Apple Day
Apple Day is celebrated on October 21, a cheerful occasion to enjoy apples and learn about the fruit’s place in food, farming, and local traditions. It’s a good excuse to visit an orchard, try a variety you haven’t tasted before, or make a favorite apple dish.
How Apple Day Started
According to Common Ground, the organization launched Apple Day in 1990 as both a celebration and a way to highlight the variety at risk of being lost—not only in apples, but also in landscapes, ecology, and culture. The first celebration took place in London’s Covent Garden, bringing fruit back to its old Apple Market after a 16-year absence. Common Ground hoped the idea would spread so people could hold their own local celebrations, and that first event helped begin the tradition.
A Fruit With Many Uses
Apples can be crisp and tart, sweet and mellow, or somewhere in between. Their flavors and textures vary by variety, which is why one apple might be especially good for eating fresh while another holds its shape well in a pie. Trying a few kinds side by side can turn an everyday snack into a simple tasting adventure.
Apples are enjoyed around the world in many forms. They may be eaten fresh, baked into desserts, cooked into sauces, pressed into juice, or added to savory dishes. Apple traditions can also reflect the season: orchard visits, harvest displays, and homemade treats are familiar ways to welcome autumn in many places.
Apple Day also draws attention to the importance of orchards to local landscapes and culture, and to knowing where food comes from. It can be a moment to appreciate the work involved in growing food and the variety found in orchards and markets. For a seasonal celebration, choose apples grown nearby when available, and ask a local grower which varieties are ready to eat or cook with.
Ways to Celebrate Apple Day
- Plan an apple tasting. Choose several varieties, slice them, and notice differences in sweetness, tartness, crunch, and aroma. Keep the labels nearby so everyone can pick a favorite.
- Make something together. Try a simple apple crisp, muffins, or stovetop applesauce. Children can help wash the fruit, measure ingredients, or stir with an adult nearby.
- Visit an orchard or farmers’ market. If there’s one in your area, enjoy a walk, learn what’s in season, and bring home apples for snacks or cooking.
- Share a useful kitchen tip. Apples can brown after they’re cut, so serve slices soon after preparing them or toss them with a little lemon juice. Keep whole apples cool to help them stay fresh longer.
- Explore a new recipe. Add chopped apple to a salad, pair it with cheese, or use it in a savory dish alongside vegetables or grains.
- Make an apple-themed craft or display. Arrange different varieties in a bowl, draw an orchard, or create a small harvest centerpiece with items already at home.
When is Apple Day?
Apple Day: Every year on October 21.
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | October 21 | Thursday |
| 2028 | October 21 | Saturday |
| 2029 | October 21 | Sunday |
| 2030 | October 21 | Monday |
| 2031 | October 21 | Tuesday |
Reviewed by the Holiday List editorial team on October 20, 2026 · Last updated October 22, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
When is Apple Day in 2027?
Apple Day is on Thursday, October 21, 2027. After that, it falls on Saturday, October 21, 2028. Every year on October 21.
Is Apple Day a public holiday?
No. Apple Day is an observance, not an official public holiday, so schools and businesses stay open as usual.
How did Apple Day start?
Common Ground launched Apple Day in 1990 to celebrate apple variety and raise awareness of varieties, landscapes, ecology, and culture at risk of being lost. The first celebration was held at London’s Covent Garden.
What does Apple Day celebrate?
Apple Day celebrates apples and their place in food, farming, local landscapes, and traditions. It also encourages people to appreciate orchard variety and learn where food comes from.
How can you celebrate Apple Day?
Try a tasting of different apple varieties, make an apple dish, or visit an orchard or farmers’ market. You could also use apples in a savory recipe or create an apple-themed display.
Sources
✓ Date matches Common Ground: Apple Day (checked automatically on October 17, 2026).
