Top Things To Know About Nebraska City’s AppleJack Festival 2025

If there’s one time of year all eyes are on Nebraska City, it’s in the fall. Crowds visit the orchards and there are hayrack rides and all sorts of festival, autumn-y events. And there’s AppleJack Festival, named by USA Today as one of the Top 10 Harvest Festivals in America. So, here’s why you’ll want to go, and what to expect.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

UPDATES: It’s still pretty early for AppleJack Festival details, so I’ll be updating this the closer we get to September.

When is the AppleJack Festival?

The AppleJack Festival used to be one weekend in September but it’s grown so large, it’s held over two weekends in Nebraska City. This year, the dates are Sept. 19-21 and Sept. 27 & 28. The first weekend features all the traditional AppleJack Festival events and the second weekend is “All Things Apple.”

The timing coincides with peak apple-picking season (though if you’re a Honeycrisp fan, you’ll want to visit earlier in September).

Where is the festival?

The festival is in Nebraska City at various locations. And while some of us might think Nebraska City is small and easy to navigate, it’s not a walk-to-everything kind of festival, though there are a few things near each other.

I recommend making a plan before going. When I went with my family in 2021, I spent so much time on my phone trying to figure out where everything was. The next time we go, I’ll have an itinerary better mapped out.

What are the highlights of the 2025 festival?

The AppleJack Festival highlights really depend on your interests. Maybe you like the parade or carnival, or just want to shop, or you just want to try all-things-apple? I divided the planned events into categories. Please note that times are subject to change without notice.

Weekend 1 Highlights (Sept. 19-21)

The first weekend of the AppleJack Festival is considered the traditional festival weekend. Events will include:

• AppleJack Fun Run 
• Extreme Bull Riding Tour
• Parade on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 1 p.m.
• Water Barrel Fights
• River City Classic Car Club Car Show — flyer coming soon!

Weekend 2 Highlights (Sept. 27 & 28)

The second weekend of the AppleJack Festival is themed “All About Apples.” In addition to visiting nearby orchards, events include:

• Sweet Pickins Vendor Fair at Lourdes Central Catholic School, 412 Second Ave., Nebraska City, Neb.
• Apple Jamboree, a kid-friendly event includes a petting zoo, rides, games, face painting, a rock snake, and more.
• The Downtown Cider Stroll, for people ages 21+ to try different variations of apple cider at downtown businesses.
• Apple Bites Passport, an apple-themed food passport

Farms & Orchards

There are several orchards and farms to visit during AppleJack Festival. Most will be open typical business hours on Friday through Sunday. Check individual locations for specific hours.

• AppleJack at Arbor Day Farm – Arbor Day Farm, 2611 Arbor Ave. U-pick and pre-picked apples, Treetop Village in the Tree Adventure, the Apple House, Arbor Lodge Mansion, wine and hard cider, and food.
• AppleJack at Kimmel Orchard – Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard, 5995 G Road. Homemade apple donuts, fresh cider, wine tastings, pre-picked & U-pick apples, a vendor fair, hayrack rides, and adventures on the Pollinator Playground. 
• AppleJack at Union Orchard – Union Orchard, 2405 Highway 75. U-pick and pre-picked apples, plus activities.
• Ramold’s Pumpkin Ridge Farm at 815 N. 60th Road. There will be food trucks, face painting, petting zoo, pony rides, and more. On the first weekend of the festival, they will also host the Makin’ Memories Vendor Fair.

Shopping

• Downtown Flea Market (held on the first weekend)
• Craft & Vendor Fair at the Eagles (held on the first weekend)
• Nebraska City Jaycees Creation & Craft Fair at Nebraska City Middle School (held on the first weekend)
• Makin’ Memories Vendor Fair at Pumpkin Ridge (held on the first weekend)
• Red Gala Event Space Craft Fair held at Fifth and Central (held on the first weekend)
• Sass & Frass Craft Fair held at Ninth and Central (held on the first weekend)
• Sweet Pickins’ Craft Fair at Lourdes Central Catholic (held on the second weekend)

History & Classic Stuff

• TBA

Carnival, rodeo & creative stuff

• River City Carnival is typically held on Sixth Street and Central Avenue. More info to come.
• Nebraska City Extreme Bull Riding Tour – Held on the first weekend, more details TBA
• Annual AppleJack Fun Run/Walk – Held on the first weekend, more details TBA
• Annual AppleJack Parade – Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. along Central Avenue from 16th Street to Sixth Street, and Sixth Street south to First Corso. Following the parade, head to Central Avenue between 14th and 15th Streets to watch the water barrel fights starting at around 3 p.m. FREE
• Apple Jamboree – Held on the second weekend, more details TBA

Food & Drinks: Where can we eat during AppleJack Festival?

You’ll find food for purchase at:

• Arbor Day Farm, including food trucks and Porter’s BBQ
• Kimmel Orchard and Vineyard, snacks like apple cider donuts
• The Keeping Room Cafe, 715 Central Ave., including apple sangria.
• The Downtown Cider Stroll is held on the second weekend for people ages 21+. Purchase a Cider Stroll Passport and visit each location, which will have a variation of apple cider… including a variety of hard ciders, regular ciders, cider slushies, cider donuts. There is a prize for visiting all locations.
• New this year is the Apple Bites Passport!

Nebraska City hotel recommendations

Good accommodations are limited in Nebraska City, especially during AppleJack Festival, and the key is to book your room early.

I highly recommend Lied Lodge & Conference Center. You’ll be able to walk over to Arbor Day Farm from the hotel. We stayed at the lodge earlier in September one year and the kids loved it (it helps that there’s a pool). The lodge also has a great restaurant inside it – Timbers.

As a back-up, consider Holiday Inn Express & Suites (especially if you want free breakfast).

Other unique options:

• Whispering Pines Bed & Breakfast (in town)
• Country Farmhouse (about 9 miles outside of Nebraska City)