# Things to do with kids in Wake County, NC

> 74 upcoming family events and 47 places and ongoing programs in Wake County, NC, in the Raleigh–Cary area. Listings whose address ZIP code is in this county (Census Bureau ZIP-to-county file). Dates and times are Eastern Time. Today is Sat, Oct 24.

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Oct 24, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-10-24), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/counties/wake-county-nc

## Events ahead

- [Creepy Critter Month at Lake Crabtree](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/creepy-critter-month-at-lake-crabtree--listing-71d4de729c639eac1c7bcab3) — Oct 24 – Oct 31 · Lake Crabtree County Park, Morrisville · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. Lake Crabtree County Park celebrates Halloween with a month of creepy-critter fun. Through Oct 31, families can follow the self-guided Creepy Crawly scavenger hunt along the…
- [Día de los Muertos Festival with Revista Latina](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/dia-de-los-muertos-festival-with-revista-latina--listing-863729d442deee20b6328083) — Sun, Oct 25 · 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM · City Plaza · Free · checked Oct 24. Revista Latina NC's free Day of the Dead festival takes over Fayetteville Street and City Plaza in downtown Raleigh. Billed as being for the whole family, it has 31 performances…
- [K-5th Adventures: Sugar Skulls for Día de los Muertos — Oberlin Regional Library](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/k-5th-adventures-sugar-skulls-for-dia-de-los-muertos-oberlin-regional--listing-551d793d169edeb06cec6332) — Mon, Oct 26 (+1 more date) · 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM · Oberlin Regional Library · Free · checked Oct 24. A Día de los Muertos craft session in Oberlin Regional Library's K-5th Adventures series, where elementary-age kids read, create and explore through hands-on activities. This…
- [Nature Play Day at NCMA](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/nature-play-day-at-ncma--listing-99821f78be99db9160fd27ef) — Mon, Oct 26 (+1 more date) · 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM · North Carolina Museum of Art · Up to 7 · Free · checked Oct 24. A free, drop-in outdoor play morning run by the Natural Sciences museum's Prairie Ridge play facilitators on the grounds of the North Carolina Museum of Art. Staff stock part of…
- [Halloween Hoopla! K-5th Adventures — Green Road Library](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/halloween-hoopla-k-5th-adventures-green-road-library--listing-085c7cd962c55af04faed37d) — Tue, Oct 27 · 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM · Green Road Community Library · Free · checked Oct 24. Green Road Community Library in northeast Raleigh hosts a Halloween party for elementary-school kids in its K-5th Adventures series. Children rotate through a variety of…
- [Movies @ the Library: Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie — Zebulon](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/movies-the-library-pooh-s-heffalump-halloween-movie-zebulon--listing-7fd356456466f3bb3d3ff34d) — Tue, Oct 27 · 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM · Zebulon Community Library · Free · checked Oct 24. A free Halloween-week movie afternoon at Zebulon Community Library in eastern Wake County, showing the gentle animated Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie. With Winnie the Pooh and…
- [Lions Park Trunk-Or-Treat](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/lions-park-trunk-or-treat--listing-48ba5d9fc0cd40d7868b25e1) — Thu, Oct 29 · 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM · Lions Park · Free · checked Oct 24. A free family Halloween evening in Lions Park in east Raleigh, run by City of Raleigh Parks with community partners, local businesses and City staff. Children trick-or-treat from…
- [Nocturnal Animals at Crowder County Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/nocturnal-animals-at-crowder-county-park--listing-a35a0140d91a97c7cae45577) — Thu, Oct 29 · 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM · Crowder County Park, Apex · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. An evening nature program at Crowder County Park in Apex about what comes alive after dark. A park naturalist explains what local critters do when the sun goes down, then the…
- [Walk Through the Seasons at Prairie Ridge](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/walk-through-the-seasons-at-prairie-ridge--listing-f1c42f65312e5e78d08a7897) — Thu, Oct 29 (+1 more date) · 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Prairie Ridge Ecostation · Ages 5+ · checked Oct 24. A monthly naturalist-led hike at Prairie Ridge Ecostation, the Natural Sciences museum's field station in west Raleigh. The two-hour walk covers both woods and prairie, and the…
- [Skate Night at the Dix Park Chapel](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/skate-night-at-the-dix-park-chapel--listing-85210ff22d0447654fda7da7) — Fri, Oct 30 · 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM · The Chapel at Dix Park · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. A free roller-skating night inside the historic Chapel at Dorothea Dix Park, run with The Wright Wheelhouse. Two all-ages rolls (5:00–6:15 pm and 6:45–8:00 pm) suit families and…
- [Bird Watching at Dix Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/bird-watching-at-dix-park--listing-e0cd7a7f2965d3ed17a9a348) — Sat, Oct 31 (+1 more date) · 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM · Stone Houses Visitor Center, Dix Park · Free · checked Oct 24. A free monthly birding walk at Dorothea Dix Park led by instructor Bella Insignares. Participants learn to identify the park's resident and migrating birds by sight and by ear…
- [Halloween at Hogwarts — NC Symphony Family Fun Concert](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/halloween-at-hogwarts-nc-symphony-family-fun-concert--listing-eada99805e61d655a9001153) — Sat, Oct 31 · 11:00 AM · Meymandi Concert Hall, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts · Paid · checked Oct 24. The North Carolina Symphony's Young People's Concert for Halloween: music from the world of Harry Potter and other not-so-scary favorites in Meymandi Concert Hall, with two…
- [Trunk-or-Treat and Pumpkin Parlor at the Top Greene Center](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/trunk-or-treat-and-pumpkin-parlor-at-the-top-greene-center--listing-37e46c9d3613b539b2fc8dfa) — Sat, Oct 31 · 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM · John P. "Top" Greene African American Cultural Center · Free · checked Oct 24. Halloween afternoon at the John P. 'Top' Greene African American Cultural Center. It starts with trunk-or-treating in the parking lot alongside the NC Black Women Empowered 50+…
- [Smashing Pumpkins: Composting Your Jack-O-Lanterns](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/smashing-pumpkins-composting-your-jack-o-lanterns--listing-fe482a2538f39385c82e6fbb) — Sun, Nov 1 · 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM · Beech Bluff County Park, Willow Spring · Free · checked Oct 24. Bring your carved Halloween pumpkins to Beech Bluff County Park's Harvest Hub the day after Halloween. In this drop-in workshop families learn the dirty details of composting and…
