Sep 4, 2025 - News
Hopscotch's free day parties take over Raleigh
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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.
