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!
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. We haven’t heard anything about the daffodils for 2023, but we’ll update when we do.
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.
Special Events at Dorothea Dix Park
Most events require registration.
Flight Day
Saturday, June 3, 2023
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Big Field
Bring kites, homemade flying machines, and model rockets! Kite vendors and food vendors will be on site too.
Capital City Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 17, 2023
1 to 6 p.m.
Various locations at Dix Park
Performances, children’s activities, children’s storytime, vendors, food.
Summer Solstice Sunrise Yoga
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
6 to 7 a.m.
Flowers Field
Watch the sun rise over downtown Raleigh on the first day of summer as Carrington Jackson Yoga leads the group through an early morning yoga session. All fitness levels welcome.
Raleigh 4th of July Fireworks
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
5 to 9 p.m.
Big Field
Family activity zone, 30 food trucks, music and fireworks!
Foodie Friday
July 28 and August 11, 2023
5 to 7 p.m.
Flowers Field
Enjoy food trucks and live music.
Treasure Hunt
Saturday, August 12, 2023
2 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.
Magnolia Room
Explore Dix Park through this fun treasure hunt. The special event is a partnership with Triangle Treasure Hunt. The puzzles and clues are geared toward ages 13+ and groups of 2-4 are recommended.
Movies on the Lawn: Shrek
Saturday, August 5, 2023
7 to 10 p.m.
Flowers Field
Activities and food trucks start at 7 p.m. and the movie starts at 8:30 p.m. Come dressed as your favorite character or maybe just bring some gumdrop buttons.
Dix Park Inter-Tribal Pow Wow
Saturday, August 26, 2023
11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Big Field
Enjoy a day of competition dancing, and vendors. It showcases the legacy and culture of Indigenous communities living in North Carolina.
Programs and Classes 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.
Indoor Yoga at the Chapel
Select Sundays (see below)
3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Chapel
Yoga is a practice of connection… connecting us to our more authentic selves and connecting people together into community. Join Carrington Jackson for Indoor Sunday Yoga, 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.
- June 4, 2023
- August 13, 2023
Yoga in the Park
Every Monday, from May 22 to August 28, 2023
6 to 7 p.m.
Flowers Field
Enjoy the nature and tranquility of Dix Park as certified yoga instructors lead you through
poses to increase strength and flexibility. All fitness levels welcome.
Guided Walking Tours
Select Saturdays (see below)
12 to 2 p.m.
Chapel
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.
- May 27th, 2023
- June 24, 2023
- July 8, 2023
- August 12, 2023
- August 19, 2023
Hip-Hop Cardio
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
7 to 8 p.m.
The Chapel
Did you love the music of Dreamville? Join TrapFit Raleigh for their uniquely popular 45-minute aerobics class. This class mixes strength training and cardio while listening to popular hip hop tunes. All fitness levels are welcome.Disclaimer: Music may be explicit in nature. This event is 18+.
Connect + Create: All Ages Art Classes
See dates and signup links below
6 to 7:30 p.m.
The Chapel
- June 21, 2023: Creature Kites
- July 12, 2023: Stained Glass Art
- August 16, 2023: Cyanotype Prints
Plant Pals: Gardening Workshops
Select dates (see below)
6 to 7:30 p.m.
The Chapel
- Wednesday, June 7, 2023: Terrariums
- Wednesday, July 19, 2023: Houseplants 101
- Wednesday, August 30, 2023: Propagation 101
Arts on the Hill
Select Wednesdays (see below)
5:30 to 9 p.m.
The Chapel
Raleigh Film and Art Festival series spotlighting gifted filmmakers and spoken word poets with North Carolina roots. Registration is required.
Little Explorers
Select Wednesdays
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Oak Lawn
Preschoolers will have fun learning about animals and nature at the park. Stories, games, songs, and live creatures bring this program to life for little learners! This Program is for ages 2-6, only. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Wednesday, June 21, 2023: Feathered Friends
- Wednesday, July 19, 2023: Water Wonders
- Wednesday, August 23, 2023: Woodland Creatures Big + Small
Bird Watching
Select dates (see below)
8 to 10 a.m.
Flowers Cottage
Learn about the resident and migrant birds of Dix Park, and sharpen your bird identification skills.
- Saturday, June 24, 2023
- Saturday, August 19, 2023
Playdates at Dix Park
Select Wednesdays (see below)
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The Chapel
Join Marbles at Dix Park for play-based programming that sparks curiosity, creativity and connection. Drop in and let your child take the lead. Each session features different ways to play. Age 2-8. Registration is required.
- Science Solvers: June 21, July 19, August 9, 2023
- Makeshop: June 28, July 26, August 16, 2023
- Artrageous: July 12, August 23, 2023
- Extra day of Artrageous: Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 12 p.m.
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.
Leave a Reply