As the weather warms up, Fuquay-Varina comes alive with community events, outdoor concerts, local markets, and family-friendly celebrations. Whether you’re a longtime resident or new to the area, spring and summer are some of the best times to experience everything our town has to offer.
From live music in downtown to food truck festivals and fireworks under the stars, there’s something happening all throughout the sunny seasons.
Here are some of the can’t-miss events happening around town this season.
🎶 Follow Me to Fuquay-Varina Concert Series
Downtown Fuquay | 6:30 – 9:30 PM
One of Fuquay-Varina’s most beloved traditions, Follow Me to Fuquay-Varina (FM2FV) is a free outdoor concert series that brings live music, food trucks, and an unbeatable downtown atmosphere to the heart of town.
Bring your lawn chairs, grab dinner from a food truck, sip a local brew, and enjoy an evening of music while watching the sunset over downtown.
Perfect for date nights, family outings, or meeting friends for a relaxing evening outside.
Spring 2026 Concert Lineup
• April 9 – Chairmen of the Board
• April 16 – The Embers
• April 30 – Crush
• May 14 – Heads Up Penny
📍 East Academy Street will be closed between Main Street and South Fuquay Avenue from 4:00 PM – 10:30 PM on concert days.
Tip: Arrive early to grab a great spot!
🐣 Easter Fun in Fuquay-Varina
Springtime in Fuquay means Easter baskets, candy, and plenty of family fun throughout town.
Adaptive Egg Hunt
📅 March 27
⏰ 4:30 PM
📍 South Park Community Center
This sensory-friendly egg hunt is designed for children ages 10 and under, providing a comfortable and inclusive environment with games, crafts, and an indoor egg hunt.
Participants must pre-register for the event.
Fuquay-Varina Annual Egg Hunt
📅 March 28
⏰ 10:00 AM
📍 Fleming Loop Park
Bring your Easter basket and get ready for some egg-cellent fun as children hunt for eggs throughout the park. The Easter Bunny will be there to kick off the event and pose for photos.
Arriving early is recommended as this is always a popular event for families.
Downtown Candy Hop
📅 March 28
⏰ 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Main & Broad Streets
Immediately following the egg hunt, families can head downtown for the Downtown Candy Hop, hosted by the Fuquay-Varina Downtown Association.
Kids can hop from business to business collecting treats while enjoying fun photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny and Spring Chick.
Rain or shine, this event is always a sweet downtown tradition.
Egg-cellent Park Adventure
📅 March 19 – April 2
📍 Parks throughout Fuquay-Varina
This town-wide scavenger hunt encourages families to explore local parks while searching for 10 large decorated wooden eggs hidden throughout town.
Participating parks include:
• Mineral Spring Park
• South Park
• Falcon Park
• Fuquay-Varina Arts Center
• Honeycutt Road Park
• Carroll Howard Johnson Environmental Park
• James A. Campbell Park
• Library Park
• Fleming Loop Park
• Hilltop Needmore Town Park
Participants can download a worksheet and try to find and sketch the unique designs on each egg. 🐣GET YOUR PRINTABLE WORKSHEET HERE🎨
🎨 En Plein Air Paint-Off
📅 April 10th – 11th
📍 Downtown Fuquay-Varina & Fuquay-Varina Arts Center
Art lovers won’t want to miss the 15th Annual En Plein Air Paint-Off, where talented artists from across the region gather in Fuquay-Varina to capture the beauty of our town on canvas.
Throughout the two-day event, artists set up their easels around downtown and paint scenes inspired by Fuquay-Varina’s historic charm, local landmarks, and vibrant community atmosphere. Since 2012, this event has helped support local artists while bringing more public art and creativity into our downtown districts.
Visitors are encouraged to stroll through downtown, watch the artists at work, and experience Fuquay-Varina through the eyes of these talented painters.
The weekend wraps up with an Artist Reception and Live Auction, where attendees can meet the artists and bid on the beautiful pieces created during the event.
Admission to the reception is free, though registration is encouraged.
Artist Reception & Auction
📅 Saturday, April 11th
⏰ Reception: 6-9:30pm
A central highlight of the night will be our Live Auction, featuring our reimagined En Plein Air art, offering guests a chance to take home unique pieces inspired by the beauty of our community.
🥂 Downtown After Dark 📅 Saturday, April 11 ⏰ 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM 📍 Downtown Fuquay-Varina
Formerly known as Dinner in Downtown, Downtown After Dark returns with a fresh new format focused on connection, entertainment, and celebration. Guests will enjoy:
• Artisanal cocktails
• Gourmet charcuterie
• Live music and dancing
• FVDA Downtown Awards
• Live auction featuring local art
This elegant evening celebrates the heart of Fuquay-Varina’s downtown community.
Rain Location: Fuquay-Varina Arts Center
🎟 Ticket Options
Starlight Access – $100
Friends of FVDA – $85
🌱 Fuquay-Varina Growers Market
📅 Season Opening: April 11
📍 121 N. Main Street (Chamber of Commerce Parking Lot)
The Fuquay-Varina Growers Market returns every Saturday through September 5.
Spring Hours
April – May: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Summer Hours
June – September: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Local farmers, bakers, and artisans bring fresh produce, handmade goods, flowers, and more to this weekly community market.
The market runs rain or shine unless weather conditions become unsafe.
🎭 Wake on Stage
Hosted by United Arts Wake County, Wake on Stage is a unique event where local celebrities, business leaders, and elected officials take the stage to showcase their artistic talents. When? April 17th at 6pm Where? FV Arts Center Find tickets HERE!
