All Out and About events listed below are independently curated by the Holly Springs Update publisher. None are paid advertisements, nor the result of barter or in-kind exchanges.
Want to include your event in Out and About? Send details via email to news@hollyspringsupdate.com.
Note: Listings are presented in the following order:
- Marquee Events
- Upcoming
- Regional
- Holly Springs
- Apex
- Fuquay-Varina
- Sports
Holly Springs, NC, October 16, 2026
MARQUEE EVENTS
Friday, October 16 – Sunday, October 25
North Carolina State Fair
NC State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC
The annual North Carolina State Fair features amusement rides, food vendors, livestock and agricultural exhibits, entertainment, and competitive shows, running October 15–25.
Oct 16–25
Friday, October 16 – Sunday, October 18
Homegrown Music Fest – Waterfall Stage (NC State Fair)
NC State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC
The NC State Fair’s Homegrown Music Fest features local and regional acts performing throughout the day at the Waterfall Stage, with a different lineup each day.
Oct 16: Pressley Laton (11 AM, 12:30 PM), Kyd Canary (2 PM, 3:30 PM), The Old Ceremony (5:30 PM)
Oct 17: HopeFront Music (11 AM, 12:30 PM, 2 PM), XOXOK (3:30 PM, 5:30 PM)
Oct 18: Anna Mertson (11 AM, 12:30 PM), Também (2 PM, 3:30 PM, 5:30 PM)
October 16 & 18
Carmen
Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E South St, Raleigh, NC
NC Opera presents Bizet’s Carmen, the fiery tale of seduction, jealousy, and betrayal sparked when an independent woman draws a soldier into obsession, featuring bold melodies and irresistible rhythms.
Oct 16: 7:30 PM · Oct 18: 2:00 PM
Saturday, October 17
Holly Springs Community Band – 20th Anniversary Concert
Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
Holly Springs Community Band celebrates its 20th Anniversary Season with a free concert; tickets are required but free, with attendees invited to bring canned goods or nonperishable food donations for the Holly Springs Food Cupboard.
7:30 PM
SuperFun Saturday
The Halle Cultural Arts Center, 237 N Salem St, Apex, NC
A free, family-friendly arts and crafts event for children ages 4–12, held on the first and third Saturday of most months; no registration required, but a parent or guardian must accompany children.
10:30 AM–12:30 PM
Haunted Trail: Family Trail
Carroll Howard Johnson Environmental Education Park, 301 Wagstaff Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC
A light-hearted, family-friendly Halloween trail walk where costumed attendees interact with characters along the path; parking is available at the Fuquay-Varina Community Center with shuttle service or a walking trail to the park.
5:00–6:00 PM
Haunted Trail: Full Fright
Carroll Howard Johnson Environmental Education Park, 301 Wagstaff Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC
A frightening nighttime walk through the dark woods with surprises at every turn; not recommended for children under 10, and children ages 10–12 should be accompanied by an adult.
7:00–9:00 PM
Sunday, October 18
Michael Blaustein – The Taste Me Tour: The Final Leg
Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts (Meymandi Concert Hall), 2 E South St, Raleigh, NC
Stand-up comedian Michael Blaustein, known for viral clips with over 900 million views and co-hosting the podcast Stiff Socks, performs the final leg of his sold-out Taste Me Tour.
7:00 PM
Upcoming Dates
Saturday, October 24
Free Mini Athletics Taster Class
SportHQ Cary, 107 Edinburgh South Dr #100A, Cary, NC
Mini Athletics Raleigh hosts a free, coach-led track and field taster class for kids ages 2 to 7, split into three age-based 45-minute sessions, with goodie bags
9:30 AM–12:30 PM
Saturday, November 7
Sons of the American Legion Chili Cook-Off
American Legion Post 116, 6400 Johnson Pond Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC
Sons of the American Legion hosts a chili cook-off with judged prizes up to $300 and a People’s Choice award, plus public taster tokens and individual chili bowls for sale; pre-registration is $20 (day-of $30) and closes November 5.
