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
October 23, and November 6 and 20, 2025
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
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!
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
School BreakOUT!
November 4, 2025
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free
Join us for a fantastic day of fun and discovery at our School BreakOUT in the Park, in honor of National STEM Day! Dive into the amazing world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) with a splash of Art (STEAM) thrown in for extra creativity and excitement. Whether you’re a budding scientist, future engineer, tech enthusiast, or young artist, there’s something for everyone.
Experiment at Mad Science’s interactive discovery booths, including sound and optical illusion stations, or make your own “super ball” to take home. Watch the NC State High Powered Rocketry Club demonstrate the science of rocketry, and check out live robotic displays from Byte Force and Techno Wolves, two of the area’s student robotics teams. Inside the Academy Pavilion, explore LEGO-based STEM building stations with PlayWell TEKnologies and creative STEM play stations with Marbles Kids Museum. For budding artists, The Scrap Exchange will inspire creativity through hands-on crafting with recycled materials.
All activities are free and drop-in, and Ty’s All Natural food truck will be on-site with tasty options for purchase. Bring your curiosity and imagination for a day full of discovery, innovation, and fun
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Imagination Blocks in Park St Arena
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Mad Science Drop By Discovery Booths (Sound Science Station and Optical Illusions) on Frantz Square Lawn
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: NC State High Powered Rocketry Club Booth on Frantz Square Lawn
- Robotics Team Booths with displays on Frantz Square Plaza
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Techno Wolves (FRC Team 5518)
- 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Byte Force
- 10 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.: Playwell TEKnologies LEGO play in Academy Pavilion
- 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Mad Science Make & Take Discovery Station (Super Ball Factory) on Frantz Square Lawn
- 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Sustainable Arts & Crafts with the Scrap Exchange on Frantz Square Lawn
- 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Food truck (Ty’s All Natural) along Academy St, in front of Academy Pavilion
- 2 – 4 p.m.: Marbles Kids Museum STEAM Play in Academy Pavilion
Urban Sketching
Friday, November 7, 2025
5:30 to 7 p.m.
Academy Plaza (Park side)
Free
Join Cary Arts Center artist Erin McGuire for a casual Urban Sketching session at Downtown Cary Park. Perfect for all skill levels—bring your sketchbook and connect with fellow creatives.
Sunday Sound Bath
Sunday, November 9, 20225
4 to 5:30 p.m.
Gathering House
Free
Experience deep relaxation with a rejuvenating sound bath featuring crystal singing bowls, chimes, and healing instruments. No experience needed—just bring a mat and let the healing vibrations wash over you.
Drop-in Puzzling & Puzzle Swap
Monday, November 10, 2025
10 a.m. to 5 p .m.
Gathering House
Free
Bring puzzles to trade, enjoy collaborative problem-solving, and connect with fellow enthusiasts in this family-friendly drop-in program.
Children’s Bingo
Monday, November 10, 2025
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Academy Pavilion
Free
Drop-in Children’s BINGO in the Park! Little ones can enjoy classic bingo fun with laughter, surprises, and friendly competition.
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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