Northborough’s annual four day Applefest takes place starting today. The Town is promoting a slew of activities through the weekend. The good news is a clear forecast for Friday – Sunday when most of the fun takes place.
I don’t share news of most neighboring town’s activities, but Northborough’s big annual festival is one of the exception. A lot of Algonquin and Boroughs organizations and teams have ties to Applefest events and fundraisers.
Northborough’s three day event combines their version of Southborough’s Summer Nights and Heritage Day, and beyond. Just about every community organization in their town takes part.
Northborough Education Foundation holds its Annual Gala as part of the festival. The fundraiser supports NEF grants for Algonquin Regional High School in addition to Northborough K-8 schools.
The festival website promotes the main attraction as the Saturday night BBQ (5:00 – 9:00 pm) on Algonquin Regional’s athletic fields, with inflatables, music and more – capped off by fireworks. ARHS’ Robotics team will let kids try out some of their fun devices. (Activities are free, but there is a $20 parking fee.)
The other activities with links to Southborough are earlier on Saturday the Street Fair where organizations promote themselves or raise funds and the parade. (The parade had been shifted to Sunday in recent years to avoid disruptions to downtown businesses. But that caused a big decline in participation. So, it’s now back on its original schedule.)
The Applefest schedule is below with links to more details on each event. Some are free to attend, but many have a fee.
Thursday, September 18, 2025
- (Obviously, it’s too late to take part in this one!) Bake-off – (10:00 am) @ Northborough Senior Center: Prizes to the top three recipes with apples as a main ingredient. Sponsored by Friends of the Senior Center. (Read more.)
- Senior Luncheon – (11:30 am – 1:00 pm) @ Northborough Senior Center: Tickets are required, and I don’t know if any are still available. (Read more.)
Friday, September 19, 2025
- Vinny the Bubble Guy – (10:00 am) @ Ellsworth McAfee Park: Free show sponsored by Applefest Committee. (Read more.)
- Friends of the Library Book Sale – (12:00 – 5:00 pm) @ Northborough Free Library Meeting Room: Fundraiser by Friends of the Northborough Free Library. (Read more.)
- Concert of Classical Music – (7:00 – 8:30 pm) @ Trinity Church, 23 Main St, upstairs Sanctuary: The Charles River Sinfonietta chamber orchestra will perform a free concert. You can also purchase a BBQ dinner from 5:00 –7:00 pm. (Read more.)
- NEF’s Applefest Gala – (7:30 pm – 11:00 pm) @ Juniper Hills Pavillian: Dress up for cocktails and dancing to live music sponsored by Education Foundation. (Northborough Education Foundation’s grants support Northborough’s public schools, including Algonquin Regional High School.) (Read more.)
Saturday, September 20, 2025
- 5K Road Race – (Registration 8:00 am for 9:00 am race) @ Zeh Elementary School, 45 Howard Street: Annual race & walk with prizes for top runners by age groups. (Read more here and here.)
- St. Rose of Lima Family Fun Day – (9:00 am – 3:00 pm) @ St. Rose of Lima, 244 West Main: The church is holding a carnival. A bouncy house is available throughout, but other activities have specific time windows listed below. (Read more.)
- Magic Show (9:00 – 10:00 am)
- Balloon Artist (10:00 – 11:00 am)
- Roaming Train Rides (10:00 am – 2:00 pm)
- Thrift Shop (10:00 am – 2:00 pm)
- Face Painting & Games (10:00 am – 3:00 pm)
- Food Sales (11:00 am – 3:00 pm): Overlapping times for selling lunch, a cotton candy booth, and an ice cream truck.
- Egg Toss (3:00 pm)
- Friends of the Library Book Sale – (9:30 am – 3:00 pm) @ Northborough Free Library Meeting Room: Fundraiser by Friends of the Northborough Free Library. (Read more.)
- Divine Dogs & Apple Days – (10:00 am – 2:00 pm) @ Nativity Church, 45 Howard Street: The event celebrating canines includes an Amateur Dog Show, blessing, photo opp, Poodle Pool, games & activities, treats & kisses booth, and dog friendly vendor booths, plus a “Pet Rock Festival”. (Read more.)
- Fire Dept Open House – (10:00 am – 2:00 pm) @ 11 Pierce Street: Stop by for a Fire Hat, to visit and thank the Fire Fighters and EMT’s. Sponsored by Northborough Fire Department. (Read more.)
- Rotary Club Street Fair – (10:00 am – 3:00 pm) @ Blake Street: Booths are used to sell food and goods or raise awareness. Features crafters, vendors, local businesses and community groups. Organized by the Rotary Club of Northborough.
- Farmers Market – (10:00 am – 3:00 pm) @ Town Common: 19 Vendors are advertised.
- Art in Bloom – (10:00 am – 3:00 pm) @ Northborough Historical Museum, 52 Main St: Paintings from the Art Guild’s exhibit are complemented by floral arrangements by the Northborough Garden Club, showcasing the creativity of Northborough’s artistic community. (Read more.)
- Trinity Church Craft Fair – (10:00 am – 4:00 pm) @ Trinity Church, 23 Main St: Craft Fair with basket raffle, thrift shop, café, and lIve music in the church’s coffeehouse. Sponsored by Trinity Church. (Read more.)
- Applefest Parade – (12:00 pm) From Lincoln Street School through downtown West Main Street, ending at 52 Main St: Annual town parade featuring community groups.
- Northborough Historical Society’s Ice Cream Social – (1:00 – 3:00 pm) @ Northborough Historical Building, 52 Main St: Featuring sundaes, root beer, and root beer floats. (Read more.)
- Veterans Art Show – (1:00 – 5:00 pm) @ American Legion, 402 West Main St: Veterans’ paintings will display. (Read more.)
- American Legion Chicken BBQ – (4:00 – 6:00 pm) @ American Legion, 402 West Main: Sponsored by American Legion Post 234. (Read more.)
- Applefest BBQ, Fireworks, Concert and Family Fun – (5:00 – 9:00 pm) @ Algonquin Regional High School Athletic Fields: $20 per car. Food sales including BBQ, Food Trucks & booths, live music by Hit the Bus, ARHS Robotics Show, Moonwalks, Monkey Bridge, and more. Fireworks at 8:30 pm. Sponsored by Applefest Committee. (Read more.)
Sunday, September 21, 2025
- Boy Scout Pancake Breakfast – (7:00 am – 11:00 am) @ Lincoln Street School cafeteria, 76 Lincoln St. Sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 1. (Read more.)
- Art in Bloom – (10:00 am – 3:00 pm) @ Northborough Historical Museum, 52 Main St: Paintings from the Art Guild’s exhibit are complemented by floral arrangements by the Northborough Garden Club, showcasing the creativity of Northborough’s artistic community. (Read more.)
- Classic Car Show – (11:00 am – 1:00 pm) @ the Northboro Shopping Plaza, 255 West Main St: Classic cars, music, 50/50 raffle, and trophies. Sponsored by Applefest Committee. (Read more.)
- Historical Society’s Museum Open House – (12:00 – 4:00 pm) @ Northborough Historical Building, 52 Main St: Visit the museum to dive into Northborough’s rich history. (Read more.)
