Nappanee Apple Festival

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Food & DrinkNappanee
Dates17–20 September 2026Confirmed listing
Duration4 daysListed event span
CrowdMediumAbout 80,000 people
Best forRegional food & drinkThe festival's centerpiece is genuinely
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryFood & DrinkFestival type
The story

Nappanee Apple Festival in Nappanee

The Nappanee Apple Festival fills downtown Nappanee, Indiana every third weekend in September, marking its 50th year in 2026. The festival is built around a seven-foot, 600-pound baked apple pie, alongside three stages of entertainment, more than 150 exhibitors, carnival rides, and a parade with a military aircraft flyover.

Nappanee sits in Elkhart County in northern Indiana, an area shaped by Amish and Mennonite farming communities and, more broadly, by an agricultural economy that has long included apple orchards.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival's centerpiece is genuinely singular: a seven-foot apple pie weighing roughly 600 pounds, baked fresh to kick off the event each year, a feat that earned the festival recognition as the number one fall festival signature food item in Indiana in both 2013 and 2016

02

The mystery stays covered

The Napple Store sells an extensive lineup of apple products, including apple dumplings, apple butter, apple cider, apple fritter bread, and homemade applesauce, turning the festival into a genuine celebration of the fruit rather than a general-purpose fair with apple branding attached

03

The city starts moving

A Saturday morning parade with a military aircraft flyover, alongside a wings and wheels show pairing classic cars with airplanes, gives the festival a distinctive small-town aviation flourish uncommon at comparable Midwest harvest festivals

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The baking of the seven-foot

Water and renewal

Living ritual

600-pound apple pie remains the festival's defining tradition

The sacred route

Living ritual

a practice that has continued since the event began in 1975 and that organizers tie directly to the festival's identity as a celebration of apples grown and processed locally

The local code

Living ritual

The Napple Store

Tradition 5

Living ritual

selling apple dumplings

Tradition 6

Living ritual

fritter bread

Tradition 7

Living ritual

and applesauce

Tradition 8

Living ritual

and the Saturday parade with its military flyover

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

17–20 September 2026

Getting around

Arrive early for popular stalls and pace the route instead of trying to taste everything.

What to wear

Casual clothing suited to mid-September weather in northern Indiana, which can range from warm afternoons to cool evenings; comfortable shoes are important given the festival's carnival...

Safety

At Nappanee Apple Festival, agree on a meeting point and plan food, water and the return route before crowds thicken.

Where to stay

Choose lodging by the part of Nappanee you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Tickets/cost

Entry may be free while tastings, meals, or special tables are paid locally.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map41.44 N, 86.00 WOpen in Google Maps

Nappanee, IN

Nearest airportSBN — South Bend
TransportArrive early for popular stalls and pace the route instead of trying to taste everything.
Stay areaChoose lodging by the part of Nappanee you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Nappanee via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Nappanee, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearCasual clothing suited to mid-September weather in northern Indiana, which can range from warm afternoons to cool evenings; comfortable shoes are important given the festival's carnival grounds and exhibitor footprint.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Nappanee Apple Festival?

Nappanee Apple Festival is listed for 17–20 September 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Nappanee Apple Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Nappanee, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

4 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Nappanee, IN

How big is it?

Medium: 80000

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLnappaneeapplefestival.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates17–20 September 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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