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.
Living in Color Art Exhibit Opening
Saturday, February 1, 2024
1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
The Chapel
Free
Dix Park in partnership with Raleigh Film and Art Festival presents a curated Black History Month artist exhibition showcasing the best talent of 2025 from across the state. A riveting month-long display of visual art representing the experience of people of color living in the south. Enjoy an array of spectacular pieces by professional and student artists.
- Drinks and light hors d’oeuvres
- Spoken word feature performance
- 15 minute live theatrical dance performance
- Mix & mingle with live music
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
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.
Guided Walking Tour
Saturday, November 16, 2024
12 to 2 p.m.
Stone Houses Visitor Center
Free (follow link to register)
This free, 2-hour, 3.5 mile walking tour will cover the history of the buildings, land, and legacy of Dorothea Dix; the current use as both Raleigh’s largest urban park and as the headquarters of the Department of Health and Human Services; and the next steps the City is taking to plan the future of Dix Park.
Little Explorers: Reptiles Rock
Monday, November 18, 2024
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Oak Room Picnic Shelter
Free (follow link to register)
Children will have fun learning all about animal feet with this engaging program. Games, songs plus live creatures with interesting feet will bring this program to life! This program is for children ages 2-6 years old.
Self Care Sunday: Sound Bath
Sunday, November 24, 2024
Sunday, December 29, 2024
2 p.m.
The Chapel
Free (follow link to register)
Experience 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.
Winter Wreath Making
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
6 p.m.
The Chapel
Free (follow link to register)
Enjoy a Winter Wreath-Making Workshop, where you’ll craft a beautiful wreath using fresh, local greenery from Dix Park. This eco-friendly event promotes sustainability and offers a hands-on opportunity to learn how to create your own winter wreath at home. Perfect for adding a touch of seasonal charm to your decor or giving as a thoughtful gift. All skill levels welcome!
Plant Pals: Living Ornaments
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
6 p.m.
The Chapel
Free (follow link to register)
In this workshop participants will create a small habitat for an air plant and decorate it using holiday decor items.
Indoor Yoga
Sundays, December 8, 2024, and January 12 and February 9, 2024
3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
The Chapel
Free (follow link to register)
Enjoy 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.
Connect + Create: Polaroid Lifts
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
6 to 7:30 p.m.
The Chapel
Free (follow link to register)
Students will then learn how to lift Polaroid photos and transfer them onto a single sheet of paper or small canvas with Artspace! Students are welcome to bring in their own Polaroid snapshots for this workshop, with the understanding that the photos will be drastically altered. Polaroid images of varying subject matter will be made available to students.
Breathwork
Sunday, January 26, 2025
2 to 3 p.m.
The Chapel
Free (follow link to register)
Find all upcoming events at dorotheadixpark.org/calendar.
Arts on the Hill Workshop: Creative Writing
Saturday, February 8, 2025
1 to 3 p.m.
The Chapel
Free (follow link to register)
Dix Park and the Raleigh Film and Arts Festival are excited to offer a new take on Arts on the Hill with creative workshops! For more than 10 years, the Raleigh Film and Art Festival has prided itself on developing avenues to aid artists in the freedom of expression – crossing paths with a cornucopia of talented individuals in the Triangle and across North Carolina. This partnership with Dix Park will give local, regional, and up-and-coming artists a platform to develop their talents and showcase their work.
Explore the intersection of writing and photography. Learn how to use photographs as prompts to spark your imagination and craft compelling stories. Through engaging writing exercises, you’ll develop your descriptive language and storytelling techniques. You’ll leave with a completed creative piece inspired by a photograph.
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:
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