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

Connecticut

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

• Congregational Church of Salem Apple Festival - Saturday typically in late October (Last Saturday of October every year) from 9 am until sold out!
  244 Hartford Rd., Salem, CT 06420. Phone: (860) 859-1211. Email: salemcongregate@sbcglobal.net.  Proceeds benefit Missions, and property fund of The Congregational Church of Salem, CT.. Directions: See their website for directions. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Click here for our Facebook page. , Sales of the featured fruit (or vegetable), Baked items for sale, Deserts for sale (like strawberry shortcake, blueberry pie, etc.) , Food vendors, Pancake breakfast, Live music, Pets are NOT allowed, Free parking, restrooms. (ADDED: May 16, 2018, Suggested by a visitor)
  A visitor writes on May 16, 2018: ""
• Southington Apple Harvest Festival - Late September / Early October
  Southington, CT. Our annual festival is a family-oriented community event spanning the first two weekends in October. The festival offers six days of spectacular fun, delicious food, live entertainment and crafts which showcase local organizations and volunteers that make Southington a wonderful community to live in and visit. FREE Admission, Entertainment & Parking! The festival is located in the heart of Southington surrounding the Town Green and attracts 100,000 visitors. Activities to enjoy include local entertainment, a variety of contests, and on-stage music. A children's play area and carnival offer family fun. Our merchants and food booths offer a wide variety of quality goods and tasty food. Everything Apples!! Apple baked goods include: pies, crumbs topped pies, crisps, Bettys, turnovers, etc. Crafts, music, apple pancake breakfast, pieces of pie, apple fritters, hot dogs with apple sauerkraut, apple sundaes, apples, cider and cheese are also available. Admission and parking are free.
• Glastonbury Annual Apple Harvest Festival- apples, Cooked or baked foods for sale, parking provide free, parking provide for a fee, Shuttle buses to/from parking, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, musical entertainment, carnival rides, cooking or fruit/veg judging, restrooms, face painting, pony rides, bouncy castles, petting zoo, farm animals, Tents or other provisions are made for bad weather, There is an admission fee,
  Riverfront Park Welles Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033. Phone: 860-659-3587. Email: heather@glastonburychamber com. Open: October 18, 19 & 20, 2013, Friday 6 pm to 10 pm, Saturday 10 am to 10 pm and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Click here for our Facebook page. The Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce is proud to present the 39th Annual Apple Harvest Festival on October 18, 19 & 20, 2013 at Riverfront Park on Welles Street in Glastonbury. The Glastonbury 'Applefest' is noted as the best and last of Connecticut's festival season! The well known festival features live music, 125+ craft booths, fabulous food, a pie eating contest, a pie bake-off, amusement rides, pony rides and family entertainment. Attending this family-oriented event has become a tradition for adults, seniors, teenagers, college students and parents with young children living in Glastonbury and surrounding towns in Greater Hartford. $5.00 for adults, $20.00 for family, small children free.
• The Congregational Church of Salem's Apple Festival - apples, produce for sale, Cooked or baked foods for sale, parking provide free, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, musical entertainment, restrooms, Tents or other provisions are made for bad weather, FREE admission,
  Congregational Church Of Salem, 244 Hartford Road, Salem, CT 06420. Phone: 860-859-1211. Email: salemcongregate@sbcglobal.net. Open: always on a Saturday in late October; in 2015, it is Saturday, October 31 from 9 am to 2 pm. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. The Congregational Church of Salem's 43rd Apple Festival will occur on rain or shine, beginning on The Green - Route 85 in Salem CT.  Funds raised go toward the church's Missionary Benevolence Fund and the Property Fund. Come early!. 2015 is the 46th Annual 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!