North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina - Where, When and More to Find an Apple Festival Near You!

North Carolina

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

• Brushy Mountain Apple Festival - early: October, one-day event
  North Wilkesboro, NC.  The Brushy Mountain Apple Festival is one of the largest one-day arts and crafts festivals in the Southeast. The Brushy Mountain Apple Festival is not just this club's largest fundraiser, but has become a one of Wilkes County's biggest fundraisers. Over 100 civic, church and other non-profit organizations participate in the festival. Over 160,000 people visit this festival during the day and it's FREE. Brushy Mountain Apple Festival facebook page
• Eden Apple Festival - May no longer be held - there's nothing anywhere on the internet that is current
  201 E. Meadow Road, Eden, NC 27288. Phone: 336-627-5148. Fax: 336-623-2730. Contact: Janet Lester.
• Lincoln County Apple Festival - held each year on the third Saturday in October; starting at 9 am
  W Main St, Lincolnton, NC 28092. Phone: (704) 530-4636. Email: lcapplefestival@yahoo.com. The Lincoln County Apple Festival attracts more than 80,000 visitors to charming downtown Lincolnton every September. The Festival features five local apple growers, a farmer's market, local talent on two stages, foods that include whole apple pies, kid's activities, and more than 250 vendors with crafts and exhibits
  We have locally grown apples by the bag and by the bushel. Plus cider, apple pies, jelly and more! Don't forget to visit our Farmer's Market with all kinds of other local goodies. The smiles are free! 2019 is it's 47th year. Click here for a link to our Facebook page.
• North Carolina Apple Festival - see Schedule of event (in 2020 September 4 - 7, 2020)
  Hendersonville , NC. Labor Day weekend!.  Ongoing entertainment will be staged in front of the Historic Courthouse on Main Street, beginning at 9:30 or 10 a.m. each day and continuing until 10 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Some seating is available, but festivalgoers may want to bring chairs. The Street Fair is located in downtown Hendersonville, North Carolina on beautiful Main Street. There are also many community events throughout the weekend.
  The food court is located at the southern end of the festival on Main Street in front of Wells Fargo Bank. The Street Fair along Main Street runs from 10 am-8 pm Friday-Sunday and on Monday the mini-street fair runs from 10 am- until the parade ends. The King Apple Parade starts at 2:30 pm on Labor Day Monday, rain or shine. Entertainment runs Friday-Sunday from 10 am-10 pm. Food court and children's area also runs into the late evening.
  To learn more about who will be performing please click on events and entertainment on top of their webpage.
• South Jersey Apple Fest - Saturday in early September from10am to 5pm and Sunday from 10am to 5pm.
  Cumberland County Fairgrounds 3001 Carmel Rd, Millville, NC 08332. Phone: (856) 765-0118. Alternate Phone: (856) 265-6181. Email: bkenterprisenj@aol.com. Directions: Take Route 49 to left on Carmel Rd, Travel about 2 miles Fairgrounds will be on the left. From Route 55, take exit 29, turn left on Sherman Rd, travel 4 miles, turn left on Carmel Rd, stay left at the fork, Fairgrounds will be on your right. Payment: Cash, only. There will be apples, produce for sale, produce for sale, parking provide free, gift shop, musical entertainment, cooking or fruit/veg judging, restrooms, picnic area, face painting, pony rides, Tents or other provisions are made for bad weather, There is an admission fee, (ADDED: June 04, 2019)
• Taylorsville Apple Festival - 3rd Saturday in October;  from 9 am to 5 pm
  City: Taylorsville, NC. Phone: 828-632-2999. Email: taylorsvilleapplefestival@and yahoo.com. The streets of Taylorsville fill to overflowing for the Annual Taylorsville Apple Festival which draws an estimated 30,000 attendees and hosts over 250 exhibit booths. The festival provides a fantastic assortment of entertainment, food and vendors. Click here for our Facebook page. They also have an Apple Blossom Festival in the Spring.
• Haywood Apple Harvest Festival Apple Harvest Daze - October 17, 2020 Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm.
  Historic Mainstreet, Waynesville, NC 28786. Phone: 828-456-3021. Email: info@haywoodchamber.com. Open: Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Payment: An annual festival celebrating the Fall Harvest Season. During the last 23 years, the Apple Harvest Festival has grown to a premier one-day celebration in the charming historic mountain town of Waynesville. With more than 130 exhibitors and 35,000 people expected, we will gather for a glorious day of color to celebrate the fall harvest. Enjoy a backdrop of the picturesque mountains of Western North Carolina as you celebrate everything apples. Handmade crafts, local food and continuous live entertainment will delight even the most seasoned visitor during this annual celebration. Entertainment will include local mountain music, cloggers and the occasional character! Take home a peck of locally grown apples from the county apple growers association. Haywood County. apples, Harvest festival, Cooked or baked foods for sale, parking provide free, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, musical entertainment, restrooms, Tents or other provisions are made for bad weather, FREE admission,

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.

• We will be adding these as we find them;  Please write me, if you know of any to add!

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!