The beginning of a new month means a whole lot of new events coming up in Downtown Cary. Check out some of the exciting things happening in Downtown Cary in August:
Performances at the Page: Celebration of Bluegrass
August 2, 6:30 pm at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center
Celebrate one of America’s favorite traditional music styles! In partnership with Pinecone, enjoy Holler Choir, an up-and-coming group of young musicians from Asheville. Special opening performance by the student fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin and bass musicians of Bluegrass Jam Camp. For more information, visit Performances at the Page.
Food Truck: Big Mike’s BBQ
Dessert Truck: Mama Bird’s Ice Cream
Cary Farmers Market
August 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31, 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.
Movie Night: The Marvels
August 9, 6:00 pm at Downtown Cary Park’s Great Lawn Pavilion
Gear up for an action-packed movie night under the stars featuring The Marvels, curated by The Cary Theater! Join us for an epic cinematic adventure filled with superheroes, suspense, and PG-13 thrills that’ll leave you on the edge of your seat.
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 begin at 6 p.m. The film will begin at dusk.
Performances at the Page: Jamrock
August 9, 7:00 pm at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center
Rescheduled from July 12, Jamrock returns to fill the air with authentic reggae rhythms. Rock out with “yard style” reggae, including lovers rock, oldies, dancehall, and roots music. Celebrate the band’s Jamaican influence and origins. For more, visit Performances at the Page.
Food Truck: Jerk Man Island Cuisine
Dessert Truck: Kona Ice
Performances at the Page: HornStorm
August 11, 4:00 pm at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center
Come to Cary for some kicking brass and listen to the sonorous sounds of a soaring horn choir. This mixed program of classical and pop music ranges from Bach to Billy Joel and will include some lovely smaller ensembles along with our full horn storm! Note this is an indoor show, seating is limited to 70, and there are no food trucks. For more information, visit Performances at the Page.
Dungeons & Dragons in the Park
August 14, 6:00 pm at Downtown Cary Park’s Academy Pavilion
Dive into an epic adventure with a pre-made storyline, original to DCP, where you’ll choose your characters, solve puzzles, and battle monsters in a welcoming environment. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, this program promises excitement and fun for all! Gather your friends, bring your imagination, and embark on a thrilling journey. All materials provided.
This event is for people 18 to 99.
Downtown Cary Park Registration: Registration opens at 10 a.m. 2 weeks before the program start date. Register Here.
Trivia Night
August 15 and 29, 6:00 pm at Downtown Cary Park’s Bark Bar
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!
Know Before You Go
- This program is free and open to the public.
- This Program is suitable for ages 18 and older
Cary Night Market
August 16, 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.
The Cary Vintage Market
August 17, 4:00 pm at the West End Biergarten
The Cary Vintage Market is BACK with a special NIGHT MARKET series (4-9pm). Created by Hummingbird Collective and hosted by Vicious Fishes Brewery & South Line Brewing Company in the brand new West End Biergarten, this family-friendly market features:
– 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!
Jazz’d Up Sundays: Wendy Moten
August 18, 5:00 pm at Downtown Cary Park’s Great Lawn Pavilion
Jazz up your Sundays in Downtown Cary Park with our robust jazz series, produced by Christian Tamburr. Free and open to the public, this series promises to be a melodic journey through the vibrant world of jazz, featuring talented musicians and unforgettable performances.
Don’t miss Tennessee native and season 21 runner- up of NBC’s “The Voice”, Wendy Moten. Wendy will kick off the Jazz’d Up Sundays series celebrating the songs of Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, Bill Withers and Beyond. Hear Wendy’s 1992 hit “Come in out of the Rain” along with her featured songs from The Voice performances including “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, “We Can Work it Out”, and “Ain’t No Way”. Jazz pianist, arranger and series producer Christian Tamburr will feature his quintet to back Wendy for this performance along with some very special guests.
