Events

A party 250 years in the making! Come out and celebrate the old USA with fun games, a mist zone, arts and crafts and other activities for people of all ages. Food trucks will be on hand to help satisfy your hunger while the Bark Bar will have cold drinks all night. Stay around for a special screening of the 90’s classic Independence Day (PG-13). 4 – 8 p.m.: Patriotic Activities Cozy Panda- Frantz Square Carolina Blaze Softball- Frantz Square All-American Scavenger Hunt- Frantz Square Lawn Games- Frantz Square Lawn Patriotic Art Cart- The Nest Aquarena (misters, water blasters, and kiddie pools)- The Arena at Park Courts 5 – 7 p.m.: Roaming Entertainment Stilt Walkers from Imagine Circus 6 – 8 p.m.: Trivia and Contest 6 – 8 p.m.: USA Trivia at The Bark Bar 8 p.m.: Liberty Lift Contest at Great Lawn Pavilion Stage 8:30: Movie Night: Independence Day (PG-13) 4 – 9 p.m.: Food and Beverage Tropical Snow- Great Lawn The Refreshery – Great Lawn Tombachi- Park Street Courts Kona Ice- Park Street Courts Ty’s All Natural- Park Street Courts

As part of our July 3rd Celebration and in honor of America’s 250th birthday, catch a screening of Independence Day (PG-13)! Strange phenomena erupt around the globe as massive alien spacecraft appear in the skies. Terror spreads through the world’s major cities, revealing a force of incredible magnitude bent on total annihilation over the Fourth of July weekend. Humanity’s last hope rests with an unlikely group of heroes, including a fighter pilot, a scientist, and the President, who must unite against unimaginable odds to save the planet. Come early to enjoy pre-screening activities for all ages, as part of our July 3rd Celebration from 4 – 8 p.m. The movie will begin at 8:30 p.m. Grab your cushions, blankets, and chairs for ultimate comfort as you settle in to enjoy the film. Food trucks will also be on site. Upcoming Lineup July 17 – Finding Nemo August 7 – Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl August 15 – How to Train Your Dragon September 4 – Hamilton October 2 – Frankenweenie October 24 – Halloween Double Feature: The Haunted Mansion & Poltergeist November 6 – Minions Know Before You Go This event is free and open to the public, but bring your own chairs and blankets for a comfortable viewing experience during the movie. Seating is first-come, first-served. Lawn seating setup begins at 5:00 p.m. Chairs and blankets may not be placed earlier. Some areas are blanket-only seating. Chairs are not permitted in these areas. Once set up, please remain with your items. Unattended items may be relocated to Lost & Found at Guest Services. Please keep sidewalks and lawn aisles clear at all times. Use marked entrances and exits to access the lawn. Do not sit, stand, or place seating in flower beds or landscaped …

Celebrate America’s Semi-Quincentennial Anniversary with an evening of patriotic pride, history, and musical excitement as the Cary Town Band presents America’s 250th Anniversary Patriotic Celebration. This concert is free to the public; for more information please visit: https://carytownband.org/concerts/upcoming-concerts/#americas250th2026

Join the Cary Farmers Market for the traditional market season along East Park St., next to Downtown Cary Park. Find a wonderful lineup of vendors offering all locally made and locally grown items. Shop for freshly-harvested produce, humanely-raised meat, and artisan-made goods. Stop by the info booth to learn about their matching program for SNAP/EBT. Children can also get their very own Farmers Market Passport and participate in the Eat-A-Rainbow program, which encourages children to eat healthy, nutritious foods. Learn more about the new location, nutrition programs, and other information on their website or their Facebook and Instagram pages for regularly updated weekly information.

Live at The Bark Bar features pop-up live music at one of your favorite hangout spots in the Park! Grab a drink, relax with friends, and enjoy great tunes in a laid-back, dog-friendly atmosphere. Whether you’re sipping on a cold beer or just soaking in the vibes, this is the perfect way to unwind and enjoy live local music. Stay tuned for more surprise performances and good times! This edition of Live at The Bark Bar will feature music performed by Thomas Neuhasuer.  Thomas plays an eclectic blend of classic rock, pop, 90’s, bluegrass and Irish drinking tunes utilizing a loop pedal for my guitar and vocal harmonies.

Join the Cary Farmers Market for the traditional market season along East Park St., next to Downtown Cary Park. Find a wonderful lineup of vendors offering all locally made and locally grown items. Shop for freshly-harvested produce, humanely-raised meat, and artisan-made goods. Stop by the info booth to learn about their matching program for SNAP/EBT. Children can also get their very own Farmers Market Passport and participate in the Eat-A-Rainbow program, which encourages children to eat healthy, nutritious foods. Learn more about the new location, nutrition programs, and other information on their website or their Facebook and Instagram pages for regularly updated weekly information.

