About Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival
A spring tradition dating to 1933 in Kentville celebrating the blooming of the Annapolis Valley apple orchards. Features parades, concerts, fireworks, and community events across six days each May (May 25–30 in 2027). One of Nova Scotia's most iconic annual festivals.
Features & Highlights
Detailed Information
For over nine decades, the Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival has marked the arrival of spring in Nova Scotia with a six-day celebration that transforms the towns of the Annapolis Valley into a sea of pink and white blossoms, community spirit, and family-friendly festivities. Running from May 25 to May 30, 2027, the festival carries on a spring tradition that dates to 1933, sustained for over nine decades by the volunteers, businesses, youth leaders, artists, and families of the Annapolis Valley. Drawing approximately 100,000 spectators to its Grand Street Parade alone, the Apple Blossom Festival is one of Atlantic Canada's largest and most anticipated community events, celebrating the region's rich agricultural heritage and the breathtaking beauty of the Valley's apple orchards in full bloom.
Practical Information
Location & Venues
The festival spans multiple communities throughout the Annapolis Valley, with Kentville serving as the central hub. Key venues include:
- Main Street, Kentville: parade route and festival hub
- 125 Park Street, Kentville: Blossom Bash and Fireworks
- Kentville Centre Square: vendor markets and community events
- Various venues across the Valley from Windsor to Digby
2027 Festival Dates
May 25 (Tuesday) – May 30 (Sunday)
Key Events
- Blossom Bash and Fireworks (FREE): live entertainment and the festival's fireworks display over Kentville
- Children's Parade (FREE): a joyful procession of local youth, decorated bicycles, and community groups
- Grand Street Parade (FREE): the longest-running parade in Atlantic Canada, drawing close to 100,000 spectators
- Blossom with BWIE (FREE): family-friendly programming for young festival-goers
- Various community events, concerts, orchard tours, food truck parties, and vendor markets throughout the six days
- See appleblossom.com for the full 2027 schedule and event times
Ticket Information
Most events are FREE and open to the public. Some concerts and special events may require tickets. Check appleblossom.com for the full schedule and any ticket information.
Parking
Street parking and designated lots available in Kentville. Road closures are in effect during parades, so consult the official detour maps on the festival website.
Accessibility
The festival provides accessible seating areas for parades. Contact the festival directly for specific accessibility needs.
Contact Information
Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival
325 Main Street, Unit 8, Kentville, NS B4N 1K5
Phone: (902) 678-8322
Website: appleblossom.com
The Apple Blossom Festival has been bringing Valley communities together since 1933, and the anniversary editions keep the same promise. Watch the parade with a hundred thousand of your closest friends, catch the fireworks over Kentville, or drive the Valley roads under full bloom with the windows down. Any of the three delivers the Nova Scotian community spirit the festival is known for.
At a Glance
| What it is | A six-day spring festival dating to 1933 that celebrates the blooming of Annapolis Valley apple orchards, with Kentville as the central hub |
|---|---|
| 2027 dates | Tuesday, May 25 to Sunday, May 30, 2027 |
| Headline event | The Grand Street Parade along Main Street Kentville, the longest-running parade in Atlantic Canada, drawing close to 100,000 spectators |
| Signature events | Blossom Bash and fireworks, Children's Parade, Grand Street Parade, Blossom with BWIE, plus concerts, orchard tours and vendor markets |
| Cost | Most events are free and open to the public; some concerts and special events may require tickets |
| Hub venues | Main Street Kentville for the parade, 125 Park Street for the Blossom Bash and Fireworks, and Kentville Centre Square for vendor markets |
| Rating | 4.2 out of 5 across 500 reviews |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Apple Blossom Festival held in 2027?
The festival runs Tuesday, May 25 through Sunday, May 30, 2027, six days of parades, concerts, fireworks and community events. Kentville is the central hub, with venues spanning the Annapolis Valley from Windsor to Digby, and the tradition dates to 1933.
What happens at the Apple Blossom Festival?
The Grand Street Parade is the headline draw, drawing close to one hundred thousand spectators as the longest-running parade in Atlantic Canada. Around it sit the Blossom Bash with its fireworks display over Kentville, the Children's Parade, family programming, concerts, orchard tours, food truck parties and vendor markets.
Is the Apple Blossom Festival free to attend?
Most events are free and open to the public, including the parades and the Blossom Bash fireworks. Some concerts and special events may require tickets, so check the full schedule and ticket information on the festival website closer to the dates.
Where in the Annapolis Valley is the festival held?
Kentville is the central hub: the parade route runs along Main Street, the Blossom Bash and fireworks happen at 125 Park Street, and vendor markets fill Kentville Centre Square. Events also reach communities across the Valley from Windsor to Digby.
Where do I park during the festival?
Street parking and designated lots are available in Kentville, but road closures are in effect during the parades, so consult the official detour maps on the festival website before driving. Given the crowds the parade draws, arriving early on parade day is the safer plan.
Is the festival family friendly and accessible?
Yes. The festival provides accessible seating areas for the parades, and visitors with specific accessibility needs can contact the festival directly. Programming such as the Children's Parade and the family-friendly Blossom with BWIE events is built for young festival-goers.