Brighton Applefest (September 2026)
September 24-27, 2026
Brighton Applefest, founded in 1974 by the Brighton Business Association to promote local business, apple farming, and tourism, has grown from a few booths on Main Street selling baked goods and coffee into a premier Bay of Quinte event that now attracts more than 20,000 visitors each year. While the region has lost several orchards over time, the festival remains committed to supporting local agriculture and businesses by prioritizing vendors who grow or produce their own products, featuring local farms and orchards in promotions, and ensuring that over 85% of vendors come from the three surrounding counties.
Beyond its agricultural and economic mission, Applefest has become a true homecoming for Brighton residents, drawing alumni, families, and neighbors together to reconnect, celebrate, and showcase the best of the community to visitors who may return as tourists or future residents. At its heart, Applefest is more than a festival - it's a feeling.