- [K-5th Adventures: Celebrate the Light — West Regional Library](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/k-5th-adventures-celebrate-the-light-west-regional-library--listing-abdbda119eb0ab5144d9f0bc) — Mon, Nov 2 · 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM · West Regional Library, Cary · Free · checked Oct 24. At West Regional Library in Cary, elementary-age children learn about the different holidays around the world that celebrate light — a timely theme with Diwali, Hanukkah and…
- [Teen Dungeons and Dragons Night — Leesville Community Library](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/teen-dungeons-and-dragons-night-leesville-community-library--listing-7da52c6bb63de34c39687052) — Wed, Nov 4 (+1 more date) · 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Leesville Community Library · Free · checked Oct 24. A monthly two-hour Dungeons & Dragons session for teens at Leesville Community Library in north Raleigh. Experienced players may bring a character from home (see the library's…
- [What's in the Box? Preschool Art Mornings at NCMA](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/what-s-in-the-box-preschool-art-mornings-at-ncma--listing-a25fd1d9bcd571da2b9fd077) — Wed, Nov 4 (+2 more dates) · 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM · North Carolina Museum of Art · Ages 3–5 · From $12 · checked Oct 24. The North Carolina Museum of Art's monthly program for preschoolers. Children aged three to five and their caregivers meet a work of art in the galleries, then head to the…
- [Birdwatching for Beginners at Prairie Ridge](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/birdwatching-for-beginners-at-prairie-ridge--listing-798fa56d64021fb98f010199) — Thu, Nov 5 · 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Prairie Ridge Ecostation · Ages 8+ · checked Oct 24. A relaxed introduction to birding at Prairie Ridge Ecostation. The group walks slowly for about a mile through several habitats, learning how to spot and identify common birds…
- [K-5th Adventures: Diwali Sand Art — Southeast Regional Library, Garner](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/k-5th-adventures-diwali-sand-art-southeast-regional-library-garner--listing-afbf13834f0c0f241031294b) — Thu, Nov 5 · 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM · Southeast Regional Library, Garner · Free · checked Oct 24. Ahead of Diwali, children at Southeast Regional Library in Garner read about the festival of lights and make their own colorful sand art inspired by traditional rangoli designs…
- [First Friday Market and Movie: Fantastic Mr. Fox](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/first-friday-market-and-movie-fantastic-mr-fox--listing-4790b88acf53fad4394ec0c3) — Fri, Nov 6 · 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Moore Square · Free · checked Oct 24. The last First Friday Market and Movie of the season in Moore Square. Local vendors and food trucks set up from 5 pm, live music starts at 5:30, and at 6:30 pm the outdoor screen…
- [Hike with a Naturalist at Historic Yates Mill](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/hike-with-a-naturalist-at-historic-yates-mill--listing-b99ebe87de95e4c7181d0741) — Fri, Nov 6 (+2 more dates) · 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM · Historic Yates Mill County Park · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. A guided naturalist hike around Historic Yates Mill County Park in south Raleigh, looking for the plants and animals that live around the millpond and woods. Expect to walk at…
- [Movie Night: Minions at Downtown Cary Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/movie-night-minions-at-downtown-cary-park--listing-6a53c0959d53e4ccae7f2430) — Fri, Nov 6 · 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM · Downtown Cary Park · Free · checked Oct 24. The final free outdoor film of Downtown Cary Park's 2026 Movie Night Series is Minions (PG), the prequel to Despicable Me, shown on the Great Lawn Pavilion screen and curated by…
- [Museum Movie Night: Jurassic Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/museum-movie-night-jurassic-park--listing-7faf93c9d182b5447a218854) — Fri, Nov 6 · 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM · North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences · Paid · checked Oct 24. The Natural Sciences museum's Museum Movie Night pairs a film with science. Before the screening (5:30–7 pm) there is live music, hands-on science stations and food and drinks…
- [Teen Science Café: Rhino Conservation](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/teen-science-cafe-rhino-conservation--listing-b07d63d8537fcb49e9a28b40) — Fri, Nov 6 · 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM · North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences · Ages 11–17 · Free · checked Oct 24. Teen Science Cafés are free first-Friday evenings for teenagers at the Natural Sciences museum's Daily Planet Cafe. This month Dr. Liz Kierepka, head of the museum's Genomics and…
- [Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Day](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/astronomy-and-astrophysics-research-day--listing-a8ffda3c6f2042e45b3d7890) — Sat, Nov 7 · 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM · North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences · All ages · checked Oct 24. One of the museum's Research Highlight Days, filling the first and third floors of the Nature Research Center with astronomy tables. Visitors can try Spiral Graph: Cluster…
- [Birding with Vernon at Lake Crabtree](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/birding-with-vernon-at-lake-crabtree--listing-f6a8533b3cae061edfa79085) — Sat, Nov 7 (+1 more date) · 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM · Lake Crabtree County Park, Morrisville · Ages 8+ · Free · checked Oct 24. An easy, slow-paced bird walk at Lake Crabtree County Park in Morrisville with volunteer bird enthusiast Vernon Janke. Families look and listen for birds and learn about their…
- [Family-Friendly Tours at NCMA](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/family-friendly-tours-at-ncma--listing-c68715c1c18a06d8298b5e9d) — Sat, Nov 7 (+2 more dates) · 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM · North Carolina Museum of Art · Ages 5–11 · Free · checked Oct 24. Playful 30-minute gallery tours at the North Carolina Museum of Art, built for kids aged 5 to 11 and the adults with them. Guides help children find new favorite artworks and…
- [Pop-Up Art with Nancy Baker Cahill](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/pop-up-art-with-nancy-baker-cahill--listing-f8922ea55bef1cf807c7a00a) — Sat, Nov 7 · 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM · North Carolina Museum of Art · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. A drop-in, all-ages art afternoon outdoors in the NCMA Museum Park. Families meet artist Nancy Baker Cahill and try her interactive augmented-reality artworks, then make their…
- [Pullen & Sertoma Fall Arts Fair](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/pullen-and-sertoma-fall-arts-fair--listing-563919ecf4a2466e976f8535) — Sat, Nov 7 · 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM · Fred Fletcher Park · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. The annual Fall Arts Fair of Raleigh's Pullen and Sertoma Arts Centers fills Fred Fletcher Park with about 60 tents of work by the centers' bookmakers, fiber and glass artists…
- [STEAM Lab: Building Bridges — Northeast Regional Library](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/steam-lab-building-bridges-northeast-regional-library--listing-2c1258583ab8c13cf4b2a18e) — Sat, Nov 7 · 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM · Northeast Regional Library · Free · checked Oct 24. Northeast Regional Library's STEAM Lab is a hands-on series for 3rd through 5th graders that blends science, technology, engineering, art and math. In this Saturday-afternoon…
- [Dueling Dinosaurs Sensory Friendly Mornings](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/dueling-dinosaurs-sensory-friendly-mornings--listing-1e3c5b760bbfb11f75a65c43) — Sun, Nov 8 (+1 more date) · 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM · North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences · All ages · checked Oct 24. Sensory-friendly mornings in the museum's Dueling Dinosaurs exhibit, with reduced noise effects and smaller crowds. The visit is self-guided, but families can talk with the…
- [Instrument Petting Zoo at Gipson Play Plaza](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/instrument-petting-zoo-at-gipson-play-plaza--listing-b7659099265f26bb98cc8386) — Sun, Nov 8 · 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM · Gipson Play Plaza, Dix Park · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. An interactive, beginner-friendly music afternoon at Dix Park's Gipson Play Plaza with the Raleigh Music Collective. Two youth quartets perform, then everyone is invited to try…
- [K-5th Adventures: Salute Our Veterans — Oberlin Regional Library](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/k-5th-adventures-salute-our-veterans-oberlin-regional-library--listing-8272d48d698f88b24fea4e9b) — Mon, Nov 9 · 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM · Oberlin Regional Library · Free · checked Oct 24. Just before Veterans Day, Oberlin Regional Library invites elementary-age children to learn about military families and celebrate them by making star-and-streamer wreaths. The…
- [Nature Stories at NCMA](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/nature-stories-at-ncma--listing-88da9a6f93359b504b48b4c9) — Mon, Nov 9 · 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM · North Carolina Museum of Art · Up to 7 · Free · checked Oct 24. A family nature story time led by Prairie Ridge Ecostation educators at the North Carolina Museum of Art. The session opens with a picture book, then moves into hands-on…
- [STEAM Lab: Dimensions and Dodecahedrons — West Regional Library](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/steam-lab-dimensions-and-dodecahedrons-west-regional-library--listing-d88283e89ec0b51942c539f6) — Thu, Nov 12 · 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM · West Regional Library, Cary · Free · checked Oct 24. A geometry play session for 3rd–5th graders at West Regional Library in Cary. Kids play with shapes and learn how to build three-dimensional objects such as cubes and…
- [Little Explorers: Webs and Their Weavers](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/little-explorers-webs-and-their-weavers--listing-0ea7a8cf500cb8372055e532) — Fri, Nov 13 · 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM · House of Many Porches Market, Dix Park · Ages 2–6 · Free · checked Oct 24. A nature program for preschoolers at Dix Park, run with Raleigh Parks Nature Programs. November's session is all about spiders, the eight-legged master architects: games…
- [The Nutcracker — Carolina Youth Ballet](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/the-nutcracker-carolina-youth-ballet--listing-de5c9014101f9da83a0a9141) — Fri, Nov 13 (+1 more date) · 6:00 PM · Fletcher Opera Theater, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts · Paid · checked Oct 24. Carolina Youth Ballet stages its own Nutcracker in the Fletcher Opera Theater at the Martin Marietta Center a month before the big holiday run. Young dancers perform the familiar…
- [Exhibit Opening: The Doctor Is In at Pope House Museum](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/exhibit-opening-the-doctor-is-in-at-pope-house-museum--listing-045b6df8bfa825b1204dee9d) — Sat, Nov 14 · 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM · Pope House Museum · Free · checked Oct 24. The Dr. M.T. Pope House Museum, a City-run historic house in downtown Raleigh, unveils a new permanent exhibit on the experiences of Black physicians in the 20th-century South…
- [Foam Stamp Printing Workshop with Adam Cooley — Brentwood Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/foam-stamp-printing-workshop-with-adam-cooley-brentwood-park--listing-b7a52e1705ea96ce472a326d) — Sat, Nov 14 · 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM · Brentwood Park · Ages 8+ · From $5 · checked Oct 24. A small hands-on printmaking workshop with SEEK Raleigh artist Adam Cooley at Brentwood Park. Participants cut simple shapes from craft foam, mount them as stamps and print…
- [Hot Dogs with Heroes: Sensory-Friendly Fire Station Visit](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/hot-dogs-with-heroes-sensory-friendly-fire-station-visit--listing-4e5602883239fbdc55a81332) — Sat, Nov 14 · 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM · Raleigh Fire Station 12 · Free · checked Oct 24. A sensory-friendly morning at Raleigh Fire Station 12, organized by the Raleigh Fire Department with the nonprofit Cool2Care for autistic children and their families. Kids can…
- [Learn to Ride a Bike at Dix Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/learn-to-ride-a-bike-at-dix-park--listing-79892818a808eb0b850f6ede) — Sat, Nov 14 · 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM · Gipson Play Plaza, Dix Park · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. A free group class at Dix Park, run with the nonprofit Oaks and Spokes, that teaches children the hardest part of riding a bicycle: balancing on two wheels without training…
- [NCMA to Go Art Kits: Sponge, Stamp, Soar](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/ncma-to-go-art-kits-sponge-stamp-soar--listing-fda12ad9df0b11721ccf19e7) — Sat, Nov 14 · 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM · North Carolina Museum of Art · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. A free take-home art kit from the North Carolina Museum of Art, picked up in the East Building lobby. This month's kit has materials and written instructions for a…
- [Fall Holidays Around the World: K-5th Adventures — East Regional Library, Knightdale](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/fall-holidays-around-the-world-k-5th-adventures-east-regional-library--listing-d6d64a5fdbde78dbd6434e11) — Tue, Nov 17 (+1 more date) · 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM · East Regional Library, Knightdale · Free · checked Oct 24. Elementary-age kids 'travel the globe' at East Regional Library in Knightdale, learning about fall celebrations in different countries and then designing their own festive…
- [Pine Cone Turkeys: K-5th Adventures — Green Road Library](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/pine-cone-turkeys-k-5th-adventures-green-road-library--listing-e3ae4d1cba26833feaa7e661) — Tue, Nov 17 · 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM · Green Road Community Library · Free · checked Oct 24. A Thanksgiving nature craft at Green Road Community Library in Raleigh: elementary-age children turn pine cones into turkeys to take home as table decorations. It is a free…
- [Art + Nature Story Time with Prairie Ridge Ecostation](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/art-nature-story-time-with-prairie-ridge-ecostation--listing-a37e34bb05a0d7e21c593802) — Wed, Nov 18 · 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM · North Carolina Museum of Art · Free · checked Oct 24. A hybrid indoor-and-outdoor story time at the North Carolina Museum of Art led by educators from Prairie Ridge Ecostation. Children look, listen and move while connecting picture…
