When you’re attending a music festival, the last thing you want to feel is stressed about where to park, what to eat, or who can help you out. Avoid the headache and let us guide you through this experience attending Hopscotch Music Festival in Downtown Raleigh.
Since 2010, Hopscotch has taken place in the heart of downtown and attracted visitors from across the country. It’s a vibrant and community-centered celebration of music, art, and culture that blends local flavor with nationally-recognized acts.
The festival is widely known for its diverse lineup with genres ranging from punk to hip-hop and everything in between (plus some standup comedy). Household names such as My Morning Jacket, Earl Sweatshirt, and Superchunk—to name a few—play alongside NC-based artists going big like Blue Cactus and Tre Charles.
Didn’t get tickets? Don’t sweat it! Get in on the Hopscotch fun at one of the 20+ public day parties in Downtown Raleigh or the Skate Raleigh Pop-Up on Martin Street. Not to mention, the festival falls on September First Friday this year!
*This business is an official Hopscotch Day Party location
"All Night Long" - Pachyman | Bars & Nightlife
Downtown Raleigh has no shortage of bars ready to keep the music going between sets. Some of these are official Hopscotch day party locations, which means you can swing by during one or more days of the festival for live music, no ticket required, while others are nearby favorites perfect for grabbing a drink before or after the shows. Learn how you can enjoy beverages while walking around the city in the Sip N' Stroll Downtown social district.
The Anchor Bar
Berkeley Cafe *
FOUNDATION
Haymaker
The Hippo Wine Bar + Shop
Landmark Tavern *
Le Dive *
The Longleaf Lounge *
The Merchant
State of Beer *
Vault Craft Beer
Whiskey Kitchen
Zenith
"Get Your Shoes On" - Reggie Watts | Shopping
Grab any last-minute clothing, shoes, or accessories for your festival fit to make sure you’re looking fresh.
The Burrow
Curate
DECO
NASHONA
House of Rebellion
Maison Neue *
One For All Thrift
Origami Styling
Pallbearer Vintage
Raleigh Denim Workshop
The Self Care Marketplace
ThriftWiz
"EL TORO COMBO MEAL" - Earl Sweatshirt | Dining
Fuel your body through the long festival days at these downtown eateries.
42 & Lawrence
Coffee and pastries
Amrut: Taste of India
Regional Indian food and cocktails
Anthony's La Piazza
Staten-Island style pizza & pasta
Beasley's Chicken + Honey
Gluten-free fried chicken with Southern fixins
The Big Easy
Chido Taco
Counter service taquería
Element Gastropub
Plant-based pub bites
El Rodeo
Comfort Mexican food
Figulina Pasta + Provisions *
Scratch-made pasta and small plates
Heirloom Brewshop
Cafe by day, Southeast Asian dinner restaurant by night
Inka Grill
Peruvian cuisine
Iris Coffee Lab
Seasonal sandwiches and pastries
Libations 317
Craft cocktail and Asian bistro
Longleaf Swine *
Whole-hog BBQ with Southern sides
lucettegrace
French pastries and sandwiches
Mustang House
Authentic Indian and Nepalese cuisine
ORO Restaurant & Lounge
Surf & turf with international spice
The Pizza Times
Fast casual pizza whole or by the slice
Sono
Elevated sushi spot
Transfer Co. Food Hall *
9 local eateries & bars inside a food hall
"Chill Out" by Triathalon | Arts & Entertainment
Stay entertained and have fun during your downtime exploring the city. Check out 180+ pieces of public art while you're out exploring as well!
Artspace
Boxcar Bar and Arcade *
Bricks & Minifigs *
10% discount for pass holders
Epic Axe
"Harmonies" by LeMonde
Experience music in a whole new way with Harmonies, an interactive installation of four large-scale musical instruments that play tunes at the turn of a crank. Each piece harnesses the energy of human motion to bring music to life, playing songs from featured artists at this year's festival. Find them in City Plaza, Nash Square, Market Plaza, and at the Raleigh Convention Center.
Hopshot Putt Putt at Raleigh Beer Garden
Lump Projects Gallery *
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Side Quest Game Lounge and Bar
U.B. Paint'N & Sip'N
"On the Bus" by Improvement Movement | Getting Around DTR
- Parking areas in Downtown Raleigh
- Alternative modes of transportation throughout downtown including self-serve bicycle and scooter rentals
- GoRaleigh buses
- R-Line: Downtown Raleigh Circulator Bus
Safety and Hospitality Ambassadors
The Downtown Raleigh Ambassadors are on the job 7 days a week and are trained to ensure that all downtown visitors have a welcoming, safe experience.
All of our Ambassadors proactively engage the community by providing the following services:
- Direction and way-finding assistance
- Motorist assistance
- Safety escorts to and from any location in downtown
- Special event safety and information
- Quality of life assistance and outreach
- Aggressive panhandling and suspicious activity observation and reporting
To request assistance from an Ambassador, please call the hotline at 919-368-7962