Sports
Saturday, October 17
San Diego Wave FC at NC Courage (Shield Night)
First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park, 101 Soccer Park Dr, Cary, NC
7:00 PM
HOLLY SPRINGS
Friday, October 16
Live Music
Richard Boston
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM
Live Music
Thousand Ways
Niche Wine Lounge, 109 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
8:00–11:00 PM
Saturday, October 17
Event
Complimentary Wine Tasting with Cassidy Layne of MainVine Wines
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
3:00–6:00 PM
Live Music
Angela Bingham (voice) & Frank Longino (piano)
Pimiento Tea Room, 200 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC
6:00–9:00 PM
Live Music
Neon Nights
Switch Craft Beer & Cocktails, 161 Oakview Commons Dr, Holly Springs, NC
6:00–9:00 PM
Live Music
Garland Mason
Wine 100, 100 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
7:00–9:00 PM
Sunday, October 18
Live Music
The Cover Society
Switch Craft Beer & Cocktails, 161 Oakview Commons Dr, Holly Springs, NC
4:00 PM
APEX
Friday, October 16
Live Music
Southgate 40
The Local, 2237 Old US 1, Apex, NC
7:00 PM
Live Music
Police & Thieves
Shakey Ray’s Tavern, 5160 Sunset Lake Rd, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM
Live Music
Afterburn Band (8 PM) & DJ Brian (10 PM)
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM
Live Music
Mysti Mayhem
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Apex, 209 N Salem St, Apex, NC
7:00 PM
Saturday, October 17
Live Music
Motel Keys
Shakey Ray’s Tavern, 5160 Sunset Lake Rd, Apex, NC
8:00 PM
Live Music
LaureNicole Band
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
8:00 PM
Live Music
Luke Schofield
The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge, 225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
8:00–11:00 PM
Sunday, October 18
Event
Jeep Meetup
The Backyard Bar, 2901 US 64 W, Apex, NC
1:00–3:00 PM
Live Music
Peak City Band
South Line Brewing, 2141 E Williams St, Apex, NC
2:00 PM
FUQUAY-VARINA
Friday, October 16
Event
8th Annual Whole Hog & Pork Shoulder Cook Off – Pork Cook Off, Bonfire & Partly Rowdy Band
American Legion Post 116, 6400 Johnson Pond Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00 PM
Live Music
Zach Burrus
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Varina, 505 Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM
Live Music
George Berkley
Aviator Taphouse, 600 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM
Live Music
Infinity’s End
Aviator Pizzeria, 601 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM
Live Music
Jam Biscuit
Aviator Hangar Bar, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:30–11:30 PM
Saturday, October 17
Event
8th Annual Whole Hog & Pork Shoulder Cook Off – Plate Sales & The Whiskey River Band
American Legion Post 116, 6400 Johnson Pond Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC
American Legion Post 116 hosts its 8th annual cook-off with judging, a bonfire, and live music Friday, followed by Saturday plate sales ($12 for BBQ pork, two sides, and tea) with live music from The Whiskey River Band; proceeds benefit the post, sanctioned by the NC Pork Council.
12:00–5:00 PM
Event
Family Fall Festival – Highland Cows & Goats / Live Music
Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Fuquay, 2912 N Main St, Suite 100, Fuquay-Varina, NC
Oaklyn Springs Brewery and Rocking JH Farms host a family fall festival featuring highland cows and goats from 3–6 PM, followed by live music from 6–9 PM.
3:00–9:00 PM
Live Music
Derek Chase Allman
Aviator Taphouse, 600 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM
Live Music
DW and the Spirit Kings
Aviator Pizzeria, 601 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
7:00–10:00 PM
Live Music
Red Bear
Aviator Hangar Bar, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
8:00–11:00 PM
Sunday, October 18
Live Music
Longleaf Soul
Aviator Amphitheater, 688 Brewing Dr, Fuquay-Varina, NC
12:30–3:30 PM
Live Music
Jared Place
Aviator Taphouse, 600 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina, NC
2:00–5:00 PM