Cheese and Fall Festival in Bellinzona

10 and 11 October 2026

In the centre of Bellinzona, there are numerous stalls selling Ticino and Mesolcina alpine cheese – the fruits of the summer’s labour by the alpine herdsmen on the various mountain pastures. Given the time of year, this festival is one of the first to take place after the cattle have been brought down from the alpine pastures. In fact, most alpine pastures were cleared in September, but some continued into the first few days of October, just before the festival. One – or perhaps even the largest – market for alpine cheese, offering many different varieties of cow’s and goat’s milk cheese, as well as blends of the two.

Ticino wines

Some of the region’s leading wine producers display their products for tasting, and anyone who purchases a tasting ticket receives a glass crafted by a local artist, in which they can sample the wines.

Cheeses from the Ticino Alps

Almost all the alpine dairy farmers are present at this event, as it is one of the first autumn festivals and they can offer the cheeses produced on the alpine pastures, which have just been brought down: cow’s, goat’s and mixed cheeses, as well as other mountain specialities.

Sweet and chocolatey

Some stalls offer pastries and chocolate products; an opportunity for anyone with a sweet tooth to sample the characteristic products of Ticino’s artisans.

Bread

Many different types of bread can be tasted, but also admired for their distinctive shapes.

Honey, chestnuts

Other typical autumn produce is on offer at the stalls in the square.

There is an alpine cheese and bread competition, in which a panel of experts will select the best product of the season. The event is accompanied by a large funfair for children (with bouncy castles, face painting, etc.) as well as theatre performances and storytelling for the younger visitors. For adults, there is musical entertainment and the chance to enjoy one of the festival menus at local restaurants.