If a weekend spent wandering between more than 100 cheese, wine and artisan food producers sounds like your idea of a good time, mark your calendar now.
CheeseFest, South Australia’s biggest celebration of cheese, food, wine and artisan produce, is turning 21 this year, and it’s celebrating in style – with a fresh new look and a first-time appearance from one of Australia’s most beloved television chefs.
When and where
CheeseFest 2026 takes over Rundle Park/Kadlitpina in Adelaide across Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October, running from 11am to 8pm on the Saturday and 11am to 6pm on the Sunday. Around 18,000 visitors are expected to attend across the two days, travelling in from across metropolitan Adelaide, regional South Australia, interstate and even overseas.
For the first time in the festival’s history, celebrated chef and television personality Miguel Maestre (pictured above) will take to the RAA cooking demonstration stage on the Saturday, bringing his trademark energy to the event.
“I’m so excited to be involved in this year’s CheeseFest,” Miguel said. “As a passionate foodie and lover of cheese, I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday in October – talking about and cooking with quality produce, interacting with the producers, the community, and of course eating my way through cheese!”
CheeseFest founder and award-winning cheesemaker Kris Lloyd AM said Miguel was the perfect fit for the festival’s milestone year, describing his infectious love of food and the warmth and humour he brings to everything he does.
Joining Miguel on the program is South Australian MasterChef 2025 winner, chef and restaurateur Laura Sharrad, returning to bring her own creativity and passion for local produce to the festival.
More than 100 cheese, food, wine, beer, spirit and beverage producers will line the park across the weekend, spanning established festival favourites alongside exciting new makers from South Australia and beyond. Expect live cooking demonstrations, hands-on masterclasses, cheese and beverage tasting experiences, live music, premium lounges, and plenty of opportunities to taste and buy directly from the people who actually make the produce.
To mark the milestone 21st birthday, CheeseFest has also partnered with acclaimed South Australian artist and illustrator Billie Justice Thomson, known for her bold, playful and nostalgic food-themed artwork, to create a distinctive new visual identity for the festival that will feature across its marketing, merchandise and on-the-ground experience.
Early bird tickets are on sale now, with entry-level Cheese Curious passes from $29, Cheese Master passes (including a souvenir glass) at $34.70, and Cheese Addict passes (express entry, souvenir glass and tote) at $39.80. A Weekend Pass is available for $50, and children under 12 attend free with a paying adult. More program announcements are expected in the coming months. Details and tickets are available at cheesefest.com.au.
CheeseFest isn’t the only celebration worth building a getaway around. Here are five more food and wine festivals happening across Australia over the next six months.
Good Food & Wine Show, Brisbane (QLD) — 23–25 October 2026. One of the country’s biggest consumer food and wine expos, bringing together celebrity chef demonstrations, masterclasses and hundreds of stalls to taste and shop from under one roof.
Heathcote Wine & Food Festival (VIC) — 10-11 October 2026. Set in one of Victoria’s premier shiraz-growing regions, this festival pairs the area’s celebrated wines with local produce, live music and long lunches among the vines.
agriCULTURED, Launceston (TAS) — 5- 8 November, 2026. A celebration of Tasmania’s paddock-to-plate produce and the farmers and makers behind it, blending long-table dinners with a genuine focus on regenerative and regional agriculture.
Tasmanian Chilli and Cheese Festival, Ross (TAS) — 6 December 2026. A quirky, one-day celebration in the historic township of Ross, bringing together chilli producers and cheesemakers for a genuinely different kind of regional food festival.
Gin-uary Festival, Hobart (TAS) — 17–18 January 2027. For those who’d rather sip than chew, Hobart’s summer gin festival showcases Tasmania’s booming craft distilling scene, with tastings, cocktails and producer stalls dockside.
Dates for regional and boutique festivals can shift, so it’s always worth double-checking directly with each event before you book travel. Contact Travel at 60 to arrange flights and accommodation.
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