ANNOUNCEMENT: The Ontario Cheese Festival Returns to Elora This October
Ontario’s premier artisan cheese celebration returns to Grand River Raceway on October 17 with 75+ makers, craft drink pairings, and indoor weather-proof sampling.
🎟️ TICKETS ON SALE NOW:
General Admission tickets are $25. Bonus: The first 500 attendees through the door receive a complimentary insulated swag bag! (Arrival-based, while supplies last).
👉 Click Here to Get Your Festival Tickets Now
Following last year’s sold-out success – and its feature on CTV News – PEC Markets Inc. is thrilled to announce that The Ontario Cheese Festival (OCF) will officially return to picturesque Elora, Ontario on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
Set inside the modern, fully climate-controlled Grand River Raceway – Main Barn – this premier autumn culinary celebration brings together Canada’s finest cheesemakers, gourmet food artisans, craft beverage producers, and passionate food lovers for a full day of sampling, discovery, and community.
A Celebration of Ontario’s Fine Craftsmanship
“There’s a reason we can’t stop talking about Elora. From its rich culinary scene to its serene natural beauty, this town wraps you in hospitality and craftsmanship. Returning here for our annual Ontario Cheese Festival feels like the easiest decision of the year. Bringing Ontario’s top agricultural and artisan talent together under one roof is a true honor.”
— Patricia McDermott, CEO of PEC Markets Inc.
Building on a Sold-Out Legacy
The 2025 Ontario Cheese Festival marked a landmark milestone for artisanal makers across the province, drawing a packed crowd of high-intent food lovers and earning national spotlight coverage on CTV News.
For 2026, the festival is scaling up the experience while retaining its cozy, craft-focused heart:
- 75+ Curated Artisans & Makers: Explore an extraordinary marketplace featuring small-batch cheeses, specialty cured meats, local maple syrups, preserves, and handcrafted pairings.
- Craft Beverages: Discover local ciders, spirits, craft beers, and wines paired to perfection with Ontario dairy.
- Masterclasses & Tutored Tastings: Learn directly from master cheesemakers and industry experts in intimate pairing sessions throughout the day.
- 100% Weather-Proof Comfort: Hosted entirely indoors at the Grand River Raceway, attendees can comfortably sample, shop, and socialize regardless of fall weather.
- 🎁 Early Arrival Bonus: The first 500 attendees through the gates on event day will receive a complimentary insulated festival swag bag!
EVENT FAST FACTS
- Date & Time: Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Location: Grand River Raceway, 7445 Wellington County Rd 21, Elora, ON
- Tickets & Admission: $25.00 General Admission (On sale now! Advance online purchase recommended to guarantee entry).
- Special Bonus: First 500 attendees through the door receive a free insulated swag bag.
- Venue Perks: Fully indoor/climate-controlled facility | Free on-site parking | Fully accessible washrooms & amenities
- How to Buy: 👉 Purchase Your Tickets Online at ontariocheesefest.ca/tickets
Information for Vendors & Media
- Exhibitor Opportunities: Artisan cheesemakers and craft food producers interested in exhibiting at OCF can learn about our flat-rate booths, cold-storage support, and digital campaigns . Vendors keep 100% of their event sales!
- Media & Press Enquiries: Journalists, food writers, and creators looking for press passes, high-res photography, or broadcast interview requests with Patricia McDermott, please contact Rosalind Fuller at rosalind@pecmi.ca
PEC Markets respectfully acknowledges that the Ontario Cheese Festival takes place on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinabewaki, Attiwonderonk, Mississauga, and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
Warmly,
Rosalind Fuller
