How is it already November!? Downtown Cary has plenty going on to celebrate the fall season, with live music, markets, movies, trivia, and more! Check out what’s coming up and mark your calendar for events you don’t want to miss!
Drop-in Puzzling and Puzzle Swap Meet
November 2 @ 1:00 pm – 7:00 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.
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.
Trivia Night
November 5 and 19 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Downtown Cary Park, 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!
Movie Night: Minions
November 6 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm – Downtown Cary Park
To help keep the Great Lawn safe, comfortable, and enjoyable for everyone, please review our guidelines below before arriving.
Wrap up our 2026 movie series in the Park with a little mischief and a lot of fun by seeing where it all began with Minions (PG)!
In this prequel to “Despicable Me,” a trio of small yellow minions venture forth to discover a new evil genius to serve. Later, they pledge their loyalty to a supervillainess and her inventor husband as part of a plan to steal the British royal crown.
Grab your cushions, blankets, and chairs for ultimate comfort as you settle in to enjoy the film. Food trucks will also be on site.
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.
Cary Farmers Market
November 7, 14, 21, and 28 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm – East Park Street
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.
2026 Old North State Story Telling Festival
At the Cary Theater with four different showings:
Showcase 1 – November 6 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Showcase Sensory Friendly Showcase – November 7 @ 10:30 am – 12 pm
Showcase 2 – November 7 @ 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Showcase 3 – November 7 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Join us for our two-day festival to experience the power of live storytelling. Acclaimed storytellers will present two hours of stories and music to entertain and warm your heart. Each showcase will feature unique stories from each teller listed below.
MO REYNOLDS tells stories that spark imagination and start conversations. Since her breakout on the Exchange Place stage at the National Storytelling Festival in 2022, she has returned to the National twice and won over audiences at festivals across the country. Braiding folk tales with personal narrative, Mo brings reflection, laughter, and insight in equal measure. Known online as “Miss Mo Storyteller,” she travels the world through story — a new tale every week, a new country every month.
REV. ROBERT B. JONES, SR. is a renaissance man: a professional musician for over forty years, an ordained Baptist pastor for more than twenty, and a nationally recognized storyteller for over fifteen- and he brings all three to the stage at once. An award-winning musician, he was named a leading blues educator by the National Blues Foundation and is a Kresge Arts Fellow and Michigan Heritage Award recipient. At the heart of his work: our cultural diversity tells a story worth celebrating.
CHARLOTTE BLAKE-ALSTON For more than thirty years, Charlotte Blake-Alston has carried the stories of African and African American oral tradition from the Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian to festivals on four continents- accompanied by djembe, mbira, and the 21- stringed kora. The first storyteller ever to perform with The Philadelphia Orchestra, she is now its Official Storyteller, Narrator and Host, and hosted Carnegie Hall’s Family Concert Series for seventeen seasons. Her honors include a Pew Fellowship and the Zora Neale Hurston Award, the highest given by the National Association of Black Storytellers.
ANDY RUSSELL grew up in North Carolina in a family full of natural storytellers, and it shows- his tales of grandparents, cane-pole fishing, and music with friends land with warmth and a songwriter’s ear for a good line, honed during his years in Nashville. Reigning StorySlam Champion of Six Feet Apart Productions, he has appeared at the Georgia Mountain, Stone Soup, and Cracker storytelling festivals. He lives in Ocala with his dog and a three-legged cat.
A special SENSORY FRIENDLY Showcase on Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m.
All performances are family-friendly.
Taste of China Food and Culture Festival
November 7 @ 11:00 am – 5:00 pm – Downtown Cary Park
Join the Chinese-American Friendship Association of North Carolina for a day filled with the rich flavors and vibrant traditions of Chinese Culture! The 6th Annual Taste of China – Chinese Food and Culture Festival is back, promising an unforgettable journey through Chinese cuisine and culture.
