Dorothea Dix Park, 2105 Umstead Drive, Raleigh, is hosting a number of diverse activities, for both adults and kids. Many of the events are free. Also, most require pre-registration. Read on to learn all about Dorothea Dix Park, and then to see the upcoming events. Follow the links to register.
All of the events and activities are free! Read on for more information about Dix Park, or jump to the list of special events and programs and classes.
In most cases, registration opens for events two weeks ahead of time, so keep checking back! Many fill up quickly.
Getting to Dix Park
Dix Park is between Western Boulevard, Lake Wheeler Road, Biggs Drive and Barbour Drive. Umstead Drive goes right though the park.
This map shows the different entrances and areas. There are several entrances on Hunt Drive at Western Boulevard, Umstead Drive at Lake Wheeler Road, and Goode Street at Lake Wheeler Road.
The NC Dept. of Health and Human Services is on the Dix Park campus, so parking is limited during the week. On weekend you can park in any of the parking areas that are striped green.
Dorothea Dix Park’s hours are dawn to dusk every day.
Daffodils and Sunflowers at Dorothea Dix Park
In the spring and summer, Dix Park becomes a destination for its big fields of flowers. Please don’t pick the flowers!
Daffodils
Over 40,000 daffodils are planted every year at Dix Park. The daffodils are planted in Flowers Field, off of Umstead Drive, behind the Flower Cottage. They bloom from February to March. They’re great early-spring photo ops.
Sunflowers
The Dix Sunflower Field is located off Hunt Drive, near the old soccer fields and the historic cemetery. The sunflowers start to bloom in July.
Dog Park at Dorothea Dix Park
The Dix Park Dog Park is open. It includes shade structures and a water station, with a separate area for small dogs. The dog park is near the Williams Building.
Special Events at Dorothea Dix Park
Registration opens two weeks in advance. Follow links to register.
Valentine’s Date Night
Friday, February 14, 2025
6 to 9 p.m.
The Chapel
Free (registration required)
What’s better than an evening of rhythm and celebration with a dance instructor guiding you and your date through the moves? How about a night with dancing, desserts, and refreshments! Enjoy a a memorable evening of love, laughter, and music!
- Instructor Cuqui will be leading couples and group dancing
- Desserts and treats from Creations with Grace
- Drinks from Mordecai Beverage Company
Programs and Classes at Dorothea Dix Park
You need to register for each program. Space is limited. Follow this link to register for any program at
Dix Park, or follow the links below.
Yoga in the Park
March 10, 17, 24 and 31, 2025
April 14, 21, 28, 2025
May 5, 12, 19, 2025
6 to 7 p.m.
Flowers Field at Dix Park
2105 Umstead Drive, Raleigh, NC
Free
Enjoy the nature and tranquility of Dix Park with yoga classes to increase strength and flexibility. All fitness levels welcome! Plan to bring a yoga mat, a towel and a filled water bottle. Age 12+.
Narcan Training and Kit-Making
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The Chapel at Dix Park
1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh, NC
Free
The City of Raleigh’s Safe, Vibrant, and Healthy Strategic Planning Team, in partnership with North Carolina Harm Reduction, the Substance Use Advisory Commission, and Wake County Government, is hosting a Narcan Training and Kit Making Event. This engaging, hands-on workshop will educate participants on the use of Narcan (naloxone) to prevent opioid overdose deaths, provide practical training on administering it, and allow participants to assemble Narcan kits for community distribution.
Guided Trolley Tour
Saturday, March 15, 2025
12 to 2 p.m.
Stone Houses Visitor Center
830 Umstead Drive, Raleigh, NC
Free
A guided tour from an accessible trolley.
Forest Bathing
Sunday, March 16, 2025
Sunday, April 27, 2025
1 p.m.
Flowers Cottage
Meet at Stone Houses Visitor Center
830 Umstead Drive, Raleigh, NC
Free
In Japan, forest walks, known as shinrin-yoku , ‘bathing in the forest atmosphere’, are a key aspect of preventative health care. Join us for a talk and walk exploring the history and research behind forest bathing and benefits for human health while experiencing a guided forest bathing walk along Dix Park. The actual walking portion is less than .3 miles and will start and end at the Flower Cottage.
Self Care Sunday: Yoga
Sunday, March 16, 2025
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Sunday, May 18, 2025
3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
The Chapel at Dix Park
1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh, NC
Free
Join us for a beautiful community practice led by Carrington Razook-Jackson that uses movement, breath, and stillness to re-center and replenish ourselves, and to remember that we are better together. This is an open-level and vinyasa-based class, with room for agency, reflection, personal expression of the poses and discernment.
