North Carolina events › Triangle › Wake Forest
Wake Forest, NC is the Wake County town north of Raleigh where Wake Forest College began; the college moved to Winston-Salem after World War II. Below: upcoming events, Joyner Park and the greenways, downtown, history and estimated drive times, from official town pages.
- CountyWake Countyofficial town pages
- 2025 Estimate58,147Census Bureau estimate
- Growth Since 2020+21.1%estimate vs April 2020 base
- To RTPabout 36 minestimate, no traffic
About Wake Forest
Wake Forest was incorporated on March 26, 1880, as the Town of Wake Forest College, and rechartered as the Town of Wake Forest in 1909. The college moved to Winston-Salem after World War II, and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary took over the campus.
E. Carroll Joyner Park covers 117 acres with a 1,000-seat lawn amphitheater and three miles of paved trails. The town says there are "over 20 miles" of greenways, the first built in 2003.
Downtown, which the town calls its Renaissance Area, has the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for concerts and plays, the free Wake Forest Historical Museum in the Calvin Jones House, a Saturday farmers' market behind Town Hall, and free Friday Night on White concerts on the second Friday of each month from April to September.
Growth: From the town's history page: "Beginning in the 1990s and continuing today, Wake Forest has seen an explosive growth in its population, now having close to 55,000 residents" (the page does not date that figure). Census Bureau estimates put Wake Forest at 58,147 people in July 2025, +21.1% since April 2020. See Triangle growth towns.
Anything marked “Not confirmed” was not stated on an official page when we looked on November 3, 2026. Check with the town, venue or business before you go.
Wake Forest Events
This list updates itself from our checked North Carolina calendar: past events drop off each day. Every date was read on an official town, venue or organizer page; times or prices the page did not state say so.
24 upcoming events in Wake Forest on our checked calendar, next up: Book Talk with Mack Paul, author of Miracle Road: The Story of Research Triangle Park (Nov 8); Adam Pascal: Broadway Unplugged (Nov 14); Paper Shredding Event (Nov 14).
This list is rebuilt from our North Carolina events dataset (calendar last re-checked Nov 3, 2026). Every date and price was read on the organizer’s own page; “See event page” means the organizer does not publish one. Plans change, so check the organizer’s page before you drive.
Wake Forest This Weekend (Nov 7-8, 2026)
| Event | When | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Book Talk with Mack Paul, author of Miracle Road: The Story of Research Triangle Park | Sun, Nov 8 (2:00 PM-4:00 PM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | Free |
Upcoming Wake Forest Events
| Event | When | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Book Talk with Mack Paul, author of Miracle Road: The Story of Research Triangle Park | Sun, Nov 8 (2:00 PM-4:00 PM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | Free |
| Adam Pascal: Broadway Unplugged | Sat, Nov 14 (2:00 PM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | Tickets start at $30, $45 and $50 |
| Paper Shredding Event | Sat, Nov 14 (10:00 AM-2:00 PM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | Price not confirmed on the official page |
| Stars of the Forest Audition Information (auditions) | Tue, Nov 17 (4:30 PM-7:30 PM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | Price not confirmed on the official page |
| Historical Walking Tour: SEBTS Campus | Fri, Nov 20 (1:00 PM-2:30 PM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | Free; pre-registration required |
| Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kick-Off | Sat, Nov 21 (12:00 PM-4:00 PM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | Price not confirmed on the official page |
| Lighting of Wake Forest | Fri, Dec 4 (5:00 PM-8:00 PM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | Price not confirmed on the official page |
| Canned Food Drive | Sat, Dec 5 (9:00 AM-12:00 PM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | Price not confirmed on the official page |
| Downtown Holiday Open House | Sat, Dec 5 (10:00 AM-6:00 PM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | Price not confirmed on the official page |
| Community Christmas Dinner (79th) | Mon, Dec 7 (6:30 PM-8:30 PM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | Price not confirmed on the official page |
| Calls from Santa | Thu, Dec 10 (6:00 PM-8:00 PM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | No cost |
| Strolling White Street Happy Hour | Thu, Dec 10 (5:00 PM-7:00 PM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | Free; registration encouraged |
| Little Women (Firebox Theatre Company) | Dec 11-13 (7:00 PM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | Price not confirmed on the official page |
| Snowball Dance | Fri, Dec 11 (6:30 PM-8:30 PM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | $15 per person; register by Nov 30 |
| Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience: Run Run Rudolph | Dec 17-19 (7:30 PM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | Tickets start at $40 and $45 |
| Historical Walking Tour: Downtown Wake Forest | Fri, Dec 18 (1:00 PM-2:30 PM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | Free; pre-registration required |
| Stars of the Forest Showcase of Talent | Sat, Jan 9, 2027 (2:00 PM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | Tickets start at $10 |
| MLK Community Celebration | Thu, Jan 21, 2027 (6:30 PM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | Free |
| Lucky 13 (mystery with treats) | Sat, Feb 6, 2027 (11:00 AM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | Tickets start at $55 |
| Cleveland Celtic Ensemble: A Concert by Candlelight | Sat, Feb 27, 2027 (7:30 PM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | Tickets start at $30 |
| Let's Be Frank with Sachal Vasandani & Christian Tamburr | Thu, Apr 1, 2027 (7:30 PM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | Tickets start at $25 (free to donors) |
| Linda Davis: Songs, Stories, & Laughter | Apr 15-16, 2027 (7:30 PM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | Tickets start at $30, $45 and $50 |
| The Suits | Sun, May 2, 2027 (2:00 PM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | Tickets start at $25 |
Running for Weeks in Wake Forest
Not checked for each date: these run for weeks, and some open only on certain days or nights.
