This year's Apple Festival begins at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2026, and ends at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 20, 2026, in downtown Nappanee.

The 5K Road Race and Parade will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026.

Festival weekend:
Thursday, September 17 – 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday, September 19 – 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 19 – 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 20 – 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Please see our online brochure for specific event times.

The heart of the festival is located in downtown Nappanee with events held at various other locations around Nappanee. Carnival rides line S. Main Street (St. Rd. 19 south of U.S. 6), over 20 different food vendors are located in the Depot Plaza located one block south of U.S. 6 and St. Rd. 19, exhibitors line North and South Clark Street (one block west of St. Rd. 19), as well as South Clark Street and the area west of the Depot Plaza. Our Wings and Wheels show on Saturday is held at the Nappanee Municipal Airport located three miles east of Nappanee on U.S. 6.

Indiana's largest 7' baked Apple Pie is located in downtown Nappanee at the Don Carlos Bar & Grill Restaurant (formerly El Cielito Lindo Mexican Restaurant) on West Market Street (on U.S. 6 just one-half block west of St. Rd. 19). Slices of apple pie can be purchased at the restaurant or at the Napple Store.

An airplane flyover kicks off the parade at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2026. The parade begins on U.S. 6 East (by Burger King) and heads west on U.S. 6 through downtown and ends at City Hall on Locke Street.

The festival attracts an average of 80,000 people annually.

No, admission is FREE! There are a few events that charge (e.g., Power from the Past, individuals who want to enter a car in the car show, individuals who wish to participate in our Cornhole Tournament, Great Apple Grill Off or 5K run).

All must live in the Wa-Nee Community School district to enter the contest.

It is held at the Nappanee Airport, three miles east of downtown Nappanee on U.S. 6. The show is Saturday, September 19, 2026 from noon until 3:45 p.m. (rain date: Sunday, September 20 from noon until 3:45 p.m.). No charge for parking and gate entry! This is a car and airplane show and airplane rides are free to first time flyers ages 8 to 18 (must have parental consent and weather permitting).

You can view a list of events and entertainment in our 2026 brochure. There is also a list of entertainment and what stages they will be performing on, on our Entertainment page. If you would like to be considered for an entertainment slot for an upcoming festival, please contact our entertainment chair person at entertainment@nappaneeapplefestival.org.

Volunteering at the Nappanee Apple Festival is a lot of fun and necessary in order for the Festival to work and run smoothly. We always want and need more help! So, if you would like to find out what volunteer opportunities are available for the Nappanee Apple Festival, please email us at info@nappaneeapplefestival.org.

Please contact our Sponsor chairperson at sponsorship@nappaneeapplefestival.org.

If interested in being a food vendor for the festival, please complete and submit a Food Vendor Wait List Application located on the Applications & Forms page. We appreciate your interest in the Nappanee Apple Festival!

If interested in being an exhibitor for the festival, please complete and submit an Exhibitor Application located on the applications page.

Yes! Starting 2025, Goshen Home Medical has scooters and wheelchairs available for rent at the festival.