Parks & Rec

Want to learn more about City services without the hassle of traveling downtown? Now you can! Raleigh's Community Engagement Team is visiting neighborhoods across the city, bringing resources directly to residents. Residents will have the opportunity to: Learn about projects impacting your community; Sign up for activities and classes, including our FREE English Language programs; Get assistance navigating our website and services; and, Much more!

Join Let’s Get Social Raleigh and Raleigh Parks for the Third Annual Adult Recess Festival at Fletcher Park! Have a great time making new friends, welcoming newcomers to Raleigh, and supporting local, small Black-owned businesses! We know how hard adulting is, and we've made it easy to relieve that stress, even if for a few hours. Play outdoor games like dodgeball and tug-o-war or relax and play a board game or a round of trivia. Adult Recess has something for everyone! This event is free and open to the public. Go to the Let’s Get Social Raleigh website to register to receive event updates! Cost: Free Age: 21+ RSVP for the Adult Recess Festival

Join Us for a Special First Friday Market and Movie—on the Second Friday This May! Mark your calendars for an evening of family fun at Moore Square on Friday, May 9, from 5 – 9 p.m. This month’s First Friday Market and Movie is shifting to the second Friday and promises a lively evening of live music, movie-themed programming, yard games, food trucks, and market vendors. At 7:30 p.m., settle in under the stars for a free screening of Disney’s Tangled (2010). Details Date: Friday, May 9 Vendor Market: 5 - 9 p.m. Movie: 7:30 p.m., Tangled (2010) Food Trucks and Kids Programming Presented in partnership with Get 2 Know Raleigh. Movie sponsored by the Downtown Raleigh Alliance.

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. Learn more about Public Art at Sertoma Arts Center.

Join us for the Senior Resource Fair at "Top" Greene Community Center! This free event connects seniors and caregivers with valuable resources to support health, independence, and community engagement. What to expect: Health and wellness services Nutrition guidance Financial & legal advice Technology assistance Social & community programs Caregiver support Whether you are looking for helpful information, support, or simply a welcoming place to connect, we invite you to join us for a day of learning, laughter, and community. We can't wait to see you there! Location: John P. “Top” Greene Community Center Ages: 55 and older Cost: Free

Join us at Walnut Creek Wetland Park for an open house where you can: See our program in action through hands-on activities Meet current NEC students and hear their experiences Get to know our instructors Learn more about our curriculum Details Location: Walnut Creek Wetland Park Date: Saturday, May 17 Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Ages: Middle and High School Students Cost: Free

The Rootle Roadster Tour is back and rolling into Moore Square on Saturday, May 17, for a free, fun-filled morning designed especially for young children and their families! From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Square will transform into a vibrant hub of hands-on learning, creativity, and play. This unique, on-the-go event supports early childhood education through joyful activities that foster curiosity and discovery. Families can look forward to: Interactive crafts and sensory play stations Music and movement activities that get everyone grooving Literacy and learning games to spark little imaginations Community resources from local partners and educators Meet-and-greets with favorite Rootle characters (while supplies last!) Designed with children ages 2–8 in mind, the Rootle Roadster Tour brings the trusted, educational programming of PBS Kids off the screen and into your community. Join us at Moore Square for a joyful celebration of learning, family, and fun—right in the heart of Downtown Raleigh! Presented by PBS North Carolina in partnership with Raleigh Parks and Marbles Kids Museum. Details Date: Saturday, May 17 Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Ages: All/Family-friendly Cost: Free Does not include admission to the Marbles Kids Museum.

Attention foodies and music lovers alike... Join us for our first night of a series of evenings featuring curated pairings of music genres and delicious cuisines. Dance the night away while savoring yummy bites! Location: John Chavis Memorial Park Ages: All Cost: Free

Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum in collaboration with Artist Studio Project Publishing invite you to our Third Annual International Children’s Day. We all have an inner child and stories have a way of awakening the magic in all of us. Come join us for a free, fun-filled day of storytelling and magic for the whole family. Part of the 10th Annual El Quixote Festival - Voces Cervantinas Ages: All Cost: Free

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. Learn more about Public Art at Sertoma Arts Center.

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.

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