Festival · Lowville
Cream Cheese Festival in Lowville
The Cream Cheese Festival takes over downtown Lowville on the third Saturday of September. The 2026 festival, the 21st, ran from 11am to 6pm on 19 September, with the cheesecake unveiled at noon and served from about 12:15pm. The 2027 date has not been announced; by the usual pattern it would be 18 September. Park at the Lewis County Fairgrounds and take the $1 shuttle.
- When
- Third Saturday of September
- Hours (2026)
- 11am to 6pm
- Cheesecake
- Unveiled at noon
- Shuttle
- $1 from the Fairgrounds
Dates
- 18 Sep 2027Third Saturday of September (expected) (expected, not yet confirmed by the organisers)
What Happens
Lowville bills itself as home of the record-breaking World's Largest Cheesecake, made in 2013 and again in 2024. Each year the festival opens at noon on the Main Stage with the unveiling of a giant cheesecake, and slices go out from the serving line beside the Fire Hall from around 12:15pm. Kraft Heinz, which makes cheese in Lowville, is a lead sponsor.
The recipe contest is open to anyone cooking with Philadelphia cream cheese, with cash prizes for dessert and non-dessert dishes. Entries go to the Kraft Heinz booth in the Fire Hall between 8 and 9am, and winners are announced on the Main Stage at 1:15pm. Bands play all afternoon on the Main Stage and the American Legion Veterans Stage, and North State Street and Parkway Drive fill with food trucks, local wineries and distilleries, crafts and a cheesecake-on-a-stick stand.
The Children's Discovery Park in Veterans Memorial Park, with a climbing wall among other rides, costs $10. The organisers list no charge for the festival itself.
Parking and Getting There
Park at the Lewis County Fairgrounds, entering from the south end of Bostwick Street. Parking is free, with donations to the Lewis County Agricultural Society welcome. Shuttle buses run continuously into town from 10:30am to 6:30pm and cost $1, exact change please. Some accessible parking downtown is first come, first served. Streets close from 7:30am to about 7:30pm.
From Syracuse, take I-81 north to exit 42, then Route 177 east and Route 12 into Lowville. From Utica, Route 12 runs north all the way.
Cheeses to Taste Here
Where to Stay near Lowville
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Questions People Ask
When is the Lowville Cream Cheese Festival?
On the third Saturday of September. In 2026 it was on 19 September, 11am to 6pm. The 2027 date has not been published yet.
What time is the cheesecake served at the Cream Cheese Festival?
The cheesecake is unveiled at noon and served from about 12:15pm.
Where do you park for the Lowville Cream Cheese Festival?
At the Lewis County Fairgrounds, then take the $1 shuttle into downtown Lowville.
Official site: creamcheesefestival.com/. Dates, hours and prices checked 22 October 2026; confirm on the official site before you travel. See all cheese festivals.