Looking for family fun this fall? The Town of Wake Forest has an exciting lineup of free community events and affordable entertainment options scheduled through the end of the year. With no details to plan, supplies to purchase, or messes to clean up, town events and programs make it easy to meet your neighbors, make new friends, and support your community. From connecting with nature to enjoying your favorite holiday tunes, it’s all covered. So save these dates and get ready to enjoy a fun-filled fall in the Forest.

Incredible Sights

Fall Foliage Tours
You’re invited to enjoy the vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows of autumn while also learning about native trees during two “Fall Foliage Tours” on Wednesday, October 25 at E. Carroll Joyner Park (701 Harris Road). Urban Forestry Coordinator Jennifer Rall will offer free one-hour tours at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Parents and children of all ages are invited and no registration is required. Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to meet at the information kiosk located adjacent to the Joyner Park parking lot. For more information, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “fall foliage.”

Wake Forest Historic District Walking Tours
The Town of Wake Forest will offer free Wake Forest Historic District Walking Tours during the fall. These tours will include areas along North Main Street, North Avenue, Front Street, and South Avenue. Along the way, each group will discuss the developmental and architectural history of the area, along with the significant men and women who lived in the homes. Pre-registration is required. For complete information, including dates and times, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “walking tours.”

Musical Nights Rockin’ the Forest

Assembling some of the top musical acts in the area, Rockin’ the Forest offers local audiences a chance to discover first-rate performers in a variety of musical genres. This season, the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts will feature two exciting concerts. The Luxuriant Sedans, a five-member band that blends the soul of blues with the energy of rock ’n roll, will perform on Saturday, October 7 at 8:00 PM. The second concert on Saturday, November 11 at 8:00 PM will feature Matt Phillips & The Back Pocket, a funkadelic band that adds a jazzy edge to soulful pop music. Advance tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. For more information, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “Rockin.”

Fearful Frights

Halloween Spooktacular The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department will sponsor its annual “Halloween Spooktacular” on Thursday, October 26, from 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM at the Flaherty Park Community Center (1226 N. White Street). This year’s festivities will include a costume contest, face painting, cupcake walk, pumpkin patch, and a variety of other ghostly games and activities. Free pumpkins will be given away (while supplies last). The best costumes will be featured on the Town’s social media pages, so get creative! This event is free and open to the public. Thank you to these generous event sponsors: Thompson Buick GMC; Vision Martial Arts; Birkner Insurance; Wells Family Dentistry; Mr. Roof of Raleigh; and Champion Windows, Sunrooms & Home Exteriors. For more information, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “Halloween.”

Christmas Lights

Wake Forest truly comes alive during the Christmas season, so we’ve assembled the complete list of holiday happenings guaranteed to put you in the Christmas spirit. For more information on any of the following holiday events, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “Christmas in Wake Forest.”

Lighting of Wake Forest
Experience the wonder and magic of the holiday season at the annual “Lighting of Wake Forest” on Friday, December 1. Sponsored by Traditions and presented by Wake Forest Downtown, Inc., the tree lighting will take place in Centennial Plaza – the gateway to the Wake Forest Town Hall – located at 301 S. Brooks Street. The evening’s festivities will get underway at 6:00 PM with the lighting of the Town’s 30-foot-tall Christmas tree, followed by Santa Claus’ exciting arrival aboard a Wake Forest fire truck. The event will also include performances by local choirs, a children’s craft activity, complimentary “Pictures with Santa” in the town hall lobby, a Tri-Area Ministry food drive, and free hot cocoa and cookies (while supplies last).

Downtown Holiday Open House
Visit historic Downtown Wake Forest and experience a hearty dose of holiday cheer during the Downtown Merchant’s Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 2. Sponsored by Wake Forest Downtown Inc., the Downtown Holiday Open House begins at 10:00 AM and will include special offers and complimentary refreshments at participating shops and restaurants, live entertainment, a food drive to benefit Tri-Area Ministry, and fun-filled activities for kids and families. A variety of special events and activities will also be offered throughout the day at no cost. Free “Pictures with Santa” will be offered from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the Cotton Company Event Gallery (located at 306 S. White Street). This holiday event is free and open to the public.

Wake Forest Holiday Artisans Market
The Wake Forest Holiday Artisans Market will take place on Saturday, December 2, from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM inside the Renaissance Centre in Downtown Wake Forest. Wake Forest ARTS and the Wake Forest Farmers Market are pleased to present the annual holiday market featuring handmade items in a wide range of prices.

Wake Forest Christmas Parade
Celebrate the holiday season at Wake Forest’s largest community event. Widely considered one of our area’s most popular holiday spectacles, Wake Forest’s annual Christmas parade features over 100 colorful floats, four high school marching bands, entries from local businesses, churches, schools, and civic groups, and, of course, Santa Claus! Sponsored by PowerSecure and presented by Wake Forest Downtown, Inc., the parade takes place on Saturday, December 9, at 1:00 PM – rain or shine.

Wake Forest Children’s Choir Holiday Concert
The Wake Forest Children’s Choir, under the direction of Kasie Brooks, will present an evening of holiday favorites on Tuesday, December 12, at 6:00 PM at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts. This event is free and open to the public.

Stay Connected!

Always be the first to know about Town of Wake Forest announcements, programs, and special events by signing up for E-Notifier at www.wakeforestnc.gov/enotifier.aspx, downloading the Town of Wake Forest app at www.wakeforestnc.gov/app.aspx, visiting the town’s website at wakeforestnc.gov, or following the town on social media @TownofWakeForest.