Look ahead with this monthly feature of Cary, Apex, Morrisville, Holly Springs, and Western Wake County events. In September 2026, top events include cultural festivals, bookish events, and live music.
Events are selected for a mix of geography, price points, and interests, with a focus on community. This post is updated with new events and event details throughout the month.
🍂 “Gilmore Girls” Trivia Night (September 2): Southern Peak will have a “Gilmore Girls”-themed trivia game at the Apex brewery at 6:30 p.m. on September 2. Assemble your Stars Hollow-fan friends for a team.
🚣♀️ Bands Bites Boats (September 4): The monthly Friday night series at Cary’s Bond Park Boathouse continues in September with live music, after-hours boat rentals, and food trucks. Enjoy it from Bond Lake or bring your own lawn chair, 5:30-7:30 p.m. on September 4. Free to attend. September’s band is My Cousin Skinny, food trucks are Beef Street and a Pig and The Flat Drum, and the beer vendor is Bond Brothers Beer Company.
📽️ Downtown Cary Park Movie Night: “Hamilton” (September 4): A free showing of the Lin-Manuel Miranda musical (rated PG-13) will be at the Great Lawn at Downtown Cary Park. Lawn seating setup (BYO blankets and chairs) starts at 5 p.m., with pre-screening activities starting at 6 p.m. The movie will begin at sunset. Food trucks will be on site.
🎶 Morrisville Music in the Park (September 4): It’s the last installation of the summer series. Enjoy live music from the band Echo Blvd at Morrisville’s Indian Creek Trailhead, 101 Town Hall Drive, on a Friday night. The event is 6:30-8:30 p.m. on September 4, with Empanadas & More food truck.
🥂 Girls Night Out at Home For Entertaining (September 9): The Downtown Cary shop opens its back patio for a ladies’ night out on one Wednesday each month, featuring free s’mores, wine, and pop-ups. From 6 to 8 p.m. on September 9, local artist Nancy Takenakga will have a pop-up gallery of paintings. Attending doesn’t require registration, but register if you want to play a game with Cary Mahjong Club.
🎞️ Beyond: The Cary Film Festival (September 10-13): This year’s lineup of events includes the opening night film of “Free Joan Little,” themed short film blocks, industry talks and filmmaker-focused workshops. See the full schedule and buy tickets here.
🎨 Fenton Art Festival (September 13): The fine art festival includes art activities and art for sale, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on September 13. The Sunday event in Cary’s Fenton development includes demonstrations by five local artists, art class sessions for kids, a collaborative community painting, and more.
🎶 Laurie Berkner Live (September 13): This one’s for the kids. The “We Are the Dinosaurs” singer will perform a series of best hits at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary on a Sunday afternoon. Doors at 1:30 p.m., music and dancing at 3 p.m. BYO stuffie. Tickets are $27.56-$34.
🐉 Asia Fest with Dragon Boat Racing (September 19): The event at Booth Amphitheatre in Cary attracts thousands, with “cultural displays, exciting games, health screenings, unique performances, and of course, the signature dragon boat race.” Doors open at 9 a.m. September 19, with the schedule of performances to come.
🐶 Canine-Con (September 19): This year’s event for dogs and their people–themed You’ve Got A Fur-iend In Me–will be 8-11 a.m. September 19 at Jefferson L. Sugg Farm Park at Bass Lake in Holly Springs. Activities include professional demonstrations, plus a free rabies/microchipping clinic, and dog-centric vendors.
🇮🇹 Festa Italiana (September 19): The festival in Apex celebrates Italian culture and heritage and donates money to local charities–this year, ALS United NC. Festa Italiana includes a culinary stage, a kids zone, live music, and food and beverage vendors. New this year: the inaugural cannoli-eating contest. Attend 11 a.m.-7 p.m. September 19 on Hunter Street and in the Apex Town Hall Courtyard.
🌎 International Festival (September 19): The Morrisville festival includes music, dance, and food from countries around the world, celebrating Morrisville’s diversity and community. 4-7 p.m. September 19 at Indian Creek Trailhead, 101 Town Hall Drive.
📚 Juliet Book Club: The Calamity Club (September 23): New Downtown Cary bookstore Juliet Books will host a ticketed discussion on the new best-selling book from the author of The Help, Kathryn Stockett. The book club, 6:30-8 p.m. September 23, is limited to 35 people, so purchase $7 tickets in advance. Ticket price includes a drink.
🌎 The Latino Arts Festival (September 26): The town-organized festival in Apex celebrates Latino heritage and culture with live music, booths that highlight traditions from Central and South America, arts and crafts, vendors, and food trucks. 3-7 p.m., September 26 at Apex Town Hall Campus.
💃🏻 American Dance Festival: Made in NC (Encore Performance) (September 26): Four short performances, 7:30-9 p.m. September 26, will be presented on stage at Downtown Cary Park. Read more about the festival in INDY’s previous story.
📚 Threshing Day Midnight Release Party (September 28-29): The next book from Rebecca Yarros in the Empyrean world will be released at midnight on September 29. Arcane Bookshop and Speakeasy will host a release party for the next romantasy book that all started with Fourth Wing. The event starts at 9 p.m. on September 28 in the Downtown Cary spot. Trivia, themed activities, and (of course) the book are included in the $40 ticket price.
What types of events do you want to see featured? Email line@theassemblync.com to share your thoughts.
