Forest Fest

Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 10 am-2 pm
Downtown Wake Forest

Join us along Festival Street (Owen Avenue) and Brooks Street (including Centennial Plaza and Town Hall Parking Lot) in downtown Wake Forest on Saturday, April 18, for the 5th Annual Forest Fest!

Presented by Wake Forest Downtown, Inc. in partnership with the Town of Wake Forest, the Wake Forest Historical Museum and the Wake Forest Farmers Market. This fun-filled event will feature entertainment, the Wake Forest Farmers Market, a tree seedling giveaway, educational opportunities, children's activities, vendors, food options, and much more! This family friendly event celebrates the outdoors and the heart of Wake Forest!

Wake Forest Downtown seeking 2026 Forest Fest vendors & nonprofits

We are now seeking non-profit organizations and vendors for this event! Food vendors have already been secured, so please do not apply if you fall into that category. Applications are open from Friday, Jan. 9, through Sunday, Feb. 8.

Interested vendors and non-profits are encouraged to note the following:

The fee for vendors is $75, while non-profits can participate for free.
Due to event space constraints, WFD reserves the right to limit acceptance of valid applications.
The Forest Fest committee, comprised of WFD members, will review applications for validity, relevance, and available space.

Apply Now

2025 Forest Fest

The information below pertains to our 2025 Forest Fest. Details about our 2026 event will be provided in the coming days.

2025 Entertainment & Activities

Arbor Day Tree Seedling Giveaway - Town staff and volunteers will distribute 2,700 oak, river birch, and redbud seedlings - while they last.
Free Paper Shredding & Electronics Recycling Event - The Town of Wake Forest will host a Paper Shredding & Electronics Recycling Event on Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the parking lot of the Northern Wake Senior Center, 235 E. Holding Ave.
Musical Entertainment
- Live Music with Loos Change 10 am-Noon
- DJ 12pm-2 pm
Blooming In the Forest - Local Floral Arrangement Competition
Golf Simulator - Mobile Mulligans Golf
Hula Hoop Jam
Scrap Exchange
9 hole mini-golf course
Kerr Family YMCA - Activities for children
The Wake Forest Historic 13.1 - Take in the sights and sounds of our beautiful community and start your day with a half marathon, 3 mile run, or 1 mile run before visiting Forest Fest.
- Road impact
Wake Forest Farmers Market - Extended hours 8 am-2 pm

Parking

Free parking is available along several side streets and parking lots in downtown Wake Forest, including Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

However, some parking lots may appear to be public, when in fact they are private, such as the Renaissance Plaza parking lot. Read all signage in the parking lot to determine what type of lot you are using. Private lots are intended for business patrons only.