If you have only ever driven past it, the short version: neighbours build ridiculous non-motorised cars, push them down a hill in front of a crowd, and nobody takes it seriously except in the ways that matter.
When is Kirby Derby?
Kirby Derby runs on a Saturday in late August, at Harvey Hill in Dorothea Dix Park.
We update this page when the next date is posted.
What actually happens, and when
The day is really four events stacked together. The schedule below is the 2026 running order, which has been stable year to year:
1. 3:00 p.m. — Mini Pinecars. Kids only. Bring a handheld mini Pinecar and race it on the official wooden track. Starter kits are sold online 2. 4:30 p.m. — The parade. Costumes, homemade floats, general silliness. This is the part most families come for 3. 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. — The soapbox derby. The actual downhill racing. Limited spots, registration required in advance 4. 6:00 p.m. — Paper airplanes. Exactly what it sounds like
There is an annual theme and costumes are encouraged throughout.
How to enter
Each part of the day takes its own registration, handled through forms on the organiser's site.
If you have never built a soapbox car, the derby is a friendlier crowd than you would expect. Plenty of entries are plywood, salvaged wheels and enthusiasm.
Where to stand
Harvey Hill sits inside Dorothea Dix Park, off Cranmer Drive. The hill gives you a natural grandstand — most families spread out along the slope rather than crowd the bottom.
Dix Park is 308 acres of open ground with the Raleigh skyline behind it, so there is room to let kids run before and after. It is free to enter and free to park.
Is Kirby Derby good for toddlers?
Yes, with a caveat. The parade and the general atmosphere work for any age, and there is plenty of grass. The soapbox racing involves cars moving downhill at real speed, so the racecourse itself needs a hand held.
The Mini Pinecar event at 3 p.m. is the best fit for small kids — it is theirs specifically, and it is over before the crowd peaks.
A little history
Kirby Derby started in 2002 when residents of Pullen Park Terrace — a neighbourhood of about 32 houses — put together a parade. The soapbox derby was added in year five. In 2017 it outgrew the neighbourhood and moved to Dorothea Dix Park, which is where it has been held since.
The 2026 running was the 24th.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kirby Derby free?
Free to watch, yes. Entering the soapbox derby, the parade or the Mini Pinecar race takes a registration, and a Pinecar starter kit costs money if you need one.
Where is Kirby Derby held?
Harvey Hill, inside Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, off Cranmer Drive. It was held in the Pullen Park Terrace neighbourhood until 2017.
Do you have to build a car to go?
No. Most people there are watching. Building a car is for anyone who wants to race, and it requires registering in advance because spots are limited.
What time does Kirby Derby start?
Activities begin at 3 p.m. with the Mini Pinecars, the parade steps off at 4:30 p.m., and soapbox racing runs 5:30 to 7 p.m. The whole thing wraps by 8 p.m.
When is Kirby Derby 2027?
Not announced yet. It has consistently fallen on a Saturday in late August. We will update this page as soon as the date is posted.