Events

Emerging from Darkness: Reconstruction Raleigh Step back in time to post civil war Raleigh, hear about the founding of Oakwood Cemetery, learn about local innovators, politicos, troublemakers and the citizens who built a future in a recovering city. Tour subject matter and theming is designed for adult audiences, the cemetery asks that attendees are over [...]

Oakwood's Great Romances: Life and Death on the Rocks    From Harry and Annie to Richard and Olivia, listen to stories of forbidden courtships, lost love and ill fated romances carved in stone. Tour subject matter and theming is designed for adult audiences, the cemetery asks that attendees are over 16 and able to walk [...]

Railroads: Life and Death on the Rails When the railroad came to Raleigh in 1840 it opened our city to the nation. Coaches filled with artists, businessmen and enough ne'er do wells to fill a coal tender arrived in Raleigh daily. Hear about the impact the railroad had on this great city and the role [...]

Join us on Friday September 6 at 6:30 for our first friday tour!   This is not a spooky tour, but an educational and fun guided visit to our grounds. Tours are free, we accept $5 donations per person.  

Burning Coal Celebrates 150 Years of the Oakwood Cemetery Past favorite Oakwood plays re-mounted for monumental anniversary celebration! RALEIGH, NC – Oakwood Cemetery turns 150 years old this Fall and Burning Coal Theatre will celebrate with a compilation of favorite short plays from the past decade written for the Oakwood Series.  Playwright Ian Finley (past North [...]

Burning Coal Celebrates 150 Years of the Oakwood Cemetery Past favorite Oakwood plays re-mounted for monumental anniversary celebration! RALEIGH, NC – Oakwood Cemetery turns 150 years old this Fall and Burning Coal Theatre will celebrate with a compilation of favorite short plays from the past decade written for the Oakwood Series.  Playwright Ian Finley (past North [...]

Burning Coal Celebrates 150 Years of the Oakwood Cemetery Past favorite Oakwood plays re-mounted for monumental anniversary celebration! RALEIGH, NC – Oakwood Cemetery turns 150 years old this Fall and Burning Coal Theatre will celebrate with a compilation of favorite short plays from the past decade written for the Oakwood Series.  Playwright Ian Finley (past North [...]

Join us for an interesting dive into the history of monument art & symbolism in the historic part of Oakwood Cemetery.  Have you ever wandered through a cemetery and wondered what the symbols meant?  Now is your chance to find out! This walking tour goes over hills and grass... and is not always on the [...]

Join us on October 20 for our 150th Anniversary Celebration! Sunday October 20th 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at The Fairview on Capital Blvd in a garden setting that speaks to the beauty of Oakwood. Fine Food, Spirits, & Hallowed Guests! Short performance by Burning Coal Theatre Individual Tickets: $150 Celebration Patron $250 -- 150th Anniversary Commemoration   Limited [...]

Cemetery gates will be open from 7:00 - 10:00 pm to visit the public art exhibit of the 7 ofrendas.  Feel free to visit and leave a memento to honor a deceased loved one. Ofrendas will be being installed throughout the day on the 25.

Join us in celebrating the oral tradition of story telling. We will have four speakers, sharing stories on loss, love, grief and redemption. There will be snacks, warm Mexican ponche,  and live puppets. As it has been tradition we end in a funeral style parade around the Mausoleum. To register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/el-dia-de-los-santos-tickets-76047649567?fbclid=IwAR1tUjHfxYBmLU-A8pvzYLAfxlmZCbo9FBJPNjK5faffPmpdjg7YTqs71pQ

The Day of the Dead 5k runs through our grounds on Saturday October 26.  The race starts downtown at 10am and enters our gates shortly after.  Our roads will be closed from 9am til 12 noon.     www.dayofthedead5k.com    

BY POPULAR DEMAND... THE OAKWOOD LANTERN WALK HAS RETURNED OCTOBER 26TH 2019- 6 PM TO 10 PM THE ANNUAL OAKWOOD LANTERN WALK IS A FAMILY-ORIENTED PROGRAM OF INTERESTING HISTORICAL VIGNETTES OF LIFE (AND DEATH) DURING THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES . You will follow a lantern-carrying guide (in period attire) down the luminary-lined path among [...]

Artist altars will be open for a Candlelight Ofrenda Night where people can come see the installations and leave offerings at the altar if they feel moved to do so.