Welcome 2026! After a jam-packed holiday season, it’s time to slow things down as we go deeper into winter. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some fun, upcoming local events to look forward to!
Cary Farmers Market
January 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31 2026 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm – Downtown Cary Park
Join the Cary Farmers Market for the winter 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.
Cardinal Stained Glass Workshop
January 5, 2026 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Downtown Cary Park
Create your own stained glass cardinal in this beginner-friendly workshop! With precut pieces and step-by-step guidance, you’ll learn to foil and solder while enjoying the process. All tools and materials are provided, including a chain for hanging. Leave with an 11-inch sparkling cardinal you’ll be proud to display or gift; no experience needed!
Notes
Please note, wine is not provided, but creativity flows freely! Only registered participants may attend this workshop. Walk-ins will not be permitted.
Visionary Vibes
January 9, 2026 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Downtown Cary Park
Step into the new year with ‘Visionary Vibes’ at Downtown Cary Park! Choose your “word of the year,” create a personalized vision board, and take part in a record-and-release ritual to clear space for fresh beginnings. Enjoy DIY mocktails, creative activities, and meaningful connections in a welcoming atmosphere designed to spark inspiration and set the tone for 2026.
Notes
Please note, only registered participants may attend this workshop. Walk-ins will not be permitted.
GLOW Under the Silver Moon Parade: Our Town
January 10, 2026 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm – Downtown Cary Park
Experience GLOW Under the Silver Moon: Our Town at Downtown Cary Park! Begin on Frantz Square Lawn at 6 p.m. and wander glowing pathways with handcrafted lanterns created in sustainable workshops led by Gowri Savoor and Angelo Arnold. Enjoy lively performances from the Bulltown Strutters, One Tribe Rhythms, and Caroleeena’s Circle of Joy, plus food trucks under the starry night sky. Free and open to all!
No pets, fire, or candle-lit lanterns in the parade please!
Drop-in Puzzling & Puzzle Swap
January 12, 2026 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm – Downtown Cary Park
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. Visit Downtown Cary Park for more details.
Children’s BINGO
January 12 & 26, 2026 @ 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm – Downtown Cary Park
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!
New Year, New Laughs: Kiki’s Comedy Club Showcase
January 16, 2026 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm – Downtown Cary Park
Kick off 2026 with unstoppable laughs, great company, and good vibes! Enjoy a high-energy comedy showcase featuring a mix of Kiki’s favorite comedians, plus an unforgettable headlining set from Kiki Wynns herself. Expect a lively, fast-paced lineup in a cozy indoor setting. With beer, wine, and snacks for purchase and an intimate crowd of just 50 people, you’re guaranteed great seats, big laughs, and a perfect night out with friends!
Notes
The bar and doors open at 7:00pm; the show runs 7:30–9:30pm. Drinks are not included in the ticket price. About Kiki Wynns: Kiki Wynns is one of the Triangle’s favorite comedians—regularly headlining major clubs, including her hit show Ladies Lounge. She’s opened for nationally touring acts and is known for her razor-sharp wit, and while her comedy is clean, her mind is not. Come see why she’s a local favorite and a rising star.
Dreamfest Children’s Program Dr. Martin L King Jr. Weekend of Events
January 17, 2026 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Page-Walker Arts & History Center
Enjoy a morning of stories and crafts, as the youngest among us celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Participants will make their own handheld sign to share their positive message with the world. This event is great for children in K – 5th grade. Be sure to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the First United Methodist Church Food Drive. This event is free and open to the public! Registration is not required.
This event is apart of Cary’s MLK Dreamfest Weekend. Details can be found at: www.carync.gov/dreamfest
2026 Annual MLK Dreamfest Cultural Celebration The Beloved Community: Honoring Dignity, Uplifting Humanity
January 17, 2026 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Cary Arts Center
Introduction:
Art Zone, Concessions, and info booths open at 5:00 pm
General Seating opens at 6:00 pm
Performances begin at 6:30 pm
- Recreation & Enjoyment
- Services & Publications
- Projects & Initiatives
- Business & Development
- Mayor & Council
- Connect & Engage
2026 Annual MLK Dreamfest Cultural Celebration
The Beloved Community: Honoring Dignity, Uplifting Humanity
2026 Dreamfest Cultural Celebration: “The Beloved Community: Honoring Dignity, Uplifting Humanity”
Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through the power of the performing arts!
This dynamic event will inspire and entertain with a captivating lineup, featuring keynote speaker Rev. Jerome Gay Jr., Senior Pastor of Vision Church, RDU and ABC 11 Kweilyn Murphy as the Mistress of Ceremonies. Experience a night filled with soul-stirring dance, music, and powerful oral recitations, all in honor of Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community.
In addition to the performances, enjoy family-friendly activities like a Kids’ Arts & Crafts room, voter registration and information, and a charitable collection sponsored by the Sigma Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. to support the Period Project of NC.
