The Little Falls Cheese Festival is the largest event of its kind in New York State, drawing thousands of cheese lovers to five blocks of Main Street in downtown Little Falls every fall. The 2026 festival is Saturday, October 3. If you are coming from out of town, Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast in Herkimer is the closest full-service B&B, about 15 minutes west on Route 5.
Festival quick facts
- Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026 (always the first Saturday in October)
- Hours: Typically 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Location: Five blocks of Main Street, Little Falls, NY 13365
- Admission: A wristband or ticket is required for cheese tastings; free to walk the festival
- Distance from Grand Colonial: About 15 minutes by car
What to expect
120+ cheeses from upstate New York cheesemakers fill the festival, alongside craft cider, wine, and artisanal spirits vendors, prepared foods, and live music across the blocks. Many makers sell direct to take home. The day attracts a serious foodie crowd plus families, and downtown Little Falls comes alive with the largest single-day crowd of the year.
Plan to arrive early. The most popular makers sell out by mid-afternoon, and parking fills before noon. Comfortable walking shoes are essential since you will be on your feet across five city blocks.
Why stay at Grand Colonial for the Cheese Festival
Downtown Little Falls has very limited lodging, and the few options book months ahead for festival weekend. Grand Colonial in Herkimer is one of the closest full-service B&B options:
- Four guest rooms each with a private bath, queen or king bed, and air conditioning
- All four rooms are pet-friendly so your travel partner can come along
- Full hot homemade breakfast each morning, scheduled with you at check-in so you can arrive at the festival when the makers open
- Private off-street parking, with room for SUVs and trucks if you plan to haul home a haul of cheese, wine, and cider
- Quiet residential setting on Route 5, an easy 15-minute drive east to downtown Little Falls
Make a weekend of it
October is one of the best months in the Mohawk Valley, with peak fall foliage often landing on or near the festival weekend. With Grand Colonial as a base you can pair the festival with:
- A foliage drive through the surrounding hills (we sit on a particularly scenic stretch of Route 5)
- Antiquing at the Canal Place antique district
- A walk along the Erie Canalway Trail when the trees are turning
- Dinner at Beardslee Castle, 12 minutes away, for a special-occasion Saturday night
- A Sunday morning at the Herkimer Diamond Mines, open through October
For the full picture of how Grand Colonial fits a Little Falls visit, see our Lodging Near Little Falls page.
Check Cheese Festival Weekend Availability
Or call (315) 982-5004 to book by phone. Cheese Festival weekend is one of the busiest of the year, so plan early.
Frequently asked questions
How far is the Little Falls Cheese Festival from Grand Colonial?
About 15 minutes by car. Take Route 5 east from Herkimer directly to downtown Little Falls. The festival fills Main Street so plan to park a few blocks off the main strip and walk in.
What time does the Cheese Festival start?
Typically 10:00 am Saturday, October 3, 2026. The festival usually runs until 5:00 pm. Check the official festival site closer to the date for the exact 2026 schedule.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance?
A tasting wristband is required to sample cheeses and is best purchased in advance through the official festival site to skip the lines.
Is the festival kid-friendly?
Yes, the festival is family-friendly with live music and prepared-food vendors, though many activities are oriented toward adult food and beverage enthusiasts.
Can I bring my dog to the festival?
Leashed dogs are generally allowed on the open street portion of the festival, but check current year guidelines. All four rooms at Grand Colonial are pet-friendly so your dog can join the trip.
When should I book my room for the Cheese Festival?
As early as possible. Cheese Festival weekend is the single biggest event weekend of the year in Little Falls, and lodging within 20 minutes books months ahead.