There’s a brand new month full of exciting events coming up in Downtown Cary! Check out some of the events and activities happening in Downtown Cary in October:
Live at Lunch: Paige King Johnson
October 3, 11:30 am at Downtown Cary Park
Spend lunch at Downtown Cary Park enjoying live musical performances as the melodious backdrop for the break in your day.
Live music will be performed by Pop/Country artist Paige King Johnson on Academy Plaza.
Grab lunch from Market 317, bring your own from home or any of Cary’s great downtown dining options.
Know Before You Go
- This event is free and open to the public.
- Guests can bring their own food into the Park.
Cary Players presents: The Addams Family – A New Musical
October 4 and 5 at 7:30 pm and October 5 and 6 at 3:00 pm at the Cary Arts Center
“The Addams Family,” a comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family, features an original story and it’s every father’s nightmare: Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family — a man her parents have never met. And if that wasn’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before — keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents.
For tickets visit: https://www.caryplayers.org/theaddamsfamily
An Evening with Destiny Stone
October 4, 8:00 pm at The Cary Theater
Destiny Stone blends gospel, blues, & jazz to create lyrics and soulful melodies that leave her audiences inspired. Performing original music and timeless classics by artists such as Michael Jackson, Carole King, and Bill Withers, this is a musical experience full of energy and soul. Get ready for a good time and a musical journey like no other. Watch here for a preview!
Fully Seated, General Admission.
90 minutes, no intermission.
Get tickets here: https://thecarytheater.com/event/an-evening-with-destiny-stone-2/the-cary/cary/
Cary Farmers Market
October 5, 12, 19 and 26, 8:00 am at East Park Street
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.
Read Local Celebration
October 6, 1:00 pm at Downtown Cary Park
Join Wake County Public Libraries and the Downtown Cary Park for an afternoon of reading.
1 p.m. Kwame Mbalia, award-winning and best-selling author of the Tristan Strong trilogy and editor of New York Times Best-Seller Black Boy Joy: 17 Stories Celebrating Black Boyhood, takes us on a fantastical journey with his newly released book Jax Freeman and the Phantom Shriek.(Release date October 1)
2:30 p.m. Award-winning journalist, author, and North Carolina Piedmont Laureate Steven Petrow reads from and discusses his newly released book The Joy You Make: Find the Silver Linings–Even on Your Darkest Days. (Release date September 24)
4 p.m. Vanessa Miller is a best-selling author of Christian fiction, playwright, and motivational speaker. She will read from and discuss The American Queen, a historical novel featuring a strong Black woman who became Queen in post-bellum South.
Book signing will commence in the Academy Pavilion after each event. Bring your own copy or purchase one from Page 158 Books.
Know Before You Go
- This event is open to the public, but seating indoors is first come, first served.
- Doors will open at 12:30 p.m.
- This event is suitable for all ages.
Mermaid Theater of Nova Scotia presents Good Night Moon & Runaway Bunny
October 9, 2:00 pm at the Cary Arts Center
Mermaid Theater comes to The Cary Arts Center with a live, puppet-driven stage performance of these two classics suited for very young audiences. We are also offering a Goodnight Moon/Runaway Bunny Themed Craft Class! Learn more and register separately for that here.
Goodnight Moon is a celebration of familiar nighttime rituals, while The Runaway Bunny’s pretend tale of leaving home evokes reassuring responses from his loving mum. Both feature endearing rabbit characters, and the soothing rhythms of bunny banter and dream-like imagery never fail to infuse young readers with a reassuring sense of security.
Join us (wiggling and all) to see this delightful matinee performance. Children and their caregivers will be delighted.
Discounted rate is available for groups of 5 or more for the show, please call our box office directly at 919-462-2051 to arrange.
Purchase Tickets Here: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/77801700/mermaid-theater-presents-runaway-bunny-and-good-night-moon-cary-cary-arts-center
Movie Night Featuring: Ghostbusters, Frozen Empire
October 11, 6:00 pm at Downtown Cary Park
Gear up for a ghost busting movie night under the stars featuring Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (PG-13), curated by The Cary Theater! When the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes an army of ghosts that casts a death chill upon the city, Ghostbusters new and old must join forces to protect their home and save the world from a second Ice Age.
