Every August, Hillsborough Street explodes with energy, music, and Wolfpack pride during Packapalooza, NC State’s ultimate welcome back bash. This day-long block party brings together students, locals, families, alumni, and visitors for one of the biggest celebrations in Raleigh.
Whether you’re new to the Wolfpack family or a longtime fan of the red and white, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of Packapalooza 2025, and why Hillsborough Street is the place to be all day long.
What is Packapalooza?
- When: Saturday, August 23, 2025
- Where: Hillsborough Street (between Dan Allen Drive and Enterprise Street)
- Time: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Cost: Free and open to the public!
Packapalooza is NC State’s largest annual street festival and a beloved tradition that wraps up Wolfpack Welcome Week. With over 85,000 attendees in recent years, this all-day event spans six blocks of Hillsborough Street, turning the area into nine high-energy celebration zones.
Presented by Live It Up! Hillsborough Street (sponsor of this post) this cherished tradition will feature more than 300 vendor booths supported by over 50 sponsoring organizations.
Expect:
- Live music across multiple stages (featuring national headliners and local talent)
- Street performers and art
- Food trucks + local restaurant specials
- Interactive booths, games, giveaways, and activities
- Learn about NC State’s programs and organizations
- A Kid Zone for families
- And of course, the NC State Wolfpack spirit everywhere you look
🧨 Don’t miss the grand finale: A headlining concert at the main Belltower stage with Saved by the 90s, a followed by a fireworks show lighting up the Raleigh sky. It’s the perfect ending to a fun day in Raleigh and a beginning to a fantastic year at NC State…