- [Math Makers at Gipson Play Plaza](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/math-makers-at-gipson-play-plaza--listing-c23613be9250a99de8a198d6) — Wed, Nov 18 · 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM · Gipson Play Plaza, Dix Park · Free · checked Oct 24. Playful hands-on math for families at Dix Park, led by Natural Math and the NC Network of Math Teachers' Circles. Children and grown-ups build curious creations together while…
- [Science Detectives Homeschool Classes: Coastal Critters, Tropical Biodiversity and Pond Life](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/science-detectives-homeschool-classes-coastal-critters-tropical-biodiv--listing-589eff69c73335f49672aa65) — Wed, Nov 18 · 10:15 AM – 11:45 AM · North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences · Ages 5+ · checked Oct 24. Hour-long Science Detectives classes for homeschool and track-out students at the Natural Sciences museum, held in three age bands on the same morning. Coastal Critters (ages…
- [Teens: Sunrise on the Reaping Craft Night — North Regional Library](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/teens-sunrise-on-the-reaping-craft-night-north-regional-library--listing-26d61487bb8ea7341f2b4a72) — Thu, Nov 19 · 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM · North Regional Library · Free · checked Oct 24. Hunger Games fans can get ready for the Sunrise on the Reaping movie release at North Regional Library in Raleigh, making crafts inspired by the world of Panem. It is a free teen…
- [Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting and Holiday Market](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/downtown-raleigh-tree-lighting-and-holiday-market--listing-1b892e4c8697c867e502f3e8) — Fri, Nov 20 · 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM · Moore Square · checked Oct 24. Downtown Raleigh's tree lighting celebration returns to Moore Square, drawing more than 4,000 people to see the Raleigh Christmas tree lit for the season. A holiday vendor market…
- [Apex Turkey Trot 5K](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/apex-turkey-trot-5k--listing-3861e0d1eefd9ff488208c94) — Sat, Nov 21 · 10:00 AM · Apex Community Park · From $12 · checked Oct 24. The Town of Apex's 28th annual Turkey Trot is a 5K through Apex Community Park and around its lake on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Runners choose Competitive (chip-timed…
- [Corn Grinding Tours at Historic Yates Mill](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/corn-grinding-tours-at-historic-yates-mill--listing-e88328def4b51d28678a5d0b) — Sat, Nov 21 (+1 more date) · 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM · Historic Yates Mill County Park · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. Watch a historic water-powered gristmill at work. At Historic Yates Mill County Park, historical interpreters lead visitors inside the mill to see the waterwheel turn and the…
- [North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/north-carolina-chinese-lantern-festival--listing-40d644119b2d7eeb2d85d262) — Nov 21 – Jan 10 · 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary · Paid · checked Oct 24. For its eleventh year the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival fills Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary with all-new, larger-than-life lantern displays made by Chinese artisans…
- [Raleigh Christmas Parade](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/raleigh-christmas-parade--listing-0691e8580d024003ed1b7b02) — Sat, Nov 21 · 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM · Downtown Raleigh parade route (Hillsborough St. to Fayetteville St.) · Free · checked Oct 24. The 82nd ABC11 Raleigh Christmas Parade, organized by the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association and presented by Shop Local Raleigh, bills itself as the largest Christmas parade…
- [Art in the Park: The Colors of Fall at Crowder County Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/art-in-the-park-the-colors-of-fall-at-crowder-county-park--listing-a0b4ded32267caa888d51583) — Sun, Nov 22 · 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM · Crowder County Park, Apex · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. A guided outdoor art hour at Crowder County Park in Apex for artists of every age and skill level. Using fall leaves as inspiration, families learn about the color wheel…
- [Shelter Building at Beech Bluff County Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/shelter-building-at-beech-bluff-county-park--listing-1a94086c4ccc66689f74d382) — Sun, Nov 22 · 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM · Beech Bluff County Park, Willow Spring · Ages 6+ · Free · checked Oct 24. A two-hour outdoor skills workshop in the woods of Beech Bluff County Park in southern Wake County. Participants learn to build primitive shelters from natural materials and tarp…
- [3rd-5th Adventures: Whipped Cream Workshop — Northeast Regional Library](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/3rd-5th-adventures-whipped-cream-workshop-northeast-regional-library--listing-ba62b85bac2acdce12e11f30) — Tue, Nov 24 · 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM · Northeast Regional Library · Free · checked Oct 24. Two days before Thanksgiving, 3rd–5th graders at Northeast Regional Library in Raleigh learn to make their own whipped cream — the essential topping for pumpkin pie — just in…
- [Cirque Holiday Pops — NC Symphony](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/cirque-holiday-pops-nc-symphony--listing-1fe60122d93b6d448fec6b36) — Wed, Nov 25 (+2 more dates) · 4:00 PM · Meymandi Concert Hall, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts · Paid · checked Oct 24. The North Carolina Symphony opens the holiday season over Thanksgiving weekend with an all-new Cirque Holiday Pops: Cirque de la Symphonie acrobats perform high-flying routines…
- [Trophy Trot 5K and Kids' Race](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/trophy-trot-5k-and-kids-race--listing-f18c0832ec77e30eab0cb6ad) — Thu, Nov 26 · 8:45 AM – 10:30 AM · Dorothea Dix Park (race start) · Paid · checked Oct 24. Raleigh's Thanksgiving-morning run through Dorothea Dix Park, in its 10th year raising money for Healing Transitions. A kids' race starts at 8:45 am, followed by the 5K at 9 am…
- [Pullen Park Holiday Express](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/pullen-park-holiday-express--listing-ba79e7579ed254826b554c86) — Dec 1 – Dec 17 · 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM · Pullen Park · From $21 · sold out when last checked · checked Oct 24. Raleigh's best-known holiday tradition turns Pullen Park into a lit-up winter wonderland on December evenings. Each ticket includes a timed ride on the Holiday Express train…
- [Christmas at Historic Oak View: 1850–1950](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/christmas-at-historic-oak-view-1850-1950--listing-27cd323da9eae0955d4ea8c6) — Wed, Dec 2 (+11 more dates) · Historic Oak View County Park · Free · checked Oct 24. Guided holiday tours at Historic Oak View County Park, a former plantation and farm in east Raleigh, through six holiday displays with decorations from the antebellum era to…
- [Apex Tree Lighting Ceremony](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/apex-tree-lighting-ceremony--listing-dc9c6007ca54268717070576) — Fri, Dec 4 · 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM · Apex Town Hall Campus · checked Oct 24. The Town of Apex lights its holiday tree on the Town Hall Campus with the Town Council, and Santa and Mrs. Claus come for the season's first photos — the page lists a free photo…
