Martha Bernet Main Stage

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026
Community Night in partnership with Main Street Monroe
6:30 til 9 PM: Rhythm Kings

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2026
Noon - Keith Zweifel
1:45 PM - D’Schwiizer Gruppe
2:30 PM - Youth Entertainers to be announced
3 PM - The Decade: 80’s Rock
5 PM - Cheese Days Children’s Parade led by Prince and Princess
6 PM - Opening Ceremony
7 PM - Alphorns
7:45 PM - Mariachi Sol de Madison
9 PM til Midnight - Band to be announced

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2026
7:30 AM - Cheese Days Chase
Noon - Monroe City Band
1:15 PM - 1884 (Formerly the Francois Family Band)
3 PM - Doo Wop Jukebox
4:30 PM - Youth Entertainers to be announced
5 PM - D’Schwiizer Gruppe
6:30 PM - Wheelhouse
8:45 PM til Midnight - Boogie and the YoYoz!

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2026
11:30 AM - Goodtime Dutchmen Band
12:45 PM - THE SWISS COLONY CHEESE DAYS PARADE arrives downtown on the Square
2:45 PM - Goodtime Dutchmen Band
4 PM - New Glarus Mannerchor and New Glarus Yodel Club

Colony Brands Hospitality Tent

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2026
6:45 PM - The Mascot Theory

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2026
12:15 PM - Dave Austin Band
2 PM - Edelweiss Revisited
3:15 PM - Alphorns
3:30 PM - Ukelele Express

CHEESE DAYS

Back in 1914, the concept of Cheese Days originated from the notion that if some little town in Illinois could have a festival commemorating sauerkraut, then a celebration based on cheese would be an even better idea.

A group of local businessmen planned the festivities in just nine days, driving a roadster through the city of Monroe to publicize the event. A hand-lettered sign attached to the vehicle proclaimed “FIRST CHEESE DAY COMMITTEE 1914 – WE STARTED SOMETHING!”

And did they ever.

100 years later, we invite you to take part in our centennial Cheese Days 2014 – where old-world tradition has generated an out-of-this-world celebration.

Help us celebrate our Swiss heritage with traditional music, dance, drinks, food, and extraordinary cheese!