Fall in Lewis County brings crisp mornings, changing leaves and one of the area’s favorite small-town traditions: the Onalaska Apple Harvest Festival. This year’s celebration returns October 2–4, 2026, bringing three days of festivities to the heart of Onalaska.
With a 2026 theme of “Onalaska Heritage,” the festival celebrates the people, traditions and history that have shaped this rural Lewis County community. It’s an opportunity for visitors to experience Onalaska’s hospitality while enjoying local food, agriculture, music and plenty of fall fun.
A Weekend Packed with Harvest Fun
The festivities begin Friday with the Annual Quilt Show, held at Onalaska Presbyterian Church. Friday also includes the Apple Harvest Royal Court Coronation.
Saturday is the heart of the celebration, with activities happening throughout the day. Visitors can cheer on runners during the 5K Apple Fun Run, watch the Apple Harvest Parade, browse farm, market and food vendors, listen to live music, see apple cider being pressed and join in classic harvest activities. The lineup also includes an apple pie contest, auction and eating contest, a cornhole tournament, pancake breakfast, BBQ lunch and a fire station open house with activities for kids. Adults can also stop by the local beer, wine and cider garden.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Apple Harvest without plenty of reasons to celebrate the fruit that inspired it all. From cider pressing to homemade pie, apples take center stage throughout the weekend.
Get to Know Onalaska’s Farms and Homesteads
On Sunday, the celebration heads into the countryside with the Apple Harvest Farm & Homestead Tour, a free, self-guided experience.
The tour gives visitors a closer look at local agriculture, rural living and the natural resources of the Onalaska area. Guests can begin at the Onalaska Alliance office at 310 Carlisle Ave. or use the festival map to start at any participating stop. The weekend concludes with the Apple Harvest Hoedown, an “End of Harvest” celebration.
Make a Day—or a Weekend—of It
While you’re in Onalaska, leave some time to explore Carlisle Lake. Once the mill pond for the Carlisle Lumber Company, the lake is now a scenic community destination with walking trails and opportunities for fishing, kayaking, birdwatching and photography. The historic mill smokestack remains as a reminder of Onalaska’s early lumber heritage.
The Apple Harvest Festival is a great excuse to take the scenic route, explore a different corner of Lewis County and experience the people and places that give our communities their character. Check the official event guide and current schedule before your visit. Plan your visit and view festival details here.