Annual Apple Festivals and Events in New York (2024)
When the leaves start changing in September and October in NY, you know an apple festival is just around the corner. These events with live music, visits into the apple orchards, and of course apple pie and apple cider are sure to have something for the whole family. No matter where you are in New York, there’s one that’s happening near you.
In Central NY
Ithaca Apple Harvest Festival
Apple Harvest Festival » Downtown Ithaca
September 29 – October 1, 2024
Kick off the fall season in the eclectic downtown of Ithaca, New York, part of the finger lakes region of New York. See vendors and meet community members. This festival focuses on great food and wonderful vendors of all types. Enjoy the best cider that local cider makers have to offer and sample treats and savory items from dozens of food vendors. Settled in the heart of the Ithaca Commons’ cobblestoned city area, it’s a festival packed with locals, students, and families.
In Southern NY
Warwick Apple Festival
Warwick Applefest – Orange County’s Largest Festival
October 6, 2024
With over 150 craft vendors, carnival rides, and 4 separate stages for live music, this event will be sure to please all ages in your entire family. The event is free to attend and held on a single day each October and is one of our favorite apple festivals in NY. It’s located just an hour and forty-five minutes north of NYC, and 2 hours southeast of Binghamton, NY. This makes it the perfect spot to get to on a nice fall afternoon.
Near Syracuse, NY
LaFayette Apple Festival
October 12 and 13, 2024
This festival has been going strong for over 50 years. You can literally take a bite out of nice juicy apples here! There are a number of kids activities, including amusement rides, pony rides, games, and a petting zoo. You can also visit tons of craft booths to shop for great products made locally. This festival is just a few miles south of Syracuse and is easy to get to from the major NYS highways.
Near Rochester, NY
Hilton Apple Fest
October 5 and 6, 2024
Nestled 30 minutes west of Rochester, is Hilton, NY. It’s home of the Hilton Apple Fest. This event has the typical food vendors (think hot dogs, funnel cakes, caramel apples). But it’s also got a car show and photo contest, which will appeal to your favorite hobbyist. The event is free to attend, and there’s even a free shuttle to allow you to park and ride to the event without any trouble.
Southwest of Buffalo, NY
Busti Apple Fest
Busti Apple Festival – Town of Busti
September 29, 2024
This festival, held on the last Sunday in September every year, is focused on crafts, farm-fresh produce, and history. There’s a civil war reenactment, antiques and historical demonstrations, and local crafts and foods to enjoy. Each apple-flavored treat tastes like it just came straight from the orchard. Lakewood, NY is a quaint town just a bit over an hour from Buffalo and hosts a festival that truly celebrates the fall harvest.
I hope you were able to find an apple festival that fit into your schedule this year, and that you savored some apple flavored fall treats. If you missed one of these events, don’t worry – most of the festivals occur annually, so you can be sure to catch them next year.
Traveling by car to visit one of the festivals? Check out this list on the best questions to ask kids to make the time fly. And if you’re looking for more getaway ideas, head over to Tiny Adventure Mom to help you plan your next family adventure!
