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.
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. Come and take pictures!
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 new Dix Park Dog Park has opened. It includes shade structures and a water station, with a separate area for small dogs. The dog park is near the Williams Building.
Events at Dorothea Dix Park
You need to register for each program. Space is limited. Follow the links below. If there is not a link for an event, then please follow this link below to learn about each program, and to register.
Find all upcoming events at dorotheadixpark.org/calendar.
Get Fit at Dix: Yoga in the Park (through May 25th, 2022)
Get Fix at Dix: Yoga in the Park (May 30th to August 31st)
Mondays and Wednesdays
Through August 31st, 2022
6 p.m.
Flowers Field
Free
Age 12+
Enjoy the nature and tranquility of Dix Park with a yoga class to increase strength and flexibility. All fitness levels welcome! Tickets are required.
Get Fit at Dix: Tai Chi (through the end of May, 2022)
Get Fix at Dix: Tai Chi (June 2nd to August 25th)
Thursdays through August 25th, 2022
6 p.m.
Flowers Field
Free
Age 12+
Tai Chi is a series of slow, continual movements from right to left, up and down, forwards and backwards, to bring you balance. Tai Chi has been proven to lower stress and anxiety, improve mental and physical balance, and improve overall health and vitality.
Explore Dix Park: Guided Walking Tour (through May 28th, 2022, starts at 1 p.m.)
Explore Dix Park: Guided Walking Tour (June to August, 2022, starts at 12 p.m.)
Saturday:
May 28th, 2022
June 11th, 2022
July 2nd, 2022
July 16th, 2022
August 6th, 2022
August 20th, 2022
12 p.m. or 1 p.m. (see above)
The Chapel
Free
This free 2-hour, 3.5 mile walking tour will cover the history of the land, buildings, and legacy of Dorothea Dix; the current use of the area as the headquarters of the Department of Health and Human Services; and the next steps the City is taking to plan the future of the park.
Kindermusik at Dix Park
Wednesdays, April 27th to May 18th, 2022
9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.: Families with multiple children between 3 months and 5 years
10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.: Families with multiple children between 3 months and 5 years
11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: Ages 3-4
The Chapel
Free
Join KinderVillage Music School for Kindermusik classes for children and families. Kindermusik teaches children music so they can become better overall learners. It’s not about making little Mozarts, it’s about developing skills in the whole child – cognitive, physical, social, emotional, language, as well as music. Digital at home materials are provided so the learning can continue at home with with parents and children – reading, doing unique creative activities, and listening to music.
Arts on the Hill
Thursday, May 19th, 2022
5:30 p.m.
The Chapel
Free
Arts on the Hill series will strengthen community ties through films with North Carolina roots and spoken word poetry at Dix Park.
For more than 9 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.
Play On Words is a showcase spotlighting the gifted filmmakers and poets of the Triangle.
Skywatching
Thursday, May 19th, 2022
9:30 p.m.
Big Field
Free
Join staff and volunteers from the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society (CHAOS), and Raleigh Astronomy Club (RAC) for skywatching at Dix Park.
Look through telescopes, facilitated by Morehead staff and dedicated volunteers, at a variety of objects in the sky including Jupiter and Saturn.
To set the stargazing mood, the Triangle Sax Ensemble will be playing some tunes! Bring a blanket or chairs so you can relax under the stars.
Little Explorers — Eye Spy
Monday, May 23rd, 2022
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Oak Lawn
Free
Big eyes, little eyes. Eyes for seeing in the day, eyes for seeing in the night. Eyes in the front of one’s head, eyes on the side of one’s head. The eyes have it! 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 only. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Connect + Create: Foraged Ink Drawing
Tuesday, May 24th, 2022
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The Chapel
Free
Learn about the art of making your own ink from foraged materials. After learning the process, participants will use foraged inks to create a still life drawing.
Instructor: Carlos Burgos
The program is geared for all ages. Due to the materials and processes used in this class we recommend participants are 5 years of age or older, for younger participants parent or guardian supervision is required.
Explore Dix Park: Birdwatching
Saturday, May 28th, 2022
8 to 10 a.m.
Flowers Cottage
Free
Learn about the resident and migrant birds of Dix Park and sharpen your bird identification skills as you practice birding by sight and by ear.
Instructor: Deja Perkins, Naturally Wild
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. This program is free thanks to Dix Park Conservancy donors.
Flight Day
Saturday, June 4th, 2022
1 to 4 p.m.
Big Field
Free
It’s summer time and that means our kites will be in the air! Join us for Flight Day at Dorothea Dix Park with YMCA of the Triangle Y Guides!
Bring your kites or other homemade flying machines and rockets and spend time enjoying your friends, family, and Y Guides crew in the beautiful outdoors. There will be food trucks and kite vendors.
Connect + Create: Batik Summer Flags
Tuesday, June 7th, 2022
6 p.m.
The Chapel
Free
Create a personalized flag that incorporates fun color, designs and shapes that you’ll enjoy waving around all summer long! Instructor: Carlos Burgos
The program is geared for all ages. Due to the materials and processes used in this class we recommend participants are 5 years of age or older, for younger participants parent or guardian supervision is required.
Teddy Bear Picnic
Saturday, June 11th, 2022
10 a.m.
