It’s time to take out your 2019 calendar and start filling it up. Wake Forest offers several exciting events guaranteed to help you stay engaged and active, while kicking off the new year. From carnivals and musical performances to street festivals and community celebrations, everyone is sure to find an event to enjoy.

Rockin’ The Forest

Assembling some of the top musical acts in the area, the Rockin’ the Forest music series features a variety of bands that play rock-and-roll covers from classic to modern rock, with a little funk and original music thrown in. The series continues Friday, January 18 with The Legacy Motown Review, followed by Big Love on February 22, and The Catalinas on March 15. The Renaissance Centre, located at 405 S. Brooks Street, is the perfect place to enjoy a fun-filled night of great music and dancing. The bar will be open for wine, beer, and other refreshment purchases. For more information, visit wakeforestrencen.org.

MLK, Jr. Community Celebration

Several local churches and community organizations will come together to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during a free, public celebration on Thursday, January 24, at Friendship Chapel Baptist Church, located at 237 Friendship Chapel Road. Area residents are invited to attend the observance, beginning with a light meal at 6:00 PM, followed by the program at 7:00 PM. For more information, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “MLK.”

State Of The Town Address & Dinner

The 2019 Wake Forest State of the Town Address & Dinner is scheduled for Monday, February 18 at 6:00 PM at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre. Since 2009, the Town of Wake Forest has partnered with the Wake Forest Rotary Club to sponsor the annual event on the third Monday in February. The occasion offers Wake Forest citizens the opportunity to reflect on the Town’s list of accomplishments during the previous year and learn about its goals in the coming months. For more information, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “State of the Town.”

Wake Forest Mardi Gras Street Festival

Children and adults can enjoy a fun-filled day in downtown Wake Forest during the Wake Forest Mardi Gras Street Festival on Saturday, March 2. This family-friendly celebration is scheduled from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM and admission is free. The annual event features music, entertainment, face painting, and a walking parade for children and adults. There will also be a variety of contests and activities throughout the day. For more information and a schedule of events, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “Mardi Gras.”

Multicultural Day

Celebrate the local flavor of Wake Forest during Multicultural Day on Saturday, March 23, from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre. The event will include food samples from a diverse group of restaurants and stores, an artwork contest, a fashion show, and musical entertainment. For more information, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “Multicultural Day.”

Wake Forest Film Festival

Mark your calendars for a cinematic tour de force – the debut of the Wake Forest Film Festival held March 28-30. Entitled “A Light in the Forest,” this inaugural event aims to spotlight passionate, creative, and thought-provoking movies by some of today’s most promising and accomplished local, national, and international filmmakers. A three-day film showcase, the Wake Forest Film Festival will engage audiences with films of all lengths and genres, including short and feature, documentary, horror, animation, narrative, and student. Intended for both the general public and film professionals, the film festival is an opportunity for filmmakers to showcase their works in a unique location to a discerning audience. For more information, visit wakeforestrencen.org.

Flag Raising Ceremonies

From April through October, area residents are invited to attend Wake Forest’s monthly flag-raising ceremonies. Presented by local veterans’ organizations, these ceremonies are designed to honor the sacrifices of deceased Wake Forest veterans and their families. The services take place in Town Hall’s Centennial Plaza at 11:00 AM – typically on the first Monday of each month. Each ceremony includes patriotic songs, special remarks, a memorial wreath laying, and the ceremonial flag-raising. They are provided at no cost and are intended solely to honor departed veterans and their families. For more information, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “Flag-Raising.”

Dirt Day

Wake Forest’s 6th Annual Dirt Day will take place along South White Street in Downtown Wake Forest on Saturday, April 6 from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. A fun-filled outdoor event for children and adults, Dirt Day is guaranteed to help you shake off the winter blues. A variety of demonstrations and activities will be offered on gardening, landscaping, camping, and more. For detailed information visit, wakeforestnc.gov and search “Dirt Day.”

Friday Night On White

Our fourth season of Friday Night on White is quickly approaching! Presented by White Street Brewing Co., the 2019 edition of Friday Night on White will occur on the second Friday night of each month from April through September along South White Street in historic Downtown Wake Forest. The free concerts are scheduled from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM and feature a variety of popular local bands. To stay up-to-date on Friday Night on White, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “Friday Night on White.”

First Friday Flix, Flix4kidz, And Free At 3

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts offers a variety of free movie showings for people of all ages. On the first Friday of each month at 7:00 PM, they host “First Friday Flix.” These movies feature a variety of genres, including comedies, dramas, thrillers, and more, often with a seasonal or historical theme. Then, on the second Monday of each month at 10:30 AM, the Renaissance Centre offers “flix4kidz.” Intended for children 12 and under, flix4kidz features only G or PG-rated children’s and family films. Finally, there’s “Free at 3” on the second Monday of each month at 3:00 PM. Designed for adults ages 50 and over, “Free at 3” features a variety of film favorites and genres, including art and family films, as well as comedies, dramas, thrillers, and more. All of these movie showings are free and open to the public. For more information, visit wakeforestrencen.org.

Stay Connected!

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