| Event | When | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evening Holiday Walk at Joyner Park | Dec 5-31 (6:00 PM-9:00 PM) | Wake Forest · Triangle | Free |
Wake Forest Events by Month
- November 2026 6 in Wake Forest
- December 2026 11 in Wake Forest
- January 2027 2 in Wake Forest
- February 2027 2 in Wake Forest
More nearby: The Triangle, NC.
Annual Events and Unconfirmed Dates
These return each year or had a date we could not fully confirm. The date shown is the last one an official page printed; plan with the organizer, not with this table.
| Event | Last Or Listed Date | Venue | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Fest | 2026-04-18 | Festival Street (Owen Avenue) and Brooks Street, Downtown… | Annual; next date not announced |
| Friday Night on White | 2026-09-11 | Downtown Wake Forest | Annual; next date not announced |
| Diwali Festival | 2026-10-03 | E. Carroll Joyner Park | Annual; next date not announced |
Things to Do in Wake Forest
| Place | Type | Address | Hours | What It Is |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holding Park Aquatic Center | Attraction | Holding Park, Wake Forest, NC 27587 (street address Not confirmed) | Seasonal: 2026 season ran May 23 through Labor Day; 2027 dates Not confirmed | Seasonal outdoor pool with six-lane lap pool, two water slides and a children's pool. |
| Wake Forest Historical Museum | Museum | 414 N. Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587 | Closed Monday; Tue-Sun 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; guided Calvin Jones House tours Fri-Sun 2 p.m. | Museum with the historic Calvin Jones House, gardens and exhibits on the town, Wake Forest College, the Mill Village and Forestville. |
| Wake Forest Renaissance Centre | Arts Venue | 405 S. Brooks St., Wake Forest, NC 27587 | Not confirmed | Downtown arts center hosting concerts, plays, exhibits and recitals; address from the town Attractions page. |
| Wake Forest Farmers' Market | Market | South Taylor Street (behind Town Hall), Wake Forest, NC 27587 | Saturdays year-round: April-October 8 a.m.-noon; November-March 9 a.m.-noon (the town Attractions… | Saturday market with produce, pasture-raised meats, eggs, honey, flowers and baked goods; SNAP accepted. |
| Downtown Wake Forest (Renaissance Area) | Downtown | White Street and surrounding blocks, Wake Forest, NC 27587 | Not confirmed | Walkable downtown district with art galleries, specialty shops, coffee companies, restaurants and boutiques. |
| Strike and Barrel | Attraction | 413 Brooks Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587 | Not confirmed | Venue for snacks and games (including axe throwing), named on the town's Food & Drink Exploration page. |
Parks and Greenways
| Place | Type | Address | Hours | Cost | Dogs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E. Carroll Joyner Park | Park | 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587 | Open daily dawn to dusk | Not confirmed | Dogs must be on a leash; clean up after your dog (town park page) |
| J.B. Flaherty Park | Park | 1100 N. White Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587 | Open daily dawn to dusk | Not confirmed | Dogs must be on a leash; clean up after your dog (town park page) |
| Flaherty Dog Park | Park | 1100 N. White Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587 | Closed about 30 minutes weekday mornings 8-10 a.m. for cleaning; closed Monday mornings during… | Not confirmed | Fenced off-leash dog park with posted rules of conduct and pet… |
| Holding Park | Park | Wake Forest, NC 27587 (street address Not confirmed) | Inclusive playground open daily dawn to dusk | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Joey McCrea Wiggins Park | Park | 416 N. Taylor St., Wake Forest, NC 27587 | Playground dawn to dusk; sprayground Sun 1-8 p.m., Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (2026 season) | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Kiwanis Park | Park | 400 E Holding Avenue, Wake Forest, NC 27587 | Open daily dawn to dusk | Not confirmed | Dogs must be on a leash; clean up after your dog (town park page) |
| Tyler Run Park | Park | 830 Pineview Drive, Wake Forest, NC 27587 | Open daily dawn to dusk | Not confirmed | Dogs must be on a leash; clean up after your dog (town park page) |
| Smith Creek Soccer Center | Park | 690 Heritage Lake Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587 | Open daily dawn to dusk | Not confirmed | Dogs must be on a leash; clean up after your dog (town park page) |
