New Jersey Apple Festivals in 2023

Update for 2023:

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 New Jersey in 2023? (just scroll down the page)There is no other listing as complete and current as this list, just updated! All the apple festivals in New Jersey 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!

2023 Apple Festivals in New Jersey - Where, When and More to Find an Apple Festival Near You!

New Jersey

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

• Chester Harvest Festival - Saturday in mid October - See their website for details! UPDATE for 2022: it is NOT being held in 2022
  Chester, Morris County, NJ. You couldn't pick a better way to spend a weekend! Come and enjoy this FREE 2-day event in Historic Downtown Chester.
• John Wesley Gandy Farmstead Annual Applefest - Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022
  26 Tyler Rd, Ocean View, NJ 08230. Phone: (609) 390-5656.  The Annual Applefest for the Historical Preservation Society of Upper Twp. (HPSUT) will be held , from 10 am til 3 pm at the John Wesley Gandy Farmstead, Free Festival. Free Parking. There is no admission charge for the AppleFest. In addition, parking at the festival is always free of charge.  The Applefest is one of the major community-wide events held each year by the HPSUT and is a favorite Fall gathering for residents and visitors in the Township.
• Medford Apple Festival - Saturday October 8, 2022 from 9 am to 4 pm
  Kirby's Mill, 275 Church Rd, Medford, NJ 08055.Phone: 609-654-7767. Email: contactus@medfordhistory.org. The 43rd (in 2022) Annual Apple Festival returns to historic Kirby’s Mill in Medford Presented by ShopRite of Medford, the event draws thousands of visitors to browse 120+ custom crafters, plus great food, apple butter, apple cider, apple baked goods, signature apple cider donuts and specially made apple ice cream. Live music will be playing throughout the day. Crafters will be on-hand for nearly every interest and wallet. For children this year, there will be games, and arts and crafts for children’s interests. Well behaved dogs are welcome to attend Apple Festival, provided their parents clean up after them. Pets and owners can shop our pet crafters making treats, bandanas and toys. Rounding out the list of crafters, there will be jewelers, needle workers, basket weavers, painters, photographers, wood workers, original art, pottery, holiday items and sign crafters. Kirby’s Mill is located 275 Church Road, at the corner of Fostertown Road. Admission and parking are free. A free shuttle service will bus attenders from the parking lots at Fellowship Alliance Chapel, 199 Church Road, just west of Route 541 in Medford. Additional parking will be available on Fostertown Road. There’s something for every taste and pocketbook at Medford Apple Festival and it’s a good way to kick off holiday shopping, so come out and enjoy the day!
• South Jersey Apple Fest - Saturday, September 10, 2022 from 10am to 5pm and Sunday, September 11, 2022 from 10am to 5pm.
  Shoppes At Dragon Village 97 Trench Road, Bridgeton, NJ 08332. Phone: 18567650118. Email: bkenterprisenj@aol.com.  Directions: Take U.S. Route 40 west to Mays Landing to Route 552. Follow Route 552 through Milmay to Millville. At first traffic light in Millville, turn left and go to NJ Route 49 west. Take NJ Route 49 through Millville until you come to Bridgeton. Go to fifth traffic light and turn left (Fayette Street). Go about 1 mile to a fork and bear right (Cubby Hollow Road). Go to first crossroad and turn right (Trench Road). We are the first place on the right. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Click here for our Facebook page. New Jersey Wine sales and sampling at the South Jersey Apple Fest. Country Line Dancing on Saturday at the festival. There will be apples, produce for sale, produce for sale, parking provide for a fee, musical entertainment, restrooms, picnic area, pony rides, farm animals, Tents or other provisions are made for bad weather, FREE admission,  (ADDED: July 18, 2021)

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!