Missouri's Biggest Fall Festival Is Worth Planning Your Whole Weekend Around
There are fall festivals, and then there is the Kimmswick Apple Butter Festival.
Every last full weekend of October, the historic river town of Kimmswick, Missouri, hosts what is widely considered the largest festival in Jefferson County, a two-day celebration of autumn, community, craft, and one of the most iconic food traditions in the entire state of Missouri.
In 2026, the Kimmswick Apple Butter Festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday, October 24th and 25th, from 10 am to 5 pm each day. Over 100,000 visitors are expected to pass through Kimmswick's cobblestone streets over the course of the weekend.
If you're attending, or even thinking about attending, this guide covers everything you need to know. Including the most important decision you'll make: where to stay.
What Makes the Apple Butter Festival So Special?
The Apple Butter Festival isn't just a craft fair with a seasonal theme. It's a genuine community tradition rooted in history, and the scale of it has to be experienced to be believed.
The Apple Butter Itself
The centrepiece of the entire festival is the apple butter-making process, and it's as authentic as it gets. The Kimmswick Historical Society gathers on the Friday before the festival to peel and prepare the apples. Then, before dawn on each festival morning, a wood-burning fire is lit, the kettle is filled, and the cooking and stirring continue for seven to eight hours until the famous spread is thick enough to seal in jars. Visitors are welcome to watch, help stir, and take in the atmosphere at the Apple Butter Pavilion on Market Street. Jars sell until the last one is gone, and they do sell out.
The Vendors
The Apple Butter Festival hosts over 400 vendors, artisan crafters, merchants, artists, collectors, speciality food trucks, live musicians, and corporate sponsors, lining every street and filling the city park. It's the kind of event where you can spend both full days browsing and still feel like you missed something.
The Entertainment
Live music runs throughout the weekend across multiple stages and locations in town, featuring bluegrass, country rock, dulcimer music, and more. The atmosphere is festive from the moment you arrive to the last shuttle back to the parking area.
The Kids' Activities
For families, the Apple Butter Festival delivers on every front: miniature train rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, and activities that give kids something to talk about long after the weekend ends.
Practical Details for 2026
Dates: Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 2026
Hours: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm each day (vendors begin setting up as early as 8 am)
Location: Downtown Kimmswick, MO 314 Market St, Kimmswick, MO 63053
Admission: Free
Parking: The town is closed to vehicle traffic during festival hours. Park at Windsor School on Highway 61/67 and take the free shuttle bus into town. Shuttle buses run throughout the day and continue until all cars have cleared the lots. ATMs are available inside the festival grounds.
Tip: The Apple Butter Festival draws even larger crowds than the Strawberry Festival. If you want to browse comfortably, aim to arrive at opening on Saturday; Sunday afternoon can feel extremely crowded near the most popular vendor areas.
Why You Should Stay the Full Weekend, Not Just Visit for a Day
Over 100,000 visitors attend the Apple Butter Festival. Most of them drive in for a single day, fight the crowds at peak hours, and leave exhausted. The visitors who have the best experience are the ones who stay nearby, attend both days at a relaxed pace, and treat it as a proper autumn getaway rather than a day trip.
A Next Home Stays property in Pevely or Festus puts you 10–15 minutes from downtown Kimmswick, close enough to arrive early before the crowds peak, return to the rental for a midday break if needed, and head back for the afternoon without any of the logistical stress of a long drive.
With a full kitchen and real living space, you can:
- Start both mornings with a home-cooked breakfast before heading to the festival
- Come back in the afternoon to rest, warm up, and recharge between the two festival days
- Enjoy evenings out at local Festus restaurants like Main & Mill Brewing or Taytro's Bar & Bistro instead of fighting for a table in a crowded Kimmswick on festival night
- Wake up Sunday morning without the pressure of a long drive ahead, just another relaxed morning before a second full festival day
The Perfect Fall Weekend Itinerary From Your Next Home Stay Base
Friday evening: Arrive, settle in, and take a slow drive through Jefferson County's autumn foliage. Dinner at Edg-Clif Vineyard or LaChance Winery in Kimmswick.
Saturday: Arrive at the Apple Butter Festival early, vendor setup begins at 8 am, and crowds build fast after 11 am. Watch the apple butter being made at the Market Street pavilion, browse the craft vendors, and catch the live music. Back to the rental by mid-afternoon to rest before dinner.
Sunday: Return to the festival for the second day at a completely relaxed pace. Pick up any last crafts, grab a jar of apple butter before they sell out, and soak in the last of the fall atmosphere in one of Missouri's most scenic small towns.
Sunday evening: A slow dinner, a quiet night at the rental, and an easy drive home Monday, rested, not depleted.
Book Direct Before Fall Availability Disappears
The Apple Butter Festival is the largest event Jefferson County hosts all year. Accommodation availability in the surrounding area fills up weeks in advance, and prices on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO surge with demand, with an additional 14–16% service fee on top.
Booking directly through nexthomestays.com means no platform markup, no algorithm-inflated pricing, and direct communication with a host who will make your fall weekend exactly what it should be.
The 2026 Kimmswick Apple Butter Festival is October 24–25.
Don't wait for availability to disappear. Book your fall stay directly at nexthomestays.com.
👉 Check availability and reserve your Apple Butter Festival weekend at nexthomestays.com
