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

Wisconsin

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

• Bayfield Apple Festival - held on a Friday through Sunday in October see Schedule of events
  Bayfield, WI. 44th Annual Bayfield Apple Festival.  Join us this Fall in Bayfield!
• Gays Mills Apple Festival - it takes place last full weekend of September
  Gays Mills, Wisconsin 54631. Phone: 608-735-4341. Email: gaysmill@mwt.net. 62nd Annual Apple Festival
  Celebrating the apple harvest with parades, carnivals, arts and crafts, flea markets, music, dancing, fun run/walk, food and festivities.
• Thiensville-Mequon Lions Club AppleFest - Sunday, October 3, 2021
  Thiensville, WI 53092.
  Phone: (262) 421-6535. No info yet, see their website. 

   

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.

• Erickson Orchard and Country Store - First weekend in October (Friday to Sunday) from 9 AM to 5 PM, pumpkins
  RR l, Betzold Road, Bayfield, WI. Phone: 715-913-0717. Email: ericksonorchards1@gmail.com. VENDORS WANTED! FOOD, ARTS & CRAFTS FOR SATURDAY. OUR ANNUAL FESTIVAL IS GROWING BIGGER EVERY YEAR, DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY!
  WE'LL HAVE FUN & GAMES, MUSIC, TOURS, EVERYTHING APPLE!
  WE NOW HAVE A MORE VISIBLE SPACE FOR VENDORS & LOOK FORWARD TO NEW VENDORS APPLYING.
  DETAILS IN THE WORKS, STAY TUNED!
  YOU CAN BE SURE IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT WEEKEND!Open: Memorial Day weekend through October. 12 Monday-Saturday 9am to 5pm and ​Sunday 10 am to 4 pm; except extended Sunday hours during apple harvest. Fresh picked apples, apple cider, baked goods, gift baskets, honey, jams and jellies, maple syrup, strawberries. Pick your own in season. Family owned apple orchard and strawberry farm since 1954. Together we have kept the farm growing - planting and selling apples & strawberries for pick-your-own and ready-picked. Erickson's Orchard has apples, cider, strawberries, raspberries, pumpkins, vegetables and more. Strawberries LATE JUNE TO MID-JULY; Raspberries from LATE JULY TO MID AUGUST; Blueberries from LATE JULY to MID AUGUST and Apples in SEPTEMBER and OCTOBER.  They also have a strawberry festival in the Spring and apple festival in the Fall. Click here for a link to our Facebook 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!