- [Lighting of Wake Forest](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/lighting-of-wake-forest--listing-fa8a8a11cf056ae70d53daf1) — Fri, Dec 4 · 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Centennial Plaza, Wake Forest · checked Oct 24. Downtown Wake Forest's holiday kickoff at Centennial Plaza, where the Town lights its Christmas tree and Santa Claus arrives. Around the plaza, the Wake Forest Woman's Club runs…
- [Apex Rotary Christmas Parade](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/apex-rotary-christmas-parade--listing-44b035c068e8d0d4a13dd984) — Sat, Dec 5 · 5:00 PM · Downtown Apex, Salem Street · checked Oct 24. Organized by the Apex Rotary Club on the first Saturday of December, this is the only nighttime holiday parade in Wake County: floats and marchers light up historic Salem Street…
- [Light the Springs — Holly Springs Tree and Menorah Lighting](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/light-the-springs-holly-springs-tree-and-menorah-lighting--listing-0686da974b0bb64e94544d23) — Sat, Dec 5 · 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Holly Springs Cultural Center · All ages · checked Oct 24. Holly Springs rings in the holidays outside the Holly Springs Cultural Center with live music, food and drink vendors and free holiday crafts for children. Kids can drop their…
- [Teens Sketch in the Galleries](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/teens-sketch-in-the-galleries--listing-a4816433dbc092874671cf4b) — Sat, Dec 5 (+1 more date) · 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM · North Carolina Museum of Art · Free · checked Oct 24. A free, informal sketching meet-up for teenagers at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Teens bring a pencil and sketchbook, then follow drawing prompts or settle at a favorite…
- [The Nutcracker — Cary Ballet Company](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/the-nutcracker-cary-ballet-company--listing-e8513ea0f1031076600a0c8a) — Sat, Dec 5 · 11:00 AM · Fletcher Opera Theater, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts · Paid · checked Oct 24. Cary Ballet Company brings its Nutcracker to the Fletcher Opera Theater in downtown Raleigh for one Saturday with three performances, at 11 am, 1:30 pm and 5:30 pm. The…
- [Apex Chanukah Festival](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/apex-chanukah-festival--listing-52cd44a49ac762d363e92e08) — Sun, Dec 6 · 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM · Apex Senior Center · checked Oct 24. Chabad of Cary marks the start of Chanukah, the Jewish eight-day festival of lights, with an afternoon festival at the Apex Senior Center in downtown Apex. The Town lists it as a…
- [Artful Story Time: Happy Hanukkah!](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/artful-story-time-happy-hanukkah--listing-8b872aaaf36c54e676a010b1) — Wed, Dec 9 · 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM · North Carolina Museum of Art · Free · checked Oct 24. The North Carolina Museum of Art's toddler story time takes on Hanukkah this month, with readers from the Jewish Federation of Greater Raleigh. Children and caregivers read books…
- [The Nutcracker — Carolina Ballet](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/the-nutcracker-carolina-ballet--listing-a867827f02ea59c598ee1562) — Thu, Dec 10 (+12 more dates) · 7:00 PM · Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts · Paid · checked Oct 24. Carolina Ballet's holiday production of The Nutcracker, presented by PNC Bank, plays Raleigh Memorial Auditorium for two weeks before Christmas. The ballet follows Clara's…
- [Holiday Pops and Ugly Sweater Night — NC Symphony](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/holiday-pops-and-ugly-sweater-night-nc-symphony--listing-1d1b865848659c9257e07747) — Fri, Dec 11 (+1 more date) · 7:30 PM · Meymandi Concert Hall, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts · Paid · checked Oct 24. The North Carolina Symphony's Holiday Pops weekend in Raleigh, conducted by David Glover, is a concert of familiar holiday songs. Friday evening is Ugly Sweater Night — wear the…
- [Beech Bluff Explorers: Raccoon Roundup](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/beech-bluff-explorers-raccoon-roundup--listing-002ee04ec72682e03fefce07) — Sat, Dec 12 · 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM · Beech Bluff County Park, Willow Spring · Ages 3–5 · Free · checked Oct 24. A playful preschool nature class at Beech Bluff County Park all about raccoons. Children make a raccoon mask, hear the picture book You Are a Raccoon! by Laurie Ann Thompson and…
- [Pop-Up Art: Giant Snowflakes at NCMA](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/pop-up-art-giant-snowflakes-at-ncma--listing-44c8262bbb54e1c82ffc6ab7) — Sun, Dec 13 · 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM · North Carolina Museum of Art · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. The North Carolina Museum of Art's popular winter art-making afternoon returns. In the East Building studios, families drop in to create a giant, intricate paper snowflake to…
- [Winter Warriors Mini Camp at Beech Bluff](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/winter-warriors-mini-camp-at-beech-bluff--listing-7c367df041892a5a2eaa20e2) — Dec 28 – Dec 30 · 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM · Beech Bluff County Park, Willow Spring · Ages 8–12 · From $108 · checked Oct 24. A three-day winter-break survival-skills camp for ages 8–12 at Beech Bluff County Park, a shorter winter version of the park's Wilderness Warriors Camp. Campers tie knots and…
- [Epic Adventures from Narnia & More — NC Symphony Young People's Concert](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/epic-adventures-from-narnia-and-more-nc-symphony-young-people-s-concer--listing-0632d3150b76dab3d98ace31) — Sat, Jan 2 · 1:00 PM · Meymandi Concert Hall, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts · Paid · checked Oct 24. A winter-break Young People's Concert from the North Carolina Symphony, conducted by Sophie Mok, built around fantasy-world film music: the icy kingdom of Frozen, the enchanted…

## Places and ongoing programs

- [ABC Craft and Learn — North Regional Library](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/abc-craft-and-learn-north-regional-library--listing-4af6af27439d0823fb679ca1) — Weekly sessions as listed on the Wake County events calendar for the week of Nov 2–7… · North Regional Library · Ages 3–5 · Free · checked Oct 24. An interactive kindergarten-readiness program in which preschoolers and their caregivers combine early-literacy activities with a craft. Space is limited; pick up a free ticket…
- [Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park at the NC Museum of Art](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/ann-and-jim-goodnight-museum-park-at-the-nc-museum-of-art--listing-526918abe87a8062d5de4f9c) — Park open daily including holidays, dawn to dusk. Galleries, store and café… · North Carolina Museum of Art — Museum Park · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. A 164-acre park around the North Carolina Museum of Art with 4.7 miles of paved and natural-surface trails, a terraced pond, gardens and large outdoor artworks that kids love to…
- [Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/annie-louise-wilkerson-md-nature-preserve-park--listing-a9a33c37692ae465fb5aadd9) — Opens Tuesday–Saturday at 10 am and Sunday at 1 pm; closed Mondays. Closing times… · Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park · All ages · checked Oct 24. Raleigh's first designated nature preserve: 157 acres south of Falls Lake with mature forest (some trees over 200 years old), rock outcrops, wetlands and open pastures. The…
