Parks & Rec

Hosted by the Raleigh Youth Council (RYC), Santa’s Workshop is back and brighter than ever! We're inviting little elves-in-training to create holiday treasures with the help of our talented teen facilitators. With festive tunes filling the air, families can expect a heartwarming, memory-making experience. Location: Abbotts Creek Park Date: Saturday, Dec. 13 Time: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Age: Families with children 0 to 12 years Cost: Free Register on RecLink

Join us at the annual Holiday Open House at Mordecai Historic Park! See how the Mordecai House would have been decorated over the past 240 years and learn about different holiday traditions. Walk through the beautifully decorated house and enjoy music, discover historic artifacts, and more. On Saturday, Dec. 13, do some holiday shopping at the Merry and Bright: A North Pole Market! Visit our vendors to find unique gifts, create festive crafts, and sample food vendors. Enjoy seasonal entertainment and stop by a cooking demonstration in our historic kitchen. Visit Paper and Stars Studio’s Eventbrite page to register and receive event updates. The open house continues on Sunday, Dec. 14, with live music by Triangle Shape Note. Both days of this event are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Mordecai Historic Park Visitor Center at 919-996-4364. Ages: All Cost: Free

Come and enjoy a festive Family Fun Day! We will decorate wrapping paper, make snowflakes, and have coloring sheets made from real historical holiday cards. Free and perfect for elementary ages! Location: City of Raleigh Museum Ages: All Cost: Free No Registration Required

Santa is lost in Raleigh, and Holly the Elf needs your help to find him! Join Holly aboard the Historic Raleigh Trolley to help track down Santa in time for Christmas. Arrive up to 30 minutes early or stay after your tour to make a s’more! The trolley leaves from Mordecai Historic Park. Advanced registration is required. For more information, call the Mordecai Historic Park Visitor Center at 919-996-4364. Location: Mordecai Historic Park Times: 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m. Cost: $15 Ages: All Register on RecLink

Artist Studio Project, The Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum, El Centro Hispano,and The Dominican Association of NC invite you to join them at the 9th Annual La Chocolatada de Luisito - Luisitos Chocolatada. This is a free, bilingual, family holiday storytime event. It includes Free Books, crafts, chocolates, songs, treats, hot chocolate, pastries, and more. It’s part of the 11th Annual El Quixote Festival - Children's Voices. This year, we will have children performing: Ana Jimena will delight us with holiday songs. David and Victoria Garrett will treat us to holiday favorites with their string instruments. The Dominican Folkloric Dance Group will dance to get us in the spirit. And Local children's Authors will join us to sign their books. We will also be giving Free Bilingual books to children 0-12 years of age. Details Location: City of Raleigh Museum Ages: All Cost: Free No Registration Required

Join us at the annual Holiday Open House at Mordecai Historic Park! See how the Mordecai House would have been decorated over the past 240 years and learn about different holiday traditions. Walk through the beautifully decorated house and enjoy music, discover historic artifacts, and more. On Saturday, Dec. 13, do some holiday shopping at the Merry and Bright: A North Pole Market! Visit our vendors to find unique gifts, create festive crafts, and sample food vendors. Enjoy seasonal entertainment and stop by a cooking demonstration in our historic kitchen. Visit Paper and Stars Studio’s Eventbrite page to register and receive event updates. The open house continues on Sunday, Dec. 14, with live music by Triangle Shape Note. Both days of this event are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Mordecai Historic Park Visitor Center at 919-996-4364. Ages: All Cost: Free

Join us for a special event featuring African American book illustrators and authors from across the state! Explore a wide selection of children’s books, as well as historical and inspirational works from the African Diaspora — all available for purchase. Special Guest: Mrs. Sherricka Carpenter Stanley, author of "Give Me Some Chin!" and owner of Next Chapter Bookstore & Gift Shop. Come meet the author and support a thriving Black-owned business! Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate Black voices in literature! Location: John P. "Top" Greene African American Cultural Center Ages: All Ages Cost: Free No registration required

Join Us for Jazz on the Greene! Relax, unwind, and get into the holiday spirit with live music by local favorite Phenix Fire! Sunday Afternoon on the Greene, enjoy refreshments and drinks, great company, and smooth jazz vibes. Come dance, laugh, and be merry as we celebrate the season together! All are welcome – bring your friends, your family, and your love of music. Location: John P. "Top" Greene African American Cultural Center Ages: All Cost: Free No Registration Required

Santa is lost in Raleigh, and Holly the Elf needs your help to find him! Join Holly aboard the Historic Raleigh Trolley to help track down Santa in time for Christmas. Arrive up to 30 minutes early or stay after your tour to make a s’more! The trolley leaves from Mordecai Historic Park. Advanced registration is required. For more information, call the Mordecai Historic Park Visitor Center at 919-996-4364. Location: Mordecai Historic Park Times: 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m. Cost: $15 Ages: All Register on RecLink

Build strength and flexibility while enhancing body awareness. In this alignment-focused class, you'll learn how to work from a stable base to feel more grounded both physically and mentally, while also improving range of motion, posture, and balance. Props and modifications are available to meet you where you are. No yoga experience necessary. Class will be inside The Historic Borden Building unless weather permits the use of the Amphitheater. Location: Fred Fletcher Park - Borden Building Ages: 18 and older Cost: $5