Skip to main content

Oak City Salsa Social

Date: Wed, Sep 16, 2026

Time: 6pm to 9pm

Venue: Fountain Plaza at Gipson Play Plaza, Raleigh

Price: Free

Category: Community

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at this free community salsa series! Experience an evening of live Latin music, social dancing, and community for all ages and experience levels. Start with a free, beginner-friendly salsa lesson led by local instructors, then dance the night away to the sounds of a live salsa orchestra under the open sky. Whether you're trying salsa for the first time or have been dancing for years, everyone is welcome. Bring your friends, family, and a lawn chair or blanket for an unforgettable evening of music and movement. Instructor: Oak City Music Collective

Raleigh Mom Club — Raleigh, NC

Community · Raleigh

Oak City Salsa Social

“Bring lawn chairs and set up near the playground so kids can play safely.”

When
This Wednesday
Wed, Sep 16, 2026
6pm to 9pm
Ages
Check ages with the venue
Price
Free
raleighfreefamily friendly

Oak City Salsa Social is a free outdoor community dance event at Dorothea Dix Park celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. The evening starts with an introductory salsa lesson taught by local instructors from the Oak City Music Collective, followed by hours of open dancing to a live salsa orchestra. This gathering is open to all ages and skill levels, making it easy to bring strollers and young children along. The event takes place at the Fountain Plaza, which sits right next to the newly opened play spaces, so kids can easily alternate between the music and the playground. Admission is entirely free, and you should plan to bring your own lawn chairs, blankets, and water bottles to stay comfortable on the lawn. It is a perfect mid-week outing to get the kids outdoors, burn off some energy before bed, and enjoy high-quality live music in one of Raleigh's best public parks without spending a dime.

View on visitraleigh

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need dance experience or a partner to attend?
No experience or partner is needed. The event begins with a basic, step-by-step lesson designed specifically for absolute beginners before the live band starts playing.
Where should I park for the event?
Free parking is available in the lots surrounding the Gipson Play Plaza at Dorothea Dix Park, but spaces can fill up quickly, so arriving early is recommended.

Last updated

FREE

This Wednesday

Directions

Plan Your Visit

Schedule

Oak City Salsa Social runs Wed, Sep 16, 2026, 6pm to 9pm.

Getting There

Fountain Plaza at Gipson Play Plaza is at 715 Biggs Dr., Raleigh, NC. Open in Google Maps.

More events at Fountain Plaza at Gipson Play Plaza →

What to Bring

Nothing but the kids — this one's free, with no tickets to buy.

Community Guides

All guides →
Family

Wake County School Meal Benefits: What Expires and Who Eats Free

Last year's free and reduced-price meal benefits do not roll over — they expire on a date set by your child's WCPSS calendar, and traditional-calendar families have until October 6, 2026. A Raleigh mom walks through all eight expiration dates, how to apply at any point in the year, the CEP sibling gap that catches families with kids at two schools, and what meals actually cost.

6 min read

Seasonal

Where to See Santa in the Triangle (2026): Confirmed Dates, Free Sightings, and What to Book Now

A local mom's honest guide to seeing Santa around Raleigh, Durham, Cary and Chapel Hill in 2026: the free town tree lightings and parades with confirmed dates, the train rides and light shows that sell out, mall Santa reservations, and quieter options for sensory-sensitive kids.

10 min read