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

Get ready for an evening of art, expression, and inspiration at John Chavis Memorial Park! Explore a dynamic exhibition featuring a variety of artistic styles and mediums, each telling its own unique story. Feeling inspired? Jump into our hands-on painting workshop—no experience needed, just bring your creativity. We'll also have light hors d'oeuvres to keep you fueled while you mingle, create, and connect. Come out, get inspired, and experience the power of art in the heart of the community. Location: John Chavis Memorial Park Ages: All Cost: Free

Join us to make time for playing in nature. Children of all ages and the young at heart are welcome to join us for imaginative play in a natural setting.  Dig in the dirt, build a fairy home from natural materials, make mud pies, and more!  We'll provide the materials and guidance to get you started on a playful adventure. Registration is appreciated, but not required. Drop in anytime between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. to join the fun! Adults must accompany their children. Location: Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park Ages: All Cost: Free Register on RecLink

Get ready to move, groove, and vibe all night long on the plaza! We’re turning up the energy with old school classics and new school hits. A special musical guest will keep the vibe alive, and local food trucks will be on-site serving up delicious bites to keep you fueled all night. This is a celebration of music, movement, and community you won’t want to miss. Let’s bring the groove back—Chavis style! Bring your crew, hit the dance floor, and let the good times roll—you do not want to miss this! Location: John Chavis Memorial Park Date: Wednesday, June 18 Time: 6 - 9 p.m. Ages: All Cost: Free

Join us for a special talk by Torrey Dixon on the legal implications of emancipation. Mr. Dixon is the Vice Chair of the City of Raleigh Human Relations Commission and a Special Deputy Attorney General who is active in furthering Civil Rights legislation. This event is in partnership with the Capital City Lawyers Association. Location: City of Raleigh Museum Date: Thursday, June 19 Time: 2 - 3 p.m. Ages: All Cost: Free

Join us at John Chavis Memorial Park for a vibrant Juneteenth celebration filled with joy, culture, and community! It’s a day to come together, honor history, and create new memories with friends, family, and neighbors. We’ve got something for everyone—so bring the whole crew! Enjoy a live DJ spinning feel-good tunes, inflatables for the kids, face painting, hands-on crafts, and a variety of fun activities that celebrate freedom and creativity. And don’t worry about snacks—we’ve got food trucks on site serving up delicious eats throughout the event. Whether you're coming to dance, relax, connect, or just soak in the atmosphere, this is one event you won’t want to miss. Come celebrate with us! Location: John Chavis Memorial Park Ages: All Cost: Free

In honor of Juneteenth, come ride the Historic Raleigh Trolley for a special tour highlighting downtown Raleigh's Black heritage. Explore the city aboard the Historic Raleigh Trolley to learn more about the historic homes, schools, churches, and businesses important to the capital’s Black history. Location: Mordecai Historic Park Date: Saturday, June 21 Tour Times: 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. Ages: All Cost: $10 for adults, $6 for youth (ages 7 - 17)  Get Tickets on RecLink

Sunday, June 22 - Raleigh Concert Band Pullen Park - 520 Ashe Ave, Raleigh, NC Time: 6 p.m. Ages: All Cost: Free Know Before You Go Please bring your own blanket or chair Performers may change without notice Concerts are free, but tips are encouraged At Pullen Park, food will be available for purchase at the cafe At Fletcher Park, please bring your own food and beverages Pullen Park Amusements are open until 8 p.m. It may be canceled for inclement weather. For updates, contact 919-996-6468

Feed your belly and your brain! Bring your lunch to the City of Raleigh Museum and listen to a captivating lecture every third Thursday of the month. Time: noon - 12:45 p.m. Ages: All Cost: Free Previous slide Next slide 1 2 Erin Morton Pugh and Tania Tully Thursday, June 26  Join Erin Morton Pugh and Tania Tully from the City of Raleigh's Historic Preservation Unit. They have recently completed a project to learn about historic places important to the city’s LGBTQIA+ communities. Come hear about how the project got started, the consultant’s research process, highlights from the report, and potential next steps.

Join us for a final open house on June 26, from 5 - 7 p.m. at Tarboro Road Park Community Center (121 N. Tarboro Street, Raleigh). The design team and Raleigh Parks will share the final schematic design plans. Following the June open house, the Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board and the City Council schematic design will review the project design for final approval later this year. Location: Tarboro Road Community Center Ages: All Cost: Free No Registration Required

2025 Summer Concert Series June 29 - Triangle Sax Ensemble Fred Fletcher Park - 820 Clay Street, Raleigh, NC Time: 6 p.m. Ages: All Cost: Free Know Before You Go Please bring your own blanket or chair Performers may change without notice Concerts are free, but tips are encouraged At Pullen Park, food will be available for purchase at the cafe At Fletcher Park, please bring your own food and beverages Pullen Park Amusements are open until 8 p.m. It may be canceled for inclement weather. For updates, contact 919-996-6468