Totscotch 2026 and more for families at Raleigh’s best festival
September is one of the best and busiest months in Raleigh: We’re back to school, but there are also a ton of events and festivals, and literally multiple things happening every weekend. One of the highlights for music aficionados is the annual Hopscotch Music Festival. Started in 2010 as “The Independents’ Hopscotch Music Festival”, the event has from the beginning been a blend of different genres, putting global stars on the same stage as brand-new bands, and that with a heavy slant towards music from North Carolina. It has been nice to see the event grow, adapt, struggle, reinvent itself, but always been a convincing format, and a music event with a reach far beyond Raleigh.
And then we had kids.
Seeing the Hopscotch posters on a walk with the stroller reminded us of time BC (before children), and by the time the headliners got on stage, we were fast asleep. Then one year we tried Lazy Daze, and it was nice, but, eh. The kids grew up, not on Kids Bop and Baby Mozart, but on real music, again, transfusing all the genres, many influences, that’s how you find yourself. We took them to see music, at the amphitheater, at Raleigh Wide Open.
And now, they are ready for Hopscotch.
Totscotch is just the start
For a few years now (started in 2023), Hopscotch and Marbles Kids Museum have been putting on Totscotch, and while the combination sounds as cringe as the name, don’t dismiss it just yet. The entire Moore Square part of Hopscotch has been revamped as “Moore Square Commons”, and Totscotch is part of that. It takes place from around 10am-1pm on Saturday 9/12 (some sources say 10a-1p, some 10a-2p, some 11a-2p, oh well), and like the Hopscotch Day Parties it is free. And with food trucks and a small market (I don’t know, tie-dye t-shirts and bracelets and stuff, I assume), it should be entertaining enough for a relaxing Saturday afternoon.
The music: I got a bit nervous when I saw them call it “Music for Kids”, because we all know what this could sound like. So I checked out the billed bands: Ricochet Chicken (11:45a) does not seem to exist on the internet except for their band page on the hopscotch website (correct me). They are a group of 17-year-olds out of Durham with original music and a couple gigs in Durham. Go support them at Hopscotch! Horse Deniers (12:45p) has played a few gigs in Carrboro and Chapel Hill. No music to be heard online, but described as alt/hard/jam rock. I was ready to give up on the hard-to-Google name of “No One Mind”, but they do exist, have been around for over a decade and released several albums. Self-declared psychedelic art pop, your kids will like them, and so will you. (They go on at 2:15p, so technically after Totscotch ends.) Additional bands billed that day are Bass Battery and Mellow Swells, also out of Durham. Full disclaimer: I haven’t gone to Totscotch in previous years, but I’m planning to check it out this year, take in the whole “Moore Square Commons” vibe as well as probably a few day parties.
Hopscotch Day Parties
The list of day parties is not out yet, but these are free, meaning generally all ages (but in the end, depends on the venue). They are traditionally hosted at various clubs, bars and other locations around downtown. I will update when I hear more.
Kids at the evening concerts and clubs
If you do have a festival pass to see bands at the ticketed concerts (starting at 4p Thu/Fri and 2:30p on Sat), the good news is that kids under the age of 12 are free to enter the general admission area of the main stage. For the club concerts, it again depends on the venue, with Lincoln Theater typically all ages, but Neptunes and Slims 21+. (I don’t know about the rest.)
| Venue / Stage | Age Limit | Ticket | Notes |
| Main Stage (City Plaza) | All Ages | Festival Pass; free 12 and under | General admission areas only |
| Totscotch (Moore Square Commons) | All Ages | free | Saturday 10a-1p |
| Official Day Parties | varies | free | Various bars, restaurants and other locations |
| Lincoln Theatre | All ages | Festival Pass; free 12 and under | Generally all ages |
| Slim’s / Neptunes | 21+ only | Festival Pass | Adults only |
Hearing Protection
You are a good parent for taking your kids to Hopscotch. Now be a good parent and protect their ears. If they are little, they will not mind the big over-ear capsules, and that is what they need. If they’re teenagers, they may accept the same ear plugs that you are wearing. And if they are adults, well, you had your chance at raising them right 🙂.
And while I had my dad hat on, bring water and sunscreen, and good shoes if you’re planning to go to different venues (Moores Square to City Plaza is about a 10-15min walk).
Summary
Address: around Moore Square and Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh
Date and Hours: Hopscotch: 9/10-12 Totscotch: 9/12, 10a-1p (on Moore Square)
Cost: Totscotch and Day Parties are free, the festival is now $159 (adults) and free under 12.
Website: Hopscotch Music Festival , especially Totscotch and Moore Square Commons
Getting there: We will of course walk, but any city bus would drop you off right at Moore Square. For my North Raleigh friends and out-of-towners, try to park in the Wilmington St Deck (use 114 S Blount for directions) and plan to arrive early; once this one is full, getting to other parking decks might be a hassle with the closed roads.
Lastly, Hopscotch is a big event, and downtown will be crowded. Do some additional research for your specific needs before going. I hope I got you interested, but reading this article alone is not enough preparation.