Magnolia Room
Free
Join KinderVillage Music School and bring a picnic for a Teddy Bear Picnic! Bring teddy bear or a stuffed friend and enjoy singing, dancing, playing instruments, and much more. We encourage you to also bring your own instruments (or homemade instruments) you may have. Shakers, bells, a drum, and a scarf are recommended.
At this KinderVillage led event, parents will get valuable insights into your child’s development while enjoying a musical time with other families. This program is for families with children ages 2-8. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Dix Park Treasure Hunt
Saturday, June 11th, 2022
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Kirby Building
Free
How it works:
- Recommended for teams of 2-4 people.
- The puzzles/clues are geared toward ages 13 and up, but younger children are welcome to participate along with adults.
- One person from your team signs up for a start time.
- After an initial briefing, teams depart with their treasure map on a scavenger hunt following clues, solving puzzles, and cracking codes to find and unlock the treasure chest for a prize!
- The hunt takes about 60-90 minutes to complete and involves walking a total distance of 1.5-2.5 miles.
- Time: Various start times: 2:00 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:00 pm & 3:30 pm
Tickets: Participation is limited for each time slot. Registration is required.
Legacy Series: Treasured Keepsakes
Thursday, June 16th, 2022
7 p.m.
The Chapel
Free
The first in a series of programs featuring the power of stories and storytelling, the Dix Park Conservancy Legacy Committee presents ‘Treasured Keepsakes: Vessels of Our Family Stories’. This event is part book club, part storytelling workshop.
First, we kick-off of a community summer reading of All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley’s Sack, a Black Family Keepsake by Tiya Miles.
Chaitra Powell, Curator of the Southern Historical Collection at the Wilson Special Collections Library will share an overview of the book, its themes and discuss the importance of community archives and family storytelling. Next, members of the North Carolina Association of Black Storytellers will give an introduction into family storytelling themes.
- Elders and Living History: EJ Stewart
- Ancestors: Beverly Burnett, President of NC Association of Black Storytellers
- Intimate Family Stories: Evee Evans
Following the presentations, attendees will engage in around-the-table listening sessions to hear each other’s family stories. You are invited to bring an object, artifact or keepsake that helps tell your family’s story.
Juneteenth Festival
Saturday, June 18th, 2022
1 to 5 p.m.
Harvey Hill
Free
Juneteenth (June 19th) is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the abolition of slavery in the United States.
As part of the Capital City Juneteenth Celebration 2022, enjoy an afternoon of entertainment and food on Harvey Hill at Dix Park!
Juneteenth Festival 2022 is presented in partnership by:
- St. Paul’s A.M.E. Church
- NC History Museum
- NC Historic Sites
- Dorothea Dix Park
- Visit NC
- City of Raleigh Museum
Celebration Schedule: Visit juneteenthraleigh.org for a full line-up of events and to watch the livestream!
Summer Solstice Yoga
Tuesday, June 21st, 2022
6 a.m.
Flowers Field
Free
Celebrate the longest day of the year with yoga instructors from CorePower Yoga, as they lead us through a sunrise yoga session. Watch the sun rise over downtown Raleigh on the first day of summer as you breathe, stretch, relax and enjoy the peacefulness of nature. This session is suitable for all ages and abilities. Previous knowledge of yoga is not necessary.
Little Explorers: Habitat Hunt
Monday, June 27th, 2022
11 a.m.
Oak Lawn
Free
Habitat Hunt: What do animals need to survive? Little ones will find out while pretending to be wild creatures of North Carolina in search of just the right habitat! This program is for children ages 2-6 only. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
July 4th Celebration at Dix park
Monday, July 4th, 2022
6 to 11:30 p.m.
Big Field
Free
- Gates Open & Shuttles Begin – 6:00pm
- Fireworks – 9:30pm
- Last Shuttle – 11:30pm
Connect + Create: Botanical Postcards
Tuesday, July 12th, 2022
6 p.m.
The Chapel
Free
Ready for summer? Create floral illustrated postcards for sending messages of warmth, light and love. Instructor: Carlos BurgosThe program is geared for all ages. Due to the materials and processes used in this class we recommend participants are 5 years of age or older, for younger participants parent or guardian supervision is required.
Movies on the Lawn: Moana
Saturday, July 16th, 2022
7 p.,m.
Big Field
Free
Come dressed as your favorite superhero or princess to watch Moana on the big screen. Some of your favorite characters will be there. You might even win a prize for best costume!
Event Schedule:
- 5:30 pm – Event gates open
- 7:00 pm – Movie Moana begins
- 9:30 pm – Movie and event ends
Little Explorers: Small Wonders
Monday, July 25th, 2022
11 a.m.
Oak Lawn
Free
Small Wonders: Little explorers are invited to this special program focusing on tiny creatures like insects, worms and spiders. We’ll sing songs, listen to stories and play games plus we’ll see up close some of nature’s smallest wonders. This program is for children ages 2-6 only. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Connect + Create: Sunflower Paintings
Tuesday, August 2nd, 2022
6 p.m.
The Chapel
Free
Become inspired by the beautiful blooming sunflowers at Dix Park! Create wonderful paintings from observation while in the sunflower fields. This program is planned to occur outside on Flowers Field. Instructor: Carlos Burgos The program is geared for all ages. Due to the materials and processes used in this class we recommend participants are 5 years of age or older, for younger participants parent or guardian supervision is required.
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