Good Neighbor Day in Wake Forest: date, activities and tips

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. Facts come from the Town of Wake Forest’s Good Neighbor Day page and its Human Relations Council page. This page is updated for each year’s event at the same address.

Good Neighbor Day is Wake Forest’s free September afternoon of food, music and family fun at E. Carroll Joyner Park, put on by the town’s Human Relations Council since 2006. The 2026 event was Saturday, Sept. 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. The town had not posted the 2027 date when we checked; we will add it here when it does.

Know before you go

• When: a Saturday afternoon in September; 2026 was Sept. 19, 1 to 4 p.m.
• Where: E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road
• Cost: free
• Organizer: Wake Forest Human Relations Council, Town of Wake Forest, 919-435-9400, event page

What it is

The council, a town advisory board, has held Good Neighbor Day since 2006 to bring together people of different cultures, ages and backgrounds, and the town says thousands of people have taken part since. Expect food, dancing, local musicians, a DJ, prizes and games for children and adults.

The 2026 lineup of activities and booths included:

• Balloon art and face painting
• A coloring activity from the Wake Forest Women’s Club
• Bracelet making and free hot dogs, while supplies lasted, from the Human Relations Council
• A Home Depot building activity for children
• Cake samples from Nothing Bundt Cakes
• The Faith Tabernacle Youth Choir and the Wake Forest Community Youth Orchestra
• Reading glasses fittings from the Lions Club
• Tables from the Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry, the Wake County Foster Care Program, Warm Café, local churches, Friendship Baptist Church’s MLK Scholarship Committee and Leader of Wake Lodge No. 285
• A diaper changing station from Lightbridge Academy

Good Neighbor of the Year

The council presents its Good Neighbor of the Year awards at the event, to one young person and one adult who consistently work to preserve and improve life in their neighborhood. In 2026 the nomination form closed at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31; watch the event page for the 2027 form in summer.

Volunteering

The town looks for volunteers to set up, clean up and help visitors between noon and 5 p.m. on the day. Civic groups and students who need community service hours are especially welcome. Sign up by email with Human Resources Director Angela McCray, amccray@wakeforestnc.gov.

Parking and what to know

• Parking: Joyner Park has its own lot; the town’s event page lists no road closures.
• Rain date: the town names one about a week later (Sept. 27 in 2026) and will try to hold the event as scheduled. Updates go on the town website, Facebook and Nextdoor, and as push alerts in the Town of Wake Forest app.
• Joyner Park rules at the town’s other park events: no alcohol, no smoking and no unleashed pets, according to the Six Sundays in Spring page.

The town’s Diwali Festival follows at Joyner Park in early October. For more, see our fall festivals, parks and trails and free things to do guides.

Frequently asked questions

When is Good Neighbor Day in Wake Forest?

On a Saturday afternoon in September. In 2026 it was Saturday, Sept. 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. The town had not posted the 2027 date on Oct. 12, 2026.

Where is Good Neighbor Day held?

At E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest.

Is Good Neighbor Day free?

Yes. It is a free, family-friendly event, and in 2026 the Human Relations Council gave out free hot dogs while they lasted.

What is the Good Neighbor of the Year award?

An award the Human Relations Council presents at Good Neighbor Day to one young person and one adult who work to improve their neighborhood and community. In 2026 nominations closed at 5 p.m. Aug. 31.

What happens to Good Neighbor Day if it rains?

The town names a rain date; in 2026 it was Sept. 27. Weather updates go on the town website, its Facebook and Nextdoor pages and the Town of Wake Forest app.