Crabapple Fest, Milton's biggest annual event, fills Crabapple Road on the first Saturday of October. The 2026 festival was Oct. 3.

Last checked Oct. 5, 2026. Dates, hours, parking and the road closure come from the City of Milton’s Crabapple Fest page and the city’s festival listing on Eventeny. This page is updated for each year’s festival at the same address.

Crabapple Fest, which the City of Milton calls its biggest annual event, is held on the first Saturday of October from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Crabapple Road in downtown Crabapple. The 2026 festival was Saturday, Oct. 3. The city has not announced the 2027 date. If it keeps to the first Saturday, that would be Saturday, Oct. 2, 2027.

Know before you go

  • When: first Saturday of October, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (2026: Oct. 3; 2025: Oct. 4)
  • Where: Crabapple Road, downtown Crabapple
  • Parking: free lots on Birmingham Highway, with a free shuttle
  • Organizer: City of Milton
  • Questions: Community Outreach Manager Emily Salerno, emily.salerno@miltonga.gov

What it is

The city’s festival page describes an art and antique festival that turns Crabapple Road into an open-air market of more than 100 local antique, craft, art and retail vendors, with food, family activities and football on a big screen. The city tells sponsors the festival draws tens of thousands of people.

The festival runs along Crabapple Road from the roundabout at Crabapple Road and Heritage Walk to the intersection of Birmingham Highway and Broadwell Road. Activities also spread across the Crabapple Market property, including the Green, and the City Hall parking lot.

It goes ahead rain or shine.

Cost

The city’s page lists no admission charge or tickets. Bring money for food and shopping: there is no ATM on site. The city says many vendors take credit cards, Venmo, Zelle or cash.

Road closure

Crabapple Road closes to through traffic between Mayfield Road and the Heritage Walk and Crabapple Chase Drive roundabout from 10 a.m. on the Friday before the festival. The city says it should reopen around 10 p.m. on festival night.

Parking and the shuttle

Free festival parking, from the city’s page:

  • Milton Community Church, 12760 Birmingham Highway (the former Crabapple First Baptist Church)
  • Crabapple Crossing Elementary School, 12775 Birmingham Highway
  • Northwestern Middle School, 12805 Birmingham Highway
  • Milton High School, 13025 Birmingham Highway

A free shuttle runs from the church and school lots from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., about every 20 minutes, and drops off on Crabapple Road across from the Shell station.

Accessible parking is at the Crabapple Government Center, 12624 Broadwell Road (across from Broadwell Pavilion), and at the Shell station at the Broadwell Road, Crabapple Road and Birmingham Highway intersection.

Parking on neighborhood streets is banned. The city says cars parked there can be towed at the owner’s expense.

Pets, children and the weather

  • Leashed pets are welcome. The city asks owners to bring water, give dogs breaks from the sun and clean up after them.
  • The city bills it as a family event, with activities for children.
  • October weather varies, and the festival does not stop for rain.

Vendors and sponsors

For 2026, vendor applications opened April 15 and closed July 10, according to the Eventeny listing, and the city told applicants they would hear by Aug. 1. Food and retail vendors apply through the application packet on the city’s festival page. Sponsors contact Emily Salerno.

Frequently asked questions

When is Crabapple Fest? The City of Milton holds Crabapple Fest on the first Saturday of October, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The 2026 festival was Saturday, Oct. 3; the city has not yet announced the 2027 date.

Where do I park for Crabapple Fest? Free parking at Milton Community Church, Crabapple Crossing Elementary, Northwestern Middle and Milton High, all on Birmingham Highway, with a free shuttle to the festival. Parking on neighborhood streets is banned and cars can be towed.

Is Crabapple Road closed for Crabapple Fest? Yes. Crabapple Road closes to through traffic between Mayfield Road and the Heritage Walk and Crabapple Chase Drive roundabout from 10 a.m. the Friday before, and should reopen around 10 p.m. on festival night.

Can I bring my dog to Crabapple Fest? Yes. The city says leashed pets are welcome. Bring water, give your dog breaks from the sun and clean up after it.

Is there an ATM at Crabapple Fest? No. The city says many vendors take credit cards, Venmo, Zelle or cash, but there is no ATM on site.

What this means for you

  • Drivers who use Crabapple Road should plan a detour from Friday morning to Saturday night of festival weekend.
  • Use the shuttle lots on Birmingham Highway. Neighborhood streets are towing zones on festival day.
  • The city’s next event in downtown Crabapple is Carvin’ in Crabapple on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Related: things to do this weekend and our other annual event pages for Carvin’ in Crabapple, Christmas in Crabapple and Red, White, and YOU!.