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Wisconsin knows cheese — and 2026 is packed with festivals that prove it . From iconic small-town celebrations and summer curd fests to world-class cheese competitions and industry expos, this list rounds up every major cheese festival happening in Wisconsin in 2026. Whether you’re planning a road trip or just looking for your next excuse to eat more cheese, consider this your ultimate guide to a very cheesy year. Beer and Cheese Fest | Madison | January 17, 2026 The first cheese-filled Wisconsin festival is Beer and Cheese Fest  in Madison. This festival has been around for 15 YEARS! General admission tickets cost $74 (unless you snag the early bird price!) and get you unlimited beer and cheese samples. There is a V.I.P. option for a more elusive experience. Make sure you have sober driver to take you home! Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival | Kenosha | April 18, 2026 The Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival is a fundraiser that was created for the Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha. There will be live music, beer, and lots of cheese. Tickets are $55 online ahead of time or $60 at the door! Between the Bluffs | La Crosse | April 25, 2026 The Between the Bluffs Beer, Wine and Cheese festival in La Crosse is one you should not miss. I attended this festival a few years ago and it was so much fun! Ample amount of vendors serving up craft beer along with cheese samples to fill your stomach. General admission is $60 -- be one of the first 500 to purchase and save $5! Great Wisconsin Cheese Festival | Little Chute | June 5-7, 2026 Little Chute holds a yearly festival called CheeseFest - Great Wisconsin Cheese Festival . Activities include amusement rides, food booths, live music, a cheese curd eating contest, a cheese curd catching contest, and more. There's an entire weekend of fun to be had! Beer, Bacon, and Cheese | New Glarus | June 13, 2026 This festival is one of the most well known in Wisconsin. Check out Beer, Bacon, and Cheese Festival  in New Glarus for all of your cheesey desires. The festival has several beer and seltzer vendors along with cheese vendors. There is a parade, live music, and tons of fun. Tickets for this one sell quick! Cheese Curd Festival | Ellsworth | June 26-27, 2026 Some may refer to Ellsworth as the Cheese Curd Capital of the state. Ellsworth Creamery puts on an annual Cheese Curd Festival  where vendors create cheese-curd centered dishes like cheese curd tacos, cheese curd ice cream sundaes, and more. There is live music, a car show, shopping, and games for the kids! Cheese Capital Festival | Plymouth | June 26-27, 2026 The Cheese Capital Festival  in Plymouth, Wisconsin is always a hit! The festival consists of a parade, live music, cheese eating contest, foam cheese race, and more. There are dozens of activities for children and TONS of cheese to eat! Colby Cheese Days | Colby | July 17-19, 2026 In a town that shares a name with cheese, would you expect anything less? Colby Cheese Days features a lively carnival, parade, 5k/10k race, car show, peddle tractor pulls, street dances, and free Colby cheese! Sign me up. Blair Cheese Festival | Blair | September 24-27, 2026 Located in Trempealeau County, Blair Cheese Festival boasts a weekend of fun! Catch  a truck and tractor pull, run in the 5k, meander through the car show, and stay for the variety show performed by the local schools. Green County Cheese Days | Monroe | September 18-20, 2026 Green County Cheese Days is a long-running festival celebrating cheese, Swiss traditions, yodeling, copper kettle cheesemaking, cheese foods, and parades. This festival happens every other year, so make sure not to miss it! Drink Wisconsinbly Curd Fest | Milwaukee | October 2026 (exact date not announced yet) The date for Curd Fest has not yet been announced, but this event is put on at Drink Wisconsinbly Pub in Milwaukee, right outside of the Fiserv Forum. Expect to see several cheese vendors, live music, signature cocktails, and more.

Las Vegas is known as a party city - bright lights, gambling, live shows, music, and lots of alcohol. I have spent my fair share of time on the Las Vegas Strip and my favorite: Fremont Street. I love Vegas BUT as a solo female RV-er, hanging out at bars and casinos by myself did not seem like the safest option. I also don't think my dog would have enjoyed spending all of that time alone. So instead, I opted to find a handful of things for us to do within 3-hours from the city of Las Vegas. Buckle up for these places to visit within 3 hours of Las Vegas! Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is the closest Vegas activity - approximately 25 minutes west of the city. We actually spent an entire week boondocking on one of the canyon roads - absolutely beautiful! There are several hiking trails to take advantage of as well as rock climbing, OHV trails, mountain biking, and a scenic drive if you're more of a "look don't explore" type of person. This is a great day-trip option if you want to get away from The Strip for a bit! Valley of the Fire State Park Valley of the Fire State Park has been one of my favorite places so far on our trip. It is located approximately 45 minutes north east of Las Vegas. National parks frustrate me because of their dog regulations, so I tend to explore state parks whenever possible. The hiking here is outrageous - so much to see! The red sandstone formations are so picturesque. I could have spent multiple days just exploring. There is a $10 entrance fee ($15 if you are not from NV) but I promise it is worth it. Lake Mead National Recreation Area Lake Mead is approximately 30 minutes east of Las Vegas. We actually disperse camped right on the water after our trip to Valley of Fire. Lake Mead National Recreation Area is the largest in the United States! And man is it pretty. Our night was absolutely wonderful - we even heard some wild donkeys in the distance (yes, that's a real thing). The following morning, we hiked a whole bunch before heading out. Gorgeous, gorgeous area with so much to offer. Zion National Park A little further of a drive (2 hours but absolutely worth it) is Zion National Park . This National Park quickly made it's way to being one of my favorites. I only did two short hikes but the views were breathtaking from every angle. I did not hike the infamous "Narrows" because that would have meant leaving Kona in the RV for far too long. Depending on when you visit the park, you may have to use their shuttle service. Because we came during off-season, we were able to drive through ourselves and I think that made for a better experience. I would love to come back here some day and explore even more. Red Cliffs National Recreation Area Before you hit Zion National Park, make a stop at Red Cliffs National Recreation Area in southwest Utah. The recreation area is home to over 130 miles of designated hiking and biking trails. Kona and I went bright and early for a hike but ended up staying there all day. We went on a second hike in the afternoon before leaving - it is just that good! They also have several mountain biking trails and equestrian trails available for public use.

