an adult
Early bird pricing of 20% off all day passes is available until 21 July. For the full stallholder line-up, program and tickets, visit cheesefest.com.au
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