Grab your cushions, blankets, and chairs for ultimate comfort as you settle in to enjoy the film with popcorn and snacks from Market 317. Food trucks will also be on site.
Prescreening activities and games will be from 6 – 7:30 p.m. The film will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Know Before You Go
- This event is free and open to the public.
- Bring your own chairs and blankets for a comfortable viewing experience during the movie.
Cary Town Band presents Colors of Autumn
October 11, 7:30 pm at the Cary Arts Center
As autumn gently transforms the landscape, cooling the summer heat and painting the trees in vibrant hues before their leaves gracefully fall, the Cary Town Band invites you to celebrate this enchanting season. Join us for Colors of Autumn, a concert capturing the essence of this delightful time of year. The performance will feature pieces such as Autumn Leaves by Joseph Kosma, October by Eric Whitacre, and The Witch and the Saint by Steven Reineke. Embrace the transition to winter with us through the beautiful and evocative music of autumn.
This is a free concert.
For more information, please visit the Cary Town Band website at https://carytownband.org/
The Cary Vintage Market
October 12, 12:00 pm at the West End Biergarten
The Cary Vintage Market is a monthly vintage market held at the biergarten space between Vicious Fishes Brewery (Cary) and 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:
– Women’s and Men’s Vintage Clothing
– Vintage shoes and accessories
– Vintage records and cassettes
– Vintage houseware and trinkets
– Permanent jewelry
– Craft coffee cart (NEW!)
– Specialty baked goods
– Craft beer, liquor drinks, wine and slushies (nonalcoholic and alcoholic options available)
– Food truck
…and more!!
BONUS: this event is both family-friendly and dog-friendly!
Live at Lunch: Midnight Thirty featuring Amanda Peach
October 17, 11:30 am at Downtown Cary Park
Spend lunch at Downtown Cary Park enjoying live musical performances as the melodious backdrop for the break in your day.
Live music will be performed by Classic Rock/Pop duo Thirty Midnight featuring Amanda Peach on Academy Plaza.
Grab lunch from Market 317, bring your own from home or any of Cary’s great downtown dining options.
Know Before You Go
- This event is free and open to the public.
- Guests can bring their own food into the Park.
Cary Night Market
October 18, 5:00 pm at Downtown Cary Park
Discover a vibrant showcase of locally-crafted treasures while immersing yourself in an evening of music and entertainment at the Cary Night Market, organized by The Night Market Co. Join Triangle area artisans for a monthly gathering where an eclectic array of goods meets delectable food and drinks!
Know Before You Go
- This event is open to the public.
- This event is suitable for all ages.
CaryLive!: River Whyless
October 19, 7:30 pm at Downtown Cary Park
Elevate your Saturday evening with the lively rhythm of CaryLive! Join us in the Park for this free concert featuring River Whyless and Opener, Mysti Mayhem. River Whyless are a neo-traditional folk quartet from Asheville, North Carolina who bring a dose of folk-rock and an artful approach to their songwriting and arrangements. The band consists of Ryan O’Keefe (vocals/guitar), Halli Anderson (vocals/ violin), Daniel Shearin (bass/harmonium/vocals), and Alex McWalter (drums), with O’Keefe, Shearin and Anderson taking turns on lead vocals.
Know Before You Go
- This event is free and open to the public.
- Bring your own chairs and blankets for a comfortable viewing experience during the performance.
- This event is suitable for all ages.
Marvelous Music Mainstage Series: Breabach
October 23, 7:30 pm at the Cary Arts Center
Lilting, serene, fiddle-fueled Scottish Folk music comes to Cary in the form of Breabach. Securely ranked among Scotland’s most skilled and imaginative contemporary folk acts, Breabach unites deep roots in Highland and Island tradition with the innovative Scottish music scene. 2022 saw them release their latest studio album ‘Fàs’ and be awarded ‘Folk Band of the Year’ at the Scots Trad Music Awards. Lead by the sweet vocals of Megan Henderson, you will be dreaming of boarding a plane to this verdant, mythical country by the time the show ends.
