Apex (NC) PeakFest Returns May 2nd With New Location, 45th Anniversary Milestone
Annual PeakFest Festival moves to Town Hall Campus; 100+ vendors, two stages of live entertainment and 45,000 attendees expected
Apex, NC, May 1, 2026 — PeakFest, Apex’s longest-running community festival, will mark its 45th year on Saturday, May 2nd, with a new footprint centered on Hunter Street and the Town Hall Campus.
The free event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 73 Hunter St. and is expected to draw more than 45,000 attendees. What began in 1980 as a small arts-and-crafts gathering in a church parking lot has grown into Apex’s signature community event, bringing together artists, performers, nonprofits, and local businesses for a full day of activities.
This year’s festival shifts away from its traditional Salem Street location. Hunter Street will be closed to vehicles between Salem Street and Laura Duncan Road from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. to accommodate the event.
More than 100 vendors will be set up across the festival footprint, offering arts and crafts, food trucks, and community engagement opportunities. Attendees can expect live music and performances throughout the day, along with a Kids Zone with inflatables and roving street performers.
Stage schedule
Two stages will host performances throughout the day:
Arch Stage
9:45 a.m. — Police and Thieves
11:45 a.m. — MikeMickXer
2:00 p.m. — Hired Guns
Tunstall Stage
9:00 a.m. — Kinderdance
10:00 a.m. — Apex Performance Academy
12:00 p.m. — Infinity Ballet
2:00 p.m. — Bach 2 Rock
What to expect
PeakFest is designed as a full-day, walkable event across the Town Hall Campus. Along with performances and food, attendees can:
Shop from local artists and makers
Visit booths hosted by Town of Apex departments
Connect with local nonprofits and community sponsors
Purchase licensed “Peak of Good Living” merchandise
Explore downtown Apex businesses before or after the festival
Organizers encourage attendees to plan to stay for multiple hours, as programming and performances are spread throughout the day.
What to know before you go
Several logistical changes accompany the new location:
Road closure: Hunter Street will be closed from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Parking impacts: Town Hall, arch lot, and the lot near John M. Brown Community Center will close at 6:00 a.m.; a Town Hall Campus lot near Mason Street will remain open
Transit: GoApex Route 1 will operate on a detour
Social district: The festival is outside the district boundaries; cups must be discarded before entry
Pets: Not allowed within festival boundaries
Weather: Event will be held rain or shine
Attendees are encouraged to review downtown parking options and plan to walk into the festival area.
As PeakFest reaches its 45th year, the event continues to serve as a large-scale gathering point for Apex residents and visitors, combining arts, entertainment, and community engagement into a single-day event that reflects the town’s continued growth.
