Downtown Cary Park is the new central gathering spot for the Town of Cary. It officially opened in November, 2023, and has already been the site for festivals, holiday events, and performances.
It’s a draw during the holiday season, with festive light displays and a free ice skating rink.
The park will be home to varied programming, including art exhibitions, performances, concerts, fitness classes, book clubs, movies and more.
The address of Downtown Cary Park is at 327 S. Academy Street. It’s bounded by E. Park Street to the north, Walnut Street to the south, S. Walker Street to the east, and S. Academy Street to the west. Cary Arts Center is just to the southwest of the park.
Many FREE events are being hosted at Downtown Cary Park, including fitness classes, art workshops, and more. Read on, or jump right to the list of events (including the outdoor movie series!)
Features of Downtown Cary Park
The Nest
Downtown Cary Park features adventurous play areas for kids, including The Nest, a cardinal-themed play set, and a massive slide.
Park Street Courts
Park Street Courts is filled with table tennis, foosball and other games.
The Great Lawn
Look out for frisbees on the Great Lawn! This is where visitors are stretching out and playing, as well as enjoying the entertainment from the Pavilion.
The Barkyard
The Barkyard is not your average bark park. It has tunnels, water features, small hills and more. You’ll need to register your dog and buy an annual membership or day pass to use the Barkyard.
The Skywalk
Get a bird’s eye view of the park from the Skywalk.
Academy Pavilion and Plaza
Here you’ll find Market 317, for grab-and-go sandwiches and more. The building also contains restrooms and an event space.
Frantz Square
This area, at the corner of Academy Street and Dry Avenue, features Cary’s iconic fountain, which, once again, lights up at night.
Parking
There are several parking options near the park. Here’s a map with various parking options throughout Downtown Cary. The closest parking lots and garages are listed below.
Cary Regional Library Parking Deck
113 Walnut Street, Cary, NC
Cary Arts Center Lot
101 Dry Avenue, Cary, NC
Free parking 24/7
Accessible parking available
First United Methodist Church Lot
110 Waldo Street, Cary, NC
Closed for public parking Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Open to the public other times. Free.
Old Cary Library Parking Lot
310 S Academy Street, Cary, NC
Free parking. 24/7.
Public Transportation
During busy times, especially festivals, you might prefer to take the bus to Downtown Cary Park. GOCary’s fixed routes and door to door tier 1 trips are fare free through June 30, 2024. Learn about the routes here.
Events at Downtown Cary Park
Make sure to go to the downtowncarypark.com/calendar and register for the events, if required.
Live at Lunch
Multiple dates
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Academy Plaza
Free
Free lunchtime concerts.
CaryLIVE!
Various dates
7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Great Lawn Pavilion
Free
Free concerts!
Trivia Night
July 3, 17 and 31, 2025
6 to 8 p.m. each night
Downtown Cary Park’s Bark Bar
Free
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!
Children’s Bingo
July 8, 2025
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Great Lawn Pavilion
free
Music Bingo
July 9, 2025
7 to 8:30 p.m.
Bark Bar
Free
Get ready to sing, dance, and BINGO your way to victory at Music Bingo in Downtown Cary Park!
Enjoy 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.
Movie Night
6 to 10 p.m.
Great Lawn Pavilion
Free
Before each movie, there will be related activities, so come early! Bring blankets and chairs. Food trucks will be on site. These dates are in 2025.
- July 3 – Top Gun
- July 11 – Shrek
- July 26: The Lion King (rescheduled date) Pre-show activities include DIY rain sticks and safari scratch art. Then there will be a community drum circle by One Tribe Rhythms at 6:30 p.m.
- August 8 – Guardians of the Galaxy
- August 20 – Wicked
- September 5 – Inside Out 2
- October 10 – The Nightmare Before Christmas
- October 25 – Double Feature: Hotel Transylvania & 1408
- November 7 – Big Hero 6
Discover Dance: DISHOOM
July 12, 2025
7 – 10 p.m.
Downtown Cary Park
Free
DISHOOM is an open format international dance party hosted by DJ Rang. Rooted in Bollywood/Bhangra music, we’ll mash up a plethora of genres throughout the night, culminating in a high-energy experience complete with live drums, dance lessons, and retro visuals! The night features a live DJ/percussion set by DJ Rang & Jeetu Singh and dance lessons led by Lavesh & Tajeen (Learn Bhangra). DJ Rang will set the tone, with dance lessons at 7:30 p.m., and several food trucks will be on site.
Drop-In Puzzling and Puzzle Swap
July 14, 2025
12 to 5 p.m.
Academy Pavilion
Free
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.
Single Mingle-SPLASH!
July 18, 2205
7 – 10 p.m.
The Nest & The Splash Pad
Free
Get ready for a one-of-a-kind 21+ summer night at Downtown Cary Park’s Nest made just for singles who want to meet new people in a fun and stress-free environment. From 7 – 10 p.m., enjoy beats from DJ Tegan, hang with a real mermaid, and take over The Nest play area—strictly for grown-ups. Cool off at the splash pad, join in on fun, low-key connection games, and get creative with art-making activities. Beer and wine will be available for purchase all evening, so you can sip while you socialize, play, and vibe with new friends on a gorgeous summer night.
Remember to have your ID ready when you arrive at The Nest — they’ll need to verify ages before you join the fun!
Discover Dance: Break Dance Session
July 25, 2025
7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Great Lawn Pavilion
Free
Bboy like a boss and feed your soul! Watch and learn break dancing moves with the Raleigh Rockers and DJ D3 at the DCP! Get ready for a hip-hop filled evening with a breakin’ showcase, the Raleigh Rockers ‘Game Show’, mini workshop, and a dance battle to determine the most fly dancer!
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.
Bathtub Pirates
July 26, 2025
9:30 to 10:15 a.m.
Great Lawn Pavilion
Free
Ahoy, mateys! Join us for a swashbuckling Summer Youth Performance as Grey Seal Puppets presents Bathtub Pirates! Some of the best adventures begin in a sea of bubbles—just ask the child whose tub is suddenly transformed into a pirate ship! When the notorious Captain Blackbeard finds himself without a vessel, he and his motley crew set sail in a bathtub fitted with a rudder, sail, and Jolly Roger flag. At first, it’s all fun and games… until the kid is put to work! And when Blackbeard trades buried treasure for pirating video games, the kid challenges him to a duel. Who will win? You’ll have to join us to find out. Packed with imagination and lots of laughs—this show is perfect for young people and their grown-ups!
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
More Events
Check out our list of free and cheap events in Raleigh and the rest of the Triangle this weekend, or our full event calendar in the Triangle, or just look at few upcoming events here:
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