Parks & Rec

Celebrate Earth Day at Mordecai Historic Park and get your herb, vegetable, and flower gardens started for the season! Heirloom varieties of plants will be on sale at great prices. All plants are started from seed by the Mordecai Historic Park gardeners. Plants will include tomatoes, peppers, squash, herbs, and much more. Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and provide more information about the garden and grounds at Mordecai Historic Park! For questions or more information, please call 919-996-4364. Location: Mordecai Historic Park Ages: All ages Cost: $3 - $5 per plant

Mark your calendars for a fun-filled family sneaker ball! This family-friendly event is sure to knock your socks off! Come dressed in semi-formal attire and your coolest kicks. This event will have an awesome DJ, games, arts and crafts, and food trucks. Let us see your sneaker game while you dance the night away. Location: Green Road Community Center Ages: All Cost: Free Register on RecLink

Get ready to ride, roll, and have a blast! Join Oaks & Spokes, Wake County Safe Routes to School, and John Chavis Memorial Park for an exciting Community Bike Rodeo and Traffic Garden Event. This fun-filled afterschool celebration brings together active movement, safe streets, Bike Month, and Bike & Roll to School Day. At the Kids Bike Rodeo, children will build confidence on two wheels while learning important bike safety skills. They’ll zoom through an obstacle course and explore a Traffic Garden, a child-sized streetscape where kids can practice road safety through hands-on play and imagination. Details Location: John Chavis Memorial Park Ages: All Cost: Free No Registration is Required

Don't miss an unforgettable evening with the authors of Lost Raleigh: Exploring the Oak City's Architectural History, Ian F. G Dunn and Mary Ruffin Hanbury! This book is a comprehensive look at the city’s cultural and architectural past and a plea to protect and preserve the landmarks that make our cities unique, connecting us to our shared history. Grab your copy, get it personally signed, and walk away with an exclusive, limited edition bookmark absolutely free. Details Location: City of Raleigh Museum Ages: All Cost: Free

Music played a central role in American family life during the 19th and early 20th centuries, long before the advent of television and cellphones. African American households embraced music as a powerful means of self-expression.  Through gospel, jazz, blues, and classical music, African Americans found a way to share their stories, joys, and sorrows. 'Black Joy in the Springtime' beautifully highlights this rich musical heritage at one of Raleigh's historic African American homes. Enjoy a delightful musical performance by Shenette Swann. Details Location: Pope House Museum Date: Saturday, May 9 Time: 2 - 3 p.m. Ages: All Cost: Free

Come out and show off your best hat at Top Greene. This special Hat Show honors and celebrates Black culture and the rich tradition of hat-wearing through style, creativity, and self-expression. Please join us for The Hat Show Contest, a celebratory event honoring creativity, style, and cultural expression on Sunday, May 17, from 3 – 6 p.m. We will feature a special guest, Dr. Donna Corbett, and The Mary Corbett Hat Collection will showcase a timeless collection of her mother’s vintage hats, highlighting the enduring elegance and cultural influence of classic millinery. From refined silhouettes to bold statements, this presentation honors the legacy of style passed from one generation to the next, and Erica Kendrick, a ceramic artist, sculptor, and educator Best Hat Contest Everyone who attends will be entered into the contest and have the opportunity to showcase their hat 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. Come out, show love, and help us make this a night to remember! Details Location: John P. Top Greene African American Cultural Center Ages: All Cost: $15 (All attendees are automatically entered […]

oin us for the 4th Annual International Children's Day! Enjoy books, crafts, and performances! Learn more about the Annual International Children's Day! Location: City of Raleigh Museum Ages: All Cost: Free

Join us for this installment of the Pullen and Fletcher Park free summer concert series! Each summer, local artists donate their talent and time to put on a great free show for the community. On select Sundays from now until Aug. 16, we will host groups performing a variety of different genres that will help set the tone for an awesome evening at these two beautiful facilities. Fred Fletcher Park 805 Washington Street, Raleigh, NC May 31 - SWAG June 7 - Blue Notes Jazz Band July 12 - Invitation July 19 - Thelonius July 26 - Capital Aug. 2 - The Holly Springs Community Band Aug. 9 - Triangle Sax Ensemble Aug. 23 - Carpe Diem Saxophone Quartet Pullen Park 520 Ashe Ave, Raleigh, NC June 21 - Eat a Peach June 28 - Triangle Taiko Aug. 16  - Bull City Trio Details Sunday Evenings Time: 6 - 8 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 […]