Cary Town Hall and most staffed facilities will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 27 and 28, for Thanksgiving, and will resume normal operations on Monday, December 1. Curbside collection will operate as scheduled Monday through Wednesday, and Thursday’s collection will move to Friday, November 28. For full details about service and operations changes, check out our latest news release.
Senior Accreditation Survey
We’re launching our Senior Center assessment form now through December 31, and your voice matters! As a proud state and nationally accredited Senior Center and an AARP Age-Friendly Community, Cary is committed to understanding and meeting the needs of older adults.
The second round of loose leaf collection begins on Monday, December 1. Place your leaves at the curb and out of the roadway by 7 a.m. up to one week ahead of each leaf collection period. For tips and to track your curbside collection, visit carync.gov/leaves and download our Cary Collects app for collection notifications. Want faster service — bag your leaves in brown paper bags or reusable containers and set them out for weekly yard waste pickup, or drop them off for free at the Citizen’s Convenience Center, 313 N. Dixon Avenue.
Registration Open for Residential Solar Lunch and Learn!
Solar energy plays an important part in reducing carbon emissions and building a sustainable and resilient community. Join us on Wednesday, December 3, to discover if solar energy is the right choice for you and enjoy a Q&A session with local experts. This program is virtual.
Our Farmer Training Program is accepting new applicants for the 2026 farming year! Through this initiative, farmers interested in launching their own agribusinesses can sublet affordable plots at Cary’s historic teaching farm. Program participants benefit from the shared use of infrastructure, including irrigation, farm equipment, refrigeration, a packing and washing station, and more. Interested individuals should have some farming experience and a desire to take their farming operations to the next level. The Farmer Training Program is hosted in collaboration with our nonprofit partners at Piedmont Conservation Council and includes access to a Farmer Handbook and sample business plans.
The North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival Returns for a 10th Season
Cary, North Carolina, and Koka Booth Amphitheatre welcome back the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival from November 15 through January 11. Take a walk through a world of handcrafted, illuminated lanterns showcasing numerous themes. Enjoy cultural performances, a mix of concessions, and interactive elements to excite guests of all ages. Get your tickets here.
Tuesday
Film: Dementia Friendly Screening - A Christmas Story (PG)
The Cary Theater, 10 a.m. This special dementia-friendly screening is presented by the Town of Cary and Dementia Capable Cares. Admission includes movie popcorn or candy and a drink. Groups with more than four people or care facilities should contact dementiafriendlymovie@gmail.com for group information. Tickets and information.
Environmental Advisory Board
Cary Town Hall, 6 p.m. Information is available on the calendar.
Greenway Committee
Cary Town Hall, 6 p.m. Information is available on thecalendar.
Film: Gen X: The Saga of Forever Chemicals | Work-In-Progress Screening (Not Rated)
The Cary Theater, 7 p.m. This event is a special, early screening of a rough cut of the GenX documentary. The filmmakers will join the audience to gain feedback and help shape the story before its debut in 2026. It is a story of passion, innovation, resilience, and how communities standing up have brought billion-dollar industries to their knees. Tickets and information.
Wednesday
Film: The Smashing Machine (R)
The Cary Theater, 2 p.m. Legendary MMA and UFC fighter Mark Kerr reaches the peak of his career but faces personal hardships along the way. Tickets and information.
Councilmember Jack Smith’s Farewell Celebration
MacGregor Downs Country Club, Doors at 5 p.m.; Program at 6 p.m. Join us as we celebrate Jack Smith and honor his remarkable contributions to our community as Cary’s longest-serving Councilmember, serving since 1989.
Cary Town Hall, 6 p.m. Information is available on thecalendar.
Public Art Advisory Board
Cary Town Hall, 6:15 p.m. Information is available on the calendar.
Film: Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (PG)
The Cary Theater, 7 p.m. The cinematic return of the global phenomenon follows the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s. When Mary finds herself at the center of a public scandal and the family faces financial trouble, the entire household grapples with the threat of social disgrace. The Crawleys must embrace change as the staff prepares for a new chapter with the next generation leading Downton Abbey into the future. Tickets and information.
