Bon Fromage

Overview

We Australians love our cheese. We have everything from fromageries and festivals dedicated to the dairy foodstuff to cheese wheels filled with pasta and bottomless raclette sessions to prove it. Our stomachs are working overtime to digest all the lactose and, honestly, we've never been happier.

The love affair only continues with this cheesy annual event. Bon Fromage — a festival specifically celebrating European cheese — is returning for a 2024 run, popping back up with a full in-person festival following a couple of disrupted years.

The whole thing will be taking place from Friday, May 31 until Sunday, June 2, coinciding with the city's favourite light and arts festival, Vivid. With the festival taking over the Overseas Passenger Terminal's Cargo Hall, you'll be able to enjoy samples of cheese and wine as you take in the view of the lit-up Sydney Opera House during Vivid.

Across the weekend, one tonne of cheese will be given out, with a huge cheese buffet of brie, camembert, triple-crème, Fourme d'Ambert, Langres and mimolette being set up as the centrepiece of the festival. Plus, it'll be taking inspiration from the four seasons as part of its 2024 edition, so expect to be met with cheese spreads themed around summer, autumn, winter and spring.

There will also be a market where ten of the country's top cheesemongers and chefs will be exhibiting and selling cheeses; pop-up culinary experiences from the likes of Masterchef alumni Jimmy Wong and Marani Deli's Alex Grenouillier; craft beer and spirits; live music gigs from violinist Daniele Montarulo, Anna Waving Collective, and DJ Frans; and cheese-based masterclasses.

Best of all, entry to the festival, all of the cheese tastings and the masterclasses are all free.