Shenandoah Valley Apple Harvest Festival: dates, tickets, contests

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. The 2026 festival is over and the 2027 dates have not been announced; the details below are from the 2026 festival and marked that way.

The Shenandoah Valley Apple Harvest Festival was Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19-20, 2026, at the Frederick County Fairgrounds, 250 Fairgrounds Road in Clear Brook, north of Winchester. The Rotary Club of Winchester runs it, and 2026 was its 52nd year. The club says more than 5,000 visitors come over the two days and Saturday evening, and that all proceeds go to local nonprofits, more than $1.2 million over the life of the festival, according to its festival page.

The 2027 dates had not been posted when we checked. In 2026 the club had its contest rules up by mid-July, so watch the festival page through the summer.

Who to call

• Organizer: Rotary Club of Winchester, festival page
• Where: Frederick County Fairgrounds, 250 Fairgrounds Road, Clear Brook
• Tickets: sold through Eventbrite

Tickets and hours (2026)

• Admission: $10 for ages 10 and up, which covered every activity at the festival, the Rotary club said.
• Free: children under 10, first responders, veterans, law enforcement and military. The ticket listing asked for ID for the discount.
• Both days: one ticket was good for Saturday and Sunday.
• Hours: the Eventbrite listing ran from 10 a.m. Saturday to 5 p.m. Sunday.
• No refunds: the club treats an unused ticket as a donation, since the money goes to charity.
• Parking: free, per the ticket listing.

What’s included

Admission covered the festival’s free extras, the Rotary club said:

• inflatables, pony rides and a petting zoo, plus a giant slide, kids’ castle, obstacle course and kiddie train in the kids’ area
• live music
• artisans, vendors and samples
• a classic car and hot rod show
• face painting on Saturday

Food trucks and other concessions sold food and drinks.

The pie contests

• Apple pie baking contest: the regional contest was at 12:15 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, with student (ages 12 to 18) and adult (19 and up) divisions and up to 12 pies in each. First place won $100 and second place $50 in each division. Pies were delivered to the pavilion across from the Whitacre Building between 11:15 a.m. and noon. Bakers got free admission plus two tickets for family or friends.
• Apple pie eating contest: the no-hands contest was at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, with an adult division (18 and older, eight contestants) and a junior division (ages 11 to 17). The adult champion won $100 and a gift basket. Contestants applied in advance and signed a waiver; a parent or guardian signs for juniors.

What to know

• Pets: leashed pets are welcome, and the 2026 festival held a pet costume contest on Sunday, the ticket listing says.
• Vendors: concession and crafter applications are on the club’s vendors page.
• Same fairgrounds, different event: the Frederick County Fair uses the same grounds each July.

More fall ideas: fall festivals and pumpkin patches and things to do in Winchester.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Apple Harvest Festival in Winchester?

The Rotary Club of Winchester’s Shenandoah Valley Apple Harvest Festival was Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19-20, 2026, its 52nd year, at the Frederick County Fairgrounds in Clear Brook. The 2027 dates had not been announced when we checked.

How much does the Apple Harvest Festival cost?

In 2026 admission was $10 for ages 10 and up, good for both days. Children under 10, first responders, veterans, law enforcement and military were free.

Can I bring my dog to the Apple Harvest Festival?

Yes. Leashed pets are welcome, and in 2026 there was a pet costume contest on Sunday, the Rotary club’s ticket listing says.

Where does the Apple Harvest Festival money go?

All proceeds go to local nonprofits. The Rotary club says the festival has given more than $1.2 million over its life.