Reception to Honor Councilmember Jennifer Bryson Robinson
Gathering House at Downtown Cary Park; 4:30 p.m. Join us as we honor Councilmember Jennifer Bryson Robinson for her dedicated service to the Cary community. Information is available on the calendar.
Film: 2025 Sundance Indigenous Shorts Tour (Not Rated)
The Cary Theater, 2 p.m. The 2025 Sundance Institute Indigenous Film Tour returns with a 98-minute theatrical program featuring seven short films from Indigenous filmmakers. Tickets and information.
Cary Night Market
Downtown Cary Park, 5 p.m. Discover locally-crafted treasures at this vibrant monthly gathering organized by The Night Market Co. Enjoy Triangle area artisans, eclectic goods, delectable food, drinks, and more!
The Cary Theater, 8 p.m. Enjoy an evening of smart, side-splitting comedy with Jeremy Alder and E.J. Masicampo. Jeremy draws from his unconventional Texas roots to deliver sharp, engaging humor, while E.J., named North Carolina’s Funniest Person in 2022, shares his insightful and relatable perspective on family, culture, and everyday life. Tickets and information.
Saturday
Cary Farmers Market
Downtown Cary Park, 9 a.m. Join the Cary Farmers Market at its location on Park Street next to Downtown Cary Park! Each Saturday, you will find a wonderful lineup of vendors offering all locally-made and locally-grown items. Shop for freshly-harvested produce, handmade local food, and artisan-made goods. Stop by the info booth to learn about their matching program for SNAP/EBT. Children can also get their very own Farmers Market Passport and participate in the Eat-A-Rainbow program, which encourages children to eat healthy, nutritious foods. Learn more about their new location, nutrition programs, and other information on the market'swebsiteor visit theirFacebookandInstagrampages for weekly information.
Community Garden Open Houses
Carpenter Parkway Community Garden, 10 a.m. McCrimmon Parkway Neighborhood Park Community Garden, 12:30 p.m. Explore our community gardens. Ask an expert about our garden program, learn about the plot rental lottery, and how to register for a garden bed. Tour the space and discover expert tips and tools for growing a greener garden at home. No pets allowed. All ages welcome. An adult must accompany children. Learn more at carync.gov/gardens.
Film: 2025 Sundance Indigenous Shorts Tour (Not Rated)
This event was previously scheduled for Saturday, November 8, but was rescheduled.
Downtown Cary Park’s Gathering House, 5 p.m. Author-illustrator Darren Farrell celebrates his new book with a cozy reading experience. Wear your pajamas, settle in, and enjoy slumber party vibes and silly surprises — perfect for young readers and grown-ups alike. Learn more.
Concert: Triangle Youth Jazz Lab and Jazz Band, Fall Performances
Cary Arts Center, 7 p.m. Concert featuring the Triangle Youth Jazz Lab and Triangle Youth Jazz Band. Tickets and information.
The Cary Theater, 3 p.m. Amélie, the heroine of Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s award-winning whimsical romance, is no ordinary young woman. A waitress in a Montmartre, Paris bar, Amélie observes people and lets her imagination roam free. One day, she suddenly finds her purpose in life: to solve other people’s problems. Tickets and information.
Downtown Cary Park-wide, 7 a.m. Get feast-ready with a park-wide fitness circuit featuring leg-burning exercises and cardio "side dishes"! Work up a sweat before Thanksgiving dinner and earn that second helping of pie.
The Cary Theater, 2 p.m. A lacerating biopic of Jake LaMotta, the middleweight boxing champion who was known as “The Bronx Bull” and “The Raging Bull” during his brief reign. Tickets and information.
Film: 2025 Sundance Indigenous Shorts Tour (Not Rated)
The Cary Theater, 8 p.m. Inspired by the acclaimed Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, "Valentín," a political prisoner shares his cell with Molina, a window dresser. Despite their contrasting backgrounds, the two develop an unexpected friendship as Molina entertains Valentín with tales of a Hollywood musical featuring his beloved actress, Ingrid Luna. Tickets and information.
Sunday
Film: 2025 Sundance Indigenous Shorts Tour (Not Rated)
