Packapalooza is a huge, free, family-friendly block party welcoming the Wolfpack back to campus. It takes place on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh, from Brooks Avenue to the roundabout near the Memorial Belltower, on Saturday, August 26, 2023, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Fall is looking great around the Triangle, whether you’re looking for something spooky or totally kid-friendly! Check out our HUGE list of fall festivals, as well as our list of pumpkin patches, haunted trails and corn mazes! We have also put together a big list of Halloween events and Trick or Treat events!
The whole community is invited to this free street festival. The festival includes music, games, vendors and much more.
Previous years’ events featured over 300 vendor booths and welcomed over 85,000 attendees.
There will be live music on multiple stages, featuring a performance by headliner David Cook (winner of season seven of American Idol.” The event will end with a grand finale of fireworks and a laser light show.
There’s an app that will provide a guide for your mobile device. Learn more.
Zones at Packapalooza
International Zone
Learn about the different cultures that make up NC State’s global community. Students will share talents from around the globe.
Green Zone
Learn about the how NC State and the local community are committed to sustainability, and how you can make a difference as well.
Pack Pride Warrior Zone
Meet members of NC State Police Department, Raleigh Police Department, Raleigh Fire Department and the Armed Forces. A real fire truck will be there for you to explore.
Service Zone
Register to vote with the Wake County Board of Elections and learn how you can get involved with campus and community organizations.
Play Zone
Kick a field goal or flip on a trampoline! Shoot a hockey puck with the Carolina Hurricanes or play corn hole
Arts Zone
Enjoy music, dance and poetry performances.
Wolfpack Zone
Enjoy tours of the NC State Belltower, learn about the Wolfpack Club and purchase NC State apparel.
Food Vendors
Purchase delicious food from food vendors or the restaurants along Hillsborough Street.
Kids Zone
Enjoy interactive kid-friendly activities. A chalk artist will be creating art at the event.
Performance Schedule at Packapalooza
Belltower Stage
- 7:45 to 8:15 p.m.: Athletics Pep Rally
- 8:30 to 8:45 p.m.: Laser Light Show
- 8:45 to 10:00 p.m.: David Cook Performance
- 10:05 to 10:15 p.m.: Fireworks and then the Belltower lights red
DH Hill Stage
- 2:00 to 2:10 p.m.: Welcome to Packapalooza
- 2:10 to 2:15 p.m.: Parade of Flags down Hillsborough Street
- 2:15 to 3:00 p.m.: Vibe Tribe Band performance
- 3:30 to 4:00 p.m.: Say Less performance
- 4:15 to 4:45 p.m.: Christian James performance
- 5:15 to 5:45 p.m.: Bring Out Yer Dead performance
- 6:00 to 6:30 p.m.: No Quarter! Brass Band performance
- 6:45 to 7:15 p.m.: Carson Mac performance
Coke Stage
- 2:00 to 2:45 p.m.: Cole Larravide performance
- 3:00 to 3:30 p.m.: Vaughn Walls performance
- 3:45 to 4:15 p.m.: DJ ddubb D-Dub performance
- 4:30 to 5:00 p.m.: Jerome Lavelle performance
- 5:15 to 6:00 p.m.: Marterian and Elbart performance
- 6:15 to 6:45 p.m.: Triangle Pride Band performance
Cultural Showcase – International Zone
- 2:15 to 2:45 p.m.: Pipe and Drums performance
- 2:45 to 3:00 p.m.: Junoon performance
- 3:00 to 3:05 p.m.: Eternalz Dance performance
- 3:05 to 3:15 p.m.: Bhangra performance
- 3:15 to 3:30 p.m.: Fusion Dance performance
- 3:30 to 4:00 p.m.: Triangle Taiko performance
- 4:00 to 4:15 p.m.: HYPY performance
- 4:15 to 5:15 p.m.: NC State Irish Session performance
- 5:15 to 6:00 p.m.: Scandimonium Performance
Arts Performance Area
- 2:10 to 2:30 p.m.: Drumline/Marching Band performance
- 2:30 to 2:40 p.m.: Nazarre performance
- 2:50 to 3:00 p.m.: Pack Clogging at NC State performance
- 3:10 to 3:25 p.m.: Dancing with Wolves Ballroom Dance performance
- 3:35 to 3:50 p.m.: Sube Ritmo Latin Dance performance
- 4:00 to 4:10 p.m.: KPACK performance
- 4:30 to 4:45 p.m.: Grains of Time performance
- 5:00 to 5:10 p.m.: Wolfgang A Cappella performance
- 5:20 to 5:35 p.m.: Chordination A Cappella performance
- 5:45 to 6:00 p.m.: Ladies In Red A Cappella performance
Art Zone
- 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.: Zine making activity with NCMA
- 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.: Screen Printing with the Crafts Center
- 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.: Musical instrument Petting Zoo with Mu Beta Psi
- 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.: Coloring with the Gregg Museum
- 2:30 to 6:00 p.m.: Poetry Fox
Other Activities
- 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.: Horne Street Chalk Art at Horne Street
- 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.: Get a free chair massage at Wolfpack Zone
- 2:00 to 8:00 p.m.: Triangle Treasure Hunt next to Info Tent
- 2:45 to 4:15 p.m.: Belltower Tour at Belltower
- 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.: Drone and Helikite Balloon Demonstration at Court of Carolina
- 3:00 to 3:30 p.m.: Cirque de Vol aerial performance at Hillsborough St @ Gardner St
- 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.: Drone and Helikite Balloon Demonstration at Court of Carolina
- 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.: Hallowed Spaces Tour at Steps of Holladay Hall
- 4:45 to 5:15 p.m.: Cirque de Vol aerial performance at Hillsborough St @ Gardner St
- 5:15 to 6:45 p.m.: Belltower Tour starting on the steps of Holladay Hall
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it's also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
More Festivals
Check out a list of spring festivals in the Triangle, or take a look at a few upcoming festivals: