The Great Canadian Cheese Festival Announces New Home in Peterborough for 2026

The reinvented Great Canadian Cheese Festival (GCCF), Canada’s most anticipated celebration of artisan cheese and Canadian food culture, is returning for its second year - this time in Peterborough, Ontario. The 2026 festival will take place at the Morrow Building on June 13 and 14, marking an exciting new chapter for the event.

Relaunched last year, the festival quickly established itself as a favoured gathering for cheesemakers, food artisans, and culinary enthusiasts. The festival brought together exceptional producers from across the country, drawing thousands of guests despite a memorable weekend of rain. Many vendors sold out on the first day, underscoring the strong demand for high‑quality, small‑batch Canadian cheese and artisan foods and beverages.

“The response in our first year was overwhelming,” says festival organizer Patricia McDermott. “Guests were hungry for discovery, and our makers delivered. We listened, we learned, and we’re thrilled to expand the experience even further in 2026.”

This year’s festival promises an elevated lineup of returning favourites and newly added vendors, offering guests the opportunity to sample, shop, and connect directly with the makers behind Canada’s most celebrated cheeses. General Admission includes access to all vendors, unlimited sampling, and the chance to explore a curated marketplace of cheesemakers, bakers, chocolatiers, cideries, wineries, and specialty food artisans. The festival furthermore provides a space of community and camaraderie among Canadians who are eager to engage within the culinary world.

A Warm Welcome from Peterborough

Peterborough Tourism has embraced the festival with enthusiasm and support, recognizing its potential to spotlight local tourism, support artisan producers, and attract food lovers from across Ontario and beyond. The centrally located Morrow Building provides an ideal venue for a two‑day celebration of craftsmanship, community, and culinary exploration. Through this collaboration we get to invigorate the Peterborough community and the Canadian dairy industry.

"We are excited to welcome the Great Canadian Cheese Festival, its organizers and festival goers, to Peterborough this year,” shared City Councilors and Community Services co-chairs, Lesley Parnell and Alex Bierk, in a joint statement. “It’s a great fit for our city - adding one more reason to celebrate local food, restaurants and farmers' markets. It also gives the City an opportunity to highlight Ontario products, small businesses, and celebrate the way that food brings people together.”

A Festival Highlight: Tutored Tastings organized by Cheese Sommelier Jackie Armet

For guests seeking a deeper sensory experience, GCCF will once again feature its signature Tutored Tastings, hosted by some of the most acclaimed experts in the dairy industry. These intimate, guided sessions explore the art of pairing exceptional Canadian cheeses with classic wines, ciders and other complimentary beverages. Each tasting offers a rare opportunity to learn through expertly presented curated pairings.

“These sessions sell out every year,” says McDermott. “Once people attend one, they always come back. It’s a truly immersive flavour experience.”

Event Details

Dates:  Saturday, June 13 & Sunday, June 14, 2026

Location: Peterborough Memorial Centre + Morrow Building, 151 Lansdowne Street West, Peterborough

Tickets: Admission and Tutored Tasting tickets will be available for purchase online starting March 5, 2026 through our website: The Great Canadian Cheese Festival 2026 | June 13 & 14

General Admission

• Day Pass: $35
• Weekend Pass: $50

Premium Guest Admission

• Day Pass: $50
• Weekend Pass: $65
• Includes swag bag (insulated cooler bag) and tasting glasses

VIP Experience

• Day Pass (Only single day VIP experiences available): $115
• Includes swag bag (insulated cooler bag), tasting glass and tutored tasting access (one day for Day Pass; one for both days for Weekend Pass)

Tutored Tastings

• $65 per session, per person