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

Indiana

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

Allen County (Fort Wayne)

• Cory Apple Festival - The Cory Apple Festival is at the end of September every year.
  Cory, IN. You can buy apples by the bushel there and they have flea markets and craft stands. This festival is a huge hit and people come from miles around to go. They have a little bit of everything. .
  Comments from a visitor on August 09, 2008: "I love the festival and I know several other people that enjoy it too. The town, Cory, is small town living at its finest. And it kicks off the festival season here in western Indiana where we have the Covered Bridge Festivals as well. "
• Johnny Appleseed Festival - mid-September,  Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm (September 17, 2022 and September 18, 2022)
  Johnny Appleseed Park - Archer Park, Fort Wayne, IN 46805.
  FARMER'S MARKET: Here you will find fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers & don't forget apple cider! Also a huge assortment of dried flowers and plants. You will also find delicious bread, muffin, cookie, dip & sauce mixes you can take home and make fresh yourself.
  FOOD BOOTHS: After a few hours of shopping, watching pioneer demonstrations, and playing children's games, you will no doubt be ready to eat. Fortunately, the Johnny Appleseed Festival offers you plenty of options!
  CRAFT BOOTHS: Though out the festival grounds you will find an assortment of crafters. The items are handmade from materials available in the wilderness areas where Johnny wandered sowing his apple seeds. Wood, Cloth, Glass and metal come together in the array of finely crafted gifts for the willing buyer.
  ANTIQUES & PRIMITIVES: The Antique and Primitives area is located between the Festival Stage and the Trappers & Traders near the Johnny Appleseed Gravesite. More than 25 juried vendors offer a variety of antiques and primitives.
  DEMONSTRATORS: As I have traveled near and far, I have seen many wondrous things. I have heard beautiful music, tasted food that was like nothing I have ever tasted before, yet watching people create the things they need for everyday living or to sell or trade is the most interesting.
  CHILDREN'S AREA: Ya know, I've been playing so hard with the kids down in the children's area I plum forgot to tell you all about it. Well, why I collect my thoughts and take a break, let me at least remind you about all the fun games there are to do here, including a really fun straw maze.

Elkhart County

• Nappanee Apple Festival - September
  Nappanee, IN. Phone: 574-773-7812 and 574-773-7810. Fax: 574-773-4691. Email: info@nappaneeapplefestival.org. Apples galore! Classic Car cruise ins, apple peeling contest, an apple bake-off, and antique fire truck show are just a few of the traditional events that make this festival great! Dozens of craft exhibitors, parade  with bands, brightly colored floats and of course the Apple Festival Queen! There is no admission charge. Crates of the fresh fruit dotting the downtown sidewalks. Food booths run by the Rotary to the sororities. From fritters to cobbler and Dutch apple pie, you will find no short lines, but plenty of time to catch up on the fall gossip. Sweet cider is the drink of the day and the apple butter boiling in the copper kettle can be taken home, if you're the patient type. The Nappanee Apple Festival is located in the heart of downtown Nappanee, IN. It is surrounded by local shops and businesses alike at the main intersections of U.S. 6 and State Road 19.  The festival is home to Indiana's largest 7-foot baked apple pie and comes out of the oven just in time to kick off the festival!  Known for our family-friendly atmosphere, fun activities and a lot of shopping, you can be sure to have a good time no matter what your age. With the festival attracting an average of more than 80,000 people annually, it has become one of the largest festivals in the State of Indiana! So come join us for some games, shopping, entertainment, rides and delicious apple pie!
  2024 FESTIVAL DATES & TIMES
  SEP 19 (Thur): 5-9pm
  SEP 20 (Fri): 11am-10pm
  SEP 21 (Sat): 10am-10pm

Fountain County

• Covington Apple Fest – Saturday in late September from 9 am until 5 pm, Saturday, September 28, 2024
  Covington, IN. The annual Covington Apple Fest held in beautiful downtown Covington. Food, vendors, entertainment, car show, shopping, Little Miss & Mister Contest and much more!

 

Greene County

• Bloomfield Apple Festival - Early October
  Bloomfield Town Park, Bloomfield, IN 47424. Email: contact@bloomfieldapplefest.com. Open: Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Click here for our Facebook page. The Bloomfield Apple Festival is one of the best small-town fall festivals in Southern Indiana, featuring carnival rides, food, merchandise vendors, live music, various contests (such as a baking contest, baby contest, pedal tractor contest), art exhibit, 5k Run, ball tournament, live demonstrations, and more. A great time for all ages. For the first time, the festival will be for three days! The Apple Festival is held in the Bloomfield town park and is always on the first full weekend in October. Beginning 2022, the festival will be Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The parade will be at 1:00 p.m. starting at the intersection of Mill Street and Franklin Street on the South side. The parade will end at the school. Free shuttle service is available for those parking on the side streets or around the courthouse. Handicap Parking will be available at the Dairy Queen parking lot on Spring Street, with pick up on golf cart or shuttle at that point.
  Two ATMs will be available near the carnival rides as well as near the South shelter house.
  There will be an ATM by the rides as well as an ATM by the South shelter house.
  Carnival & Amusements by Huesman Enterprises, Inc
  Friday Oct 04, 12pm - 4pm, (break 4-5pm), 5pm - closing
  Saturday Oct 05, 12pm - 4pm, (break 4-5pm), 5pm - closing
  Sunday Oct 06 1pm - 5pm
  apples, parking provide free, Shuttle buses to/from parking, snacks and refreshment stand, parade, musical entertainment, carnival rides, cooking or fruit/veg judging, restrooms, picnic area, face painting, bouncy castles, Tents or other provisions are made for bad weather, FREE admission,
  

