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.
Gipson Play Plaza
The Gipson Play Plaza will feature 18.5 acres of playgrounds, gathering spaces, gardens, art and skyline views. The grand opening weekend is June 6 to 8, 2025. Learn about Gipson Play Plaza.
Special Events at Dorothea Dix Park
Capital City Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 14, 2025
2 to 6 p.m.
Check back soon for details
Free
Entertainment, family activities, vendors and food.
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.
Yoga in the Park
May 5, 12, 19, 2025
6 to 7 p.m.
Flowers Field at Dix Park
2105 Umstead Drive, Raleigh, NC
Free
Enjoy the nature and tranquility of Dix Park with yoga classes to increase strength and flexibility. All fitness levels welcome! Plan to bring a yoga mat, a towel and a filled water bottle. Age 12+.
Self-Care Sunday: Yoga
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Sunday, June 1, 2025
Sunday, July 20, 2025
3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
The Chapel
Little Explorers
Tuesday, May 20, 2025: Eye Spy
June 17, 2025: Habitat Hunt
July 21, 2025: Small Wonders
August 18, 2025: Hiding in Plain Sight
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Oak Room Picnic Shelter
Free
Ages 2-6.
Self Care Sunday: Sound Bath
Sunday, May 25, 2025
2 to 3:30 p.m.
The Chapel at Dix Park
1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh, NC
Free
Join us for 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.
Birdwatching
Saturday, May 24, 2025, 8 to 10 a.m.
Saturday, July 26, 2025, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Saturday, August 30, 2025, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Flowers Cottage
2105 Umstead Drive, Raleigh, NC
Free
Learn about the resident and migrant birds of Dix Park and sharpen your bird identification skills as we practice birding by sight and by ear this fall. 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.
Guided Walking Tour
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Saturday, July 19, 2025
12 to 2 p.m.
Stone Houses Visitor Center
830 Umstead Drive, Raleigh, NC
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.
Summer Solstice Sunrise Yoga
Friday, June 20, 2025
6 to 7 a.m.
Flowers Field
Free
Yoga is a practice of connection… connecting us to our more authentic selves and connecting people together into community. Join us for an open-level and vinyasa-based practice, with room for agency, reflection, and personal expression of the poses.
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.
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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