- COMMUNITY & EVENTS
Cary’s Lazy Daze festival celebrates 50 years with art, food and entertainment
Sunday, August 16, 2026 6:02PM
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CARY, N.C. (WTVD) –Cary’s Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival is returning for its 50th year, bringing more than 250 artists from 22 states to downtown Cary.
The longtime tradition will feature live demonstrations, original artwork, hands-on activities, food and entertainment across four stages. Returning attractions include Kids Daze, the Kid Collectors Market, Art Festival Bingo, roaming entertainers and an air-conditioned Play Zone.
The arts and crafts festival will be held Aug. 22-23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cary Town Hall Campus.
Visitors can view thefull festival map online.
With limited parking available downtown, festival organizers encourage attendees to leave their cars behind and take advantage of free shuttles or public transportation. Free shuttle buses will run from South Hills Mall & Plaza and Green Hope High School from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
GoCary remains fare-free on all fixed routes, with service to the Cary Depot, just steps from the festival entrance. More information on routes and schedules is available on the GoCary website.
A designated drop-off area will be available near the festival’s south entrance on Academy Street for visitors using rideshare services. Accessible parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Cary Fire Department Administration Lot on North Academy Street, across from the Cary Depot.
To prepare for the festival, the Cary Town Hall Campus and surrounding streets will close beginning at noon Friday, Aug. 21, and are expected to reopen by the end of the day Sunday, Aug. 23. North Academy Street will be closed from Ambassador Loop to Chapel Hill Road, and Wilkinson Avenue will be closed from North Academy Street to East Durham Road.
The Cary Town Hall lobby will remain open during the festival, offering visitors an indoor space to cool off.
People planning to attend can text LAZY to 888777 to receive event updates throughout the day
More information on the 50th annual Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival can be found on Carync.gov website.
ABC11 is a proud sponsor of the 50th annual Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival.
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