Don’t miss this special evening of celebration, creativity, and community. Details at carync.gov/dreamfestcelebration
To learn about all the MLK Weekend events, visit carync.gov/dreamfest
MLK Dreamfest Weekend Events Cary Community Events
January 18, 2026 @ 3:00 pm – January 19, 2026 @ 4:00 pm
Celebrate the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin L King Jr. throughout Cary.
Sunday Jan 18th: Programs
Christ the King Lutheran Church 3:30 pm
First Cary United Methodist Church 5:30pm
Monday Jan 19th: MLK Day of Service
Mt Zion Church 10:00 am
Good Hope Farm and Hemlock Bluff: times vary
Please see the Dreamfest webpage for event details: www.carync.gov/dreamfest
Layered Paper Winter Landscape
January 21, 2026 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Downtown Cary Park
Join Cary Arts Center instructor, Kim Lomax, as you learn to create a cut paper landscape design using layers of colored paper. Each layer will represent a different space from foreground to background, creating a wonderful landscape with 3-dimensional depth.
Notes
Please note, only registered participants may attend this workshop. Walk-ins will not be permitted.
Comedy Show: Erin Jackson and Feature Performer
January 23, 2026 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm – The Cary Theater
Erin Jackson is one of the fastest-rising comedians in New York City. She works nightly in the city’s top comedy clubs and most recently made her Netflix debut on Season 2 of Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready. She currently writes for the hit Netflix show, The Upshaws, and has appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers, CONAN, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, This Week at the Comedy Cellar, and Last Comic Standing. Erin co-hosted three seasons of Exhale, a panel talk series on the ASPiRE television network, and has been a panelist on sports and pop-culture programs on MSNBC, NFL Network and VH-1. Her comedy album, Grudgery, was released in 2018 and debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes comedy charts.
Erin is a proud alumna of Howard University and a die-hard fan of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Legacy of Jazz: Let’s Be Frank
January 24, 2026 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – The Cary Theater
Thoroughly rooted in Jazz, award winning vocalist Sachal Vasandani has the swagger to front the most swinging big bands and the vulnerability to present definitive classic ballads in a trio. With fresh new arrangements by pianist Christian Tamburr, Sachal leads us through the rare styling of Sinatra with a small group, which includes music broadcast between 1953-1955 on his radio show To Be Perfectly Frank, late 40’s sides for Columbia and the 1959 Live in Australia recording with the Red Norvo Quintet.
Winter Bird Adventure
January 28, 2026 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Downtown Cary Park
Discover the wild side of Downtown Cary Park. Designed to connect people with nature, the Park has already welcomed 96 bird species. This winter, join horticulturist and Emmy-award winning naturalist Dr. Patrick McMillan for an engaging introduction to the birds that bring color and life to the season.
Notes
This class will meet at the Downtown Cary Park Guest Services and will begin from there. Additionally, this class takes place outdoors and includes walking, so participants are encouraged to dress appropriately and bring water.
Speed Puzzling in the Park
January 28, 2026 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Downtown Cary Park
Put your puzzle skills to the test at Speed Puzzling in the Park! This individual tournament is a race against the clock to complete a 500-piece puzzle provided by DCP (all puzzles are the same). The first to finish within 2 hours wins, or if time runs out, the individual with the most completed pieces takes the prize. It’s all about friendly competition. Think you’ve got what it takes? Sign up and join the challenge!
Notes
Heads up! This Speed Puzzling challenge is for individual puzzlers (no teams this time)!
Handmade Valentine’s Day Card Making
January 29, 2026 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Downtown Cary Park
Create heartfelt, hand-lettered Valentine’s cards in this creative workshop. Learn simple calligraphy techniques and flourishes, then design your own personalized cards to share with someone special. Perfect for beginners and craft lovers alike!
Notes
Please note, only registered participants may attend this workshop. Walk-ins will not be permitted.
Here are some events happening in Downtown Cary that caught our eye. You can always check in with our friends at the Town of Cary for more events.
Meet the Artist: Christopher Evans Within the Light: Finding the Balance
January 30, 2026 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Page-Walker Arts & History Center
North Carolina native, Chris Evans, draws from his childhood, culture, and community to create deeply personal art. For him, creating is a necessity, driven by emotion and instinct. His work challenges norms, evokes emotion, and invites viewers to experience art without limits.
Website Link: https://www.goodtripgallery.com/
Join us for light refreshments and discussion with Chris.
Chris is the featured artist for MLK Dreamfest weekend and Black History Month.
Dungeons & Dragons in the Park
January 30, 2026 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Downtown Cary Park
Join us for Dungeons and Dragons in the Park! 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.
Notes
Players will be using 3rd level characters in this adventure. All materials are provided, if needed, but participants will have the option to bring their own 3rd level characters and dice to use if preferred. If participants bring their own 3rd level characters to use, then please note that either 2024 or 2014 rules are acceptable and compatible with our adventure.
Thank you for checking in and we will let you know what is in store for February 2026 soon!