Plant Pals: Houseplants 101
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
6 to 7:30 p.m.
The Chapel at Dix Park
1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh, NC
Free
From selecting the right plant to choosing the right pot – this class will cover the fundamentals of houseplants! Whether you’re a beginner plant parent or you’re just hoping to learn a few new tips and tricks, this is the class for you!
Self Care Sunday: Sound Bath
Sunday, March 30, 2025
Sunday, May 25, 2025
2 to 3:30 p.m.
The Chapel at Dix Park
1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh, NC
Free
Join us for an afternoon of deep relaxation and inner peace, as ethereal tones and harmonious vibrations envelop your senses, soothing the mind, body, and soul. Led by Sound Bath Facilitator Jana Campbell of Sound Sanctuary, this unique experience promises to transport you to a state of profound serenity, releasing tensions and restoring balance. Be prepared to embark on a transformative sonic odyssey that will leave you refreshed and revitalized, ready to embrace life with renewed vigor and clarity.
Birdwatching
Saturday, March 22, 2025
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Saturday, May 24, 2025
8 to 10 a.m.
Flowers Cottage
2105 Umstead Drive, Raleigh, NC
Free
Learn about the resident and migrant birds of Dix Park and sharpen your bird identification skills as we practice birding by sight and by ear this fall. Get ready to learn tips for identifying sparrows, woodpeckers, hawks and more. Contribute to real science data as we monitor how the diversity of birds changes in the park from month to month.
Plant Pals: Paint-a-Pot
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
6 to 7:30 p.m.
The Chapel at Dix Park
1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh, NC
Free
Attendees will decorate their own terracotta pots with paints + disco tiles and take home a beginner friendly plant to go with!
Guided Walking Tour
Saturday, April 12, 2025
Saturday, May 17, 2025
12 to 2 p.m.
Stone Houses Visitor Center
830 Umstead Drive, Raleigh, NC
Free
On this 3.5-mile walking tour you will encounter the beauty and uniqueness of the 308-acre site
while learning about the past, present and future of Dix Park.
Civil War History Hike
Saturday, April 19, 2025
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The Chapel
1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh, NC
Free
2-hour walking tour exploring Dix Park’s rich Civil War history.
Raleigh Earth Day
Friday, April 25, 2025
4 to 10 p.m.
Flowers Field
Free
Hands-on activities, tree planting demonstration, parade led by Paperhand Puppets, “Wild Robot” move at 8:15 p.m, and much more.
Self Care Sunday: Breath Work
Sunday, April 27, 2027
2 to 3:30 p.m.
The Chapel
1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh, NC
Free
Join us for an afternoon of deep breathing exercises and meditation to help you connect with your inner self and boost your energy levels. This in-person event is the perfect opportunity to relax, recharge, and rejuvenate.
The SOMA Breath Energized Breathwork Routine led by Breathe with Joss is a 1-hour long session combining movement, vocal toning and breathwork all guided with uplifting music. It is designed to help participants become very efficient at using oxygen, and to build a tolerance to carbon dioxide.
Energized Breathwork sessions help people to slow down their breathing and encourages people to breathe through their nose more. It is designed to release tension from the body, boost your mood, and be a super-effective breathwork meditation.
Connect + Create: Custom Sneakers
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
6 to 7:30 p.m.
The Chapel
1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh, NC
Free
Join us for this hands-on workshop to bring life to an old pair of sneakers that need an artist’s touch, some uplifting and love! Participants will have time to brainstorm some unique ways to customize their sneakers, then dive right into a mixed media process using paints, charms and other neat and unique add-ons. Participants must bring a pair of sneakers or shoes that need uplifting and we’ll provide the rest!
Little Explorers: Eye Spy
May 20, 2025
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Oak Room Picnic Shelter
691 Palmer Drive, Raleigh, NC
Free
Preschoolers will enjoy games, stories, and songs in this eye-opening program as we discover how creatures in the wild view the world around them. This program is for children ages 2-6 years old. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Please arrive a few minutes before 11:00 am.
Capital City Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 14, 2025
12 p.m.
Check back soon for details
Summer Solstice Sunrise Yoga
Friday, June 20, 2025
6 to 7 a.m.
Flowers Field
Free
Yoga is a practice of connection… connecting us to our more authentic selves and connecting people together into community. Join us for an open-level and vinyasa-based practice, with room for agency, reflection, and personal expression of the poses.
Find all upcoming events at dorotheadixpark.org/calendar.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
More Events
Check out our list of free and cheap events in Raleigh and the rest of the Triangle this weekend, or our full event calendar in the Triangle, or just look at few upcoming events here:
