A Fest and Feast of | CT River Valley Chamber of Commerce

Few traditions signal the arrival of fall in Glastonbury quite like the annual Apple Harvest & Music Festival. Each October, Riverfront Park comes alive with music, family activities, vendors and the unmistakable flavors of the season. For many festivalgoers, however, the celebration is as much about what is on the menu as what is on the stage.

Sponsored by the Connecticut River Valley Chamber of Commerce, the annual event draws thousands of visitors for a weekend filled with entertainment and activities, but its food offerings have become a destination in themselves. With more than two dozen food trucks and vendors participating this year, festivalgoers can expect an impressive mix of classic fair fare, international flavors, comfort food and, naturally, plenty of apple-inspired treats.

“What makes the Apple Harvest & Music Festival so special is its ability to continually evolve while staying true to what people love about it—great music, amazing food, family fun and that unmistakable New England fall feeling,” says Chamber President Jessica Olander. “We see longtime attendees returning with their children and grandchildren, while new visitors discover the festival for the first time every year. That combination of tradition and fresh energy is what has made Apple Fest one of Connecticut’s most beloved community events.”

Apples may be the star of the harvest, but they are hardly the only attraction.

One of the most anticipated stops is Dude's Donuts, where hot apple cider donuts provide that quintessential taste of an autumn day. Visitors can also choose from raised sugar and frosted donuts, donut sundaes and refreshing drinks. Marlborough Congregational Church adds another seasonal favorite with apple fritters, while Awesome Apple Crisp serves its namesake warm dessert topped with hard ice cream.

For those who prefer something cold, Blue Chip Creamery will offer hard-serve ice cream, handcrafted cookie sandwiches and waffle cones, including fall flavors and hot cocoa. Gio's on the Go combines pizza with Italian ice and frozen custard, while Churro Company brings churro sticks, bites and bowls to the festival.

Then there are the savory choices — so many that deciding what to eat is a festival activity of its own.

American Smoke BBQ will serve brisket and pulled pork sandwiches, barbecue bowls, loaded tater tots and a Nashville hot fried chicken sandwich. Steak Tips will offer steak tips over mashed potatoes or fries, while Gramma Lil's brings a broad selection of burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, wraps and breakfast favorites.

Seafood lovers can head to J’s Crabshack for lobster rolls, clam strip rolls, shrimp platters, crab cake sandwiches, chowder, bisque and deep-fried lobster ravioli. Polish Plate offers a hearty menu of pierogi nachos, pierogi tacos and quesadillas, along with hunters stew, stuffed cabbage, potato pancakes and kielbasa.

International flavors add another dimension to the food scene. Mexipho will serve tacos, quesadillas, nachos, burritos and churros, while Siam Glastonbury offers Thai favorites including pad thai, chicken satay, fried rice, crab rangoon and vegetable dumplings. Sultan Kebab brings chicken gyros, falafel and kebabs, and Urban Elote specializes in Mexican street corn, elotes preparados and nachos.

There are also plenty of choices for festivalgoers seeking lighter or plant-based options. Roadhouse Grille will serve wraps and bowls including vegan Mediterranean and Greek veggie options. First Church of Christ Congregational offers baked potatoes with all the fixings, while Fried Dough Nation has a gluten-free version of the beloved fairground treat.

And, of course, no festival food roundup would be complete without snacks and sweets. Pete's Popcorn will be popping kettle corn, A Cupcake for Later will offer gourmet cupcakes, and Bloomin' Onion Express will serve its signature blooming onions, onion rings and onion petals. The Carnival adds traditional favorites including fries, fried dough, cotton candy and ice cream.

For drinks, Travelin Toms Coffee will offer hot and cold coffee, cold brew, lattes and cappuccinos, along with lemonades. The Wini Bar will serve lemonade and limeade, while Dude's Donuts adds apple cider and other refreshments to its menu.

Whether you come hungry for a lobster roll, craving a warm cider donut or simply looking for something new to sample while listening to live music, this year's festival promises plenty of ways to taste the season.

Ultimately, that's part of the charm of the Apple Harvest & Music Festival. The food, music and activities bring people together, but it is often those simple moments—sharing a plate of pierogi, splitting an apple crisp or enjoying a cider donut while taking in the crisp October air—that become the memories families carry with them long after the festival ends.