Nebraska City will celebrate AppleJack Sept. 18–20 and Sept. 26–27. The parade begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, and the first weekend includes a carnival, markets, food and apple picking.
By Hola Nebraska
NEBRASKA CITY, Nebraska — AppleJack Festival 2026 begins Friday, Sept. 18, in Nebraska City with two weekends of activities centered on the apple harvest, including a parade, carnival, markets, food, entertainment, family activities and opportunities to pick apples at local orchards.
The main festival dates are Friday through Sunday, Sept. 18–20, followed by a second weekend Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26–27.
The first weekend includes several of AppleJack’s largest traditions, including the parade along Central Avenue at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, a carnival at Sixth Street and Central Avenue, and activities at Kimmel Orchard.
The second weekend will focus more heavily on apple-related experiences and downtown Nebraska City, including the AppleJack Cider Stroll, a fall market and family activities.
AppleJack Parade starts at 1 p.m. Saturday
The AppleJack Parade begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, along Central Avenue.
The route starts at 16th Street and Central Avenue and travels east to Sixth Street. From there, the parade turns south and continues to 1st Corso.
Bands, floats, vehicles and other participants will travel along Central Avenue, and the event will also include a marching band competition.
Parade lineup begins at 11:30 a.m.
AppleJack Carnival opens Friday night in downtown Nebraska City
The AppleJack Carnival will be located at Sixth Street and Central Avenue.
It opens Friday, Sept. 18, from 5 to 11 p.m. with rides, games and food.
The carnival is also scheduled to open at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, and Sunday, Sept. 20.
Current festival information does not list ride or wristband prices, so those costs are not included in the published schedule.
Markets, food and family activities begin Saturday morning
AppleJack activities will take place at several locations across Nebraska City rather than one central festival ground.
The AppleJack Flea Market will run from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday along Central Avenue between Third and Fifth streets. It will reopen from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Two food areas will operate from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, one at 10th Street and 1st Corso and another at Sixth Street and Central Avenue.
Sweet Pickins AppleJack Craft, Vendor & Maker Market will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Lourdes Central Catholic School, 412 Second Ave. Admission to the market is free.
The AppleJack Fun Run/Walk will also take place Saturday morning at Steinhart Park. The 5K begins at 7:30 a.m., followed by a free one-mile kids race at 8:30 a.m.
Kimmel Orchard U-Pick starts at $3
Kimmel Orchard & Vineyard, 5995 G Road, will offer AppleJack activities throughout the first weekend.
The U-Pick experience allows visitors to ride a trailer into the orchard and pick their own apples.
On Saturday, U-Pick will be available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Prices are:
- Adults: $6.
- Seniors: $4.
- Children ages 4–12: $3.
- Apples: $2.50 per pound.
On Sunday, U-Pick will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the same rates.
Kimmel will also offer free activities during the weekend, including educational programming, music and access to the Apple Barn Store.
Wine tastings will cost $10 and include four samples and a Kimmel Orchard centennial souvenir glass. A valid ID is required.
AppleJack returns Sept. 26–27 with more downtown activities
The second weekend will bring more programming back to downtown Nebraska City and area orchards.
On Saturday, Sept. 26, the AppleJack Harvest Market will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. along Central Avenue.
AppleJack Adventure, a children’s activity area, will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Sunken Parking Lot, 750 Central Ave.
The AppleJack Cider Stroll will also take place Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m. in downtown Nebraska City.
The event is limited to adults 21 and older. Tickets currently cost $25 plus a 63-cent service fee.
Participants receive a passport and can visit participating businesses offering apple-inspired beverages at their own pace.
Later that evening, Central Ave. Cinema will host a free outdoor movie at the Sunken Parking Lot at approximately 7 p.m., after sunset.
AppleJack events are spread throughout Nebraska City
AppleJack is not held at one single festival site. Activities are spread across Central Avenue, Steinhart Park, Kimmel Orchard, Arbor Day Farm, local businesses, schools and other locations around Nebraska City.
Hours and prices therefore vary by activity.
Many community events are free, while U-Pick experiences, tastings, food and the Cider Stroll carry separate fees.
The full schedule and any updates are available through the official AppleJack Festival 2026 schedule.
For another major Nebraska event, see our guide to the 2026 Nebraska State Fair, including prices, hours and parking.
AppleJack Festival 2026 begins Friday, Sept. 18, and continues during the weekends of Sept. 18–20 and Sept. 26–27 in Nebraska City.
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