Packapalooza 2026: A Guide to NC State’s Biggest Block Party on Hillsborough Street

Every August, Hillsborough Street explodes with energy, music, and Wolfpack pride during Packapalooza, NC State’s ultimate welcome back to campus 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 2026, and why Hillsborough Street is the place to be all day long.

What is Packapalooza?

• When: Saturday, August 22, 2026
• Where: Hillsborough Street (between Dan Allen Drive & Enterprise St)
• Time: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Cost: Free and open to the public
• Website: packapalooza.ncsu.edu

Packapalooza is NC State University’s largest annual street festival and a beloved tradition that wraps up Wolfpack Welcome Week. With over 90,000 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 this cherished and annual Wolfpack tradition will feature more than 300 vendor booths supported by over 50 sponsoring organizations. What you can expect at Packapalooza in 2026:

• 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. They’re bringing “Y2K: The Millennium Party” with music from the 2000s and beyond. followed by a fireworks show lighting up the Raleigh sky and the NC State special – Light the Belltower RED! It’s the perfect ending to a fun day in Raleigh and the beginning to a fantastic year at NC State.

You can bring chairs and blankets to use on the lawn adjacent to the Belltower for the live performances. You cannot use them on the street in front of the main stage during the evening performances. That’s for those who like to dance!

9 Different Zones

Each of the zones will have vendor booths, student orgs, local businesses, and community partners. You’ll find themed interactive games, giveaways, art, and maybe even a few Wolfpack-themed surprises.

1. Arts Zone: Featured this year will be a performance area to listen to smooth voices, watch amazing dancers, or listen to some poetry.
2. Green Zone: find out about how many campus departments and organizations are making a difference in the community and learn more about how you can be green-friendly and live a healthier lifestyle.
3. International Zone: learn about the different cultures that make up our global community. Watch students perform and share talents from all the continents we call home.​
4. Kids Zone: interactive kid friendly activities. We will also have a dazzling chalk artist on hand as well.
5. Pack Pride Warrior Zone: Meet the people that keep NC State University and the Raleigh safe.
6. Play Zone: Check out virtual reality games or test your skills at shooting a basketball with NC State Athletics. Go Pack!
7. Service Zone: Everything from voter engagement to how you can get involved with several campus and community organizations throughout the year!
8. Wolfpack Zone: Learn about game day activities, the loyalty program and The Wolfpack Club. Satisfy your NC State apparel needs with local stores on hand as well.
9. CALS and COE Corners: Learn more about the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Engineering. Check out the National Championship Pack Pullers, play cornhole with Dean Fox, get some FREE Howling Cow ice cream, fly a drone, check out an NC State race car, AND MORE!

In previous years, we’ve enjoyed fun interactive exhibits like rock climbing, army helicopters and fire trucks, cheerleader demonstrations, jujitsu demonstrations, student invention exhibits, live music and performers on the street, chalk art, and other fun music and art stations.

💡 Wear comfy shoes, stay hydrated, and bring your Wolfpack spirit. Here’s our tour guide of NC State Campus.

Event Schedule

You can see the full schedule for Packapalooza here! We also recommend you download the NC State University Guides App, you may find one there soon! You at least get handy information on the event like maps. Appearing at various times throughout the day You’ll have Mr. and Ms. Wuf, Cirque de Vol aerial artists, a Capella performances, various dance performances, dance and sprots demonstrations and art classes.

Watch highlight clips from recent years 👇

Eat Local

The food options on Hillsbourgh St are designed with students in mind – and residents and visitors who love international flavors and quick bites at affordable prices. Fuel up before the festivities begin. Grab coffee from Global Village, Lucky Tree, or students favorite, Jubala. New to Hillsborough St this year, is Beignets & Brews – who does not want to start the day with a French donut, New Orleans style! (Speaking from beignet experie3nce in NOLA and France, these are legit!!). They also have decent coffee including seasonal iced coffee ones.

A little further down Hillsborough St near the Bend, another carefully crafted latte awaits at Foxhole Coffee. Or, at the other end, another favorite is Cup-a-Joes. If coffee is not your thing, you might want a boba tea at Moge Tea.

When it’s time for lunch or dinner, or anytime grazing throughout the day, you can easily pop in and out of the Hillsborough St restaurants and eateries – mostly all designed with students in mind. Time to get a flavor of what you can savor year-round. Here are some casual eateries you can easily fit into your Packapalooza day.

• Bul Box – bowls and boxes with mouth-watering flavors inspired by (mostly) Asian destinations.
• Guasaca – Fresh and fast Venezuelan arepas packed with customizable fillings
• Alpaca Chicken – Love their Quinoa fresh salad with chicken, crunchy yuca, dried cranberries and choclo (peruvian corn)
• Jasmin & Olivz Mediterranean – Fresh wraps, falafel, bowls, hummus, and shawarma for a quick and healthy bite.
• GRK Yeero: All kinds of yeero – small and large – as well as shish kebab platters, salads, spanakopita, hummus, and tasty treats like baklava, and namoura. 
• Shwarma Stop: Well-sized and delicious Middle Eastern swarma, falafels, pita, panini, hummus and more.
• Mitch’s Tavern – a fave student hangout for cheap drinks and eats – I love their chili. Get a bird’s eye view of the Packapalooza action!
• Meat & Bite burgers, chicken wings, or burritos with flavors fused from Mexico, Texas, and the Mediterranean.
• Playa Bowls with have your tropical-vibed acai bowls with a large dose of beach vibes.

Food trucks and food vendors will be in in multiple places along Hillsborough Street serving sweet treats, savory dishes, and drinks of all sorts. Get hyped up for Packapalooza by watching the video below 👇

Getting There

Walk or take public transit — parking will be limited, but the Wolfline and GoRaleigh buses are great options with bus routes operating all over the city. As parking is free in Downtown Raleigh on weekends, you can easily park there, and catch Bus 9 into Hillsborough St (runs every 30 minutes. See schedule). Here is our guide to riding the GoRaleigh buses.

Wolfline buses are free to all who ride it – students or not. It serves all three campuses, three park-and-ride lots, official NC State housing, and privately owned apartment complexes located on city streets traveled by Wolfline buses on the way to or from these areas. Check Wolfline schedules here (Look at the Fall weekend schedule)

Parking for Packapalooza

Parking will be limited and first come first served. Good news – parking is free on weekends!

• Dan Allen Parking Deck: One block from the festival at 110 Dan Allen Dr, Raleigh 27695
• Coliseum Parking Deck: On campus, a short five minute walk to the event. 201 Jeter Dr, Raleigh NC 27695
• Street Parking: Free parking outside the Packapalooza zones. These will be harder to get as a lot fewer spaces.
• Village District: You can find parking in this shopping district just a three block walk away.
• See all parking decks here

Need accommodation? Stay in the heart of the Packapalooza fun at the Aloft Hotel – their terraced bar has views of the Belltower! The Stateview Hotel on NC State Centennial Campus is also a favorite for NS State alumni and families.

Why We Love Packapalooza

Packapalooza is a celebration of everything that makes Raleigh, Hillsborough Street, and NC State special. Whether you’re a new student getting your first taste of campus life or a longtime local soaking up summer vibe, it’s a moment that connects the community through fun, flavor, and Wolfpack pride. We love how Raleigh of all ages shows up for this event to deepen their wolfpack pride and welcome in our new students. We have no connection to NC State, except for a deep love for Raleigh, and we love this event!

Welcome back Wolfpackers – we hope you have a fantastic year of learning and fun with your college buddies! Will we see you there?