The Apple Festival Hendersonville is once again filling downtown with the sweet aroma of fresh apples, delicious baked treats, live entertainment, and the unmistakable energy of community celebration. Beginning on Friday, August 29, 2025, and continuing through Monday, September 1, 2025, the 79th annual edition is already shaping up to be one of the most memorable in recent years.
Visitors, vendors, and families from across the region are pouring into Hendersonville, celebrating not only the harvest season but also the resilience of the community after challenging times. With sunny skies and a vibrant lineup of activities, this year’s gathering is drawing large crowds and uplifting the spirit of the entire county.
Apple Festival Hendersonville Today
The 79th annual North Carolina Apple Festival is in full swing this weekend in downtown Hendersonville, drawing thousands of visitors to celebrate one of the region’s most beloved traditions. Running from Friday, August 29, through Monday, September 1, the festival has already seen large crowds lining Main Street to enjoy apple-themed treats, music, and family-friendly entertainment.
A Strong Start
Opening day brought thousands of people to Hendersonville, with visitors sampling fresh apples, cider, fritters, donuts, ice cream, and more. Fourteen local apple growers are showcasing their harvests, offering everything from Gala and Honeycrisp to specialty varieties. Vendors also line the streets with crafts, food stalls, and local products.
Theme of Resilience
This year’s theme, “Orchard Roots, Mountain Spirit,” reflects both tradition and resilience. The festival is especially meaningful as it comes less than a year after the community faced the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. Growers and residents alike view the event as a symbol of recovery and strength, highlighting how the apple industry and local spirit continue to thrive.
Big Crowds Expected
Organizers anticipate more than 250,000 people will attend over the four-day stretch, making the Apple Festival one of the largest events in western North Carolina. With Labor Day weekend serving as the centerpiece, the festival brings a huge boost to local tourism, small businesses, and the regional economy.
Events and Activities
The weekend schedule is packed with activities:
- Street Fair: Runs daily with arts, crafts, food, and live entertainment on Main Street.
- Music Performances: Local and regional bands provide entertainment throughout the day.
- Children’s Activities: Kid-friendly zones with rides, games, and interactive exhibits are available.
- Special Kickoffs: Festivities began with the traditional pancake breakfast and the official opening ceremony at the Historic Courthouse Plaza.
Traffic and Closures
Main Street in downtown Hendersonville is closed between Caswell Street and Seventh Avenue for the duration of the festival. Dedicated parking decks and shuttle services are helping visitors manage the influx of cars.
The Grand Finale
The highlight of the weekend will be the King Apple Parade, scheduled for Monday, September 1, at 2:30 p.m. The parade will bring together marching bands, floats, local organizations, and apple growers to close out the festival in grand style.
Key Points Summary for Quick Readers
✨ Festival runs from August 29 – September 1, 2025
✨ More than 250,000 people expected to attend
✨ Street Fair daily on Main Street with food, crafts, and music
✨ Dozens of apple growers showcasing fresh harvests
✨ King Apple Parade on Labor Day, September 1 at 2:30 p.m.
✨ Family activities, pancake breakfasts, and community fundraisers
✨ Theme for 2025: “Orchard Roots, Mountain Spirit”
Festival Kickoff with Tradition
The festival officially opened on Friday morning with the long-standing community pancake breakfast hosted by the local Kiwanis Club. Families and friends gathered early, enjoying a hearty meal while contributing to youth programs and scholarships that directly benefit the region.
By mid-morning, Main Street transformed into a vibrant hub of activity. Vendor booths lined the streets, featuring local artisans, craft makers, and apple growers proudly displaying their harvest. The opening ceremonies welcomed attendees with music, speeches, and the symbolic start of the street fair, which will continue throughout the four-day weekend.
A Festival Rooted in Apples
At the heart of the hendersonville apple festival are the apples themselves. Local orchards bring in popular varieties like Gala, Honey Crisp, Fuji, and McIntosh. Families eagerly sample apple slushies, cider, donuts, and pies. Each stand offers its own creative twist, making every bite a unique experience.
Beyond the fresh fruit, the event highlights Henderson County’s position as one of the state’s leading apple producers. Apple farmers see the festival not just as a business opportunity, but as a chance to connect with consumers and keep farming traditions alive. Generations of growers continue to carry forward their orchard legacies, sharing both heritage varieties and modern favorites.
