Participating in Downtown Events
4th Friday Events
Section titled “4th Friday Events”Downtown Fayetteville’s signature monthly event runs March through October.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| When | 4th Friday of each month, 6pm-9pm |
| Season | March - October |
| Cost | Free for visitors |
| Traffic Impact | 2-3x normal foot traffic |
2026 4th Friday Dates
Section titled “2026 4th Friday Dates”| Month | Date | Theme (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|
| March | 27th | Season Opener |
| April | 24th | During Dogwood Festival weekend |
| May | 22nd | The Nerd Market (comics, anime, cosplay) |
| June | 26th | Juneteenth celebration |
| July | 24th | Summer peak |
| August | 28th | |
| September | 25th | |
| October | 23rd | Season Finale |
How Businesses Can Participate
Section titled “How Businesses Can Participate”- Extended Hours - Stay open during the event (6-9pm)
- Sidewalk Sales - Display merchandise outside (permit required)
- Special Promotions - Event-night discounts
- Live Entertainment - Host a busker or performer
- Food/Drink Specials - Themed offerings
Vendor Opportunities
Section titled “Vendor Opportunities”Food trucks, artists, and vendors can apply to participate.
Contact: Historic Downtown District
Major Annual Events
Section titled “Major Annual Events”These events drive the highest foot traffic of the year. Plan staffing and inventory well in advance.
Dogwood Festival (Late April)
Section titled “Dogwood Festival (Late April)”| Details | |
|---|---|
| Attendance | 250,000 visitors |
| Duration | 3 days (Friday-Sunday) |
| Location | Hay Street + Festival Park |
| Impact | 10-15x normal traffic |
International Folk Festival (Late September)
Section titled “International Folk Festival (Late September)”| Details | |
|---|---|
| Attendance | 70,000-75,000 visitors |
| Duration | 1 day (Saturday) |
| Location | Festival Park (not downtown Hay Street) |
| Impact | 5-8x traffic at Festival Park; spillover to downtown for dining |
Dickens Holiday (Friday after Thanksgiving)
Section titled “Dickens Holiday (Friday after Thanksgiving)”| Details | |
|---|---|
| Attendance | 20,000 visitors |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Location | Downtown Hay Street |
| Impact | 3-4x normal traffic |
Victorian-themed festival with carriage rides, costumed characters, candlelight procession. Holiday shopping kickoff.
Parades
Section titled “Parades”| Event | When | Attendance | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas Parade | 2nd Saturday of December | ~5,000 | 2-3x traffic |
| Veterans Day Parade | 2nd Saturday of November | ~1,000+ | 1.5-2x traffic |
| MLK Day Parade | 3rd Monday of January | ~2,000 | 1.5-2x traffic |
Getting Listed
Section titled “Getting Listed”Downtown Directory
Section titled “Downtown Directory”List your business for free in the Historic Downtown District directory: visitdowntownfayetteville.com
Downtown Guide App
Section titled “Downtown Guide App”Get listed in the Downtown Guide for:
- Event integration
- Foot traffic visibility
- Customer reviews
Submit specials: [email protected]
Event Calendar Resources
Section titled “Event Calendar Resources”- Downtown Guide Events - With foot traffic predictions
- Distinctly Fayetteville
- Historic Downtown District
Contact
Section titled “Contact”Historic Downtown District
- Website: visitdowntownfayetteville.com
- Email: [email protected]