- [Apex Nature Park & Seymour Athletic Fields](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/apex-nature-park-and-seymour-athletic-fields--listing-4781f3ef33243e8e57a2693d) — Open year-round 5:30 am–10:00 pm; fields, courts and restrooms open at 6:30 am. Seymour… · Apex Nature Park & Seymour Athletic Fields · All ages · checked Oct 24. Over 160 acres of active and passive play in two connected sections joined by a paved walkway. The Seymour Athletic Fields side has a multi-age playground, lighted tennis and…
- [Bass Lake Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/bass-lake-park--listing-58f84548a81a703721c113e5) — Park open 8 am–sunset year-round. Boat rentals seasonal. · Bass Lake Park, Holly Springs · All ages · checked Oct 24. A nature park in Holly Springs around Bass Lake, home to many native plants and animals that families can spot along the park trails and the connecting greenway. The Visitor…
- [Beech Bluff County Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/beech-bluff-county-park--listing-3d6417351f334fbb4f598e69) — Grounds 8 am–sunset, seven days a week. Park Center 8 am until 30 minutes before park… · Beech Bluff County Park, Willow Spring · All ages · checked Oct 24. A 300-acre park in southeastern Wake County on land farmed since the late 1700s, now with agriculture areas, an orchard and a Great Lawn. Inside the Park Center, a winding…
- [Blue Jay Point County Park and Blue Jay Education Center](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/blue-jay-point-county-park-and-blue-jay-education-center--listing-582e1a2683a8aadaff429cdc) — Grounds 8 am–sunset, 7 days a week. Education Center exhibits 8 am–5 pm, 7 days a week… · Blue Jay Point County Park · All ages · checked Oct 24. A 236-acre park on Falls Lake in north Raleigh focused on environmental education. The Blue Jay Education Center has an exhibit hall about water — the water cycle, the Neuse…
- [Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/buffaloe-road-aquatic-center--listing-7c8e795aedb6ba2a95e0a24a) — Public open swim and slide/vortex/current channel: Monday–Saturday 10 am–7 pm, Sunday… · Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center · All ages · From $4 · checked Oct 24. Raleigh's indoor family water park, open year-round. Kids 48 inches and taller can ride the three-story yellow waterslide; everyone can float the lazy river (3 ft 6 in deep) and…
- [City of Raleigh Swim Lessons (American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim)](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/city-of-raleigh-swim-lessons-american-red-cross-learn-to-swim--listing-b91cbd87f70c3d28340a9c1d) — Multi-week sessions of 4 or 6 classes (30 minutes; 40 for adults); dates, times and pool… · City of Raleigh year-round pools (Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center, Millbrook Exchange, Optimist, Pullen) · From $45 · checked Oct 24. Group swim lessons from age 6 months up, following the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim curriculum, at the City of Raleigh's year-round pools. Parent & Child Aquatics (6 months–2…
- [Dance Play (Ages 3–5) at Arts Together](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/dance-play-ages-3-5-at-arts-together--listing-ab4eb55d7846648b9e18416e) — Thursdays 1:15–2:00 pm; 31 weeks, Sept 10, 2026–May 13, 2027. · Arts Together · Ages 3–5 · From $749 · checked Oct 24. An introductory preschool dance class at the Raleigh nonprofit Arts Together. Using stories, colorful props and music, little dancers explore a wide range of movement styles…
- [Durant Nature Preserve](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/durant-nature-preserve--listing-c09571ea6bed44370bef6c00) — Park open dawn to dusk, 7 days a week (closing times vary through the year — call the… · Durant Nature Preserve · All ages · checked Oct 24. A city nature preserve in north Raleigh with lakes, trails, picnic areas and gardens for exploring. The Sensory and Nature Play Garden by the entrance road has colorful plants…
- [E. Carroll Joyner Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/e-carroll-joyner-park--listing-055ab19a667472d3c5fae2dd) — Open daily dawn to dusk. · E. Carroll Joyner Park, Wake Forest · All ages · checked Oct 24. Wake Forest's largest park: 117 acres on a former farm donated by Dr. E. Carroll Joyner, opened in 2009. Families can walk three miles of paved trails through a pecan grove and…
- [Family and Baby Storytimes — Cary Regional Library](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/family-and-baby-storytimes-cary-regional-library--listing-f83e656f9e3704867fe7df3e) — Family Storytime: Weekly sessions as listed on the Wake County events calendar for the… · Cary Regional Library · Ages 0+ · Free · checked Oct 24. A 30-minute interactive storytime with books, music, rhymes and movement to build pre-reading skills, offered many times a week at Cary's main library. Space is limited, so…
- [Family Storytime — North Regional Library](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/family-storytime-north-regional-library--listing-449cb583456089baaa40cbfe) — Weekly sessions as listed on the Wake County events calendar for the week of Nov 2–7… · North Regional Library · Free · checked Oct 24. Young children and their caregivers share stories, music and movement in an interactive session designed to nurture pre-reading skills. Space is limited for all young child…
- [Family Storytime — Oberlin Regional Library](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/family-storytime-oberlin-regional-library--listing-c58713dbf288ccca918fe4c3) — Weekly sessions as listed on the Wake County events calendar for the week of Nov 2–7… · Oberlin Regional Library · Free · checked Oct 24. An interactive storytime with books, music, rhymes and movement. Space is limited; free tickets are available at the Youth Services desk 30 minutes before the program. Baby…
- [Frankie's Fun Park Raleigh](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/frankie-s-fun-park-raleigh--listing-8e3dae2e1c060d69539d2157) — Sunday–Thursday 12 pm–11 pm; Friday 12 pm–12 am; Saturday 11 am–1 am. May close early on… · Frankie's Fun Park Raleigh · All ages · From $8 · checked Oct 24. A big family fun park in northwest Raleigh with three mini golf courses (54 holes; kids 3 and under free with a paying adult), go-kart tracks including a Rookie Track for kids 48…
- [Gipson Play Plaza at Dix Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/gipson-play-plaza-at-dix-park--listing-fae6426953446cada2844a5e) — Playground open 8:00 am–9:00 pm daily; Dix Park open sunrise to sunset. Watermill… · Gipson Play Plaza, Dorothea Dix Park · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. An 18.5-acre play destination at Dorothea Dix Park billed as the largest adventure playground in the Southeast. Kids can climb and slide through Slide Valley, dig in the Sand…
- [Hip Hop Kids (Ages 8–10) at Arts Together](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/hip-hop-kids-ages-8-10-at-arts-together--listing-2ef3c040770b68e7cca26e53) — Thursdays 4:30–5:30 pm; 32 weeks, Sept 3, 2026–May 13, 2027. · Arts Together · Ages 8–10 · From $820 · checked Oct 24. An after-school hip hop class where kids learn dance technique and the stylized movements and rhythms of hip hop while building strength, coordination and flexibility. Arts…
