The 49th edition starts today and runs until Carnival Tuesday, 17 February, with more than 100 exhibitors at the Seia municipal market and in the surrounding area, organised by the municipality.

“The event establishes itself as a national benchmark in the appreciation of cheese and its entire supply chain, from production with protected designation of origin (PDO) to industrial manufacturing, in a municipality that is the largest national producer of sheep's cheese,” states the City Council, in a note sent to the Lusa news agency.

The fair will bring together producers, shepherds, cheesemakers, companies, and various entities linked to the sector, "showing the vitality of a sector deeply rooted in the territory, generating wealth, creating jobs, and with a strong impact on the regional and national economy."

For four days, it will be possible to buy directly from the producer, gain knowledge and taste the characteristic flavours of this time of year in the Serra da Estrela.

The production of the largest sheep's cheese in Seia, on Monday, starting at 2 pm, is one of the highlights of the event and will involve several producers from the municipality.

The cheese produced in the 2025 edition will be served at the opening ceremony of the Seia fair, scheduled for 10 am on Saturday.

Wine tastings from the Dão region, an olive oil exhibition, a sheep and goat competition organised by ANCOSE (National Association of Sheep Breeders of Serra da Estrela), milking and shearing demonstrations, and a Serra da Estrela dog show by LICRASE (League of Friends and Breeders of the Serra da Estrela Dog) are among the other scheduled activities.

Diverse entertainment

The Seia cheese fair will also feature musical entertainment, a walk, an electric bike ride, "showcooking" sessions, demonstrations of traditional cheese and sausage making, a craft fair, and food stalls.

For younger visitors, there will be the Quinta do Pastor, "a space for direct contact with the rural world," according to the organisers.

The conference “Wool: from waste to resource. How to close the cycle?” will take place in the auditorium of the Seia Municipal Cultural Centre.

Coordinated by the Integrated Development Association of the Mountain Villages Network, the conference will include the participation of the Secretary of State for Agriculture, João Moura, the President of the General Assembly of the Mountain Villages Network, Jorge Brito, the researcher and entrepreneur Rosa Pomar, and representatives from ANCOSE and CEARTE (Professional Training Centre for Crafts and Heritage).

“With more than a hundred exhibitors, the Serra da Estrela Cheese Fair is a unique opportunity to purchase products directly from the producer and experience four days of celebration, authenticity and excellence, affirming Seia as a territory of production, knowledge and identity,” highlights the municipality.

Other fairs

Celorico da Beira, from 20 to 22 February, is the next municipality on the Serra da Estrela cheese fair route.

Other events dedicated to this delicacy will take place in Penalva do Castelo, in the Viseu district, on 21 and 22 February, and in Tábua, in the Coimbra district, from 28 February to 1 March.

Serra da Estrela cheese will also be 'king' in Penaverde (Aguiar da Beira, Guarda district) on 1 March, in Oliveira do Hospital (Coimbra district) on 7 and 8 March, and in Gouveia (Guarda district) on 14 and 15 March.

As usual, the cycle ends in Fornos de Algodres (Guarda district), where the Serra da Estrela cheese fair takes place from 20 to 22 March.