For more, visit www.breabach.com/
Buy Tickets Here: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/69693131/marvelous-music-seriestown-of-cary-presents-braebach-cary-cary-arts-center
Zombiepalooza
October 25, 6:00 pm at Downtown Cary Park
Zombiepalooza is The Cary’s annual ZOMBIE SHORT FILM COMPETITION and Halloween costume contest that takes place each October in Downtown Cary, NC.
Short films (< 5 min.) must be zombie-themed and family-friendly (no excessive violence or language) as they will be screened to an all-ages audience. They also must include creative use of this year’s prop (candy corn). Submissions are only open to North Carolina filmmakers and residents. See more details below!
Filmmakers of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to submit their short film for consideration via FilmFreeway starting Friday, September 1, 2024. The final deadline to submit is September 30, 2024.
This year’s Zombiepalooza 2024 will take place on October 25th at Downtown Cary Park and will start with pre-film activities. Plan for three-legged races (TBD whether the third leg is attached to another live human or not), undead face-painting, a zombie playground, food trucks (hopefully one will include BRAINS in their menu), and more!
Know Before You Go
- This event is family-friendly.
- This event is free and open to the public.
- Bring your own chairs and blankets for a comfortable viewing experience during the performance.
- Guests can bring their own food into the Park.
Downtown Scary Park: Mystical Movie Mayhem
October 26, 2:00 pm at Downtown Cary Park
Join us for a spooktacular family-friendly Halloween event in the Park! Enjoy a variety of fun activities for all ages, followed by a special screening of the classic movie Hocus Pocus. Bring your loved ones for an evening of festive fun and enchanting entertainment!
Know Before You Go
- This event is free and open to the public.
- Bring your own chairs and blankets for a comfortable viewing experience during the performance.
- This event is suitable for all ages.
- Guests can bring their own food into the Park.
Ghostly Legends at the Old Hotel
October 26, 6:30 and 8:30 at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center
Ghostly legends and haunted tales with a bit of mystery are brought to you through a medium’s special connection with the world beyond. Feel the presence of the past at Cary’s old hotel with the help of Cary Players. For more information, call the Page-Walker Arts & History Center at (919) 460-4963. Purchase tickets on eTix and at the Cary Theater box office.
Get tickets for the 6:30 p.m. program here.
Get tickets for the 8:30 p.m. program here.
Legacy of Jazz: The First Time Ever I Heard Your Voice
October 27, 3:00 pm at The Cary Theater
The First Time Ever I Heard Your Voice
Featuring: Clint Holmes, Niki Haris and the Christian Tamburr Quartet
Roberta Flack and Al Jarreau are two of the most loved and respected musical artists of their generation. Al almost single handedly created a bridge between Vocal Jazz and R&B. His album Breakin’ Away spent two years on the Billboard 200 and is considered one of the finest examples of the Los Angeles pop and R&B sound. Roberta Flack is also noted for her influence on the subgenre of contemporary R&B called quiet storm. Flack was the first artist to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year for two consecutive years. “The First Time Ever I Heard Your Voice” will celebrate their amazing contributions to American Music and the inspiration they have provided. From Roberta’s “Killing Me Softly”, “The Closer I Get To You”, and “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”, to Al’s joyful “Roof Garden”, “Get Your Boogie Down”, and “After All”, the evening will be filled with great songs, great music, and great performances.
90 minutes with one intermission
Get Tickets Here: https://thecarytheater.com/event/legacy-of-jazz-the-first-time-ever-i-heard-your-voice/the-cary/cary/
Live at Lunch: XOXOK
October 31, 11:30 am at Downtown Cary Park
Spend lunch at Downtown Cary Park enjoying live musical performances as the melodious backdrop for the break in your day.
Live music will be performed by Jazz artist XOXOK on Academy Plaza.
Grab lunch from Market 317, bring your own from home or any of Cary’s great downtown dining options.
Know Before You Go
- This event is free and open to the public.
- Guests can bring their own food into the Park.
Know about an event that we missed? Reach out to us and we will add it to our calendar!