Find the missing piece of your day at our drop-in puzzle program featuring a lively swap meet. Bring your favorite puzzles, trade with fellow enthusiasts, and enjoy a casual day of collaborative problem-solving and camaraderie. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover new challenges, share your passion for puzzles, and connect with like-minded individuals in a fun and relaxed family friendly setting. Know Before You Go This is a drop-in program. All swap-meet puzzles should be in good condition with ALL pieces contained in their box. Puzzles will be exchanged for free, but in order to take a puzzle home, please bring a puzzle to share! This program is suitable for all ages.

Drop by Downtown Cary Park for a lively Teen Art Cart this summer in Academy Pavilion & Plaza. This free, drop-in program invites teens to connect, unwind, and create—featuring hands-on zine-making plus collage and art journaling supplies. No pressure, no experience needed, just a welcoming space to make art and hang out IRL. Materials will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own as well! Know Before You Go This free event is open to teens only. We kindly ask that only teens participate so they can fully enjoy the space and activities designed just for them.

Get ready to test your knowledge and unleash your competitive spirit at Trivia Night in Downtown Cary Park’s Bark Bar! Led by the witty hosts from Hammered Trivia, it’s an evening packed with brain-teasing questions, laughter, and prizes. Gather your friends, grab a drink, and let the games begin!

To help keep the Great Lawn safe, comfortable, and enjoyable for everyone, please review our guidelines below before arriving. It was a close race, but this animated favorite swam to the top during January’s Oscar Nominee Showdown! Enjoy a screening of Finding Nemo (G)! An overprotective clown fish named Marlin is desperate to find his missing son, Nemo. During his search, Marlin enlists the help of a forgetful blue tang, and they head for Sydney. It’s rumored that a fishnapped Nemo is living there in a dentist’s aquarium. Grab your cushions, blankets, and chairs for ultimate comfort as you settle in to enjoy the film. Food trucks will also be on site. Upcoming Lineup August 7 – Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl August 15 – How to Train Your Dragon September 4 – Hamilton October 2 – Frankenweenie October 24 – Halloween Double Feature: The Haunted Mansion & Poltergeist November 6 – Minions Know Before You Go This event is free and open to the public, but bring your own chairs and blankets for a comfortable viewing experience during the movie. Seating is first-come, first-served. Lawn seating setup begins at 5:00 p.m. Chairs and blankets may not be placed earlier. Some areas are blanket-only seating. Chairs are not permitted in these areas. Once set up, please remain with your items. Unattended items may be relocated to Lost & Found at Guest Services. Please keep sidewalks and lawn aisles clear at all times. Use marked entrances and exits to access the lawn. Do not sit, stand, or place seating in flower beds or landscaped areas.

Join the Cary Farmers Market for the traditional market season along East Park St., next to Downtown Cary Park. Find a wonderful lineup of vendors offering all locally made and locally grown items. Shop for freshly-harvested produce, humanely-raised meat, and artisan-made goods. Stop by the info booth to learn about their matching program for SNAP/EBT. Children can also get their very own Farmers Market Passport and participate in the Eat-A-Rainbow program, which encourages children to eat healthy, nutritious foods. Learn more about the new location, nutrition programs, and other information on their website or their Facebook and Instagram pages for regularly updated weekly information.

The Cary Vintage Market is a monthly vintage market held at the biergarten space next to South Line Brewing. Located on the edge of downtown , this market is the only vintage market in Cary, NC. Here, you can expect to find a highly curated and diverse collection of: •Vintage women’s and mens clothing •Vintage shoes and accessories •Vintage records, CDs and cassettes •Vintage houseware and decor •Vintage tchotchkes, memorabilia and collectibles Plus: •Permanent jewelry •Craft coffee cart (NEW!) •Specialty baked goods •Craft beer, liquor drinks, wine and slushies •Food trucks

Join the excitement at our drop-in Children’s BINGO in the Park! Little ones, get ready for a thrilling time of laughter and surprises as we bring the classic game to the Park. With each call of the numbers, discover a world of fun, friendly competition, and chances to win small prizes. It’s an afternoon of joy and delightful moments for our youngest park enthusiasts!

Get ready to sing, dance, and BINGO your way to victory at Music Bingo in Downtown Cary Park! Join us for a night of high-energy fun, where your favorite tunes become the soundtrack to an epic bingo game! Whether you’re a music buff or just love a good time, we’ve got the perfect mix of hits, laughter, and prizes waiting for you. Grab your friends, bring your game face, and get ready to mark off those bingo cards to some serious jams. Don’t miss out – this is one musical event you won’t want to miss! See you at the park for a night of music, fun, and (of course) BINGO!

Find your trail partner at Downtown Cary Park this July during S’more than Friends, a nostalgic camp-themed singles mixer. Enjoy a gourmet s’mores bar, a live DJ, and classic camp games to break the ice. Cold brews will be available for purchase as you explore our park campsite. Whether you meet someone special or just enjoy the stars, it will be “in-tents” fun. No hiking boots required—just bring your best campfire energy. Don’t forget to have your ID ready when you arrive at The Nest — we’ll need to verify ages before you join the fun! Know Before You Go This program is free and open to the public, ages 21+ only. The Nest will be closed to youth from 4 – 10 p.m. on July 24 for this adults-only program (21+).