| Wake Forest Reservoir | Lake | Wake Forest, NC 27587 (street address Not confirmed) | Open daily dawn to dusk | Not confirmed: fishing requires proper permits and licenses | Dogs must be on a leash; clean up after your dog (town park page) |
| Smith Creek Greenway | Greenway | Trailheads at Smith Creek Soccer Center, 690 Heritage Lake Road, and… | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Town park rule: pets on a leash (parks rules page) |
| Dunn Creek Greenway | Greenway | Smith Creek Soccer Center, 690 Heritage Lake Road, Wake Forest, NC | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Town park rule: pets on a leash (parks rules page) |
| E. Carroll Joyner Park Trails | Greenway | 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587 | Open daily dawn to dusk | Not confirmed | Dogs must be on a leash; clean up after your dog (town park page) |
Food and Drink
The town’s downtown dining map does not read as text, so only the three places the town names on its Food and Drink page are listed.
| Place | Type | Address | About |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodega Tapas & Wine | Restaurant | 110 S. White Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587 | Tapas and wine restaurant named on the town's Food & Drink Exploration page. |
| Unwined on White | Restaurant | 153 S. White Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587 | Wine bar with a rooftop view of downtown, named on the town's Food & Drink Exploration page. |
Drive Times From Wake Forest
| To | Estimated Drive | Estimated Road Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Research Triangle Park (12 Davis Dr) | about 36 min | about 25.6 mi |
| Raleigh | about 27 min | about 15.8 mi |
| Durham | about 40 min | about 25.1 mi |
| Morrisville | about 39 min | about 26.8 mi |
| Cary | about 47 min | about 31.3 mi |
| Clayton | about 46 min | about 30.0 mi |
| Chapel Hill | about 53 min | about 38.4 mi |
About these numbers: populations for 2025 are Census Bureau estimates (Vintage 2025, July 1, 2025), not counts. Growth is measured from the Census estimates base for April 1, 2020, so it can differ from the raw 2020 census count, and it includes land a town annexed after 2020, not only people moving in. Drive times are estimates routed on OpenStreetMap roads with no traffic, from each town’s Census map point; rush hour is often much slower.
Wake Forest History
| When | What Happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1832 | The NC Baptist Convention buys Dr. Calvin Jones's 615-acre plantation for $2,000. | Official page |
| 1834 | Wake Forest Institute opens in February; it becomes Wake Forest College in 1838. | Official page |
| 1874 | The train depot moves from Forestville to Wake Forest, and downtown grows around it. | Official page |
| 1880 | The town is incorporated on March 26 as the Town of Wake Forest College. | Official page |
| 1899 | Royall Cotton Mill is built, the town's first industry. | Official page |
| 2003 | The first town greenway is built. | Official page |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wake Forest University in Wake Forest, NC?
No. The town’s history page says Wake Forest College moved to Winston-Salem after World War II. The old campus is now Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
When is Friday Night on White?
The town lists free downtown concerts on the second Friday of each month, April through September.
How far is Wake Forest from Research Triangle Park?
About 36 minutes and 25.6 road miles with no traffic, by our routing estimate from the town’s Census map point. Rush hour takes longer.
Is Wake Forest part of the Triangle?
Yes. This guide places Wake Forest in the Triangle region. See the Triangle region guide for every town.
Sources
- Town of Wake Forest, History (checked Nov 3, 2026)
- Town of Wake Forest, Greenways (checked Nov 3, 2026)
- E. Carroll Joyner Park (checked Nov 3, 2026)
- Wake Forest Historical Museum (checked Nov 3, 2026)
- Wake Forest Renaissance Centre (checked Nov 3, 2026)
- Friday Night on White (checked Nov 3, 2026)
- U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 city and town population estimates (sub-est2025.csv) (read Nov 3, 2026)
- OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads (drive-time estimates, no traffic) (computed Nov 3, 2026)
Checked November 3, 2026. How we check: editorial standards; spot a mistake? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “Wake Forest, NC”, itsnorthcarolina.com/wake-forest-nc/ (updated ). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.