Harrison County

• Woodbine Indiana Applefest - Last Saturday of September Every Year
  P.O. Box 274, Woodbine, IA 51579. Email: woodbineapplefest@gmail.com.. From pies to pastries to slushies' to carameled, the last Saturday of every September is dedicated to a festival of everything APPLE! Located in Woodbine, IA, along the historic Lincoln Highway, Applefest has drawn crowds of nearly 13,000 people!  Along with our apples, we host one of Iowa's largest car shows, which has attracted over 350 makes and models from as early as the Model T Ford! We put on a craft show and also support flea market and local business vendors... It's a great time to start your holiday shopping! If food is your passion, we offer a wide variety of delicious cuisine, sure to fit any taste!  After the day is done, be sure to check out the entertainment at the beer garden located at 5th and Walker Streets. This event is sponsored by Tommy Gate and Good Fellows, and is a great way to relax after an eventful day! We hope to see you this coming September! Click here for a link to our Facebook page.

Noble County

• Apple Festival of Kendallville - First full weekend in October, Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm, Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm
  902 Dowling Street, Kendallville, Indiana 46755. Email: applefest@kendallvilleapplefestival.com.. A large children's area with games, activities, crafts and rides. A primitive traders village, demonstration buildings, a Civil War encampment and entertainment on 3 stages have all been added over the years. Today the festival budget is over $80,000, and the festival hosts some 70,000 visitors each year. Nearly one hundred crafters sell their wares at the festival and antique dealers fill the Merchant's Building.

Owen County

• Spencer Indiana Apple Butter Festival  - mid September - last held in 2019; there is NOTHING current on the internet about it this year.  COVID lockdowns claim another festival.
  Spencer, Indiana. Held on the Square. There are a lot of craft booths and contests and a parade on Sunday at 1 pm.

Ripley County

• Kiwanis Apple Festival – Late September, Saturday 11 am-6 pm, Sunday 11 am-4 pm
  Liberty Park, 716 South Park Ave, Batesville, IN 47006. Phone: 812-934-3201. 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.

• Anderson Orchard - Late September Rain or Shine
  369 East Greencastle Road, Mooresville, IN 46158. Phone: 317-831-4181. Fax: 317-831-4850. Email: info@andersonorchards.com. Directions: We are located 2 miles west of Mooresville on Main Street. Approximately one mile west of town, Main Street turns into Greencastle Road, immediately after White Lick Road. click here for a map and directions.
  Orchard, Concessions & Food: 8am until 8pm or dark whichever comes first
  Crafter: 9 am to 5 pm
  Join us for:
  Picked and U-Pick Apples (Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Jonathan, and many other favorites)
  Visit our Pumpkin Patch
  80+ Crafters
  Grilled Sandwiches and Hot Dogs, plus an assortment of sides and drinks
  Concession Stand is open
  Straw Pile
  Picnic Areas
  Homemade Apple Cobbler with Ice Cream
  Homemade Breads Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard. Anderson Orchard Facebook page. Apple Festival and Craft Fair: September. Visit our Apple Varieties page for availability of your favorite apples. Also chestnuts, plums, pumpkins, raspberries, and prepicked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, school tours
  Comments from a visitor on May 04, 2010: "Pick your own apples, berries, etc. Have annual fall festival with craft tent, etc. Large "barn" with gift shop, restrooms, concessions, etc"
• Stumler Orchard and Restaurant's annual AppleFest.  - early October weekend - Saturday, from 10 am to 8 pm. and Sunday, October 3, from 10 am to 6 p.m
  Galena, IN.. This is the 22nd year for the event. There will be fun for all with arts and crafts, flea market, demonstrations, pony rides, petting zoo and family games. There will be a kiddie tractor pull with registration both days at 1 p.m. with the pull being held at 1:30 pm There will also be pumpkin painting, hayrides to the pumpkin patch to pick your own pumpkin, or pumpkins available in all shapes and sizes. "Ol Hess" the magical clown will be on the grounds both days from 11 am to 4 p.m. making balloon animals and doing his magical tricks. Antique gas engines and tractors will have a "Show & Swap Meet" both days. Plenty of food will be available outside under the tent, including barbecue, country fries, fish, brats, chili and bean soup, cornbread, chicken and dumplings and much more. Inside the restaurant there will be fried chicken and roast pork dinners. Also available will be apple dumplings, pumpkin pie and fried apple pies. Caramel apples, as well as plenty of plain apples, will be available for purchase at the farm market. Riverside Cloggers will perform on Saturday at 1 pm, along with other dance groups. Rainbow Dance Group will perform on Sunday at 2 p.m. There will be live music both days as well. Directions to Stumlers: Take I-64 west to Exit 119, go to Galena and turn right onto Navilleton Road. Follow Stumler Orchard and Restaurant's red and white signs.

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!