Fall in the United States brings more than just apple picking—it’s the season for apple harvest festivals filled with parades, live music, and delicious seasonal treats. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the shores of Lake Superior, these celebrations showcase the best of American autumn traditions.
Here are 10 of the most popular apple festivals in the U.S. that every apple lover should experience.
1. North Carolina Apple Festival – Hendersonville, NC
Held every Labor Day weekend, this festival is one of the largest apple celebrations in the nation. For four days, downtown Hendersonville comes alive with a street fair featuring hundreds of vendors, live music, a parade, and endless apple-inspired foods. Henderson County, which produces 80% of North Carolina’s apples, supplies the fresh bounty you’ll find here.
2. Applecrest Farm Harvest Festivals – Hampton Falls, NH
New Hampshire’s Applecrest Farm Orchards hosts weekend harvest festivals from Labor Day through October. Visitors enjoy live bluegrass music, hayrides, a corn maze, and a petting zoo. Seasonal favorites include fresh apple cider donuts, homemade pies, and pick-your-own apples in a charming farm setting.
3. National Apple Harvest Festival – Biglerville, PA
Held over the first two weekends of October in Pennsylvania’s orchard country, this long-running festival combines small-town charm with big-time entertainment. Attractions include antique steam engine displays, orchard tours, live bluegrass music, and demonstrations of traditional cider pressing and apple butter making.
4. Georgia Apple Festival – Ellijay, GA
The “Apple Capital of Georgia” hosts its annual festival during the second and third weekends of October. Over 300 vendors fill the streets with crafts, Southern food, apple treats, and live bluegrass and gospel performances. Surrounded by Appalachian fall colors, it’s a feast for all senses.
5. Bayfield Apple Festival – Bayfield, WI
Named one of the best fall harvest festivals in the country, Bayfield’s Apple Fest takes place the first weekend of October. Highlights include the Apple Festival Parade, baking competitions, cider tastings, and orchard tours. The setting along Lake Superior makes it even more memorable.
6. Applejack Festival – Nebraska City, NE
This Midwest tradition happens on the third weekend of September, drawing tens of thousands to Nebraska City. Visitors enjoy parades, classic car shows, carnival rides, and fresh apple treats. Local orchards open their doors for hayrack rides, cider pressing, and seasonal activities.
7. Julian Apple Days Festival – Julian, CA
In Southern California’s mountain town of Julian, apple harvest season is celebrated with pie-baking contests, gold panning, and historic Main Street festivities. Nearby orchards invite visitors to pick heirloom apple varieties, while local shops offer fresh cider and pastries.
8. Warren County Apple Festival – Franklin, PA
A community favorite in northwestern Pennsylvania, this festival features an apple pancake breakfast, pie contests, a farmers’ market, and over 100 vendors. Live entertainment, a 5K race, and family activities fill the first weekend of October with small-town charm.
9. Johnny Appleseed Festival – Fort Wayne, IN
Celebrating the legacy of John Chapman, the Johnny Appleseed Festival blends history and fun. Costumed reenactors, pioneer-era demonstrations, craft vendors, and fresh cider presses recreate the 1800s spirit. It’s a perfect mix of education and entertainment for all ages.
10. Apple Butter Festival – Berkeley Springs, WV
Every Columbus Day weekend, this West Virginia town turns its main square into an open-air apple butter kitchen. Large copper kettles simmer spiced apples over open fires, filling the air with an irresistible aroma. Visitors can also enjoy parades, quilt shows, and hearty Appalachian cooking.
Why Apple Harvest Festivals Are a Must-Do This Fall
Apple harvest festivals are more than just seasonal events—they’re a celebration of local culture, farming traditions, and community spirit. Whether you’re savoring fresh cider, browsing handmade crafts, or joining a pie-eating contest, you’ll leave with memories as sweet as the apples themselves.
Plan ahead, check festival dates, and make your trip during peak apple season—from Labor Day through late October—to enjoy the best flavors and experiences these events have to offer.
