Nebraska City Brings Apple Magic to Life With Its Grand AppleJack Festival This September

Nebraska City will welcome visitors for its AppleJack Festival across two September weekends in 2026. The celebration will run from 18 to 20 September and again from 26 to 27 September. It will bring apples, cider, rides, music, shopping, family fun and harvest experiences to one of Nebraska’s best-known autumn destinations. The festival does not run without a break for ten days. Instead, it gives visitors two special weekends to enjoy the season.
AppleJack Festival is much more than an apple food event. It joins farms, orchards, shops, local makers, restaurants and community attractions across Nebraska City. Visitors can spend time picking apples, tasting cider, riding through orchards and watching a colourful parade. They can then head into the city for crafts, food stalls, a carnival and classic vehicles. This mix makes the festival a major reason to visit Nebraska in September.

A Nebraska Tradition With More Than Fifty Years of History

AppleJack Festival has been part of Nebraska City’s autumn story for more than 50 years. Each year, it celebrates the apple harvest and the farming traditions of the area. Nebraska City sits near the Missouri River in southeast Nebraska and has strong links with orchards, trees and agriculture. It is also known as the home of Arbor Day.
The event helps visitors understand how apples connect with local life. Apples become pies, doughnuts, cider, caramel treats and family memories. Orchards become places where children can learn, play and see where food comes from. Downtown streets become busy with people searching for handmade goods, warm food and fall entertainment.
The festival also supports local businesses. Hotels, restaurants, shops, farms and activity providers all benefit when visitors come to Nebraska City. This makes AppleJack Festival important for the local visitor economy. It brings people into the community at a time when the weather turns cooler and autumn colours begin to appear.

Traditional AppleJack Weekend Begins the Celebration

The first festival weekend, from 18 to 20 September, will offer the traditional AppleJack experience. This is the busiest part of the celebration. It will bring together the big public events that many families expect from a harvest festival.
The wider Nebraska City programme includes a parade, carnival, craft and vendor shows, food trucks and a classic car show. These activities create a lively city atmosphere. Visitors can watch the parade, enjoy the rides and browse stalls filled with local products. The festival gives people many reasons to stay for a whole day or a full weekend.
The traditional weekend is especially attractive for families. Children can enjoy rides, games, sweet treats and orchard visits. Adults can shop for crafts, taste local food and explore the city. Friends can meet in the streets, watch the parade and enjoy the warm harvest atmosphere together.

Kimmel Orchard Combines Apples With Learning and Fun

Kimmel Orchard and Vineyard will hold its 58th annual AppleJack Festival on 19 and 20 September. The orchard will offer U-pick apples, hayrack rides, caramel apples, homemade apple pie and apple cider doughnuts. These simple experiences help visitors connect directly with the harvest.
The orchard will also add learning to the fun. Its Education Jamboree will include activities from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Visitors will be able to see live bees and robots. This gives children a chance to learn about pollinators, farming and science in an easy and exciting setting.
Hayrack rides will take visitors into the orchard, where they can pick apples and enjoy the outdoor landscape. The Pollinator Playground will add another family activity. A vendor fair will give local sellers a chance to share their goods with visitors. Kimmel Orchard shows how AppleJack Festival can mix food, education and outdoor adventure.

Arbor Day Farm Extends the Apple Experience

Arbor Day Farm will offer AppleJack activities across both festival weekends. The destination will give visitors a chance to pick apples and flowers, enjoy cider and wine tasting, explore the Tree Adventure and sample seasonal food. It will also offer shopping and dining experiences that suit a relaxed autumn break.
The Tree Adventure lets families explore nature in a fun way. Apple picking gives visitors a direct connection to the farm. Cider tasting offers an experience for adults, while fresh baked treats give the whole family a taste of the season. Arbor Day Farm makes the festival feel like an outdoor escape, not only a city event.
Visitors can also stay at Lied Lodge at Arbor Day Farm. This can help families and couples enjoy the festival without rushing back home. The lodge, farm experiences and nearby city programme create a full weekend travel plan. This is useful for visitors arriving from Omaha, Lincoln and other parts of the Midwest.

The Second Weekend Focuses on Apples and Autumn

The second AppleJack Festival weekend, from 26 to 27 September, will keep the apple celebration going. It gives visitors another chance to explore Nebraska City after the largest crowds of the traditional weekend. This part of the programme puts more focus on apples, orchards, cider and harvest activities.
The two-weekend structure gives the festival a fresh travel advantage. Some people may want the big parade and carnival. Others may prefer a calmer trip filled with apple picking, food and outdoor time. AppleJack Festival gives both groups a reason to come.
This format also gives local businesses more time to welcome visitors. Instead of putting all activities into one crowded weekend, Nebraska City can spread its autumn energy across two weekends. This can help visitors plan better and enjoy more of the city.

What Visitors Should Know Before Travelling

Visitors should plan their AppleJack Festival trip before arriving. Activities take place in different parts of Nebraska City. Downtown, Kimmel Orchard and Arbor Day Farm are not all in one small walking area. Families should check opening times, tickets and transport plans for each venue.
The first weekend is likely to be the busiest because of the parade, carnival and citywide events. Visitors who want a quieter experience may prefer the second weekend. Booking accommodation early is a smart choice, especially for people hoping to stay at Lied Lodge or near the city centre.
AppleJack Festival will offer Nebraska City a powerful September tourism moment. It will bring together apple farms, family traditions, local makers and autumn food. For visitors, it offers more than a day out. It offers a warm and memorable way to experience Nebraska’s harvest season.

image caption: arbordayfarm