Every autumn, the hills of Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina turn into one giant orchard party. We’re talking about apple festivals big and small in the mountains of the Carolinas.
Apple stands overflow with fruit fresh from the tree, cider donuts come warm off the fryer, and small towns roll out the live music and craft booths to celebrate the harvest.
Whether you’re chasing the region’s biggest apple festival or hunting a hidden gem off the beaten path, here’s your list of the Carolinas’ can’t-miss apple celebrations.
| Date/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 🆓 | September 19, 2026
8:30 am - 12:00 pm |
TR Farmers Market- Apple Festival & Season End
at Trailblazer Park (Travelers Rest), Travelers Rest SC |
| 🆓 | September 26, 2026
10:00 am - 4:00 pm |
Apple Festival at Historic Bethabara Park, Winston-Salem NC
at Bethanbara Park, Winston Salem NC |
October 3, 2026
8:00 am - 5:00 pm |
Brushy Mountain Apple Festival
at Downtown North Wilkesboro, North Wilkesboro NC |
|
| 🆓 | October 17, 2026
8:00 am - 4:00 pm |
Lincoln County Apple Festival
at Downtown Lincolnton, Lincolnton NC |
October 17, 2026
9:00 am - 5:00 pm |
Chattooga Belle Fall Harvest Festival 2026- Apple Picking + Vendors
at Chattooga Belle Farm, Long Creek SC |
|
| 🆓 | October 17, 2026
9:00 am - 5:00 pm |
Taylorsville Apple Festival (36th Annual) at Downtown Taylorsville, Taylorsville NC
at Downtown Taylorsville, Taylorsville NC |
October 17, 2026
10:00 am - 5:00 pm |
Apple Harvest Festival
at Downtown Waynesville, Waynesville NC |
Our BIG Festival Pick
If you want to celebrate apples with thousands of your closest friends, then the North Carolina Apple Festival in Hendersonville is where you want to be. You won’t find a bigger festival in the area and it has EVERYTHING. Local orchards bring their fruit and baked goods, and local vendors line the street for shopping and entertainment. This one is always Labor Day Weekend.
Our Tips:
- Go early. This one is crowded.
- Bring cash, you’ll need it for parking and you may want it at the vendors. Plan to spend around $10-$20 to park.
- Pop in to local businesses for a dose of AC and a break from the crowds. There’s a FREE gem museum that’s totally worth a look.
- You’ll find restrooms downtown across from the parking garage, next to the Safelight Thrift Shop.
- Don’t miss the live entertainment. The events are free and the music is often stellar.
- Keep an eye out for the Western North Carolina Air Museum volunteers. They often run a free “mini-plane train” for the kids. (Which is nice if you’re trying to save money on amuseument rides)
Our LITTLE Festival Pick
If you want to celebrate apples but you need something smaller, with fewer people, try the Apple Festival at the Travelers Rest Farmers Market on September 19th, 2026.
You’ll find vendors with apple-themed products, apple baked goods, and the usual live entertainment and good vibes that the TR Farmers’ Market always provides.
- Free Parking!
Going straight to the source?
Pick apples (and eat treats) at these local Apple Orchards near Greenville.
That wasn’t enough festivals for you? No problem. Check out this list of the best Fall Festivals in the Upstate, WNC, and Northern Georgia.