Experience the best of Chinese culinary delights, traditional performances, and cultural exhibits. Whether you’re a food enthusiast, culture aficionado, or just looking for a fun day out with family and friends, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
This event is proudly co-hosted by the Town of Cary, bringing our community together to celebrate diversity and heritage. Don’t miss out on this feast for the senses!
Vendors will accept various forms of payment, including cash.
Children’s BINGO
November 9 @ 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!
Music BINGO
November 10 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Downtown Cary Park, Bark Bar
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!
A Capella Concert
November 12 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Enjoy a night of fantastic live music with NC State’s award winning a cappella groups! This event will feature 5 groups, each with their own unique vocals, original arrangements, and show-stopping performances! Come join us to hear some great music and support fantastic local artists!
The Cary Vintage Market
November 14 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm – West End Biergarten (Next to Southline Brewing)
It’s sweater season and the vendors at the Cary vintage market have you covered!! Come out and join us on Nov 14th for our last event of 2026. Whether you’re shopping for you or getting a dent in your Christmas shopping, there’s something for everybody!
🍁Women’s and men’s vintage clothing
🍁Vintage jewelry and accessories
🍁Vintage records and cassettes
🍁Vintage houseware and trinkets
🍁Permanent jewelry
🍁Craft beer, liquor drinks, wine (nonalcoholic and alcoholic options available)
🍁Craft coffee cart @botanistbean
🍁Mega stuffed cookies from @sprinkledwithlovecakery
🍁Food truck
🍁Live music @cole.spade
And more!
…and more!!
BONUS: this event is both family-friendly and dog-friendly!
Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra
November 14 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm – Cary Arts Center
If you love Nickel Creek and Alison Krause, you’ll find your happy place with Hayde’s blend of traditional bluegrass, folk-rock, pop, and Irish/Celtic influences. Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra is a seven-piece acoustic band from Oslo, Norway, that has captured hearts in both Norway and the US with its unique blend of bluegrass and Nordic folk — a style often dubbed “Nordicana.” Featuring fiddle, dobro, banjo, mandolin, guitar, and even an accordion alongside four-part vocal harmonies, the group delivers a fresh take on American roots music wrapped in a finely tuned folk sound. Fronted by Rebekka Nilsson — winner of the 2022 IBMA Momentum “Vocalist of the Year” award — Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra combines original songs, classic tunes, and timeless covers into an energetic and soulful repertoire.
Listen: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5tTEyVEipN6KtrBN1EfESE
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWIaeQFcbYg
Approximate runtime is 90 minutes without an intermission.
Cary Night Market
November 20 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm – 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!
Live and Local!: Triangle Youth Jazz Orchestra and Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble
November 21 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Downtown Cary Park
Experience an afternoon of swing featuring the nationally-recognized Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble and award-winning Triangle Youth Jazz Orchestra. These talented young musicians will showcase a sophisticated repertoire of big band classics and modern jazz standards, highlighting the next generation of the Triangle jazz scene!
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.
TURKEY Leg Day-Feast on Fitness
November 25 – November 29 – Downtown Cary Park
Get your legs feast-ready at Turkey Leg Day, a self-led, park-wide fitness circuit packed with leg-burning exercises and a few “side-dish” bursts of cardio to keep things spicy! Gobble up this chance to work up a sweat before your Thanksgiving dinner and earn that well-deserved second helping of pie. Come trot, squat, and lunge your way into a strong and grateful holiday season!
Before you begin, be sure to snap a picture of the fitness-station map located at the sign near Guest Services—that’s your guide to every stop on the circuit. Then hit the trail at your own pace and in whatever order you choose!
Know Before You Go
- This is a drop-in program that can be done at your own pace throughout the day.
- This program is free and open to the public.
- This program is suitable for all ages.
There is plenty to do! Swing by our events page anytime to see what’s going on. Be sure to come back to see what’s in store for the upcoming holiday season!