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.
Paws and Pals: Oodles of Doodles!
March 23, 2025
3 p.m.
Park Street Arena
Free
Calling all Doodle devotees! Bring your curly-coated companion to Downtown Cary Park for a tail-wagging Doodle Meetup. Whether your pup loves to bounce, play, or charm everyone they meet, this event is the perfect spot to celebrate all things Doodle. Connect with fellow Doodle owners, share training tips, and make new friends—furry and human alike. Don’t miss this paws-itively delightful gathering!
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
April 10, 2025: More info
April 24, 2025: More info
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!
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.
- April 11 – Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
- May 23 – Moana 2
- June 13 – The Lion King
- July 3 – Top Gun
- July 11 – Shrek
- 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
Spring BreakOUT!
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Downtown Cary Park
Free
Put your ninja skills to the test at our Spring BreakOUT! in the Park! Get ready for a day packed with family-friendly fun and exciting ninja-themed adventures for kids of all ages! Kids can also enjoy lawn games, and hands-on crafts.
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Imagination Blocks and Lawn Games |Park St. Arena
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Art Cart and Ninja Name Activity | The Nest Pavilion
- 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.: “Ninja Training” with The Little Gym | Academy Pavilion
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: LEGO Ninjago Town Building and Ninja Spinning Attacks with Play-Well TEKnologies | The Great Lawn Pavilion
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Geluna Gelato Cart | The Great Lawn
- 12 – 4 p.m.: Ninja Nation Obstacle Course and Warped Wall | Frantz Square: Lawn
- 12 – 4 p.m.: Food Trucks available at Park St. Cts.
Spring BreakOUT!
Thursday, April 3, 2025
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Downtown Cary Park
Free
Step back in time and explore the world of dinosaurs at Spring BreakOUT! in the Park! Get ready for a dino-mite day packed with family-friendly fun, hands-on activities, and prehistoric adventures—all for free! Kids can enjoy dino-themed crafts, lawn games, a scavenger hunt, and even meet Boulder the Dinosaur! Whether you’re here to play, create, or explore, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Imagination Blocks and Lawn Games | Park St. Arena
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Art Cart | The Nest Pavilion
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Dino Footprint Scavenger Hunt (starts at Frantz Square Lawn)
- 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Free Spirited Artistry Face Painter & Fairy Hair Artist | Frantz Square: Lawn
- 11 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.: Dino Facts and Story Time with Boulder the Dinosaur | Frantz Square Lawn
- 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Geluna Gelato Cart on | The Great Lawn
- 11:30 – 12:30 p.m.: Roving ‘Dino Handler’ with Boulder the Dinosaur
- Food Trucks available | Park Street
- 1 – 1:50 p.m.: Youth Performance by The Story Ship: Diggery Digger’s Dino Adventure | Great Lawn Pavilion
- 1:30 – 4 p.m.: Roving ‘Dino Handler’ with Boulder the Dinosaur
Pimento Cheese Festival
Saturday, April 12, 2025
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free
Celebrate pimento cheese with samples, pimento cheese-focused menu items from food trucks and vendors, and a pimento cheese sculpting contest. Also, enjoy entertainment throughout the day.
Drop-in Puzzling & Puzzle Swap Meet
April 14, 2025
2 to 9 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.
Spring A Cappella Concert with Chordination
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Great Lawn Pavilion
Free
‘Chordination’ invites you to Downtown Cary Park for an unforgettable evening of music and entertainment, featuring talented collegiate a cappella performers. Enjoy a high-energy concert filled with stunning harmonies and dynamic vocal arrangements in a beautiful outdoor setting. Bring your friends and family, grab a blanket or chair, and get ready for a night of incredible music under the stars!
Children’s Day Festival
Saturday, April 19, 2025
1 to 7 p.m.
Free
This celebration focuses on the importance of the next generation, our children, with the intent of helping them develop an appreciation for the colorful mosaic of cultures in this area. This event features stage performances by children, and a wonderful array of craft activities. The Children’s Day Festival of Cary is organized by the American Turkish Association of NC as a gift to the community and made possible in part, by a grant from the Town of Cary
Children’s Bingo
April 21, 2025
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Great Lawn Pavilion
Free
Join us 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 and friendly competition—a simple pastime for our youngest park enthusiasts!
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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