- [Historic Oak View County Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/historic-oak-view-county-park--listing-2df0fe2bb4902d8b60de1986) — Grounds Monday–Sunday 8 am–sunset. Park buildings Monday–Saturday 8:30 am–5 pm, Sunday… · Historic Oak View County Park · All ages · checked Oct 24. A 27-acre historic farm park in east Raleigh that tells the story of the people who lived and worked on the land, including enslaved people, sharecroppers and tenant farmers…
- [Historic Yates Mill County Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/historic-yates-mill-county-park--listing-da1da25006a1b2f6b7c3407f) — Grounds and trails 8 am–sunset, seven days a week. A.E. Finley Center 8:30 am–5 pm… · Historic Yates Mill County Park · All ages · checked Oct 24. A 174-acre park in south Raleigh built around Historic Yates Mill, the last operable water-powered gristmill in Wake County, restored to working order by 2005 and listed on the…
- [Investigate Lab and Naturalist Center at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/investigate-lab-and-naturalist-center-at-the-nc-museum-of-natural-scie--listing-85039c776048ef6af81d48dd) — Open during museum hours (downtown museum Tuesday–Sunday 10 am–5 pm); the labs' own… · North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences — Nature Research Center · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. Two drop-in science spaces in the museum's Nature Research Center. In the Investigate Lab (3rd floor) visitors work through up to seven self-guided, hands-on activities at a time…
- [JC Raulston Arboretum](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/jc-raulston-arboretum--listing-f3f32dadfc0ce2980671d087) — October 1–March 31: Monday–Friday 9 am–4:30 pm, Saturday–Sunday 9 am–5 pm… · JC Raulston Arboretum · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. NC State University's public garden and living laboratory, with one of the largest collections of garden plants adapted to the Southeast. Families can wander themed gardens on…
- [Knightdale Station Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/knightdale-station-park--listing-cf2ea8644a49a7fb99b08ccc) — Dawn to dusk daily. Splash pad is seasonal (summer only). · Knightdale Station Park · All ages · checked Oct 24. A 71-acre town park on a former farm and nursery, designed around Knightdale's agricultural and railroad history. Kids can play on the inclusive playground, run on open lawns and…
- [Lake Crabtree County Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/lake-crabtree-county-park--listing-f61e6d3b213dcd562bc2c8bc) — Park 8 am–sunset, Monday–Sunday. Park office Monday–Thursday 9 am–1 pm. Closed… · Lake Crabtree County Park, Morrisville · All ages · checked Oct 24. Wake County's first county park, a 215-acre site beside a 520-acre lake between Morrisville and Cary. Little kids have a Tot Lot for ages 2–5 and a Kids Lot for ages 5–12 (not…
- [Lake Johnson Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/lake-johnson-park--listing-0861c5f3cb853b0721d5436a) — Park open daily; facility hours vary (see the park page and park alerts). · Lake Johnson Park — Waterfront Center · All ages · checked Oct 24. A 500-acre metro park and nature preserve around a 150-acre lake in southwest Raleigh. Families can walk or bike the paved greenway loops (East Loop 2.8 miles, West Loop 2.1…
- [Lake Wheeler Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/lake-wheeler-park--listing-d94368a3d0ce5667ee387ee8) — Open daily: October and March 7 am–7 pm; November and February 7 am–6 pm; December and… · Lake Wheeler Park · All ages · checked Oct 24. A City of Raleigh lake park in south Wake County built in 1956 around a 650-acre former water-supply lake. Families can rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards from self-serve Wake…
- [Learn to Skate at Polar Ice Raleigh](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/learn-to-skate-at-polar-ice-raleigh--listing-467110ad776d221aa3d587a1) — Fall 2 2026 session: Thursdays 5:00, 5:30 and 6:00 pm, 8 weeks (Oct 22, 29, Nov 5, 12… · Polar Ice Raleigh · Ages 3+ · From $176 · checked Oct 24. Weekly 30-minute group ice skating lessons for beginners from age 3 to adult, grouped by age and ability. Snowplow Sam 1 (ages 3–5) and Basic 1 (ages 6–12) need no experience…
- [Learn to Skate at Polar Ice Wake Forest](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/learn-to-skate-at-polar-ice-wake-forest--listing-aa37185d8247dfc23bc0b9f4) — Fall 2 2026 session (9 weeks): Mondays 5:00, 5:30 and 6:00 pm (Oct 19, 26, Nov 2, 9, 16… · Polar Ice Wake Forest · Ages 3+ · From $198 · checked Oct 24. Beginner-friendly group ice skating lessons that meet once a week for 30 minutes of professional instruction, grouped by age and ability: Snowplow Sam 1 for ages 3–5, Basic 1 for…
- [Mordecai Historic Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/mordecai-historic-park--listing-6324136cacd454887d51a283) — Guided tours leave the Visitor Center on the hour from 10 am; last tour 3 pm. Visitor… · Mordecai Historic Park — Visitor Center · All ages · With admission · checked Oct 24. A 3.2-acre historic park near downtown Raleigh around the Mordecai House (c. 1785), the oldest house in Raleigh on its original site and once the center of Wake County's largest…
- [North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/north-carolina-museum-of-natural-sciences--listing-b50eada0e37bbe95a3f37a14) — Downtown museum Tuesday–Sunday 10 am–5 pm. Closed 2026 dates in the window: Thursday Nov… · North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. The largest natural history museum in the Southeast fills two connected buildings in downtown Raleigh. The Nature Exploration Center (east side) holds permanent and special…
- [North Carolina State Capitol](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/north-carolina-state-capitol--listing-ac4a019840b68841b60dd29a) — Monday–Friday 9 am–5 pm; Saturday 10 am–5 pm. Closed Sunday and designated state… · North Carolina State Capitol · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. The seat of North Carolina's government since June 1840; the building once held the governor's office, the Supreme Court and the General Assembly chambers. Families can tour on…
- [Polar Ice Cary](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/polar-ice-cary--listing-b52d1e6536927b12ef4c3cdf) — Public skating times vary; check the Polar Ice Public Skating calendar. · Polar Ice Cary · All ages · checked Oct 24. A single-sheet Polar Ice rink off Buck Jones Road (Raleigh mailing address, near Cary) with public skating, Learn to Skate, figure skating and hockey for children and adults…
- [Polar Ice Garner](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/polar-ice-garner--listing-ca2db61e47361ea2531a49df) — Seasonal public skating with limited times; Monday–Friday normally not open until after… · Polar Ice Garner · All ages · From $10 · checked Oct 24. A single-sheet ice rink in Garner focused on Learn to Skate, figure skating classes and youth and adult hockey leagues, with seasonal public skating sessions and stick & puck…
- [Polar Ice Raleigh Public Ice Skating](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/polar-ice-raleigh-public-ice-skating--listing-474ff494f079c1b058c6f5ab) — Public sessions daily at varying times; check the Public Skating Calendar before going… · Polar Ice Raleigh · All ages · From $5 · checked Oct 24. North Carolina's only Olympic-size ice sheet, run by Polar Ice NC, offers public skating sessions year-round for the whole family, plus Learn to Skate classes, figure skating…
- [Polar Ice Wake Forest](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/polar-ice-wake-forest--listing-5b9e5540fda2d19c28ae621d) — Public skating times vary; check the Polar Ice Public Skating calendar. · Polar Ice Wake Forest · All ages · checked Oct 24. A twin-rink facility with two NHL-regulation ice sheets in Wake Forest, offering public skating for all ages, Learn to Skate, figure skating, youth and adult hockey and…
