Approved Special Events

November 2026

Gobbler’s Run
The event starts and ends at the Wake Forest Boys & Girls Club, 325 S. Wingate St., Wake Forest, NC 27587. The course goes through downtown and along North Main Street
Thursday, Nov. 26 | 8-10:30 am
Associated Road Closures/Impacts: 6-11:30 am; South Wingate Street, downtown Wake Forest, and North Main Street
This is a “Share the Road” event. 
This is a Community Event.
Contact: Ashley Hohenberger

December 2026

Lighting of Wake Forest 
Owen Ave., Centennial Plaza, Town Hall Parking Lot, Brooks St. (NAPA to CID building)
Friday, December 4, 2026: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Associated Road Closures/Impacts: 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm; Owen Avenue and Brooks Street
This is a Community Event.
Contact: Erin Scholz 

Wake Forest Holiday Artisans Market
Saturday, Dec. 5 | 10 am-4 pm
Centennial Plaza and Town Hall parking lot
Associated Road Impacts: 6:30 am-6 pm
This is a Community Event.
Contact: Mary Petretich

Frosty Run
Saturday, Dec. 12 | 8-10 am
Start and finish on East Owens Avenue; race headquarters/expo in the Fidelity Bank parking lot, located next to East Owen Avenue
Associated Road Closures/Impacts: 5:30-11 am; East Owen Avenue
This is a “Share the Road” event. 
This is a Community Event.
Contact: Brent Dorenkamp

#GatherGivesBack Holiday Toy Drive and Jeep Convoy
Meeting/Departing at The Factory in Wake Forest and driving through downtown Wake Forest and Wake Forest neighborhoods. 
Sunday, December 13, 2026: 5-8 pm                   
Associated Road Closures/Impacts: 5-8:30 pm
This is a “Share the Road” event: Intersections will temporarily be blocked off for the convoy to go through causing traffic backup. Traffic alerts will be posted.
This is a Community Event.
Contact: Shane Dalziel 

What's the difference between a Community Event and a Town-Organized Event?

Community Events 

These are approved “special events” that a business, church, community group, or other organization runs, pays for, and plans after applying for and receiving a Special Event Permit from the Town of Wake Forest. Town staff approve an event location (Festival Street/East Owen Avenue, South White Street, etc.), and may require staff from Police, Public Works, and other departments, as necessary. Community Event Organizers are invoiced for the cost of Town staff required to work the event.

Examples of Community Events include the Wake Forest Rotary Club’s Cars & Carnivores Street Festival, Wake Forest Downtown, Inc.’s Forest Fest, and the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce’s Meet in the Street.

Town-Organized Events

These are events that the Town of Wake Forest creates, pays for, and plans. Town of Wake Forest staff manage the programming, including activities, logistics, and vendors. These are often referred to as “Town Events.”

Examples of Town events include Friday Night on White, Halloween Boo Bash, and the Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kickoff.

Town Meetings & Events Calendar