Parks & Rec

Ready to turn memories into living history? Join Raleigh Arts and StoryShed Studio for an energetic, hands‑on workshop that shows you—step by step—how to record and preserve the stories that matter most. From cherished family tales to neighborhood legends, you’ll learn how to capture oral histories through your smartphone and help keep these stories alive. Add your story to Raleigh’s ever‑growing Living Archive and help showcase the city’s vibrant voices. Register for the workshop.

School's almost out, and it’s time to kick off summer in style! Please celebrate with us on Thursday, June 5 for an evening packed with carnival games, face painting, delicious food, arts and crafts, and more. Bring the whole family—fun is guaranteed for all ages! Registration is encouraged. Let’s start the summer off right! Location: Worthdale Community Center Ages: 5 - 12 Cost: Free

Get ready to play, explore, and celebrate—join us for the grand opening of Gipson Play Plaza at Dix Park, where adventure begins! The Gipson Play Plaza ribbon cutting event will take place on Friday, June 6 from 4 to 10 p.m. with grand opening celebration events on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8. More information: Gipson Play Plaza Grand Opening

Date: Saturday June 7 - Sunday June 8 Location: 715 Biggs Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603 Get ready to play, explore, and celebrate—join us for the grand opening of Gipson Play Plaza at Dix Park, where adventure begins! More information: Gipson Play Plaza Grand Opening

Date: Saturday June 7 - Sunday June 8 Location: 715 Biggs Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603 Get ready to play, explore, and celebrate—join us for the grand opening of Gipson Play Plaza at Dix Park, where adventure begins! More information: Gipson Play Plaza Grand Opening

Join Raleigh Historic Sites for a 'Pride Ride' celebrating the city's LGBTQ+ history! This tour will highlight historic locations, neighborhoods, businesses, churches, and other points of interest important to the evolution of Raleigh’s LGBTQ+ community. Tickets are $12 per person. For questions or more information, please call the Mordecai Historic Park Visitor Center at 919-996-4364. Times: 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. Ages: All Cost: $12 per person Get Tickets on RecLink

Join us for a talk by Craig Thompson Friend, author & professor of history at North Carolina State University, and celebrate Dr. Friend’s upcoming book “Becoming Lunsford Lane, The Lives of an American Aeneas. Lunsford Lane's story is a biography for our times: a man searching to define life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in a changing American society scarred by contentious politics, economic challenges, class tensions, loss of political rights, and racial violence. Date: Sunday, June 8 Time: 2 - 3 p.m. Ages: All Cost: Free

Join us for a live music event at Pullen Dance! The Triangle Jazz Orchestra, a 20-piece band will be playing at 2 special dances. Don't miss out on a night of dancing and fun! Can't make it to the dance on April 9, the band will be back for another live performance on June 11. Pre-registration is not required but encouraged, so we can plan accordingly. Location: Pullen Community Center Ages: 18 and older Cost: $10 at the door

Explore the history of North Carolina’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Learn about the evolution of education and its political ties following emancipation, as well as considerations for the future—presentation by Dr. Lesa Redmond and Representative Nasif Majeed. Sponsored by the Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum. Location: City of Raleigh Museum Date: Friday, June 13 Time: 7 - 8 p.m. Ages: 18 and up Cost: Free No Registration Required

Get ready for a night of good music, good food, and fun times at Carolina Pines! There will be musical performances, line dancing, sing-a-longs, and much more. Kidz Zone available at the facility with fun games, activities, and snacks for children ages 5-12. Parents will have to sign kids in and out to participate at Kidz Zone. What to Bring: Blankets, Low-standing lawn chairs, sunscreen, bug spray and other outdoor essentials. Ages: 18 and up Kids Zone is available for children ages 5-12 Cost: Free

Join us at Caraleigh Park on Saturday, June 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a free, family-friendly event celebrating the tactile public art coming to the park! Meet artist, Jean Gray Mohs, share your thoughts on the artwork, and help shape the project with your feedback. Enjoy cool popsicles and get creative with a hands-on paper art activity. All ages welcome—come be part of the process and the fun! This event is free to attend. Learn more about the Public Art at Caraleigh Park. Learn more about the Caraleigh Park Improvements.

Uncover the past through fun, hands-on activities for the whole family! Explore real archaeology techniques with dig boxes, a stratigraphy map, an example excavation square, and more. Perfect for budding scientists and curious minds—come see what you can discover beneath the surface! Join the City of Raleigh Museum for a program that is both educational and entertaining for families every second Saturday of the month. Location: City of Raleigh Museum Date: Saturday, June 14 Time: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Ages: 0 - 10 years old Cost: Free No Registration Required 

Join artist, Jim Gallucci, for a scratch block workshop at Sertoma Arts Center. Participants will carve their own design into a sand mold that will be cast with molten iron during an iron pour event later this year. Jim will incorporate the completed iron blocks into his design for new art that will be a part of the Sertoma expansion. All materials will be provided. The activity involves scratching into sand, so be prepared to get a little sandy.   Register for the Scratch Block Workshop.

How has community shaped the story of John Chavis Memorial Park over the years? Join us for an evening filled with inspiration, history, and celebration to find out. Whether you're a longtime visitor or stepping into the park for the first time, you’ll have the chance to hear powerful stories from community members, explore pop-up exhibits showcasing decades of Chavis history, and take part in a guided walking tour that brings the park’s past to life. There will be fun activities for kids, delicious eats from local food trucks, and plenty of opportunities to connect with others and celebrate the spirit of belonging. Be a part of the story—and help us grow the ever-evolving commUNITY at Chavis! Location: John Chavis Memorial Park Date: Monday, June 16 Time: 6 - 9 p.m. Ages: All Cost: Free