A Rainy Day of Sips, Smiles & Small-Town Fun
It was a soggy Saturday in the Blue Mountains, and the forecast wasn’t exactly on our side. But let’s be honest, The 2025 Blue Mountains Cider Festival at Spy Cider House & Distillery proved that cider lovers are a resilient bunch. Umbrellas popped, raincoats zipped, and the party carried on because when 13 of Ontario’s best cideries show up, so do the people.
There was something special about the way everyone leaned into the day. Cider fans made their rounds from tent to tent, sampling everything from crisp, dry blends to juicy, fruit-forward pours. The lineup was stacked: Ardiel Cider House, Brooker’s Cider, Grey & Gold Cider, Heartwood Farm & Cidery, Heeman’s Hard Cider & Mead, Heritage Estate Winery & Cidery, Muskoka Lakes Craft Cider, Rice Lake Hard Cider, Tawse Winery, Thornbury Craft Co., Vieni Estates, Windswept Cider, and of course, Spy Cider House & Distillery, our incredible hosts. Each brought their own flavour, personality, and story reminding us why cider in Ontario is having such a moment.
And what’s a festival without something to nibble on between sips? Local food legends kept us well-fed throughout the day. Bello Pizza was slinging wood-fired pies faster than you could say “just one more slice,” Misfits Bodega brought bold flavours with a side of swagger, The Bivalve shucked oysters like pros (yes, oysters and cider are a match made in heaven), and The Gate served up heartier fare that hit the spot. Rain or no rain, the food scene was fire.
Live music carried us through the drizzle, the puddles, and the cider-fuelled dance breaks. Danny Michel kicked things off with his signature indie folk sound, Goldenhour brought the golden vibes (name checks out), and Marshall Veroni closed things out with a soulful set that somehow made the rain feel poetic.
In the end, it was a perfect example of what makes small-town events like this so special. Not everything goes according to plan and it doesn’t have to. The cider flowed, the music played, and the people stayed. That’s what we call a win.
If you missed it, don’t worry, many of these cideries are part of the Apple Pie Trail, and the adventure continues all year long. Whether you’re planning a weekend road trip or just looking for things to do in the Blue Mountains, we’ve got a trail full of tastes, sights, and small-town charm waiting for you.
Until next year’s festival – cheers to good cider, great people, and dancing in the rain.
