Don’t let the schools busses and back to school ads deter you from enjoying all the fun cider festivals happening in late August and September. From a full-on fair in California to festivals happening in Virginia, all these festivities celebrate cider native to the area of the event. Just because summer is ending doesn’t mean that celebrating cider has to!

Castle Hill Cider Fest

August 31 | Keswick, Virginia 

Celebrate all things Virginia cider at Castle Hill Cider Fest in Keswick, Virginia. Five regional cideries will join Castle Hill to showcase ciders, plus arts and crafts vendors, food trucks and a live show by the blues band Hard Swimmin’ Fish. For the first time, there will be a amatuer cider share in which amatuer cidermakers will be able to share their product with other cidermakers and lovers. 

“Mid Mitten” Cider Fest 

September 7 | Saint Johns, Michigan 

Get into the autumn spirit at the “Mid Mitten” Cider Fest with all the festivities that make “falling into fall” so fun. Put on by Uncle John’s Cider Mill, this event takes place at the family farm itself. Bring your own family for there will be a corn maze, wagon and train rides as well as gemstone mining for all ages to enjoy. Start the day off at 8 a.m. for the Great Pumpkin 5K run and end your day sampling ciders from some of Michigan’s premier cideries.  

Mendocino County Fair and Apple Show 

September 14 | Boonville, California  

Pack a tent and camp out at this cider festival for you will be staying in scenic Anderson Valley in Boonville, California. The Mendocino County Fair and Apple Show has something for everyone, with a horse show on 13th to a hard cider tasting on the 14th, this festival is all about celebrating the local apple industry. Happening since 1294, this is a longstanding tradition you do not want to miss.  

Virginia Cider Festival 

September 14  | Fredericksburg, Virginia 

With over 25 cider producers participating, the Virginia Cider Festival is brimming with refreshing ciders. Including Virginia-based cideries such as Cobbler Mountain Cider and Potter’s Craft Cider among others, there will be live music jamming out as well. Happening whether rain or shine, bring a jacket if you decide to brave the weather. 

Montana Cider Week 

September 28-October 5

Travel across the Blue Sky Country while you taste some of the best cider Montana has to offer during its cider week. With tap takeovers happening during the whole week, there will also be cider pairing meals at restaurants throughout the state. One of the festivals is the Liquid Apple Night-Hard Cider Fest happening at the Ravalli County Museum in Hamilton. The event will consist of sweet treats to pair with hard cider.