Members of the local Board of Trade drew inspiration from the Elmira Syrup Festival and New Hamburg Quilt Auction. The result was an event that celebrated Wellesley’s own apple and cheese industries.
At the time, A.W. Jantzi & Sons produced Wellesley brand apple products, while J.M. Schneider operated a cheese factory in town. More than 50 years later, the Wellesley Apple Butter & Cheese Festival remains entirely volunteer-run and one of the community’s most cherished traditions.
The day begins with a pancake and sausage breakfast at 7 a.m. on Queens Bush Road, followed by farm tours at 10 a.m. that highlight the agricultural roots behind the festival’s famous apple butter and cheese.
Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy live music, craft vendors, food booths, family-friendly activities, classic car and tractor displays, and plenty of local shopping. It’s the kind of event where many people arrive for a few hours and end up staying all day.
A Community Effort
What truly sets the festival apart is its community spirit. For more than five decades, residents, students, and local groups have come together to organize the event. Rather than operating as a commercial venture, proceeds supporting community beautification projects throughout the village help give the festival a lasting impact beyond the celebration itself.
Held on the last Saturday of September each year, the festival has become one of Ontario’s most beloved fall traditions. Between the farm tours, food, entertainment, vendors, and community activities spread throughout the village, there’s plenty to explore.
Wellesley may be a small town, but during the Apple Butter & Cheese Festival, it transforms into a lively destination that attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year.
The Details
- When: Saturday, September 26, 2026 (always the last Saturday in September)
- Where: Wellesley, Ontario
- Time: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Admission: Free
- Parking: Free parking and complimentary tractor wagon rides throughout the festival grounds
- Highlights: Pancake and sausage breakfast, farm tours, live entertainment, craft market, food vendors, antique car and tractor displays, and family-friendly activities
- Website: Wellesley Apple Butter & Cheese Festival
