Ellendale AppleFest

Fall festival · Ellendale · North Dakota

A small town celebration that takes over Ellendale's Main Street for a day, with a parade, a kids' pedal pull, a rib cook off, and an apple pie contest that is the actual reason for the season. The day runs from a morning fun run to late night teen bowling.

Best for: A classic small-town North Dakota fall day

Don’t miss

  • Parade and apple pie contest
  • Kids' pedal pull, rib cook-off
  • All day on Main Street, Ellendale

Plan your visit

2026 dates not confirmed This one runs a season rather than opening year-round. We last checked on August 20, 2026, and they hadn't posted a full 2026 window yet. Check the website before setting out.

2026 Forecast

Color nearby peaks: October 1–October 5

Color builds from September 24 · mostly bare by October 23

Color starts: September 24Peak: October 3Bare: October 23AugustDecember

Sampled at Ellendale AppleFest’s own coordinates and elevation (444 m) rather than a regional average.

39 weather points cover North Dakota, and the model shifts their answer 6 days earlier, which is what it takes to match 1 published peak date from smokymountains.com. Against North Dakota's own climatology, the 2026 weather puts the peak 4 days earlier. How the forecast works

When to go to Ellendale AppleFest

Good color holds through about October 12, giving you roughly 18 days from the first turn to past peak. Against North Dakota overall, that is 1 day later. It sits at 1,457 ft, high enough to turn before the valleys do.

You will find it at Ellendale, ND, in North Dakota. The venue has not published its 2026 dates yet, so check before you drive out.

Ellendale AppleFest on the map

Drag the date slider to see when color reaches this corner of North Dakota, or tap a pin for that stop’s own peak window.

More things to do in North Dakota

See all things to do in North Dakota

Frequently asked

When does Ellendale AppleFest peak in 2026?
Peak color is predicted for October 1–October 5 (best estimate October 3). Color starts around September 24 and is mostly bare by October 23.

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