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.
Special 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.
Dix Park Inter-Tribal Powwow
Saturday, October 8th, 2022
11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Big Field
Free
Celebrate the legacy and culture of indigenous communities in North Carolina. This will be a day of competition dancing, music and vendors.
Falling for Local
Saturday, October 15th, 2022
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Big Field
Free
This free festival is presented by Shop Local Raleigh, Dix Park Conservancy and Dorothea Dix Park. It features more than 145 local vendors, more than 20 food trucks, 17 North Carolina craft breweries, FREE pumpkins, hayrides, inflatables, live music and more.
Movies on the Lawn Halloween Double Feature
October 29th, 2022
6 to 10 p.m.
Flowers Field
Free
Enjoy a Halloween Double Feature Movie Night. Come dressed in your Halloween best. There will be a costume contest. Bring a blanket or chair. Food trucks will be on site. You’re welcome to bring your own food and beverages.
- 6 p.m.: Halloween activities and costume parade
- 7 p.m.: Hocus Pocus
- 8:30 p.m.: Scream
More Upcoming 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 (May 30th to August 31st)
Get Fit at Dix: Yoga in the Park (September 7th to November 2nd)
Mondays and Wednesdays
Through November 2nd, 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 (June 2nd to August 25th)
Get Fit at Dix: Tai Chi (September 1st to November 3rd)
Thursdays through November 3rd, 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.
Arts on the Hill
Select dates (see below)
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (doors at 5:30 p.m.)
The Chapel
Free
Thursday, September 8th, 2022
Thursday, October 20th, 2022
Tuesday, November 8th, 2022
Raleigh Film and Art Festival series spotlighting gifted filmmakers and spoken word poets with North Carolina roots.
Fun at Dix Park: Trivia Night
2nd Friday of the month, from September to November, 2022
6:30 to 9 p.m.
The Chapel
Free
With Hammered Trivia, you never know what the next round will ask you, but a well-rounded team has the best odds to walk away victorious. So come hang out with your friends, enjoy the best food trucks, jam out to some great music, compete against fellow Raleigh residents, and see if your team walks away with prizes and bragging rights.
Trivia rounds are varied in themes and gives everyone a chance to be a part of the action. Bring your friends and put your heads together to answer questions from all facets of life like current events, picture rounds, music rounds, entertainment, nature, science, art, etc.
Explore Dix Park: Guided Walking Tour
Saturdays: September 10th and 24th; October 15th and 29th; November 12th and 19th, 2022
12 p.m.
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.
Explore Dix Park: Tour with ASL Interpreters
Saturday, September 10th, 2022
Saturday, September 24th, 2022
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The Chapel
Free
This free 2-3 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. ASL interpreters are provided during this tour.
Birdwatching at Dix Park
Select Saturdays in 2022 (see below)
8 to 10 a.m.
Flowers Cottage
Free
Saturday, September 10th
Saturday, October 22nd
Saturday, November 12th
Learn about the resident and migrant birds of Dorothea Dix Park and sharpen your bird identification skills as we practice birding by sight and by ear to prepare for spring migration. 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.
Pack your binoculars and comfy shoes, and let’s go birding together! No Binoculars? No problem! There will be 15 pairs of sanitized binoculars available for use during the program (first come first served basis).
Gardening Workshop
Select Thursdays in 2022 (see below)
6 to 7 p.m.
The Chapel
Free
September 15th: Maximizing Fall Colors
October 13th: Bulbs
November 10th: Intro to NC Gardening
Join Pat Brothers for informative workshops, which include a lecture, reading materials, and time for questions about your own garden. Registration is required.
Yappy Hour
Saturday, September 17th, 2022
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Dog Park
Free
Enjoy an afternoon of four-legged fun at the Dog Park. There will be food and beer vendors, music, and local pet vendors.
Indoor Yoga at the Chapel
First Sunday of month from September to November, 2022
3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
The Chapel
Free
Join Carrington Jackson for 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.
Connect + Create — All ages art classes
Multiple dates in 2022 (see below)
6 to 7:30 p.m.
The Chapel
Free
August 23rd: Acrylic Pouring
September 14th: Abstract Shape Paintings
September 28th: Leather Bracelets
October 12th: Mindful Mending
October 25th: Cardboard Halloween Masks
November 9th: Fall Inspired Landscapes
November 15th: Found Object Wind Chimes
These classes are presented in partnership with Artspace. Materials are included. Registration is required (see above links.)
KinderMusic
Select dates in 2022 (see below)
9:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. (3 classes each day)
Wednesday, September 21st
Wednesday, October 5th
Wednesday, October 12th
Tuesday, October 18th
The Chapel
Free
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. Registration is required, and space is limited. Make sure to follow the above links so that you can register as soon as registration opens for each date.
Little Explorers: Preschool Nature Program
Select dates in 2022 (see below)
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Friday, September 19th: Up High in an Apple Tree
October 17th: Getting To The Bottom Of It
November 14th: Whoo’s That?
Oak Lawn
Free
Preschoolers will have fun learning about nature and animals at the park. Stories, games, songs, and live creatures bring this program to live. Registration is required.
KinderMusic Playdate at the Park
Sunday, September 25th, 2022
Sunday, October 30th, 2022
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Chapel Event Lawn
Free
Families will enjoy singing, dancing, playing instruments, and much more. It’s recommended that you bring a picnic blanket, water bottle, sunscreen, and insect repellent as this is an outdoor program. Sanitized instruments will be provided, but feel free to bring your own instruments from home!
At this KinderVillage led event, parents will get valuable insights into your child’s development while enjoying a musical time with other families. Kindermusik is a research-based curriculum designed to promote learning through musical play. This program is for families with children ages 2-8.
Civil War History Hike
Saturday, October 22nd, 2022
10 a.m.
The Chapel
Free
Learn about the Union troops who camped on the state hospital grounds in the final days of the war, Raleigh’s earthworks that cut through the property, and the impacts of the Civil War on the hospital and patients. This 2-hour outdoor hike will be led by City of Raleigh Museum Director, Ernest Dollar.
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Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