Street Fair Highlights
The street fair runs daily from 10 a.m. into the evening, offering a wide variety of activities and attractions:
- Local food vendors serving apple pies, caramel apples, fritters, barbecue, and regional specialties.
- Craft booths showcasing handmade jewelry, pottery, woodwork, and unique gifts.
- Entertainment stage with live bands, dance performances, and family-friendly acts.
- Community fundraisers raising money for schools, nonprofits, and local charities.
By late afternoon on opening day, the crowd swelled to thousands, filling Main Street with laughter, music, and the mouthwatering scent of apples cooking in every form imaginable.
Family Fun and Entertainment
Families with children enjoy the dedicated Family Fun Zone, complete with carnival rides, inflatable attractions, and games. Affordable tickets ensure accessibility, making it one of the most popular areas of the festival.
Music lovers gather around the courthouse stage, where live performances range from bluegrass and folk to contemporary rock and dance bands. The diversity of the lineup keeps energy levels high, encouraging dancing in the streets and creating memories that last well beyond the weekend.
As evening approaches, the atmosphere becomes even more festive. The glow of food stands and the hum of live music create the perfect backdrop for a late-night stroll through downtown Hendersonville.
A Theme of Resilience: Orchard Roots, Mountain Spirit
This year’s theme, “Orchard Roots, Mountain Spirit,” symbolizes both tradition and strength. Following the challenges of storms and wildfires in past seasons, the festival’s comeback reflects the determination of the community to keep its agricultural and cultural identity strong.
The theme is visible in parade floats, vendor decorations, and even on merchandise, serving as a reminder that Henderson County thrives when its people stand together.
The King Apple Parade: Grand Finale
The highlight of the weekend arrives on Labor Day, Monday, September 1 at 2:30 p.m., with the much-anticipated King Apple Parade.
This beloved tradition features:
- Marching bands and school groups
- Floats decorated with apples and seasonal themes
- Fire trucks, classic cars, and community organizations
- Local leaders and dignitaries walking alongside businesses and youth groups
Crowds lining Main Street often number in the tens of thousands, cheering as the parade winds its way through downtown. It serves as a fitting grand finale for the four-day festival, capturing the joy, pride, and togetherness of Hendersonville.
Community and Local Business Support
For many small businesses, the hendersonville apple festival is one of the most important weekends of the year. Restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques see increased traffic as visitors explore downtown before and after events.
For local farmers, the festival provides a vital opportunity to sell fresh apples directly to customers, often strengthening connections that extend into future business throughout the harvest season.
Civic groups and nonprofits also benefit, using the festival platform to raise awareness and funds for their causes. This makes the festival not only a celebration but also an economic and social lifeline for the region.
Logistics and Visitor Information
Festival organizers have carefully planned logistics to ensure smooth operations:
- Street Closures: Main Street is closed to traffic throughout the event, with detours clearly marked.
- Parking: Designated lots are open with flat-rate pricing, and accessible parking is provided near City Hall on Labor Day.
- Alternative Transportation: Bicycle parking areas are available at the end of Main Street near the trail entrance.
- Hours: Street fair runs daily 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Fri–Sun); until parade end on Monday.
These measures help keep the event safe, accessible, and enjoyable for the massive crowds expected to attend.
Looking Ahead
As the festival continues through the weekend, anticipation builds for the final day’s parade and closing celebrations. Each day offers new opportunities to enjoy the harvest, meet neighbors, and honor traditions that date back decades.
The hendersonville apple festival remains not just a holiday weekend attraction but a powerful symbol of community pride. With every apple bite, song, and parade cheer, Hendersonville demonstrates why this event is cherished year after year.
Closing Thoughts
As families enjoy treats, parade floats roll down Main Street, and musicians bring energy to the stage, one thing is clear: this festival is about more than apples. It is about Hendersonville itself—its people, its resilience, and its joy in celebrating together.
Whether you’re here for the food, the music, or simply the tradition, the festival offers something special for everyone. And with each passing year, it continues to grow stronger, rooted deeply in orchard soil and lifted by mountain spirit.
So if you haven’t yet, there’s still time to join the celebration and experience what makes this event one of North Carolina’s most beloved gatherings.