#city-of-raleigh-parks — Public Fediverse posts

City of Raleigh Parks Weekly Events Guide August 31–September 6th Edition

Raleigh Parks begins September with outdoor movies, live music, trivia, nature programs, volunteer opportunities and family activities at parks across the city.

Highlights include a free screening of “Wicked” at Pullen Park, live music at Pullen Dance Club, First Friday activities and a community cleanup at Walnut Creek Wetland Park.

Here is the City of Raleigh Parks Weekly Events Guide for Monday, August 31, through Sunday, September 6, 2026. Events and times are based on the official City of Raleigh calendar⁠.

Monday, August 31

Game On!

Time: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Location: Moore Square

Visitors can enjoy giant lawn games, board games, chess, cornhole, ping-pong, shuffleboard and other recreational activities. Available games may depend on staffing and weather. Learn more about Game On⁠.

Abbotts Creek Trail Mix Trek

Time: 5–6:30 p.m.

The Abbotts Creek Trail Mix Trek gives participants an opportunity to get outside, explore a Raleigh trail and enjoy an active start to the week.

Tuesday, September 1

Game On!

Time: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Location: Moore Square

The recurring outdoor gaming program continues Tuesday at Moore Square.

Moore Storytime!

Time: 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Location: Moore Square

Families with young children can enjoy stories and outdoor time during Moore Storytime.

Moore Music Makers!

Time: 11–11:30 a.m.
Location: Moore Square

Moore Music Makers brings a short, interactive music program to the park for children and families.

Movie Series at Pullen Park: “Wicked”

Time: 6–8 p.m.
Location: Pullen Park Amusements, 520 Ashe Avenue
Admission: Free

Families and movie fans can bring blankets and lawn chairs to the Pullen Park event lawn for a free screening of “Wicked” from 2024. Popcorn and refreshments will be available for purchase at the Pullen Café.

The screening is open to all ages and may be affected by weather. View the official movie-night details⁠.

Wednesday, September 2

Game On!

Time: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Location: Moore Square

Walk Moore!

Time: 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Location: Moore Square

Walk Moore encourages visitors to get moving while spending time in downtown Raleigh’s Moore Square.

Moore Square Buskers Series

Time: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Location: Moore Square

Local performers bring live entertainment to the park during the lunchtime Buskers Series.

Sustainability, Wildlife and Urban Trees Committee

Time: 4:30–5:30 p.m.

The committee will meet to discuss sustainability, wildlife and urban forestry matters connected to Raleigh’s parks and natural resources.

Pullen Dance Live Band Performance

Time: 7–9 p.m.
Location: Pullen Park

Pullen Dance welcomes dancers and music lovers for an evening featuring a live band.

Thursday, September 3

Game On!

Time: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Location: Moore Square

Play Moore!

Time: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Location: Moore Square

Play Moore provides another opportunity for outdoor recreation and family-friendly activities in the heart of downtown Raleigh.

Parks Committee Meeting

Time: 6–7 p.m.

The Raleigh Parks Committee will meet Thursday evening. Residents interested in parks, greenways, recreation facilities and related planning can review the official agenda for meeting details.

Pullen Park After Dark: Trivia on the Event Lawn

Time: 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Location: Pullen Park Amusements
Ages: 18 and older
Cost: $3 per person

Challenge Entertainment will host live trivia featuring general-knowledge questions and Raleigh facts. Participants can register individually or as a team of up to five people, with prizes awarded to the highest-scoring teams.

Advance registration is available through RecLink. View Pullen Park After Dark details⁠.

Friday, September 4

First Friday Market and Movie

Time: 5–9 p.m.

Raleigh Parks joins the city’s First Friday celebration with an evening market and outdoor movie experience.

First Friday With Little Raleigh Radio

Time: 6–9 p.m.

Little Raleigh Radio adds music and entertainment to Friday night’s downtown schedule.

Saturday, September 5

Big Sweep at Walnut Creek Wetland Park

Time: 9 a.m.–noon
Location: Walnut Creek Wetland Park

Community volunteers can help remove litter and protect the natural environment during this Saturday morning cleanup.

Game On!

Time: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Location: Moore Square

Visitors can stop by Moore Square for outdoor games and recreational activities throughout the day.

Sunday, September 6

Game On!

Time: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Location: Moore Square

The weekly schedule concludes with another day of lawn games, board games and outdoor recreation at Moore Square.

Plan Your Week With Raleigh Parks

From free movies and live music to outdoor games and environmental service, Raleigh Parks offers activities for a wide range of interests this week.

Schedules, registration requirements and weather-related updates may change. Attendees should review the City of Raleigh events calendar⁠ before traveling.

Follow DoRaleigh.com for daily updates on government meetings, local festivals, and community happenings — your one-stop guide to everything Raleigh!

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Dorothea Dix Park Weekly Event Guide – July 20–25, 2026

Dorothea Dix Park’s event calendar for July 20–25, 2026, includes outdoor fitness, meditation, adaptive cycling, square dancing and guided birding experiences.

