In partnership with

Hi Cary!

Here’s what you can expect in Today’s issue:

• Cary Art Daze grant recipients have been announced!

• Some amazing Vietnamese food to add to your lunch rotation

• Community Garden applications are about to clouse

• Some weekend events!

— Jake from Cary Digest

News

Cary Art Daze Grant Recipients!

Cary just announced the 2026 Cary Art Daze Grant recipients, and it’s a big year for local creativity. Twenty-two nonprofit organizations will receive funding to bring arts-focused programs and events to the community, from music and dance to storytelling and visual arts. The grants are powered by the success of Cary’s beloved Lazy Daze and Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festivals and are designed to help programs that inspire, connect, and enrich residents of all ages.

The Cary Art Daze Grant Program continues to be a cornerstone of the town’s commitment to a vibrant cultural scene—supporting everything from large festivals to hands-on, community-centered arts experiences. Here are the 2026 grant recipients:

• Asian Focus Corporation (AF): Asia Fest

• ATA-NC: Children’s Day Festival of Cary

• Cary Art Loop: Final Fridays

• Cary Ballet Company: Transformative Moments of Community Connections

• Cary Downtown Farmers Market: Music at the Market

• Cary Town Band: Silly Prize Concert Series

• Cary-Apex Youth Choir: Spring Concert: Home

• Concert Singers of Cary: The Breath of Life by Dan Forrest

• Esteamed Coffee, Inc.: TeachAbility Art Nights

• Fine Arts League of Cary: 2026 Downtown Gallery Community Arts Programs

• Friends of the Page Walker: Oral History Book Project

• GiGi’s Playhouse: Entrepreneurial Arts Program

• Graceful Expressions Dance Company: Rapunzel

• Leela Foundation: Vaat — An Immersive Musical Dialogue

• Lucy Daniels Center for Early Childhood: Lucy’s Fun Run: Every Step Counts

• North Carolina Storytelling Guild: Old North State Storytelling Festival

• Northwest Cary & Taylor Family YMCA: YMCA Camp Excel Arts & Crafts

• Raleigh Camerata: Music of the South American Baroque

• The Carying Place: Self-expression through Art

• Triangle British Brass Band Ltd: Carolina Brass Band Festival

• Triangle Wind Ensemble: An American Celebration: The Music of John Williams

• Triangle Youth Music: String Orchestra & String Sinfonia

The Daily Newsletter for Intellectually Curious Readers

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Join for free today!

P.S. Want to advertise in Cary Digest this winer? Reply to this email or reach out at [email protected]!

Restaurant Spotlight: Bee Bee BanhMi!

If you haven’t stopped by Bee Banh Mi yet, it’s time to add it to your Cary lunch rotation. This locally loved spot serves up fresh, flavorful Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches along with bowls, rolls, and bubble tea that keep regulars coming back. It’s quick, affordable, and consistently hits the mark—whether you’re grabbing a bite on a work break or fueling up after errands.

Bee Banh Mi stands out for its friendly service and made-to-order feel, pairing crusty bread with savory meats, pickled veggies, and just the right amount of heat. It’s the kind of place that feels easy to love: casual, welcoming, and quietly becoming a go-to neighborhood favorite. If you’re looking to support a local business while eating really well, this one’s a solid bet.

Town Updates

Heads Up: Community Garden Lottery

This is your last chance to enter the Community Garden Lottery! If you’ve been thinking about growing your own food and learning more about gardening, plots at the Carpenter and McCrimmon Community Gardens are available for an 11-month term. Standard and ADA plots are $50, with smaller perimeter beds at McCrimmon available for $25. All plots include access to water, shared tools, and helpful educational materials. Interested? Sign up here before the deadline.

