2026 Cheesemakers Festival – Social Media Launch 2026

Sunday, September 20, 2026

Industry Admission: 10:00 – 11:30am*
General Admission: 11:30am – 4:00pm
Breeding Barn at Shelburne Farms, Shelburne, VT

Join us as we celebrate the 14th Annual Vermont Cheesemakers Festival! Vermont is a world-class cheese state with an incredibly high number of cheesemakers per capita. You are invited to share their passion for making exceptional cheeses, taste great local foods and beverages, and meet the artisans who make them. Spend an autumn day at the historic Shelburne Farms Breeding Barn celebrating Vermont cheese and making new friends!

*Attention retailers, chefs, grocery buyers, distributors, food writers + media, and other industry personnel: our 10:00am-11:30am Industry Admission period gives you a chance to connect with our vendors before the general public. Great one-on-one time to get to know our people and products. (Plus: your industry admission covers the 11:30-4:00pm portion of the festival too!)

This year’s Cheesemakers Festival is the capstone event of our 2026 Vermont Cheese Week (September 14-20), with special happenings and lodging, retail, and dining specials across the state!

This event traditionally sells out in advance; we do not recommend waiting to purchase.

Tickets on-sale shortly

The Vermont Cheesemakers Festival is organized and presented by the Vermont Cheese Council.

Purchase of these products directly support Vermont dairy farmers.

Vendors/Vending: our vendor application for returning vendors will be emailed out shortly. If you are a new vendor who has not vended at the Festival before, please email our Event Coordinator Stacy Blackadar at stacy@vtcheese.com to be added to the new vendor waitlist.

Volunteering: click here for our volunteer application! Applicants are not assigned shifts until late spring. If you have questions about volunteering, please email our Event Coordinator Stacy Blackadar at stacy@vtcheese.com.

Vermont Cheesemakers: if you are a Vermont cheesemaker and have questions about your table, tickets, or other Festival logistics, please email Community Engagement Manager Claire Natola at claire@vtcheese.com.

Know Before You Go: Festival Policies & Preparation

Entrance & Parking

All Festival traffic will enter and exit through the south gate of Shelburne Farms (987 S Gate Rd, Shelburne, VT 05482). Note it’s S. Gate Rd, NOT N. Gate Rd, regardless of your GPS.

This may be different than the gate you’re used to! Please plan for festival traffic, leave the for exiting and entering, and respect the speed limit of 25mph.

Cash On-Hand

While many of our vendors accept credit cards, Wi-Fi and cell reception are never a guarantee in Vermont, and we encourage attendees to have a little cash on-hand for purchases. (How much? Only you know your true cheese limitations.)

Coolers

If you’re a true curd nerd who’s already excited about your haul, you may wish to bring your own a refrigerated bag or a cooler. Vermont Cheesemakers Festival does not provide bags or refrigeration accessories for your cheese purchases.

Alcohol Sampling & ID

All attendees wishing to sample alcohol must show valid ID at the Festival Entrance. Although sampling will take place, the Vermont Cheesemakers Festival is bottle sales only, not to be opened on premises. No alcohol from outside will be permitted.

No Smoking

Shelburne Farms is a smoke-free campus.

Service Dogs Only

While visiting dogs are not permitted on the property, trained service dogs are welcome.

Picnicking & Tailgaiting

Tailgating is not permitted, but attendees are allowed to bring a blanket to picnic with their festival purchases or from one of our participating food trucks. Outside food and drink is not allowed.