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

Vermont

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

• Belmont Cider Days - one weekend in October, Saturday 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 12 pm to 4 pm.
  Belmont Green, Mt. Holly, VT.
  Every year the townspeople gather on the village green for two days of apple cider pressing, apple pie eating, and local artisans and crafters selling there wares. There's cheese sampling by Crowley Cheese, a local cheese company that has been making cheese in this town for over 100 years (Still doing it all by hand). Local service organizations sponsor tables for fun raising. The first day of the festival (Saturday) starts with a pancake breakfast at the Mt. Holly Grange and the Cider Days begins promptly afterwards. After a day on the green a Public Dinner is held from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Odd Fellows Hall in Belmont. (This was an old toy factory at the turn of the century which made sleds and wagons.) Sunday's Cider Days starts at 11 am and goes to 4pm culminating with a last minute cider pressing.
• Chester Fall Festival - weekend in mid September Chester, VT. Email: chesterfallfestival@gmail.com. Chester Festival on the Green will be held rain or shine. Vendors and exhibits will be open both days from 9am to 4pm. Music will be held Saturday from 12pm to 8pm and Sunday from 12pm to 6pm. For over 40 years, this annual event has been held as a hallmark kick off to the beginning of fall foliage season here in our Vermont town, where hundreds of people converge on our historic Green from all over New England. This year we’re celebrating with a special agricultural-themed event while again bringing together the best of our local craft and food vendors. This is a free outdoor event where you will find the center of town lined with vendors making delicious food and offering pottery, fine woodworking, fiber art, jewelry, photography, glass, and much more with something of interest for everyone. In addition to many new vendors and returning favorites, we’ll have artisan demonstrations, field games, farm animals, raffle prizes, and lots of family fun activities. Last but not least… We’ve announced a fantastic lineup of music artists who will be performing live stage concerts both days. Of course, be sure and take time to stroll through the village of Chester and enjoy its unique architecture and local studios, shops and restaurants… We can’t wait to see you again!
• Dummerston Apple Pie Festival - Sunday, October 8, 2023 from 10 am until sold out.  Usually held on the first Saturday in October
  Dummerston Church, Dummerston Center, intersection of the East-West Road and Middle Road, Drummerston, VT. Phone: (802) 257-0544. Email: jwzcwm@hotmail.com. THE FULL APPLE PIE FESTIVAL IS BACK (starting in 2022). After a 2 year hiatus with drive through sales only, the full Apple Pie Festival under the tent is back! Come get your pies (2022 prices: whole $20, slices $5), coffee, donuts, cheese, hand and cranked ice cream! We are so happy to be returning to the grand scale event. Spread the word, and see you there!  Apple pies are made by many church members and friends.
• Vermont Apple Festival & Craft Show - a Saturday in October, from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, from 10 am to 4 pm.
  Riverside Middle School, Springfield, Vermont. Event dates: y, Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and $1 for children 6-12, under 5 free.  On Sunday, there's the annual Apple Pie contest! As always, there will be two categories for Best Pies, Traditional & Non-Traditional. Pies need to be in by 10:30 am on Sunday and the Contest will take place at Noon! See the RULES link at the top of the page for our Apple Pie contest! Directions: FROM I-91 - Take Exit 7 and follow Route 11 West. The Apple Festival will be on your right-hand side just after McDonalds. Wellwood Orchards is the Official Orchard of the Vermont Apple Festival.

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!