Festival
Save the Dates
Eight Days of
Harvest Fun
Four weekends · One mountain tradition
About the Festival
A Family-Friendly Mountain Harvest Tradition
The 2026 Manzano Mountain Retreat Apple Festival returns for four fall weekends in the Manzano Mountains — eight days of family-friendly harvest fun in the crisp mountain air.
Apples are at the heart of the experience. The festival celebrates the agricultural and seasonal character of Manzano Mountain Retreat, giving guests a reason to return each fall and build a family tradition around the orchard. Enjoy warm apple treats, cider-donut smiles, children at play, live music, local makers, and the beauty of the mountain in peak autumn color.
Families can spend the afternoon wandering the property, enjoying entertainment and food, participating in activities, and experiencing the orchard at an easy, unhurried pace.
What's at the Festival
Something for Everyone
A full day of fall activities across the property — from the orchard to the artisan market.
Apple Treats
Warm Apple Treats & Cider Donuts
Apples are at the heart of the festival experience. The simple traditions that make the event memorable — warm apple treats, cider-donut smiles, and the sweet smell of fall in the mountains — are what guests look forward to most.
Apple cider donuts are a festival staple: freshly made, dusted in cinnamon sugar, and best enjoyed warm with a cup of cider as the mountain air cools in the afternoon.
Beyond donuts, the festival features a full range of seasonal apple foods, harvest flavors, and locally sourced items — celebrating the orchard and the agricultural character of Manzano Mountain Retreat.
Who It's For
A Tradition for All Ages
The Apple Festival is designed for everyone — from the youngest festival-goers to grandparents, day-trippers to overnight guests.
Kids' activities, face painting, farm animals, hayrides, and enough space to let children roam freely in a safe mountain setting.
A relaxed fall day trip in the East Mountains — great food, live music, artisan shopping, and beautiful mountain scenery.
Albuquerque-area guests and Central New Mexico visitors looking for the perfect East Mountain fall experience, just a short drive away.
Stay on the property and turn the festival into a full mountain weekend — combine lodging, trails, meals, and regional fall attractions.
Pair It With Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
The October festival dates create a perfect companion experience for visitors attending the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Catch balloon launches in the morning and head up to the mountains for an afternoon of apple festival fun. The two events overlap on two of the four festival weekends.
Before You Go
Plan Your Visit
The Manzano Mountains bring crisp fall air and changing conditions. A little preparation makes for a much better day.
Comfortable shoes for outdoor, uneven terrain are a must. The Manzano Mountains can be significantly cooler than Albuquerque — bring layers, sun protection, and water. Afternoons can be brisk, especially in October.
Doors open at 11:00 AM and close at 5:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Plan on at least 2–3 hours to enjoy the property without feeling rushed. Activities and schedules may vary by festival day — check before you arrive.
Check the festival website before arrival for current information on admission, parking, accessibility, and the daily activity schedule. Property tours are offered Sundays only. Farm tours are available throughout the festival.
Stay & Explore
Make It a Full Mountain Weekend
Guests who want a more relaxed experience can stay overnight at Manzano Mountain Retreat and build an entire fall weekend around the festival. An overnight stay turns the Apple Festival into a broader East Mountain getaway — combining festival activities with lodging, meals, trails, mountain scenery, nearby communities, and other regional fall attractions.
See you in the Mountains!