25+ Apple Orchards, Cideries, & Festivals to Visit This Fall

What perfectly pairs with the crisp air of fall in Virginia? Biting into a delicious, juicy apple. There are fall festivals, numerous cideries, and over two dozen orchards throughout Virginia, all serving Virginia-grown fruit or products made from the apples. Infuse some fall flavor into your calendar with a visit to a few of these apple-centric destinations.

Orchards

The dates for picking apples at these orchards varies, so make sure to contact them individually to get information on the picking schedules and seasonal availability.

Great Country Farms—Bluemont

Great Country Farms is more than just a beautiful orchard, it’s a charming fall destination that offers a wide range of fun, seasonal activities. In the fall, visitors can enjoy apple and pumpkin picking, explore a sprawling corn maze, and participate in seasonal festivals and hayrides, all set against the picturesque backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's a perfect spot for families and friends to enjoy the harvest season in a beautiful rural setting.

Marker-Miller Orchards—Winchester

Marker Miller Orchards is a family-friendly farm known for its scenic beauty and diverse seasonal activities. During the fall, visitors can enjoy apple picking, corn mazes, and pick-your-own pumpkins. The orchard also features picturesque views of the Shenandoah Valley, making it a perfect spot for a relaxing and festive autumn outing.

More Virginia Orchards:

• Williams Orchard—Wytheville
• Wade’s Orchard—Woolwine
• Mackintosh Fruit Farm—Berryville
• Crooked Run Orchard & Farm—Purcellville
• Ikenberry Orchard—Daleville
• Carter Mountain Orchard—Charlottesville
• Graves’ Mountain Apple Orchard—Syria
• Hollin Farms—Delaplane
• Silver Creek and Seamans’ Orchards—Tyro
• Saunders Brothers Orchard & Farm Market—Piney River
• Ayers Orchard—Cana
• Showalter’s Orchard—Timberville

See all Virginia Orchards

Cideries

Hard ciders have slowly been on the rise in Virginia, utilizing the prevalent fall fruit to craft enjoyable adult beverages. Visit a few cideries around the state to taste test the results.

Potter’s Craft Cider—Charlottesville

Potter's Cider is a charming cidery that offers cozy, rustic vibes amidst the scenic Virginia countryside. In the fall, visitors can try a range of handcrafted ciders and enjoy seasonal tastings. The relaxed atmosphere and beautiful surroundings make it an ideal spot to celebrate the autumn season with delicious, locally-made cider.

Castle Hill Cider—Keswick

Castle Hill Cider is a stunning scenic spot known for its high-quality, artisanal ciders made from heirloom apples. In the fall, visitors can enjoy tastings of their distinctive ciders, take in the scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains or even try one of their unique cider-based cocktails. The peaceful setting and expert craftsmanship make it a perfect destination for a relaxing autumn outing and a taste of local cider heritage.

More Virginia Cideries:

• Blue Bee Cider—Richmond
• Albemarle Ciderworks—North Garden
• Big Fish Cider Co.—Monterey 
• Coyote Hole Ciderworks—Mineral 
• Bold Rock Hard Cider—Nellysford
• Buskey Cider—Richmond 
• Winchester Ciderworks—Winchester
• Mt. Defiance Cidery & Distillery—Middleburg 
• Old Hill Cider—Timberville
• Troddenvale Cider—Warm Springs

See All Virginia Cideries

Apple Festivals

These festivals are filled with everything apple, from fresh-picked fruit to homemade apple butter, sauce, and ciders.

Graves’ Mountain Apple Harvest Festival—Syria

Dates: First three weekends in October; check website for updates

One of the longest-running apple festivals in Virginia is the Graves’ Mountain Apple Harvest Festival, celebrating over 50 years. The area is surrounded by rolling mountains, and during the fall, the hills are blanketed in gorgeous fall colors. You can pick your own apples at the festival or purchase them pre-picked. In addition to fresh apples, you can get every kind of apple dish imaginable at the festival, such as apple butter made right in front of you. Take an educational tour of the farm property, get through the hay maze, jump on a hay ride, or climb the festival’s famous “hay mountain” with the kids. Leashed pets are welcome to attend this annual festival.

Apple Festival at Drumheller’s Orchard—Lovingston

At the Apple Festival at Drumheller’s Orchard, you’ll sample apple butters, ciders, and many more apple dishes and drinks made from the fruit grown at the orchard, as well as other Virginia favorites like country ham and locally made barbecue. Pets are welcome, and the kids will love the exciting activities available to them, including a corn maze, pumpkin patch, bounce castle, hayrides, and non-stop live entertainment.

Shenandoah Valley Apple Harvest Festival—Clearbrook

Dates: September 21-22, 2024

Every visitor receives a free apple when they come to the Shenandoah Valley Apple Harvest Festival, ensuring no one misses out on the crisp treats. Want more apple? Register for the Apple Pie Eating Contest, the baking contest, or learn how apple butter is made at the festival. Shop crafts made by local artisans and discover the many different varietals of Virginia apples at the “Apple Theme Arena”. Pets are welcome to the festival, and kids have plenty of entertainment, including face painting and an inflatable bouncy castle. Adults can purchase hard ciders, craft beers, and Virginia wines to pair with the seasonal foods available at the festival.

Apple Harvest Festival at Marker-Miller Orchard—Winchester

Dates: October 12, 2024

With over 20 apple varietals available, the Apple Harvest Festival held at the Marker-Miller Orchard has plenty to offer apple enthusiasts. You can pick your own apples in the orchards, buy hand-selected fruit, and purchase virtually every apple product at the festival. Find homemade classic treats like fresh apple cobbler or unusual items like apple cider slushees. Take the kids for a ride on the “Cow Train” or explore the orchard’s playground complete with a Kiddieland Zone. Wagon rides and live music happen continuously during this two-day festival.

Richards Apple Harvest Festival—Middletown

Date: Mid-October

The Richards Apple Harvest Festival has all your apple favorites made from several Virginia varietals, as well as classic fall foods like Brunswick stew to eat while you walk through the fruit market. Virginia wines are also available for visitors to taste and purchase. The children will love touring the grounds on the farm’s wagon, taking a spin on the “cow train” rides, and petting the local farm animals at this annual apple festival in Middletown.

Celebrate the arrival of fall with a trip to some of these apple-themed festivals, orchards, and cideries. What is your favorite destination to sample Virginia abundant apple products?