Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival

The Bloom is an annual event organized by the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival private organization and held in the City of Winchester and Frederick County. Attracting crowds in excess of 250,000 people, the festival includes over 10 days of events, such as the Old Town Wine & Fine Arts Festival, Apple Blossom Carnival, dances, parades, band concerts, sporting events, luncheons, parties, and much more.


Although the City of Winchester local government does not organize this event, various City departments are involved in making sure festival activities are safe for all attendees. Below is important information you may find useful during this year's festival.

City's 2024 Apple Blossom Week Schedule:

  • City Offices - City offices will be closed on Friday, May 3. To make a bill payment (personal property taxes, real estate taxes & utility bills), please visit the City's pay online web page, or place your payment in the available drop boxes.
  • Park Rec Center - The War Memorial Building/Rec Center in Jim Barnett Park will be closed on May 3-4.
  • Joint Judicial Center (courts) - Closed all day on Friday, May 3.
  • WinTran - Public transit service will be closed on Friday, May 3.
  • Refuse Collection - Trash and recycling collection will operate on a normal schedule, except on Friday (May 3), when trash will be collected early. If your trash is usually collected on Fridays, but your trash is out by 5 am on May 3.
  • Winchester-Frederick County Visitors Center - The Visitors Center located at 1400 S. Pleasant Valley Road will be open daily from 9:00 am-5:00 pm.
  • Parking - Braddock Autopark will be closed from 12 pm on Friday, May 3, through midnight on Saturday, May 4. Garage Info

Festival Event Information

If you are looking for information about Festival events, history, news, merchandise, etc., visit the official Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival website, TheBloom.com, for all of the details.

2024 Dates: April 26-May 5

Click here for Festival Safety Tips.


Road Closures and Detours

Click here for a full list of road closures: May 4-7, 2024


Bag Checks/Prohibited Items

Safety is a priority during The Bloom. Bags will be checked at the entrances to a number of events, including:

  • Bloomin' Wine Fest
  • All tent events and events held at the Shenandoah University Event Center
  • Queen's Coronation at John Handley High School (firearms and other weapons prohibited in accordance with Virginia Code § 18.2-308.1

The following items are prohibited at the above-mentioned events:

  • Backpacks/large bags (14x9)
  • Alcohol and illegal drugs
  • Food, snacks, beverages or coolers
  • Animals (except for service)
  • Aerosol/spray cans
  • Noisemakers

The Winchester Police Department strongly recommends that guests do not bring bags, backpacks, handbags or purses to events unless it is absolutely necessary to do so. Diaper bags that have necessary items for small children are permitted.


Medical Aid Stations

A Medical Aid Station is located at South End Fire Station (17 W. Monmouth St.), and medical personnel staged at the end of the parade route at the intersection of Gerrard Street and Cameron Street, plus other emergency units are located at various locations along the parade route. If you need medical attention and cannot get to the emergency station or units on your own, dial 9-1-1 for emergency service.


Towed Vehicles

Parade line-up routes and traffic detours create changes to on-street parking areas close to all of the events.  Do not park on streets marked "Closed to Parking" - pay close attention to parking restriction signs, or your vehicle will be towed. If your vehicle does get towed, contact the City's non-emergency assistance line at (540) 662-4131 to get its location.


Parking in Old Town

With the street closings and parking restrictions to be implemented during the Bloom, the parking garages are the best alternative. The four downtown garages are one block from the parade route and the Midway.

NOTE: Credit cards only. No cash accepted. Reserved parking tickets will NOT be sold.

Wine Fest Parking*

A parking fee of $10 will be collected at the gate of all four garages starting at 12:30 pm on Friday, April 26, and 8:30 am on Saturday, April 27.  

Firefighter and Grand Feature Parades*

A parking fee of $15 will be collected at the gate of all four garages starting at 9 am on Friday, May 3, and 8 am on Saturday, May 4. NOTE: The Braddock Autopark will be closed at 12 pm on Friday, May 3, through midnight on Saturday, May 4. Once the gate is closed, vehicles will not be able to enter or exit.

Handicap Parking

Click here for the map

Monthly Tenant Access

Click here for details (scroll to end of page).

*Subject to change


Pets 

Pets are not permitted inside Shenandoah Apple Blossom ticketed events.  

Pets are also not allowed to enter the Loudoun Street Mall area during Apple Blossom events on Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4. The prohibited area is defined as the area north of Cork Street, south of Fairfax Lane, east of Braddock Street, and west of Cameron Street, inclusive of the named streets. This is for the pets’ safety as well as the safety of the festival attendees. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

The dates and restrictions are: Noon on Friday, May 3, to 6 pm on Saturday, May 4. Permitted animals include: (1) service animals, (2) vendors that have obtained written authorization from the Chief of Police, and (3) residents living within the designated area can walk their animals to and from their residence but may be required to show proof of residency while walking their animals through designated areas. 


Important Numbers

DO NOT call 9-1-1 or the public safety non-emergency line for festival information. 

Information Resource Contact Availability
Festival activities and events Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival Organization 540-662-3863 M-F, 8 am-4 pm
Street closures
Detour routes
Safety information
City's Public Safety Information Resource Center 540-533-1382 or
540-533-0234
May 2-3, 8 am-5 pm
May 4, 8 am-noon
Lost children
Towed vehicles
Winchester Emergency Communications Center 540-662-4131 24/7
Downtown parking garages,
lots and metered spaces
Winchester Parking Authority 540-722-7575 M-F, 8 am-5 pm
Emergencies ONLY Winchester Emergency Communications Center 9-1-1 24/7