If you're looking for the best food adventure in southern Wisconsin this winter, the Green County Cheese Passport  is the perfect place to start. Green County —often called Swiss-consin —is known for world-class cheese, historic creameries, charming small towns, and some of the most iconic cheese curds in Wisconsin. The Cheese Passport is free, fully digital, and rewards visitors for exploring local cheese shops, wineries, breweries, distilleries, pubs, and restaurants across Monroe, New Glarus, Brodhead, and surrounding communities. You earn points every time you check in, which can be redeemed for cheese-themed prizes or saved for the grand prize drawing. The passport is valid December 21, 2025 until February 15, 2026. If you’re planning a trip to Green County or searching for unique winter things to do in Wisconsin, this passport is a fun and delicious way to explore the region. Below is a detailed guide to the passport itself plus all the cheese-forward dishes I tried along the way. What Is the Green County Cheese Passport? The Green County Cheese Passport is a digital pass that highlights dozens of local businesses and cheese experiences. Visitors earn points by checking in at participating locations. Those points can be turned into rewards like cheese merch, fondue kits, cheese knives, or even actual cheese. It’s also one of the best ways to support local businesses while discovering new places to eat and drink throughout Green County. Green County Wisconsin: What I Ate With the Cheese Passport Below are the exact stops I visited, organized in numerical order, with highlights from each experience. If you're building your own Green County food itinerary, this list is a great place to start. 1. Wood-Fired Flatbread— Bailey’s Run Vineyard (New Glarus, WI) A must-stop for winery lovers, Bailey’s Run Vineyard serves wood-fired pizza with bubbling cheese, blistered crust, and the perfect Wisconsin-meets-wine-country atmosphere. Easily one of the top food experiences in New Glarus. 2. Deep-Fried Cheese Curds — Whiskey Run Distillery (New Glarus, WI) Searching for some tasty cheese curds in Wisconsin? Whiskey Run Distillery serves golden, crunchy curds that are perfectly squeaky on the inside. Pair them with a craft cocktail for the full experience. 3. Grilled Cheese — Spilled Grapes Wine Bar (Monroe, WI) Spilled Grapes Wine Bar offers a gourmet grilled cheese that melts perfectly into a glass of red or white. It’s a warm, relaxing stop for anyone exploring Monroe’s downtown square. 4. Deep-Fried Cheese Curds — Bennett’s Junction House (Monroe, WI) At Bennett's Junction House , you will find a classic Wisconsin bar-style curd: crunchy, generous, and deeply satisfying. This is an essential Monroe curd stop for any cheese passport adventure. 5. Pizza — Petrosino’s (New Glarus, WI) Petrosino’s is a local favorite for hearty, cheesy pizzas that hit the spot after a day of exploring New Glarus. Expect big slices, big flavor, and plenty of gooey melty goodness. 6. Grilled Cheese — Decatur Dairy (Brodhead, WI) Decatur Dairy is a legendary Wisconsin dairy producing award-winning cheese. Their grilled cheese is simple, perfectly toasted, and packed with local flavor. A must-stop for cheese lovers and dairy enthusiasts. 7. Cheeseburger — Suisse Haus (Monroe, WI) The Suisse Haus , a Monroe staple, serves one of the region’s best cheeseburgers — juicy, flavorful, and topped with fresh Wisconsin cheese. Great for families, groups, or anyone craving classic comfort food. 8. Fondue Supplies & Equipment — Alp and Dell Cheese Store (Monroe, WI) Instead of eating fondue, this stop is all about stocking up on Swiss-style essentials. Alp and Dell is one of Green County’s most iconic cheese shops and the perfect place to buy fondue pots, tools, Raclette equipment, and specialty cheeses. 9. Fondue — Chalet Landhaus (New Glarus, WI) For a traditional Swiss fondue experience, Chalet Landhaus is unmatched. Warm, melty cheese served in a cozy chalet setting makes this one of the best winter dining experiences in New Glarus. 10. Chili with Cheese — Baumgartner’s Cheese Store (Monroe, WI) Baumgartner’s is a Green County icon, famous for its Limburger sandwiches — but their chili topped with local cheese is underrated and absolutely worth the stop. It’s hearty, comforting, and perfect on a cold Wisconsin day. Why You Should Try the Green County Cheese Passport If you love discovering local restaurants, tasting new cheese, and exploring charming small towns, the Green County Cheese Passport is the perfect winter adventure. It’s family-friendly, road-trip-friendly, and gives you dozens of reasons to visit Monroe, New Glarus, Brodhead, and surrounding communities. Top reasons to try the Cheese Passport: It’s free and easy to use You support locally owned Wisconsin businesses You earn rewards for eating cheese - the grand prize is an overnight stay + fondue dinner for two and a custom cheese board with cheese! It makes planning a weekend or day trip simple The food is incredible everywhere you go Whether you’re a foodie, a Wisconsin traveler, or just here for the cheese curds, this passport turns Green County into a must-visit winter destination.