Featured participants include:
• WRAL meteorologist Chris Michaels
• NC House Representative Mike Schietzelt
• TV personality Valonda Calloway
Proceeds benefit Artists in Schools, a program that places teaching artists in Wake County schools.
🌮 Food Truck Rodeo
📅 April 19
⏰ 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
📍 Downtown Varina Parking Lot
801 Durham Street
If you love trying new food, the Fuquay-Varina Food Truck Rodeo is a must-visit.
This lively downtown event features a wide variety of local food trucks, live music, craft beer, and a kid-friendly zone with activities for families.
Parking is available nearby at Action Park and Fuquay-Varina High School, both just a short walk away.
💼 Small Business Week
📅 May 4 – May 8
Small Business Week in Fuquay-Varina offers a full lineup of free seminars and resources designed to support local entrepreneurs and business owners.
Hosted in partnership with the Town of Fuquay-Varina, the week features workshops focused on business growth, strategy, and tools to help local businesses thrive.
🏃 Run the Quay & WakeMed Children’s Twinkle Dash
One of Fuquay-Varina’s most exciting and energetic annual traditions, Run the Quay brings runners of all ages from across the Triangle and beyond to compete on our scenic downtown race courses.
Participants can take part in a certified 5K or 10K race, both designed to be family-friendly while still offering a fun challenge for experienced runners. For those looking to push themselves even further, the 15-Quay Challenge allows runners to complete both the 5K and 10K races back-to-back.
Throughout the event, local businesses and community organizations set up booths and cheer stations before, during, and after the races, creating an exciting atmosphere that truly reflects the spirit of Fuquay-Varina. With strong support from the local business community, Run the Quay has quickly grown into one of the town’s most beloved annual events – and organizers are expecting the biggest race yet in 2026.
⭐ WakeMed Children’s Twinkle Dash
The fun isn’t just for adults – younger runners get their moment to shine in the WakeMed Children’s Twinkle Dash, a special race designed for kids ages 10 and under.
Led by the team from WakeMed Children’s and their mascot Twinkle, this exciting event gives kids a chance to join the race-day excitement with either a 50-yard or 100-yard run.
Event Details Dash Start Time: 9:30 AM Pre-Dash Check-In & Activities: 8:15 AM
Registration is $10 per child, with all proceeds supporting WakeMed Children’s and its mission to provide exceptional care for young patients and families in our community.
It’s the perfect way for the whole family to get involved in race day while encouraging healthy, active fun.
🍦 National Ice Cream Day Celebration
📅 July 19 | 4:00 – 6:00 PM
📍 Fuquay Mineral Spring Park
Any day is a good day for ice cream – but National Ice Cream Day calls for an extra special celebration.
The Town of Fuquay-Varina invites the community to gather at Fuquay Mineral Spring Park, the historic location where our town’s story first began, for a sweet summer afternoon.
In the early 1900s, visitors traveled from across the region to drink from the Fuquay Mineral Spring, believed to have healing properties. The spring quickly became a gathering place and played a major role in shaping the community that would eventually become Fuquay-Varina.
Today, the park remains a meaningful landmark in town – making it the perfect place to celebrate a summer tradition with friends, neighbors, and family.
Guests can enjoy free ice cream, iced tea, and lemonade while relaxing in the park and taking in a little piece of local history.
Independence Day Celebration
📅 July 1
📍 South Park | 900 South Main Street
One of Fuquay-Varina’s favorite summer traditions returns with an evening full of music, food, family fun, and fireworks.
Gates open at 6:00 PM, giving families plenty of time to grab a spot, enjoy the festivities, and settle in for the evening. Live music begins at 6:30 PM, creating the perfect soundtrack for a summer night in the park.
Visitors can enjoy a variety of local food trucks, cool off at the South Park splash pad (open from 6:00–8:30 PM), and relax with friends and neighbors while waiting for the main event.
The fireworks show begins at sundown (typically around 9:15 PM), lighting up the sky over South Park and wrapping up the celebration in true patriotic fashion.
Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs and arrive early to claim the best viewing spot.
Event Notes • This is an alcohol-free event • Coolers are allowed • The Town of Fuquay-Varina ordinance prohibits animals in the event area, so please leave pets comfortably at home
It’s a fun, family-friendly way to celebrate Independence Day and one of the most anticipated community events of the summer.
🌿 A Perfect Spring Weekend in Fuquay-Varina
If you’re looking for a great way to experience Fuquay-Varina, here’s what a perfect spring weekend might look like:
Saturday Morning
Start the day at the Fuquay-Varina Growers Market with coffee, fresh baked goods, and local produce.
Saturday Afternoon
Stroll through downtown shops or catch artists painting during the En Plein Air Paint-Off.
Saturday Evening
Head back downtown for live music, dinner, or a special event like Downtown After Dark.
Thursday Evening
Grab your chairs and enjoy a Follow Me to Fuquay concert with friends and neighbors.
Weekends like this are what make Fuquay-Varina such a special place to live.
🌼 Why We Love Living in Fuquay-Varina
Events like these are just one of the many reasons people love calling Fuquay-Varina home. With a strong sense of community, vibrant downtown districts, and a calendar full of events for all ages, there’s always something happening around town.
If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or relocating to Fuquay-Varina, our team at Front Porch Realty would love to help you find your perfect place to call home🔑
📩 Reach out anytime – we’re always happy to help you discover everything Fuquay-Varina has to offer. fprealtync@gmail.com 📲919.577.0175 📍604 N. Main St, Fuquay-Varina, NC, 27526