Visitors can practice yoga and tai chi on Harvey Hill, attend a public meeting about park development, learn about painted buntings and join an early-morning bird-watching program. Here is the complete schedule for the week.

Monday, July 20

Plant Pals

“Plant your roots” during Plant Pals, an evening program at The Chapel featuring plants, community and hands-on fun.

• Time: 6–7:30 p.m.
• Location: The Chapel
• Date: Monday, July 20, 2026

Yoga in the Park

Bring a mat and flow through an outdoor yoga session surrounded by the open landscape of Dorothea Dix Park.

• Time: 6–7 p.m.
• Location: Harvey Hill
• Date: Monday, July 20, 2026

Plant Pals and Yoga in the Park take place at overlapping times, so visitors should plan accordingly.

Tuesday, July 21

Tai Chi

Find balance, calm and inner peace during an outdoor tai chi session at Harvey Hill.

• Time: 6–6:45 p.m.
• Location: Harvey Hill
• Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Wednesday, July 22

Meditation

Begin Wednesday with a guided opportunity to slow down, practice mindfulness and find new insight.

• Time: 10–11 a.m.
• Location: The Chapel
• Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Stewardship Committee Meeting

Residents interested in the development and future of Dorothea Dix Park can attend the Stewardship Committee’s public meeting.

• Time: 4–6 p.m.
• Location: The Chapel
• Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2026
• Category: Park development public meeting

Friday, July 24

Learn to Ride: Adapted Biking

This adapted biking program provides an inclusive opportunity for participants to build riding skills and experience cycling at the park.

• Time: 9:30 a.m.–noon
• Location: Flowers Field
• Date: Friday, July 24, 2026

Square Dance Social

Get ready to do-si-do during a Friday-evening Square Dance Social at Gipson Play Plaza.

• Time: 6–8 p.m.
• Location: Gipson Play Plaza
• Date: Friday, July 24, 2026

Saturday, July 25

Birds After Bloom

Meet experts familiar with the colorful painted bunting and discover more about the birds found around the Sunflower Field after the seasonal bloom.

• Time: 7–10 a.m.
• Location: Sunflower Field
• Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026

Bird Watching

Train your eyes and ears to identify birds during this early-morning program at Flowers Cottage.

• Time: 7:30–9:30 a.m.
• Location: Flowers Cottage
• Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026

The two Saturday birding programs overlap. Visitors should review the official program details before deciding which experience to attend.

Plan Your Visit to Dorothea Dix Park

This week’s events offer several ways to enjoy Raleigh’s largest urban park, from outdoor movement and mindfulness to community engagement and wildlife education.

Registration requirements, weather policies, age restrictions and event availability may vary. Visitors should confirm the latest information with Dorothea Dix Park before attending. Outdoor activities may be changed or canceled because of severe weather or unsafe field conditions.

Follow DoRaleigh.com for everything Raleigh, including weekly Dorothea Dix Park events, City of Raleigh meetings, concerts and community activities.

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John Chavis Aquatic Center Update: What Happened to Raleigh’s 2022 Parks Bond Promise?

When Raleigh voters overwhelmingly approved the $275 million Parks Bond in 2022, one of the most anticipated projects was a long-awaited aquatic center at John Chavis Memorial Park in Southeast Raleigh.

Nearly four years later, many residents are asking the same questions:

• Where is the aquatic center?
• Is the project still happening?
• Who is responsible for the delays?

Here’s what we know.

The Project Is Still Planned

Despite concerns from the community, the City of Raleigh says the John Chavis Aquatic Center has not been canceled.

According to the City’s project page, the aquatic center remains Phase 2 of the John Chavis Memorial Park Master Plan and is funded through the 2022 Parks Bond. The project includes:

• Indoor lap pool
• Therapy pool
• Outdoor recreation pool
• Lazy river
• Vortex play feature
• Two-story waterslide
• Heritage Plaza improvements
• Additional parking and public art 

The facility is designed to become one of Raleigh’s premier public aquatic destinations.

Why Hasn’t Construction Started?

The project is still in the planning and design phase.

Since voters approved the Parks Bond, the City has been:

• Completing engineering and architectural design
• Conducting community engagement
• Selecting public art
• Refining construction plans
• Preparing the project for bidding and construction 

Large public projects often spend several years in design before construction begins, particularly when they involve historic parks and complex recreational facilities.

Who Is Responsible?

The responsibility for delivering the project ultimately rests with the City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department, working alongside the Raleigh City Council, which oversees Parks Bond funding and capital improvement projects.

Because the aquatic center is a voter-approved Parks Bond project, City staff are responsible for:

• Managing design and engineering
• Hiring consultants and contractors
• Keeping the project within budget
• Reporting progress to City Council and the public 

Why This Project Matters

John Chavis Memorial Park is more than just another city park.

Opened in 1937 during segregation, it became one of the few recreational spaces available to Black families in North Carolina. The park’s historic swimming pool served generations of Southeast Raleigh residents before it was eventually removed during earlier renovations.

For many residents, bringing back a modern aquatic facility is about more than recreation—it’s about restoring an important community asset and honoring the park’s history. 

