Wisconsin Rings in the New Year with the 18th Sartori Big Cheese Drop

Wisconsin Rings in the New Year with the 18th Sartori Big Cheese Drop

If New Year’s Eve plans featuring live music, bonfires, and a giant wedge of award-winning cheese sound appealing, Plymouth, Wisconsin delivers. The Sartori Big Cheese Drop returns for its 18th year, reaffirming the Cheese Capital of the World’s reputation for turning dairy pride into a nationally recognized, delightfully offbeat celebration that draws thousands downtown each year.

A Countdown That Smells Like BellaVitano®

The main event kicks off with a countdown at 10:00 p.m., when a massive wedge of Sartori’s award-winning BellaVitano® Gold cheese is lowered to cheers from the crowd. The earlier-than-midnight timing makes it especially popular with families, while still delivering all the New Year’s Eve fanfare.

Festivities start at 7:30 p.m. inside the Plymouth Arts Center’s Greatroom with live music from the String Along Band, whose setlist spans Johnny Cash to Patsy Cline, Elvis to bluegrass classics. There’s also a cheese tasting table, a cash bar, complimentary hot cocoa, and an outdoor bonfire from 8:30 to 10:00 p.m. Bring your noisemakers and cheese hats—this is encouraged behavior. The first 250 families in attendance will even head home with Sartori cheese gift bags. Music and dancing continue until 10:30 p.m., so the celebration doesn’t stop once the cheese lands.

A Tradition Rooted in Real Cheese History

The event was launched in 2007 by the Plymouth Arts Center as a way to celebrate the city’s deep cheese heritage. Plymouth earned national respect starting in 1918, when cheese prices across the U.S. were officially set at the Wisconsin Cheese Exchange right in downtown Plymouth. For decades, the city was a hub for cheese storage, processing, and distribution, earning the nickname “Cheeseville” along the way.

Today, more than 15% of the cheese consumed in the U.S. still passes through Plymouth. Calling it the Cheese Capital of the World isn’t branding—it’s logistics.

Community, Culture, and a Whole Lot of Gratitude

According to Plymouth Arts Center Executive Director Donna Hahn, the Big Cheese Drop has always been about honoring both the city’s cheese legacy and the industry that continues to thrive there. The event is made possible through sponsorship by the Sartori Company, along with ongoing support from the Plymouth Fire Department and longtime community partners.

Sartori: Still Doing What They Do Best

Sartori, a fourth-generation, family-owned company founded in 1939, remains deeply rooted in Plymouth. Known globally for its artisan cheeses and consistent presence on the world awards stage, the company continues to blend tradition with innovation—making them a fitting namesake for an event that’s both nostalgic and distinctly modern.

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