Festival Activities
The NC Apple Festival is more than just apples—it’s a celebration packed with fun for the whole family! From a bustling street fair to exciting children’s activities, delicious festival food, and live entertainment, there’s something for everyone.
Street Fair
Stroll through downtown Hendersonville and experience the heart of the festival! Open Friday through Monday, the Street Fair brings together:
- Freshly picked apples and apple treats (slushies, fried pies, donuts, etc.) from local growers
- Arts & crafts vendors showcasing handmade goods
- Children’s Activities
- Delicious festival food
- Live music & entertainment for all ages
Street Fair Hours:
- Friday: 10 AM – 10 PM
- Saturday & Sunday: 10 AM – 10 PM
- Monday: 10 AM – until the parade ends
For vendor locations and a map of the festival, click here.
CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES
Bring the kids to the Family Fun Zone, sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank, with two locations: Wells Fargo Bank and the Visitor’s Center. From thrilling rides to inflatables and interactive games, there’s plenty to keep young festival-goers entertained!
Palmetto Amusements provides the rides and inflatables, with tickets available for purchase on-site.
Ticket prices:
- 1 ticket = $1
- 25 tickets = $20
- 70 tickets = $55
(Attractions require between 1–5 tickets per ride.)
Hours of Operation:
- Friday: 12 PM – 8 PM
- Saturday & Sunday: 10 AM – 8 PM
- Monday: 10 AM – 4 PM
*Please leave your pets at home. For the safety and comfort of your pets, non-service animals are discouraged at the festival.
MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
Festival live music performances will take place at the Entertainment Stage located in front of the Historic Courthouse (1 Historic Courthouse Square, Hendersonville, NC 28792). Schedule Coming Soon!
Friday, 8/29
Entertainment Stage
- 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm –
- 1:45 pm – 2:30 pm –
- 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm –
Headliner (TBD)
- 5:30 pm-8:30 pm
Saturday, 8/30
Entertainment Stage
- 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm –
- 1:45 pm – 2:30 pm –
- 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm –
Headliner (TBD)
- 5:30 pm-8:30 pm
Sunday, 8/31
Entertainment Stage
- 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm –
- 1:45 pm – 2:30 pm –
- 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm –
Headliner (TBD)
- 5:30 pm-8:30 pm
Schedule of events-Coming soon!
THE KING APPLE PARADE
The King Apple Parade is one of the highlights and the closing event of the North Carolina Apple Festival, sponsored by UNC Health Pardee.
It is held on Labor Day each year. This year’s parade will be on Monday, September 1, 2025, at 2:30 pm. At the parade there will be professional floats, bands, youth groups, fire trucks, and many others participating in this event that will draw over 60,000 individuals. Our goal is to produce a “spectacular finale” for the annual North Carolina Apple Festival.
We aim to achieve this by bringing a “down-home” type apple-oriented parade by celebrating the contribution the apple and the apple industry has made to our community.
Interested in participating in the parade? Visit here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is First Aid?
First Aid locations are located at the Rescue Squad’s tent at Main Street & Allen Street in front of the Visitor Center; and Henderson County EMS at Main Street & 5th Avenue.
Where is the Childrens' Area?
The Children’s Area is located at the southern end of the festival in the Wells Fargo Bank parking lot as well as the Visitors Center parking lot.
Where is the Food Court?
The food court is located at the southern end of the festival on Main Street in front of Wells Fargo Bank.
Where do I park?
There are multiple parking lots throughout downtown Hendersonville that surrounds the Festival including free and fee-based parking. Many parking lots are operated by local non-profits and charge a nominal fee for parking. The North Carolina Apple Festival does not control these parking lots or their fees.
Do you have Handicapped parking?
Yes, at a NEW LOCATION! Handicapped parking will be at City Hall 160 Avenue W. Hendersonville, NC 28792 on Saturday and Sunday only.
What are the festival hours?
The Street Fair along Main Street runs from 10 am to 10 pm Friday – Sunday and on Monday the mini-street fair runs from 10 am until the parade ends. Entertainment runs Friday – Sunday from 12 pm to 10 pm.
What is my line-up number for the parade?
Where are the bathrooms?
The festival provides nice toilet facilities at the following four locations: The City’s new restrooms on 5th Avenue West; 1st Avenue East & Main; 3rd Avenue & Main; and Barnwell Street West & Main. Thanks to the local chapter of the Christian Motorcycle Group who keep them clean all weekend.
Where can I buy merchandise?
Official NC Apple Festival merchandise booths are located across from the Entertainment stage as well as at our booth at 4th Avenue and Main Street. We sell t-shirts, hats, mugs and other official merchandise. Shop early for the best selections!
Need Police Help?
The Hendersonville Police command post is located at 3rd Avenue & Main. For an emergency, call 911
Can I bring my pet?
For the safety and comfort of your pets, non-service animals are discouraged at the festival.
What is the entertainment schedule?
To learn more about who will be performing please click here.