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, all 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.
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
Raleigh Earth Day / Arbor Day
Friday, April 19, 2024
4 to 10 p.m.
Free
Free trees for all, plus food trucks, giveways, crafts, hands-on activities, trivia games, music and more. At 9 p.m. there will be a movie.
Dix Park Inter-Tribal Pow Wow
Saturday, May 18, 2024
11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Harvey Hill
Free
Hosted in partnership with indigenous community organizers, Dix Park Conservancy and the City of Raleigh.
Experience a day of competition dancing, music, vendors, and fun showcasing the incredible legacy and culture of Indigenous communities living in North Carolina today.
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.
Programs are in these categories: Gardens + Ecology, History + Reflection, Arts + Culture, and Wellness + Play.
Wellness + Play
Indoor Yoga at the Chapel
Select Sundays (see below)
3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Chapel
Free
Yoga is a practice of connection… connecting us to our more authentic selves and connecting people together into community. This is a practice 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. Bring a yoga mat, towel and water bottle.
- Sunday, March 10, 2024
- Sunday, April 14, 2024
- Sunday, May 5, 2024
Self-Care Sunday: Sound Bath Meditation
Select Sundays (see below)
2 to 3:30 p.m.
The Chapel
Free
Immerse yourself in a serene journey of sound and tranquility with Sound Sanctuary NC. This is an afternoon of deep relaxation and inner peace.
- Sunday, March 31, 2024
- Sunday, April 28, 2024
- Sunday, May 26, 2024
Yoga in the Park
Mondays, from March 11 to May 20, 2024
5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Flowers Field
Free
History + Reflection
You need to register for each program. Space is limited. Follow this link to register for any program at
Dix Park.
Guided Walking Tours of Dix Park
Select Saturdays (see below)
12 to 2 p.m.
The Chapel
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.
- Saturday, March 23, 2024
- Saturday, April 20, 2024
- Saturday, May 25, 2024
Intro to Genealogy
Saturday, March 16, 2024
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Chapel
Free
Begin your journey into family history. Led by State Library of NC, this class will cover research principles and methods, and how to locate and use records to add context to your family story.
Civil War Hike
Saturday, April 13. 2024
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The Chapel
Free
Learn about the Union troops who camped ont he state hospital grounds, Raleigh’s earthworks, and the impacts of the Civil War on the hospital and patients. Led by Director of Museums of the City of Raleigh, Ernest Dollar.
Gardens + Ecology
You need to register for each program. Space is limited. Follow this link to register for any program at
Dix Park.
Plant Pals: Gardening Workshops
Select dates (see below)
6 to 7:30 p.m.
The Chapel
Free
- Wednesday, May 22, 2024: Houseplants 101
- Wednesday, May 29, 2024: Making a Succulent Garden
Little Explorers: Preschool Nature Program
Monday, May 13, 2024
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The Chapel Event Lawn
Free
Preschoolers will learn about animals and nature at the park. Stories, games, songs and live creatures bring this program to life for little learners.
Bird Watching
Select Saturdays (see below)
8 to 10 a.m.
Flowers Cottage
Free
Learn from birding experts about the resident and migrant birds of Dix Park and sharpen your bird identification skills.
- Saturday, March 9, 2024
- Saturday, April 20, 2024
- Saturday, May 25, 2024
Forest Bathing
Saturday, May 18. 2024
3:30 to 5 p.m.
Flowers Cottage
Free
Led by certified mindfulness instructors, this talk and walk explores the history, research, and benefits of forest bathing for human health while experiencing the Pine Loop Trail with all the senses.
Arts + Culture
You need to register for each program. Space is limited. Follow this link to register for any program at
Dix Park.
Artist Talks
Select dates (see below)
6 to 7 p.m.
The Chapel
Free
Thought-provoking conversations on public art and the environment, in partnership with Small School.
- Thursday, March 7, 2024: Alan Sonfirst, Land + Earth Art
- Thursday, April 18: Jen Delos Reyes, Creative Labor
- Thursday, May 30: Jean Shinn, Discarded Objects
Connect + Create
Select dates (see below)
6 to 7:30 p.m.
The Chapel
Free
In partnership with Artspace, this is a series of art classes for all ages. Materials are included.
- Wednesday, March 13, 2024: Women of History Collage
- Wednesday, April 10, 2024: Watercolor Stickers
- Wednesday, May 8, 2024: Vibrant Vignettes
Craft Club
Select Saturdays
9 to 11 a.m.
Flowers Cottage
Free
A series of “making great good things,” in partnership with A Great Good Space — a community art and design studio for learners of all ages.
- Saturday, March 23, 2024
- Saturday, May 11, 2024
Find all upcoming events at dorotheadixpark.org/calendar.
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However, sometimes things change without notice, and it's also possible that we can make a mistake.
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