March 6, 2026
After a winter that seemed neverending, spring is here—the season of fresh starts. Maybe you’re getting your garden ready, dusting off your outdoor furniture, or tuning up your bike. Near Raleigh, there are lots of spring things to do in Clayton, NC, and Johnston County.
Johnston County borders Wake County, where Raleigh is located. If you’re visiting the area, a side trip to Johnston County’s sights is well worth your time. And venturing to Clayton, NC, the largest town in the county, lets you fill your schedule with a full range of community events and activities—from shopping and dining to recreation and the arts.
Peruse the variety of special events taking place in Clayton, and mark your calendar so you don’t miss any!
March 28
Taylor Swift fans will enjoy this tribute to the Eras Tour, a great show at The Clayton Center for anyone who wants a live experience. Traci Marie has opened for national artists and delivers a powerful show that any Swiftie will appreciate.
April 4
Hop on over to Clayton Community Park for this annual toddler frenzy. Tiny Tots Easter Egg Hunt covers the park’s lawn with brightly colored plastic eggs, and the kids race to fill their baskets at 10a.m. For the rest of the family, the activities include lawn games and a visit with the Easter Bunny. Cheer on your favorite egg hunters at an event that’s sure to make you smile.
April 11
Just in time for spring planting, the Johnston County Extension Master Gardeners bring a full complement of healthy plants to Clayton Community Center for its Annual Plant Sale. Shop for flowers (perennials and annuals), vegetables, herbs, native plants, and shrubs. They’ve been lovingly cultivated by skilled horticulturalists, who will be on hand to answer questions and offer guidance for selecting the right plants.
April 18
What better way to celebrate spring than participating in Earth Day activities? The Town of Clayton organizes Earth Day Clean-up every year to bring people together and show their hometown pride. Volunteers spend the day cleaning up litter, freshening up the public spaces, and doing an outdoor, townwide spring cleaning.
April 22
It’s been a debate for 60 years! Who’s better: The Beatles or The Rolling Stones? Decide for yourself at the musical showdown, Beatles vs. The Stones, at The Clayton Center. Two renowned tribute bands take to the stage and perform some of the greatest hits of the greatest rock bands of all time.
April 26
Feed your foodie appetite at an extraordinary annual event that brings the flavorful fare from more than two dozen local chefs, breweries, and purveyors. Roots for Reece Chef’s Picnic is raising awareness and support for the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, an organization focused on saving lives. Spend a day experiencing exquisite cuisine and beverages at the Landon Estate in Clayton, and take your chance at winning one of the many prizes.
April-May
Strawberries are in season in spring. Pick your berries fresh from the bush at Pace Family Farm, family owned and operated in Clayton. In addition to berries, you can pick a summer bouquet at JKLM Berries. Wherever you go, you’re sure to get the tastiest fruit, and the satisfaction of harvesting them yourself, or with family and friends.
Beginning May 8
Clayton’s Town Square comes alive with music once a month, from May through September. The Downtown Clayton Concert Series brings regional performers to the stage for an evening of music under the stars. Bring your family and friends, along with chairs and blankets. Food trucks will be parked around the square to satisfy your appetite.
May 9
How about a little exercise this spring? Clayton’s Run the Branch 5K welcomes runners, walkers, and joggers of all ages to pace themselves on the Sam’s Branch Greenway. Young children can take part in the Tot Trot, a 0.1-mile run across the lawn at Municipal Park, where the event begins and ends.
June 6
Main Street in Downtown Clayton spans from Horne Square to Town Square. The Square to Square Street Festival fills the street between the two with lively action, activities, entertainment, and family fun. From morning to evening, wander the downtown area and sample the many things to do, see, taste, and try. Just before spring turns to summer, meet up with friends and neighbors along the route, from one square to the other.
June 19-20
Treasure hunters love this annual event. Spanning five counties, The Endless Yard Sale turns US 301 into a 100-mile shopping extravaganza! You’ll find hundreds of vendors—including residents, shops, restaurants, and nonprofit groups—spreading out their wares. Spend one or two days exploring the flea markets, sidewalk sales, yard sales, and community events along the route. You won’t be leaving empty-handed!
In addition to planned events, you can come up with your own, personalized list of spring things to do in Clayton, NC, and Johnston County. Choose a theme and map out a route.
Clayton, NC, is situated in a scenic area, with unspoiled natural surroundings. Spring is the perfect time to get out and appreciate the simple pleasure of the Neuse River that winds through the town. On your River Appreciation Day, start in Downtown Clayton, at the River Walk on the Neuse, a four-mile paved greenway. Pack a picnic lunch and head out on foot or bike down as far as you want to go. The River Walk connects with Sam’s Branch Greenway, giving you another 1.25 miles to extend your journey.
After you’ve completed your tour on the shore, take to the water. Paddle a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard for the alternate view from the calm waters of the Neuse River.
Mark the start of spring with something to commemorate the season. Set out to visit the area’s shops, flea markets, boutiques, garden centers, and thrift shops. Look for that one thing that speaks to you. Plan your Treasure Hunt with family members, and give each child a budget, so it’s a learning experience, too. And, if you enjoy this hunt, plan to explore the The Endless Yard Sale in June!