Food Trucks:
- 4 – 8 p.m. : Shmack’n Plates Bistro at Park St. Courts
Upcoming Lineup
- September 8: Rebecca Kleinman with Noites Carolinas
- September 29: Linda Briceño featuring The Christian Tamburr Quintet
- October 13: The Noel Friedline & Maria Howell Quartet
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.
Summer BreakOUT!
August 21, 2:00 pm at Downtown Cary Park
Get ready to bust out of summer mode and dive back into the groove of learning at our ‘Summer BreakOUT!’ Back to School Bash in the Park! Join us for an epic celebration where we’ll prove that learning is anything but boring. It’s the ultimate way to kickstart the school year with a blast of fun and excitement!
Throughout the day, families can explore Lawn Games on Frantz Square Lawn, get creative with the Art Cart at the Nest Pavilion, and savor delicious treats from The Dogfather and Ty’s All Natural food trucks along Park St Courts.
Next, stop by Piedmont Wildlife Center’s booth at Frantz Lawn to learn all about native North Carolina wildlife! Get the chance to meet a raptor (bird of prey) and a reptile up close! Kids can talk to the experts to learn about PWC’s mission of connecting people to nature along with some fun facts you’ll be sure to want to share with your friends and family.
Ideal for grades K-5, kid’s can experience the excitement of Kidokinetics SportsPlay where they can enjoy a preview of P.E. based games they may see in school, making it a fun and active session! While this activity is drop-in, space in the Park St Arena may fill up quickly so it will be first come, first served. If you’re unable to attend the first session, don’t fret! Kidokinetics will return in the afternoon for another round of exciting games!
Don’t miss the captivating Science on Stage shows by the Morehead Planetarium, where kids can expect to learn about science topics such as physics, chemistry, electricity, and air pressure, as well as witness engaging science experiments that demonstrate these concepts in action! These shows will be best suited for grades K-5.
Lastly, join The Traveling Tortoise for an up-close and educational experience with fascinating reptiles and amphibians. Learn about their habitats, behaviors, and get a chance to interact with these incredible creatures.
- 1 – 8 p.m.: Lawn Games on Frantz Square Lawn
- 2 – 3 p.m.: Children’s BINGO on the Great Lawn Pavilion
- 2 – 7 p.m.: Art Cart at the Nest Pavilion
- 3 – 5 p.m.: Piedmont Wildlife Center Booth on Frantz Square Lawn
- 3 – 8 p.m.: Food Trucks along Park St Courts (Ty’s All Natural and The Dogfather)
- 3:45 – 4:30 p.m.: Kidokinetics SportsPlay- P.E. Preview in Park St Arena (space may be limited in the Park St Arena, so this program is first come first served)
- 4 – 7 p.m.: The Traveling Tortoise in the Academy Pavilion
- 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.: Morehead Planetarium’s Science on Stage Presentation on the Great Lawn Pavilion
- 5 – 5:45 p.m.: Kidokinetics SportsPlay- P.E. Preview in Park St Arena (space may be limited in the Park St Arena, so this program is first come first served)
- 6 – 7 p.m.: Morehead Planetarium’s Science on Stage Presentation on the Great Lawn Pavilion
- 7 – 8 p.m.: Bubble Play on the Great Lawn
Know Before You Go
- This is NOT a drop off event. Parents and guardians must stay with their child the entire time.
- This event is open to the public.
- This event is suitable for all ages.
Demo Daze
August 23, 4:00 pm at Downtown Cary Park
Get ready for a sneak peek into creativity at its finest with Demo Daze! Join us at Downtown Cary Park for a vibrant showcase featuring multiple demo stations unveiling diverse artistic mediums. It’s the perfect prelude to the upcoming 2-day Lazy Daze festival. Immerse yourself in a fusion of artistry, inspiration, and anticipation at this dynamic event. Don’t miss the chance to witness the magic behind the masterpieces!
Unless noted otherwise, artist demonstrations will be from 5 – 8 p.m. throughout the Park and will include:
- Body Marbling with Eric Hattem of Kandie’s World (4 – 9 p.m.)
