Cider + Cheese is back
Cider + Cheese is back
The Downeast Cider + Cheese Festival returns to Ellsworth this November, beginning a new chapter through a partnership between Heart of Ellsworth and Woodlawn.
The Downeast Cider + Cheese Festival celebrates Maine’s cider and cheese makers and the agricultural traditions behind their work. That history runs especially deep in Ellsworth, where cider once played an important role in the local economy and was shipped far beyond the region.
This year’s festival will bring that history into the present with programming across downtown Ellsworth and Woodlawn. Plans include familiar festival offerings alongside a few new twists. The main events will take place Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14, with activities beginning in the days leading up to the weekend.
While Heart of Ellsworth and Woodlawn are proud to host the festival together, its return is only possible because of a much larger community. Sponsors and media partners have supported its growth over many years. Local organizations and businesses have contributed programming, gathering spaces, expertise, and promotion. Cider makers, cheesemakers, farmers, and food producers have traveled to Ellsworth to share both their products and the stories behind them. Volunteers have given their time to the countless details that bring the festival to life.
Save the dates and stay tuned as participating makers, festival events, ticket information, and more are announced.
Are you interested in sponsoring this year’s Downest Cider + Cheese Festival? We welcome your support! Please email us at info@heartofellsworth.org to become part of this Ellsworth community tradition
FAQs
Will there be a tasting event this year?
There will be TWO formal tasting event during the 2026 Cider & Cheese Festival.
Where should I stay while I’m in Ellsworth?
Ellsworth has many wonderful places to stay for the weekend. Accommodations are more available and affordable this time of year, especially at larger hotels just outside the city center such as Colonial Inn, Comfort Inn, Eagles Lodge Motel, and Ramada Inn. We recommend booking early.
Where’s a good place to eat during my visit?
An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but Downtown Ellsworth has so much more to offer! Whether you’re craving pub eats, pizza, curry, or lobster, here’s where to eat in Downtown Ellsworth.
Have another question or comment?
For more information, email us at info@heartofellsworth.org. We’re always happy to take questions or feedback!
Check out this video from the 2022 festival to get a feel for what the Downeast Cider + Cheese is all about!