Community Questions Continue

Although the City continues to list the aquatic center as an active Parks Bond project, many residents want greater transparency regarding:

• An expected construction start date
• Estimated completion timeline
• Updated project costs
• Potential impacts from inflation
• Regular public progress reports

As one of the largest investments planned for Southeast Raleigh, many community members believe consistent communication is just as important as the construction itself.

What’s Next?

As of July 2026, the City of Raleigh continues to identify the John Chavis Aquatic Center as an active Parks Bond project, and planning work remains underway. While no opening date has been announced, the project is still expected to move forward as funding and design milestones are completed. 

DoRaleigh will continue monitoring City Council updates, Parks Bond reports, and project announcements to keep the community informed.

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Dorothea Dix Park Weekly Event Guide – July 13–19, 2026

Looking for things to do at Dorothea Dix Park this week? From outdoor fitness classes and family activities to history programs, wellness experiences, and community events, Dorothea Dix Park offers something for every age during the week of July 13–19, 2026.

Whether you’re looking to get active, learn something new, or simply enjoy one of Raleigh’s most beautiful public spaces, here’s what’s happening this week.

Monday, July 13

🧘 Yoga in the Park

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Harvey Hill

Unwind with an evening yoga session overlooking the park’s beautiful landscape. Open to participants of all experience levels.

Tuesday, July 14

🏛️ Dix Park Commission Meeting

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Stay informed about ongoing park development, future projects, and community planning during the monthly public commission meeting.

💪 Pilates in the Park

6:00 PM – 6:45 PM
Flowers Field

Enjoy a refreshing outdoor Pilates class designed to improve strength, flexibility, and balance.

Thursday, July 16

📚 Public Library Pop-Up

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
House of Many Porches Market

Browse books, enjoy story time, and participate in family-friendly literacy activities presented by Wake County Public Libraries.

Friday, July 17

🌻 Sensory-Friendly Sunflowers

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Sunflower Field

Experience the sunflower fields in a calm, low-sensory environment designed to create an inclusive and welcoming experience for visitors of all abilities.

Saturday, July 18

🎶 Music in the Market

11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
House of Many Porches Market

Spend the afternoon enjoying live music, local vendors, and the vibrant atmosphere at the market.

🏥 Designing Dix Hospital: The Past, Present & Future

3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
The Chapel

Explore the fascinating history of Dix Hospital and learn how the campus continues to evolve into one of Raleigh’s signature public parks.

Sunday, July 19

❤️ Grief Talks: Holding on to Love and Loss

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
The Chapel

Join a facilitated community discussion focused on healing, support, and navigating grief in a welcoming environment.

🎵 Sound Bath

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
The Chapel

Relax and recharge during a guided sound bath experience using soothing vibrations to encourage mindfulness and deep relaxation.

Experience Dorothea Dix Park This Week

From fitness classes and educational programs to wellness experiences and family activities, Dorothea Dix Park continues to be one of Raleigh’s premier destinations for recreation, learning, and community connection.

Visit DoRaleigh.com daily for the latest events, local news, outdoor activities, and everything happening across Raleigh and the Triangle.

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Top Greene’s “Adornment of Grace” Hat Show Contest Returns to Raleigh (May 17, 2026)

Celebrate culture, creativity, and timeless style at one of Raleigh’s most unique community events this spring. The Adornment of Grace Hat Show Contest is set to take over Top Greene Cultural Center, bringing together fashion, heritage, and self-expression in a powerful and elegant way.

Event Details

• Event: Adornment of Grace Hat Show Contest
• Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026
• Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Location: John P. Top Greene African American Cultural Center
• Admission: $15 (includes entry into the contest)
• Ages: All ages welcome

🎟️ Tickets: Available via RecLink

A Celebration of Culture, Style & Legacy

Top Greene’s Adornment of Grace Hat Show Contest is more than just a fashion event—it’s a celebration of Black culture and the rich tradition of hat-wearing. From church crowns to bold statement pieces, hats have long been a symbol of identity, pride, and creativity.

This special event invites the community to showcase their personal style while honoring generations of cultural expression.

✨ Featured Highlights

• 🎤 Special Guest: Dr. Donna Corbett
• 👗 The Mary Corbett Hat Collection
  A stunning display of vintage hats celebrating timeless elegance and cultural influence
• 🎨 Featuring Erica Kendrick
  Ceramic artist, sculptor, and educator bringing creative perspective to the event

Best Hat Contest

Everyone who attends is automatically entered into the Best Hat Contest!

• Show off your best look and creative flair
• Walk the stage and represent your style
• Compete for a chance to win a FREE 3-hour rental at Top Greene

Bring your confidence, your culture, and your crown—because the hat makes the statement.

Why You Should Attend

• Celebrate Black culture and artistic expression
• Experience a one-of-a-kind fashion and community event
• Connect with creatives, families, and culture lovers in Raleigh
• Enjoy a stylish Sunday filled with inspiration and storytelling

Stay Connected with DoRaleigh

Follow DoRaleigh for more City of Raleigh Parks events, cultural celebrations, and community highlights happening across the Triangle.

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