- Screen Printing with Super G Print Lab
- Woodworking/carving with DeCicco Woodshop
- Calligraphy with Kymberly Arana
- Chalk Art from multiple artists
- Torch Enameling-Jewelry with Ndidi Kowalczyk
- Pottery Throwing with Jacob Herrmann
- Bookbinding with Molly Odum
- Caricatures with Alberto Lung
- Plein Air Watercolor with Jackie Kennedy (4 – 9 p.m.)
- Cosplay Demonstrations with Lauren Pollak
- Terrarium Building with Izzy Hall of Garden & Gather
Additional activities will include collaborative Loom Weaving and Doodle Daze for kids to express their creativity at the Nest Pavilion from 4 – 8 p.m.
Food Trucks
The following food trucks will be available on Park St Court from 4 – 9 p.m.
- Royal Cheesecake and Varieties
- HowBout Burger
- TrySeafood Grill
- Taco Addicts
Know Before You Go
- This event is open to the public
- This event is suitable for all ages
Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival
August 24 and 25, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm at Cary Town Hall Campus
For nearly half a century, the Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival has welcomed guests from all over to the heart of downtown Cary, NC for two days filled with art, entertainment, food, and making memories. Dating back to the event’s conception in 1977, this juried craft show celebrates the “Lazy Daze” of summer, taking place the last weekend of August, and bringing together nearly 300 artists from 16 states across the U.S. Featuring a beer garden, numerous interactive art activities, a kid’s world area, and demonstrations from professional craftsmen, Lazy Daze remains a top-rated contemporary crafts festival among the nation.
The 48th annual Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival showcasing over 250 exceptional artists from across the country! Enjoy live entertainment on four stages, savor delicious offerings from 25+ food vendors, and relax in our beer garden & Lazy Lounge. Kids will love Kid Daze with fun activities throughout including the new Kid Collectors Market, where they can purchase pint-sized pieces created by our Lazy Daze artists! Participate in interactive art activities, engage with demonstrations by professional artisans, and embrace the “Lazy Daze” of summer. We can’t wait to see you there!
CaryLive!: Doc Robinson
August 24, 7:30 pm at Downtown Cary Park’s Great Lawn Pavilion
Elevate your evenings with the vibrant rhythm of CaryLive! Join us at Downtown Cary Park for a captivating concert featuring Doc Robinson, with opener Kerry Long. 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.
Melding eccentric lyricism, heartbreak harmonies, and dueling lead guitar synergy, Doc Robinson has catapulted itself beyond genre categorization into a midwestern “gumbo” concoction. From front man Jon Elliott’s commanding tenor vocals, abstract interludes at a moment’s notice, and blissful melodic interjections, Doc revels in a deliberate spectrum of sounds, the audial counterpart to a beautifully splattered Jackson Pollak canvas.
Since its 2016 inception, Doc Robinson has been a pioneering voice in the grassroots indie movement. Nationwide tours and TV placements (The Walking Dead, BoJack Horseman) have transformed their live performances into feel-good sing-along parties. With four albums under their belt and a fifth on the horizon, Doc embraces diverse perspectives to evolve their “melting pot” sound. Prepare for a fresh slate of tour dates across the US and beyond as they embark on their next creative journey.
Kerry Long is a singer, songwriter, and producer from Durham, North Carolina. Covering multiple genres from country to pop, his soothing vocals invite the audience in, and his unique tone curate a well mixed country and R&B sound.
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.
Drop-in Puzzling and Puzzle Swap Meet
August 30, 2:00 pm at Downtown Cary Park’s Academy Pavilion
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.
Final Friday: Retro Rhythm
August 30, 5:00 pm at Downtown Cary Park
Join us for a lively evening of Swing Dance led by our friends at Retro Rhythm! This Final Friday will be filled with energetic tunes, joyful choreography, and plenty of smiles. Learn the classic moves and feel the magic of swing dancing in an event guaranteed to lift your spirits and keep you dancing all night long! 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.
Know Before You Go
- This event is open to the public
- This event is suitable for all ages
Know about an event that we missed? Reach out to us and we will add it to our calendar!