Weather

Things to Do This Weekend

Friday, January 9

Visionary Vibes
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Downtown Cary Park (Academy Pavilion), 327 S Academy St, Cary, NC
Description: Creative wellness workshop featuring intention-setting rituals, vision boards, and DIY mocktails to spark inspiration for the new year.
Link: https://downtowncarypark.com

Comedian Lee Hardin (Holly Springs)
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
Description: Clean, family-friendly stand-up from Nashville comic Lee Hardin, whose relatable storytelling has been featured on NBC and Dry Bar Comedy.
Link: https://www.hollyspringsnc.gov/1808/Clean-Comedy-Series

John Heffron Comedy Show
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Raleigh Improv, 1224 Parkside Main St, Cary, NC
Description: Winner of NBC’s Last Comic Standing (Season 2), John Heffron delivers a night of hilarious observational humor drawn from everyday life.
Link: https://improv.com/raleigh

Live Music: Hall Pass at Hangout Bar & Grill
Time: 9:00 PM
Location: Hangout Bar & Grill, 107 Edinburgh S Dr, Cary, NC
Description: High-energy cover band playing rock ’n’ roll anthems to kick off the weekend at this popular Cary bar (no cover charge).
Link: https://hangoutnc.com

Live Music: The Humble Braggers at Peak of the Vine (Apex)
Time: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Location: Peak of the Vine, 301 N Salem St, Apex, NC
Description: Laid-back acoustic rock set by The Humble Braggers in an intimate wine lounge setting – perfect for unwinding with a glass in historic Apex.
Link: https://www.peakofthevine.com

Saturday, January 10

Cary Downtown Farmers Market
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: 160 E Park St, Cary, NC
Description: Weekly open-air market with fresh produce, crafts, baked goods, and live music.
Link: https://caryfarmersmarket.com

Holly Springs Farmers Market
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: 300 W Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC
Description: Local produce, meats, crafts, and more in the heart of Holly Springs’ downtown village district.
Link: https://www.hollyspringsnc.gov/576/Farmers-Market

Apex Farmers Market
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: 220 N Salem St, Apex, NC
Description: Community-focused market with local vendors and seasonal produce in downtown Apex.
Link: https://www.apexfarmersmarket.com

Three Kings Day Parade
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: N Academy Street, Downtown Cary, NC
Description: Annual Día de Reyes celebration featuring a festive parade with the Three Wise Men, plus Latin music, dancing, and free treats for families.
Link: https://diamanteartsculturalcenter.org

GLOW Under the Silver Moon Lantern Parade
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Downtown Cary Park, 327 S Academy St, Cary, NC
Description: Community lantern walk through the new park, illuminated by hundreds of handmade lanterns and accompanied by live music and food trucks (free to attend).
Link: https://downtowncarypark.com

Sunday, January 11

RNB Brunch
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Raleigh Improv, 1224 Parkside Main St, Cary, NC
Description: A high-energy brunch party fusing great food, strong drinks, and nonstop R&B hits — part concert, part day party — with DJs, dancing, trivia, and more (21+ only).
Link: https://improv.com/raleigh

Merrily We Roll Along (Musical Film)
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: The Cary Theater, 122 E Chatham St, Cary, NC
Description: Film screening of Stephen Sondheim’s classic Broadway musical – a poignant tale of friendship and ambition told in reverse, captured on screen (2025 release, PG-13).
Link: https://thecarytheater.com

Painting with a Twist: “A Beautiful Sight” Class
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Painting with a Twist, 329 N Harrison Ave, Cary, NC
Description: Guided painting class to create a beautiful winter scene on canvas, with step-by-step instruction in a fun studio environment (bring your own wine/beer, ages 12+).
Link: https://www.paintingwithatwist.com/studio/cary/event/4178502/

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (Closing Night)
Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary, NC
Description: Final chance to wander through thousands of illuminated, hand-crafted lantern displays transforming the park into a glowing wonderland – with nightly acrobatic shows, interactive light features, and global street food vendors.
Link: https://www.boothamphitheatre.com/events-tickets/events/chinese-lantern-festival

Soul Line Dancing Class (Apex)
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Location: John M. Brown Community Center, 53 Hunter St, Apex, NC
Description: Beginner-friendly line dancing session mixing soul and R&B moves for a fun Sunday workout (open to teens and adults; walk-ins welcome if space allows).
Link: https://www.activekids.com/apex-nc/dance/classes/soul-line-dancing-2026

Thanks for reading Cary Digest! If you enjoyed the newsletter, please share it! I’ll send you another email in a few days. If you’ve read a few issues, and want to support local news and the Cary community, please considering buying a paid subscription to show your support.