Hopscotch's free day parties take over Raleigh

The Hopscotch Music Festival returns today, putting bands on stages throughout downtown Raleigh for the next three days.

Why it matters: While most of Hopscotch requires a ticket, there are plenty of free ways to engage with what has become one of Raleigh's signature cultural events.

Zoom in: The festival's free day parties are scattered at venues around the city each day. The full list can be found here.

Here are some highlights:

Thursday:

• Carrboro-based Sleepy Cat Records hosts its "Cat Scratch" Day Party at Slim's at 1pm, featuring the Raleigh band Lonnie Walker.
• The Pour House Music Hall will have a kick-off party for the festival at 12:30pm, featuring sets from bands like Friendship, Triatholon and Villagerrr.
• Dear Life Records will host a poetry and creative writing non-fiction session with several artists at the Transfer Co. Food Hall at 1pm.

Friday:

• The psychedelia-focused Three Lobed Records, out of Jamestown, N.C., tag teams a day party with Duke's student-run WXDU radio station for a day party at King's at 12pm.
• Raleigh Times will turn into the Hoopscotch Block Party at noon, featuring live performances as well as basketball games.
• North Carolina musician Libby Rodenbough (of Mipso and Fust) presents a collection of performances from artists like Magic Tuber Stringband at Schoolkids Records at 12:30pm.

Saturday:

• The City of Raleigh Museum will put on a screening of "The Great Cover Up," a music documentary, with a panel about the doc and another panel on Hopscotch's 15th anniversary.

• The Durham record label Psychic Hotline, founded by members of Sylvan Esso, takes over King's at noon.
• Transfer Co. will turn into Sipsman's Record Fair at noon, with records for sale and live performances.

Sunday:

• The Rialto Theater will put on a jazz showcase starting at 1pm.
• The Five Points restaurant Ajja will host a day party featuring several North Carolina bands at noon.