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

Pennsylvania

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

• Annual Harvest Festival at Reading Terminal Market - a weekend in mid October from 10am to 4pm.
  Filbert Street, Philadelphia, PA. They shut down Filbert Street and turn it into an urban farm closed to vehicle traffic. There is authentic farm tractor for a hayride, hot apple cider, Pennsylvania chesses and autumn harvest fruits,  vegetables and more. There is also a Market sidewalk sale and live bluegrass music. Phone: (215) 922-2317. 
• Apple Butter Festival - a Saturday in October from 9 am to 4 p.m. 
  United Church of Christ, 1201 N Chester Road, West Chester. Phone: (610)-692-2951. Food, crafts, candles, furniture sale, used-book sale, more.
• Drive-Thru Apple Daiquiri Stand for Charity Sponsored by the Hanover Knights of Columbus - Free parking, restrooms
  5055 Grandview Road, Hanover, PA 17331. Phone: (717) 637-3989. Open: This is 32nd year our Hanover Knights of Columbus sponsored the famous Apple Daiquiri Stand for Charities, usually at the National Apple Harvest Festival, but since they've canceled for 2020 we're moving it to St. Joseph Church, Hanover and offering walk-up or drive-thru service. Saturday, October 10 from 12 Pm - 6 PM Sunday, October 11 from 9 Am - 2 PM. Directions: See their website for directions. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard . "Bring a Mask and a Flask" to the Famous Apple Daiquiri (non-alcoholic) Stand Sponsored by Hanover Knights of Columbus for Charities! Walk up or Drive Thru in front of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hanover. Menu items include hot and cold non-alcoholic apple beverages, cocoa, coffee beverages, cinnamon buns, hot dogs, breakfast sandwiches, etc. We all love the National Apple Harvest Festival! Unfortunately it was canceled this year and so with many repeat customers over the years who crave our food and beverage products and because we depend on this fundraiser for our many donations to needy charities, we decided to try this drive-thru and hope for the continued support of our community. If cannot attend but want to make a donation, send your check to Hanover Knights of Columbus 871, PO Box 402, Hanover, PA 17331 (ADDED: September 24, 2020, Suggested by a visitor)
  A visitor writes on September 24, 2020: "You will love it!"
• Franklin Apple Fest - a weekend in October
  Franklin, PA. Applefest On-Going Events; or Friday Events; or Saturday Events; or Sunday Events. For more information contact the Franklin Chamber of Commerce at Phone: 814-432-5823 or 888-547-2377. Email: applefest@franklin-pa.org.
• Hickory Apple Festival - a weekend in October
  Hickory, Pennsylvania. Phone: (724) 356-FEST. Music, Arts/Crafts, Kid's Activities, Food, Directions. Two days of great live music, exceptional arts and crafts, and lots of activities for kids and adults. Look for antique machines and vehicles, cornmeal grinding, chainsaw sculpting, spinning, weaving, quilting, pie eating, apple bobbing, a moonwalk, pony rides, a baby farm animal petting zoo, face and hair painting, clowns, balloon animals, a Native American village, a boy scout encampment, and much more. Don't forget our delicious homemade food, apple pies, dumplings, apple cakes, apple crisp, fresh apples, cider, caramel and candy apples, apple butter, apple syrup, apple pizza, and other apple items.  Free General Admission & Free Parking (Limited Handicapped Parking). Free Shuttle Service. No Pets & No Soliciting.   Hickory Apple Festival facebook page.
• Smicksburg Apple Fest - September 13th, 14th, & 15th, 2019
  Smicksburg, PA. Phone: 814-257-0192. Locally grown apples, apple desserts, candles. .
• The National Apple Harvest Festival - NORMALLY HELD ON the first two weekends in October; The festival is open from 8 am to 6 pm daily, rain or shin
  South Mountain Fairgrounds, Rt 234, Arendtsville, PA. Phone: (717) 677-9413. Directions: located just 10 miles northwest of Gettysburg.. Celebrating beautiful crafts, great music and wonderful food for forty years. The festival has something for everyone with hundreds of arts and crafts dealers, demonstrations, contests, food stands, and entertainment. The festival is located in the heart of Pennsylvania Apple country, near historic Gettysburg, and is within a two hour drive of Washington DC, Baltimore MD, and Harrisburg PA. .All admission tickets include parking in one of several parking fields and shuttle bus or wagon service to the festival grounds. Also included in admission price is all live entertainment, attractions, exhibits and orchard bus tours. 2018 prices were General (12+) - $10, Seniors (60+) - $9, Military w/ ID - $9 (at gate), ​Two-Day Flex Admission (12+) - $17; Kids under 12 - FREE. Admission may be purchased online or at the gate. Payment methods accepted online: All major credit cards. | Payment methods accepted at the gate: cash or all major credit cards. | Two-Day Flex Admission is valid once per day, on two separate days of the festival in the same year/event. Charter bus rates available.  Schedule, General Information, Local Info, History, Traveling In,  Map of Grounds, Photo Contest.

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.

• Hollabaugh Bros. Apple Harvest Weekends - usually the first two weekends in October Saturdays 8 am to 5 pm / Sundays 12:00 to 4:30 pm
  545 Carlisle Road, Biglerville, PA 17307. Phone: 717-677-8412. Alternate Phone: 717-677-9494. Fax: 717-677-7157. Email: info@hollabaughbros.com. Directions: Located nine miles north of Gettysburg right on route 34. Just a short drive from Route 15, Route 30, and Interstate 81. Click here for a map and directions. We use integrated pest management practices. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. Click here for our Facebook page. Although not the location of the National Harvest Festival, you are welcome to visit our market anytime this weekend to enjoy an Apple Cider Donut Milkshake or check out our Apple Bins and pick up some delicious baked goods. If you have a favorite bakery item, be sure to call and order ahead of time. It will be a fun, food-filled weekend for all!
• Rodale Institute - CERTIFIED ORGANIC, One Saturday in September from 10 am to 4 pm
  611 Siegfriedale Road, Kutztown, PA 19530. Phone: 610-683-6009. Alternate Phone: 610-683-1400. Email: ribooks@fast.net. Open: Please call for PYO information and availability. Directions: Please note the map on our website is for the main office. The apple orchard and pumpkin fields are near the bookstore, which is located east of the main office near Kunkle Road. Directions to the Bookstore: From I-78, take exit 45 (New Smithville) and follow Route 863 South for approximately 1/2 mile. At the 3-way intersection, take the middle fork (Siegfriedale Road) for 2 miles to our one-room schoolhouse/bookstore on the left. Click here for a map and directions. We are certified organic for all crops! Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard. Click here for our Facebook page.  Organic Apple Festival: September .Our annual Organic Apple Festival is the perfect family-friendly outing.  Nothing says fall like apple picking! Enjoy fresh, delicious apples grown in our organic orchard, plus live music, wagon tours of the farm, games, goods from local artisans, and so much more. 
  Admission is FREE with a suggested donation of $10 for parking.
  All proceeds go directly to benefit Rodale Institute's research and educational outreach. Contact the bookstore for updates on availability (closed Mondays). Bring your own bags or boxes to take your harvest home.  apples, pumpkins, gift shop, restrooms, picnic area.

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!