Approved Special Events
December 2024
Lighting of Wake Forest
Centennial Plaza and Owen Avenue
Friday, December 6, 2024: 5 pm – 8 pm
Associated Road Closures/Impacts: 2 pm – 9 pm; Owen Avenue and Brooks Street
This is a Community Event.
Contact: Kent Lower
Jingle Bell Walk - *NOTE - THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED FOR THIS YEAR
The event starts and ends at the Northern Wake Senior Center.
Walkers will be on sidewalks from Northern Wake Senior Center to Renaissance Centre, Elm Ave., Brooks St., Owen Ave., White St., Holding Ave. and back to Norther Wake Senior Center.
Saturday, December 7, 2024: 10 am – 11 am
Associated Road Closures/Impacts: 8:30 am – 11:30 am; Elm Ave., Brooks St., Owen Ave., White St., Holding Ave.
This is a Community Event.
Contact: Ann Welton
Wake Forest Winter Artisan Market
Fidelity Bank Parking Lot, 231 S. White Street
Saturday, December 7, 2024: 10 am – 4 pm
This is a Community Event.
Contact: Kathy Street
#GatherGivesBack Toy Drive and Jeep Convoy
Convoy Starting at The Factory and driving through Wake Forest neighborhoods.
Sunday, December 8, 2024: 5 pm – 8 pm
Associated Road Closures/Impacts: 5 pm – 8:30 pm
This is a “Share the Road” event: Intersections will temporarily be blocked off for the convoy to go through causing traffic backup. Traffic alerts will be posted.
This is a Community Event.
Contact: Shane Dalziel
Frosty Run 10k & 5k to benefit Tri Area Ministry Food Pantry
Start and finish on East Owens Ave between S. White and Brooks Streets. Race day expo will be held in the Fidelity Bank parking lot.
Saturday, December 14, 2024: 8 am – 11 am
Associated Road Closures/Impacts: 5:30 am – 12:00 pm; East Owens Avenue
This is a “Share the Road” event.
This is a Community Event.
Contact: Brent Dorenkamp
APRIL 2025
Wake Forest Historic Half
Saturday, April 26, 2025: 7:30-11:00 am
“Share the Road” event with Associated Road & Greenway Impacts: 5:30 am – 12:00 pm; refer to event website for more information.
This is a Community Event.
Contact Brent Dorenkamp
May 2025
Meet In The Street
Saturday, May 5, 2025: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Associated Road Closures/Impacts: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm; South White Street from Wait Avenue to Elm Avenue; East Owen Avenue from South White to South Brooks Streets; South Brooks Street from East Jones Avenue to Elm Avenue
This is a Community Event.
Contact: Julie Kruse-John
June 2025
Cars & Carnivores Street Festival
Saturday, June 7, 2025: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Associated Road Closures/Impacts: 7:00 am – 6:00 pm; East Owen Avenue (Festival Street) and Brooks Street between Elm Avenue and Owen Avenue Extension
This is a Community Event.
Contact: Brad Walker
july 2025
July 4th Children’s Parade
Friday, July 4, 2025: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Associated Road Closures/Impacts: 9:00 am – 12:30 pm; North Main Street, West Juniper Avenue, South Avenue, South College Street, and Owen Avenue.
This is a Community Event.
Contact: Dawn Nakash
What's the difference between a Community Event and a Town-Organized Event?
Community Events
These are approved “special events” that a business, church, community group, or other organization runs, pays for, and plans after applying for and receiving a Special Event Permit from the Town of Wake Forest. Town staff approve an event location (Festival Street/East Owen Avenue, South White Street, etc.), and may require staff from Police, Public Works, and other departments, as necessary. Community Event Organizers are invoiced for the cost of Town staff required to work the event.
Examples of Community Events include the Wake Forest Rotary Club’s Cars & Carnivores Street Festival, Wake Forest Downtown, Inc.’s Forest Fest, and the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce’s Meet in the Street.
Town-Organized Events
These are events that the Town of Wake Forest creates, pays for, and plans. Town of Wake Forest staff manage the programming, including activities, logistics, and vendors. These are often referred to as “Town Events.”
Examples of Town events include Friday Night on White, Halloween Boo Bash, and the Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kickoff.