- [Preschool Storytime — Zebulon Community Library](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/preschool-storytime-zebulon-community-library--listing-c63dede7f693877c5d6d525a) — Weekly sessions as listed on the Wake County events calendar for the week of Nov 2–7… · Zebulon Community Library · Free · checked Oct 24. A preschool storytime with books, music, rhymes and movement. Zebulon also offers Toddler Storytime (Tue 9:30 am), Family Storytime (Tue and Wed 10:30 am, Thu 6:30 pm) and Baby…
- [Pullen Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/pullen-park--listing-3c4b01ea4435214bd26a033f) — Park open daily. Ride hours vary — call 919-996-6472 for current ride hours; kiddie… · Pullen Park · All ages · With admission · checked Oct 24. North Carolina's first public park (1887) and one of the oldest operating amusement parks in the country. Kids can ride the historic carousel and the miniature train, take out…
- [Robertson Millpond Preserve](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/robertson-millpond-preserve--listing-626f511752729d7b9d5ea963) — Preserve grounds 8 am–sunset, 7 days a week. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve… · Robertson Millpond Preserve, Wendell · All ages · checked Oct 24. An 85-acre preserve near Wendell around a cypress swamp millpond with a historic landmark. Families can bring their own kayak, canoe, paddleboard or small trolling-motor boat and…
- [The Nest Playground at Downtown Cary Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/the-nest-playground-at-downtown-cary-park--listing-9e07c3dead633e9877b066bc) — Park open 7 days a week, 7:00 am–11:00 pm. Splash pad and sprayground are seasonal… · Downtown Cary Park · All ages · checked Oct 24. Downtown Cary Park's signature play space, named the #1 public playground in America in USA TODAY's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. Two giant cardinal play structures anchor The…
- [Toddler Storytime — East Regional Library, Knightdale](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/toddler-storytime-east-regional-library-knightdale--listing-25f0be3bf749579e3116ef93) — Weekly sessions as listed on the Wake County events calendar for the week of Nov 2–7… · East Regional Library, Knightdale · Free · checked Oct 24. An interactive program for children walking through age 3 with books, music, rhymes, and movement to nurture pre-reading skills. No registration is needed; pick up a ticket at…
- [Toddler Storytime — Northeast Regional Library](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/toddler-storytime-northeast-regional-library--listing-1d2e664e48a80b6d99d95b44) — Weekly sessions as listed on the Wake County events calendar for the week of Nov 2–7… · Northeast Regional Library · Free · checked Oct 24. An interactive toddler program with books, music, rhymes and movement to nurture pre-reading skills. The branch also runs Family Storytime (Tue–Thu and Sat 10:15 am) and Baby…
- [Toddler Storytime — Southeast Regional Library, Garner](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/toddler-storytime-southeast-regional-library-garner--listing-9b9b685d3cc12a6ef57ce33f) — Weekly sessions as listed on the Wake County events calendar for the week of Nov 2–7… · Southeast Regional Library, Garner · Free · checked Oct 24. An interactive toddler storytime with books, music, rhymes and movement. Southeast Regional also offers Family Storytime on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 9:30 am and Baby…
- [Toddler, Family and Baby Storytimes — Eva Perry Regional Library, Apex](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/toddler-family-and-baby-storytimes-eva-perry-regional-library-apex--listing-65bd46540cfaa2f6eeda4606) — Toddler Storytime: Weekly sessions as listed on the Wake County events calendar for the… · Eva Perry Regional Library, Apex · Free · checked Oct 24. An interactive program for children walking through age 3 with books, music, rhymes, and movement to nurture pre-reading skills. No registration is needed; stop by the Youth…
- [United Skates of America Raleigh](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/united-skates-of-america-raleigh--listing-9af75cf98d22a42804a8e755) — Saturday 10:00 am–12:30 pm Kidz Bop Skate, 1:00–3:30 pm Family Skate, 4:00–6:30 pm Glow… · United Skates of America Raleigh · All ages · checked Oct 24. An indoor roller rink in northeast Raleigh with a weekly line-up of all-ages public sessions. Saturdays start with a Kidz Bop Skate in the morning, then an afternoon Family Skate…
- [Walnut Creek Wetland Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/walnut-creek-wetland-park--listing-0035fc74c56a8c46666ad52c) — Education Center drop-in services when staff are available; hours are listed under… · Walnut Creek Wetland Park — Norman and Betty Camp Education Center · All ages · checked Oct 24. A 58-acre wetland nature park in southeast Raleigh where the Little Rock Creek and Walnut Creek greenways meet. In the Norman and Betty Camp Education Center lobby, kids can meet…
- [William B. Umstead State Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/william-b-umstead-state-park--listing-b0e18a0eed46b5458edddb89) — Crabtree Creek entrance: November–February 8 am–6 pm (October 8 am–8 pm). Visitor center… · William B. Umstead State Park — Crabtree Creek Entrance and Visitor Center · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. A large state park between Raleigh, Cary and RTP with 34.5 miles of hiking trails, 13 miles of multi-use trails for bikes and horses, and three lakes with their creeks for…
- [Youth Theatre Classes at Raleigh Little Theatre](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/youth-theatre-classes-at-raleigh-little-theatre--listing-9770e05bed41a1b8b3ec5d69) — Session 2: October 28–December 12, 2026 (no classes November 25–29). Story Drama… · Raleigh Little Theatre · From $100 · checked Oct 24. Weekly drama classes for ages 2 through high school, taught in four 6-week sessions a year at Raleigh Little Theatre. Session 2 (Oct 28–Dec 12) offers Story Drama: Storybook…

## Nearby

- Towns in Wake County, NC: [Apex, NC](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/towns/apex-nc) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/towns/apex-nc.md), [Cary, NC](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/towns/cary-nc) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/towns/cary-nc.md), [Willow Spring, NC](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/towns/willow-spring-nc) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/towns/willow-spring-nc.md), [Wake Forest, NC](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/towns/wake-forest-nc) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/towns/wake-forest-nc.md), [Garner, NC](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/towns/garner-nc) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/towns/garner-nc.md), [Knightdale, NC](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/towns/knightdale-nc) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/towns/knightdale-nc.md), [Morrisville, NC](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/towns/morrisville-nc) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/towns/morrisville-nc.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Raleigh](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/raleigh.md)
- [This weekend in Raleigh](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/this-weekend.md)

Town pages are listed once a town has 3 current listings, county pages at 10.