Runners, Music, and a Mayor Showdown: SpringsFest Returns to Downtown Holly Springs (NC) on April 11th
The NC Spring Classic will launch a full day of racing, vendors, food trucks, and family-friendly activities expected to draw thousands.
Holly Springs, NC Apr. 8, 2026 — Spring arrives in Holly Springs this weekend with a full-day celebration that blends fitness, community, and small-business energy into one of the town’s most anticipated annual traditions.
On Saturday, April 11th, downtown Holly Springs will once again host the North Carolina Spring Classic and SpringsFest, a pairing that brings runners to Main Street in the morning before transitioning into a town-wide festival expected to draw thousands by midday.
Organized in partnership with the Holly Springs Runners’ Project, the event has evolved into a uniquely local tradition, one where the finish line leads directly into food trucks, music, and a day spent downtown.
⚠️ PUBLISHER’S ALERT!
There Are Two SpringsFest Events in April—Plan for Both!
Holly Springs will host two separate SpringsFest events this April.
The April 11th event featured here is the race-day festival tied to the NC Spring Classic.
A second, larger SpringsFest (website), hosted by the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce, takes place on Saturday, April 25th, in downtown Holly Springs, featuring 150+ vendors, a larger Kids Zone, food trucks, live music, a car show, Touch-A-Truck, and a hot dog-eating contest.
Both events are free and family-friendly, but they are distinct events with different organizers and formats.
A Morning on the Move: The NC Spring Classic
The day begins early, as runners gather along Main Street for the 7th annual North Carolina Spring Classic, a race designed to welcome participants of all experience levels.
Runners can choose from three distances—5K, 8K, and 16K—with each course beginning and ending in downtown Holly Springs and winding through some of the community’s most scenic areas, including stretches near parks, neighborhoods, and the shaded trails around Bass Lake.
New this year, organizers have introduced ruck divisions across all distances, including an 8K ruck that serves as a qualifying event for the broader Holly Springs Ruck Challenge, adding a new layer of competition for participants carrying weighted packs.
More than 600 runners are expected to participate, with staggered starts beginning at 7:15 a.m. for the 16K, followed by the 8K and 5K.
Registration (website) remains open through Wednesday, April 10th at 11:59 p.m., with organizers noting that the event is capped to maintain a high-quality race experience.
The race will proceed rain or shine unless conditions are unsafe.
From Finish Line to Festival
By late morning, the energy shifts, but the crowd only grows.
As runners clear the course, downtown Holly Springs transitions into SpringsFest, beginning at 11:00 a.m. along the 200 block of Main Street. What follows is less a separate event and more a continuation of the morning, one that expands from race participants into a full community gathering. Organizers expect another strong turnout this year as families, neighbors, and visitors fill downtown streets for an afternoon centered on connection and local pride.
Main Street will be lined with food trucks and dessert vendors, while local businesses and artisans set up booths that stretch through the festival footprint. Live music and performances rotate throughout the day, creating a steady backdrop as attendees move between vendors, activities, and gathering spaces.
For families, the event prioritizes accessibility and participation. A dedicated kids’ zone will feature inflatables, games, and hands-on activities, while open areas invite people to linger, explore, and spend the afternoon at their own pace.
A Mayor vs. Mayor Sprint—and a Full Day of Performances
One of the day’s most anticipated moments arrives shortly after midday, when Holly Springs Mayor Mike Kondratick and Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert face off in a 100-meter “Mayor’s Race” at 1:00 p.m.
Framed as a lighthearted competition between neighboring towns, the race has quickly become a crowd favorite—equal parts civic pride and community entertainment.
The performance schedule begins earlier in the day with the National Anthem at 11:00 a.m., followed by a rotating lineup of dance performances, live bands, and interactive sessions, including line dancing and a closing Zumba dance party.
Not a runner? There’s a race for you, too!
The Rotary Club’s “Couch Potato Crawl,” a playful nod to participation over competition, will also be part of the fun. Register for this half-mile fun run here. Proceeds will be used to support the Holly Springs Food Cupboard (website).
What to Know Before You Go
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Race Location: Downtown Main Street (start/finish near Pace Yourself Run Co.)
Festival Location: 200 Block of Main Street
Festival Time: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
Parking: Race participants are encouraged to park at Womble Park and walk to downtown, as parking is limited during the festival. Festival parking will be available at Holly Springs Elementary School.