One Tribe Rhythms & Friends will perform every Final Friday from 7 – 8:30 p.m., March – October at the Old Library Site next to the Ivey-Ellington House. As a part of the Cary Art Loop, join One Tribe for a free, family- friendly, drum circle with fire spinning by Caroleeena & Friends! Leading up to fire performances starting at 8 p.m., the drum circle will involve singing and “low impact” West African dances. All are welcome, no experience needed, and participants can bring their own instrument or borrow one! Come celebrate our community! Cary Art Loop’s signature event is the Final Fridays Art Crawl held on the last Friday of each month from 6 – 9 p.m. Final Friday events are hosted by businesses and galleries on a monthly basis. Large crowds of art appreciators enjoy original art in our local art galleries, live music and many other exciting must see & do activities.

Jonas' world is perfect. Everything is under control and safe. There is no war or fear or pain. There are also no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. But when Jonas turns 12, he is chosen for special training from The Giver- to receive and keep the memories of the community. The Giver is the only person who holds the memories of real pain and real joy. Now Jonas will learn the truth about life- and the hypocrisy of his utopian world. Discover what it means to grow up, to grow wise, and to take control of your own destiny. Tickets available on the Applause website.

Join the Cary Farmers Market for the traditional market season along East Park St., next to Downtown Cary Park. Find a wonderful lineup of vendors offering all locally made and locally grown items. Shop for freshly-harvested produce, humanely-raised meat, and artisan-made goods. Stop by the info booth to learn about their matching program for SNAP/EBT. Children can also get their very own Farmers Market Passport and participate in the Eat-A-Rainbow program, which encourages children to eat healthy, nutritious foods. Learn more about the new location, nutrition programs, and other information on their website or their Facebook and Instagram pages for regularly updated weekly information.

To help keep the Great Lawn safe, comfortable, and enjoyable for everyone, please review our guidelines below before arriving. Elevate your evenings with the vibrant rhythm of CaryLive! Join us at Downtown Cary Park for a captivating concert series, where the stage is set for memorable musical moments. Free and open to the public, this enchanting experience welcomes all to come together, enjoy the rhythms, and bask in the beauty of community and music under the stars. Matt Lorenz’s vision, manifest in The Suitcase Junket, developed in the tension between the grand and the solitary. Grand in its imagery, sound, and staging. Solitary in its thrift and self-reliance. What instruments he requires, Lorenz builds from scratch and salvage. What parts five players would perform, he performs alone. The spectacle of his one-man set bears constant comparison to legends of showmanship, brilliance, madness, and invention. While audiences are captivated by his solitary form and the show itself, Lorenz, who homesteads in rural Western Massachusetts, is most serious about the songs. He has been building a catalog, writing a world into existence. Solitary on stage and on the road, his mind is crowded with characters, narratives, voices, imagery, sounds as wide and varied as mountain throat singers and roadhouse juke boxes, plus newsreels of the planet’s destruction and salvage. With this 2020 release, The End is New, Lorenz’s grand vision for the song overrides the how of it. Growing up in Cavendish, Vermont, Matt Lorenz began playing piano at age five, and later took up violin, saxophone, and guitar. During his years at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, he studied music and adaptive instrument design, a pursuit that included building a prototype for a drummer who couldn’t use their legs, where they’d be able to play the bass drum and hi-hat through …

Jonas' world is perfect. Everything is under control and safe. There is no war or fear or pain. There are also no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. But when Jonas turns 12, he is chosen for special training from The Giver- to receive and keep the memories of the community. The Giver is the only person who holds the memories of real pain and real joy. Now Jonas will learn the truth about life- and the hypocrisy of his utopian world. Discover what it means to grow up, to grow wise, and to take control of your own destiny. Tickets available on the Applause website.

Jonas' world is perfect. Everything is under control and safe. There is no war or fear or pain. There are also no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. But when Jonas turns 12, he is chosen for special training from The Giver- to receive and keep the memories of the community. The Giver is the only person who holds the memories of real pain and real joy. Now Jonas will learn the truth about life- and the hypocrisy of his utopian world. Discover what it means to grow up, to grow wise, and to take control of your own destiny. Tickets available on the Applause website.

Get ready to test your knowledge and unleash your competitive spirit at Trivia Night in Downtown Cary Park’s Bark Bar! Led by the witty hosts from Hammered Trivia, it’s an evening packed with brain-teasing questions, laughter, and prizes. Gather your friends, grab a drink, and let the games begin!

The hit dance party DISHOOM returns to Downtown Cary Park! Join the legendary DJ Rang, Jeetu Singh, and high-energy instructors for an unforgettable night of music and movement. Following last year’s massive success, this high-energy event features live percussion and step-by-step dance instruction for all levels. Don’t miss this dynamic, rhythmic celebration of community and sound. Grab your friends and get ready to dance the night away! As always, this event is an additional hub for the Cary Art Loop where you can explore artistic creations, crafts, and imaginative activities. Come to the Park for this family-friendly celebration, where retailers and food trucks add to the festive atmosphere of local arts and delicious cuisine.