Illinois Apple Festivals in 2024

Update for 2024:

It looks like most festivals are returning, aside from those that were killed off by the lockdowns of the past 2 years. That took a heavy toll on their finances. I am checking with them day by day, if you have an update for an, please tell me via the Feedback form.

Looking for a apple festival in Illinois in 2024? (just scroll down the page)There is no other listing as complete and current as this list, just updated! All the apple festivals in Illinois we can find are listed on this page! If you love strawberries, look for a festival near you below! And I'm always looking for more apple festivals! Please write me, if you know of any to add!  I update the dates as soon as the festivals publish their information, but you can always click on the links (usually the name of the festival) to see the current information on the festival's own website. 

Always click on the links to the festival to confirm this year's dates; weather and other conditions could cause a change at the last minute. They may change or cancel at the last minute. . If they don't have a website, call the phone number provided, but ALWAYS CONFIRM THIS YEAR'S DATES AND TIMES BY EITHER VIEWING THEIR WEBSITE OR CALLING.

Click here for the form to add a festival and have detailed information; or click here if you have general information and are not connected with the event!

2024 Apple Festivals in Illinois - Where, When and More to Find an Apple Festival Near You!

Illinois

Apples typically ripen from July (yes, some early varieties start then, especially in southern areas) through early November.  Most apple varieties ripen in Spetember and October and this is when most apple festivals are held.  Unlike strawberries, which grow almost anywhere, apples are grown commercially in half as many states. They do not grow well in very warm climates, like Florida, and along the Gulf coast, etc. Apples require a certain number of hours of cold (below 40 F) in order to produce fruit. So most commercial apple production and apple festivals are north of Interstate 20 (I-20).

There are two general types of apple festivals 1) community festivals, usually organized by a church, school, local Chamber of commerce or a town and 2). Apple festival held at and by a farm. They are different in what they offer, and community festivals tend to be less expensive so they are grouped separately. (of course not all states and areas have both.)
Following the festival listings are links to our easy to follow directions about making apple jam, freezing apples, apple pies and much more.

Community Apple Festivals

Cook County

• Bucktown Apple Pie Contest - apples, produce for sale, snacks and refreshment stand, musical entertainment, cooking or fruit/veg judging, restrooms, face painting, pony rides, petting zoo, Held indoors in bad weather, Tents or other provisions are made for bad weather, There is an admission fee,
  Holstein Park 2200 N. Oakley Ave., Chicago, IL 60647. Phone: 773-353-5003. Alternate Phone: 773-230-3758. Fax: 312-698-8668. Email: friendsofholsteinpark@yahoo.com. Open: October 16, 2011 2 pm to 5 pm. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard. Click here for our Facebook page. Amateur bakers and pastry pros will be out in force on Sunday, October 16, 2011 as they compete for the coveted blue ribbon in the 7th Annual Bucktown Apple Pie Contest, a fundraising event that benefits Holstein Park. In the Park's historic field house and grounds, a panel of chefs, restaurateurs, gourmands and local celebrities will judge 150 apple pies, looking for the ultimate combination of appearance, taste and texture. The event also includes live music, kids' activities, a silent auction and a raffle. $2 / $5 donation requested for entrance. Contestants pay $15 to enter a pie for judging.

Lake County

• Long Grove Apple Festival - hours are 10 AM to 6 PM daily.
  Long Grove, IL.  Admission is FREE and so is the parking (There is a charge at the Church parking lot). Long Grove restaurants, such as the Apple Haus and outdoor food booths serve apple pies (4,000 were sold last year), apple cider, and apple muffins, apple cinnamon pretzels, apple salsa, and taffy apple beer mug sundaes.

Jackson County

• Murphysboro Apple Festival -mid September; The date for the festival is always the 2nd weekend after Labor Day
  110 South 14th Street, Murphysboro, IL 62966. Phone: 618-684-3200. Email: murphysboroapplefestival@gmail.com. The Murphysboro Apple Festival is the longest, continuous running festival in Southern Illinois, featuring the largest parade in our region! Tens of thousands of people come out every year to enjoy the events and shows. This family oriented event is a time-honored tradition! Click here for our Facebook page.  (UPDATED: August 28, 2018, JBS) (UPDATED: June 24, 2016)

Farm Apple Festivals

In addition to community and church festivals, some private farms have their own apple festivals.  See each farm for this year's dates (they often do not announce them until the end of May). They usually have PYO apples then, too.  Also, scroll down to see the links to recipes, freezing, canning and jam making directions at the bottom of the page.

• Broom Orchard -  Saturday and Sunday typically in late September and September 26, 2021 from 9 am to 6 pm each day.
  112803 Broom Road, Carlinville, IL 62626. Phone: 217-854-3514. Email: info@broomorchard.com. Open: See our website for current hours or call. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: Broom Orchard is located 2 1/2 miles southwest of Carlinville. Click here for a map and directions. Visit our website for current approximate ripening dates of our locally grown seasonal fruit or "like" us on Facebook; Broom Orchard has an annual Apple Festival in September and a Pumpkin Festival in October with various entertainment and activities. Broom Orchard Facebook page. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. Our Farm Market is open July thru December. This is where we sell our fresh peaches, apples, blackberries, nectarines, plums, pears and pumpkins when in season. The market is also stocked with Amish-made apple butter, Illinois honey, popcorn, preserves, butters and all fruit spreads. Don't forget our award winning sweet cider, too! Peaches are freestone. Early Gold Apples and Bi-Color Sweet Corn are also available. White Lady Peaches, Nectarines, and Blackberries. In 2021, Broom Orchard is celebrating their 39th annual Apple Festival,

Related Apple Information: Freezing, Making Jam, Jelly, Canning, Apple Pies, Recipes and More

Also, see our pages on easy illustrated apple directions:

• tips for picking apples at a farm, 
• our guide to apple varieties! Which type of apple is best for sauce? Fresh? Pie?: See our extensive guide to apple varieties and their uses
  

Recipes and Canning directions

• How to make applesauce 
• How to make apple butter
• How to make apple bread (also known as Ellijay apple bread)
• How to make apple crisp
• How to make apple cobbler
• How to make a pumpkin pie from a fresh whole pumpkin! 
• How to make apple jelly
• How to make apple pie filling (canned)
• How to can apples
• How to make applesauce for a single meal (not canning it) with NO special equipment
• Apple crunch - best of all! Moist, low sugar and using oats!
• How to make dried apple slices

 

For other fruit and vegetable festivals, see this page!