Every year, the Town of Cary celebrates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with Dreamfest, a collection of events. Dreamfest will take place from January 12 to 15, 2024, and will include storytelling, film, community service and more.
Learn about the many ways to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. throughout the Triangle for MLK Day.
Please visit the Dreamfest website for links to sign up for the various events. All descriptions on this page are from the Dreamfest website. In addition to the events listed below, there are art and film events that take place over several days or weeks.
A Night of Comedy with Azeem: The Holistic Healer Through Humor
Friday, January 12, 2024
7:30 p.m.
The Cary Theater
122 E Chatham Street, Cary, NC
$15 ($13 for seniors and $10 for CFS members)
In serious times like these, we can all use laughter to heal the soul and bring us together.
Azeem has performed on BET, Comedy Central, and Comic View with his brand of “conscious
comedy”, and for nearly twenty years, Azeem’s comedy has brought laughter to millions of
people worldwide.
Dreamfest: Tellabration
Saturday, January 13, 2024
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Page Walker Arts & History Center
119 Ambassador Loop, Cary, NC
Free
This engaging storytelling event for children will feature award-winning storyteller, Willa Brigham, who will share inspiring stories for youth. Includes hands-on craft activities for kids. Please bring a children’s book to donate to Read and Feed.
2024 Dreamfest Celebration: It Takes a Village to Realize a Dream
Saturday, January 13, 2024
4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Cary Arts Center
101 Dry Avenue Cary, North Carolina
Free
Community resource fair, performances, arts and crafts and food trucks. The Western Wake Alumnae Chapter of Delta Signa Theta Inc. will be collecting donations for The Carying Place in the lobby. Learn about what the needs are.
MLK Dreamfest Interfaith Service: “A Call to Conscience”
Sunday, January 14, 2024
3:30 to 5 p.m.
Christ the King Lutheran Church
600 Walnut Street, Cary, NC
Free
Christ the King Lutheran Church, welcomes all faiths to a celebration in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The program theme is “A Call To Conscience” taken from the title of Dr. King’s book. The guest preacher will be Rev. Laura Ingersoll, from Baltimore, MD. with music by the Interfaith Choir. The MLK Virtual Reality truck will be at Christ the King Church prior to the service from 12pm-3:30pm, giving people an opportunity to experience King’s 1960 “Fill Up The Jails” speech held in Durham.
It Takes a Village: Community Meal & Discussion
Sunday, January 14, 2024
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Cary First United Methodist Church
117 S Academy Street, Cary, NC
Free, but registration is required
In the spirit of the Reverend Dr. Martin L King Jr., you are invited to join the Coalition For Better Tomorrows for dinner, community fellowship and interactive self exploration games that are sure to lead to interesting discussions. For more information contact First Cary UMC Cary. Free event but registration is required at firstcary.com/dreamfest.
5K Walk for Hope — MLK Day of Service
Monday, January 15, 2024
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Mt. Zion Church
316 Allen Lewis Drive, Cary, NC
Free (donations appreciated, see below)
Mt. Zion Church has partnered with the Town of Cary to participate in the MLK 2024 Dreamfest weekend to honor Dr. Martin L King Jr’s legacy through service. The MT Zion family, friends, and the community are invited to lace up the tennis shoes/ sneakers/ kicks and walk to raise awareness for the unhoused/homeless by partnering with Love from Above & Oak City Cares. Please bring donations to the walk.
Items requested: Adult jackets & coats, men’s clothing, male & female undergarments & socks, toiletries, hair products, feminine products, household cleaners, and laundry products.
For questions contact: info@mtzioncary.org or specialevents@mtzioncary.org
Bad weather reschedule date: Sat Jan 20th ( participants will be notified.)
MLK Day of Service at Good Hope Farm
Monday, January 15, 2024
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.
Good Hope Farm
1580 Morrisville Carpenter Road, Cary, NC
Free (registration is required)
Calling volunteers to join us for our MLK Dreamfest service opportunities in partnership with Spruce and Good Hope Farm.
In an effort to support food security in our region, volunteers are needed to help prepare our organic teaching farm for spring planting. As part of this day of service, we ask that all volunteers bring at least one canned/nonperishable food item for donation to the local food pantry.
Please come dressed in weather-appropriate work clothes and shoes, and bring a water bottle. Volunteers aged 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
MLK Day of Service at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve
Monday, January 15, 2024
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preerve
2616 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary, NC
Free (registration is required)
Ages 16+
Join us for a day of service assisting the Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve staff with trail maintenance. Supplies will be provided. Please come dressed in weather-appropriate work clothes and shoes, and bring a water bottle.
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 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events
Check out a list of MLK Day events in the Triangle.