Treat yourself, your family, and friends to the unique culinary delights to be found in Clayton. Use the opportunity to visit eateries you’ve never tried—those places marked “One of these days” in your mind.
Start your Dine Around with appetizers at one place. Relax. Take it slow. You’ve got a day of eating ahead of you. Try an appetizer you’ve never tasted, so this day becomes a unique experience.
Next, move on to the main course. What’s the one place that piqued your curiosity? Today is the day (or night) you finally try it out. As you’re dining, be sure you save room for dessert. Before the final course, maybe you need a little time to walk off what you’ve consumed so far. If your Dine Around is happening in Downtown Clayton, wander through the shops—especially in the Social District, where you can take your favorite adult beverage with you as you browse. Or take a detour to view the public art displays, including the Clayton Sculpture Trail, which will have new artwork from 14 artists beginning this spring.
When you’re ready for dessert, it can be a sit-down at a restaurant or a sweet treat or scoop to go. In Clayton, your sweet tooth can always be satisfied.
Are you a gardener? Start the spring with a day of information gathering. Visit the Main Street Community Garden. See what’s growing on and talk with fellow gardeners. Stop in at the local nurseries and garden centers to find new plantings, planters, or garden art.
How about making your own pots for spring? Pottery classes are offered at Artmosphere Community Arts Center, Pottery Camp, and Clay Town Studio, Clayton’s newest pottery place.
Celebrate the start of spring by trying a new sport. Pickleball is a popular favorite these days, and you can try it out at Clayton Community Park, where eight courts are available (and the equipment is available to use at no charge). While you’re there, play bocce and shuffleboard. Bring the kids and make a day of it. They can play on the playground or join you on the court.
The East Clayton Disc Golf Course is also waiting for you—and free—with 18 “holes” to play. The sport uses flying discs (like a Frisbee, but better!). Just like you choose from a variety of golf clubs for specific tasks on the course, these discs come in a variety of sizes. Disc golf is fun for all ages, and with a local course, you can play whenever you want.
Clayton Parks and Recreation sponsors an adult kickball league. Here’s another sport that welcomes newcomers. Kickball is more competitive than those games on the playground at school, but easy to learn, play, and enjoy.
Clayton residents enjoy the vast selection of recreation at the East Triangle YMCA. Adults can play pickleball, volleyball, tennis, basketball, racquetball, and soccer, as well as cool off in the pool. Like every YMCA, it’s family-friendly!
There are plenty of spring things to do in Clayton, NC, and Johnston County. And the activity continues through every season—which makes it more than a nice place to visit. It’s a great place to live!
Clayton, NC, is the fastest growing suburb in Johnston County, partially due to the convenient location, 14 miles southeast of Raleigh. The town and its people are also friendly, active, and focused on sharing an exceptional quality of life. The cost of living is affordable—8% lower than the national average—the infrastructure is modern, and the vibrant atmosphere is attracting new businesses. From offering a strong job market to providing a superior array of goods and services, Clayton is thriving.
The influx of new residents to Clayton has created a need for homes. Communities are growing in and around the town. One of the most unique opportunities for finding new homes for sale near Raleigh, NC, is at Cattail in Clayton, a lakeside community of beautiful new homes.
Cattail has just begun to develop on the shore of Cattail Lake, a short drive from Downtown Clayton. The luxury lakeside homes are being built by a select group of four builders: Crosswind Homes, Homes By Dickerson, New Home Inc., and Royalty Homes Inc. The first phase includes 51 homes, to be built in two enclaves. Eventually, when completed, Cattail’s 575 acres will house 296 homes. If you do the math, you realize that the homes are not going to be packed into the land. They will have large yards—up to two acres—with a significant amount of land maintained as greenways.
With new construction, you can choose from a custom home, where you work with the builder and designer to personalize every detail. Or you can select from floor plans that have been curated by the builders to bring both selection and style. Every home has options for stylizing the architecture, with careful attention paid to maintaining the curb appeal that’s so important to homeowners.
Several homes are currently under construction right now. Choosing one of the quick move-in homes gives you “founding family” status. Move in and be part of the community as it grows in the years ahead.
If you’re thinking of a move to the Raleigh area, plan a trip to Clayton. You’ll soon discover why the town is no longer one of the best-kept secrets among Raleigh suburbs. Learn more about the tranquil Cattail lifestyle, enhanced by the amenities planned for the neighborhood. You can live by the lake while also enjoying the resort-style pool, sitting right on the lakefront. Gather with friends, family, and neighbors at the shared outdoor firepits, community lawn, and picnic spaces under the pergola. And imagine coming home to your life at the lake—awe-inspiring sunsets, quietly paddling on the water, roasting marshmallows in the evening, and just waking up to a beautiful view and the sounds of nature.
Contact a New Home Specialist to explore these new homes for sale in Clayton, NC, and the possibilities of your life at Cattail.