CheeseFest returns to Rundle Park/Kadlitpina on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October 2026, celebrating its 21st year with more than 100 cheese, food, wine, beer, spirit and beverage producers, and a brand-new Australian-first tradition.
Celebrity chef Miguel Maestre will officially open the festival with 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, listening for hollow areas before cracking it open using specially designed Parmigiano Reggiano knives. The Parmesan will be used in his cooking demonstration on the RAA Cooking Demo Stage, with the remainder portioned and given away to festivalgoers throughout the weekend.
The producer line-up
The 2026 stallholder line-up features 24 newcomers alongside established CheeseFest favourites. New names include brand new South Australian cheesemaker Stefano Magrofuoco presenting Fromaj, along with Copperhead Creamery, Hanging Cheese & Pasta, Mercato and Bunchilicious Australia. They join returning cheesemakers such as 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 include Francesca’s Pizza + Sandos, Pseudo Spaghetti, Pardon My French, Braising Boy, Asador Al Grill and La Mia Luna Pizza, alongside returning favourites Gang Gang, Taco Cartel, That Arancini Guy, and Gelato Bello, who will be offering a special CheeseFest gelato flavour.
The drinks program welcomes Two Hands Wines, Vinteloper, Lenswood Cider Co., Shapeshifter Brewery and Tancello Spritz, joining Never Never, Threefold Distilling, Sidewood Estate, Prancing Pony Brewery, Kimbolton Wines and LOBO Spirits & Cider.
Cooking demonstrations and masterclasses
Miguel Maestre will bring his trademark energy to the cooking demonstration 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 media personality Jane Reilly OAM.
The Long Paddock Cheesemaking Talk & Taste masterclass on Sunday sees cheesemaker Gaetan Chapon guide guests through the ripening stages of the award-winning Silver Wattle, paired with local Prosecco. For the first time, a masterclass will be presented by Olsson’s Salt Master James White, while Mandy Hall will lead “The Art of Seasoning”. All masterclasses have limited spaces.
Trails, tastings and entertainment
Festivalgoers can take part in the free Great Wine Voyage, exploring South Australian wine tourism regions and collecting stamps for the chance to win a premium wine pack. For the first time, the Foodland Mighty SA Food Trail will be available as a free add-on, with the chance to win Foodland shopping vouchers.
A live music program featuring emerging Australian artists runs throughout the weekend. Children under 12 receive free entry when accompanied by an adult and can enjoy free kids’ entertainment. Free cooking demonstrations and tastings at participating stalls are included with general admission.
The festival’s bold new look was created in collaboration with South Australian artist and illustrator Billie Justice Thomson, whose vibrant, playful artwork features across CheeseFest’s visual identity and limited-edition merchandise.
Around 18,000 people are expected to attend, with visitors travelling from metropolitan Adelaide, regional South Australia, interstate and overseas.
Details
When: Saturday 17 October, 11am–8pm; Sunday 18 October, 11am–6pm
Where: Rundle Park/Kadlitpina, Adelaide
Tickets: From $29 (Cheese Curious entry), $34.70 (Cheese Master with souvenir glass), $39.80 (Cheese Addict with express entry, souvenir glass and tote), or $50 for a weekend pass. Children under 12 free with an adult.
More info: cheesefest.com.au
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