Trick or Treat
Hillsborough Street Trick or Treat Grows Year After Year
What started as a small opportunity for children to trick-or-treat along Hillsborough Street has grown into one of the district's favorite annual traditions. This October, the fourth annual Hillsborough Street Trick or Treat welcomed approximately 400 children and their families for an afternoon of costumes, candy, activities, and community connection.
The free, family-friendly event has continued to grow each year, bringing together local businesses, NC State University, students, schools, and community organizations to create a Halloween celebration that offers much more than just trick-or-treating.
From Candy on the Street to a Community Celebration
Over the past four years, Hillsborough Street Trick or Treat has grown from a handful of candy stations along the street into a much larger Halloween experience. What began as a simple way to encourage families to visit Hillsborough Street has expanded into an event with multiple sections on the street creating numerous opportunities for candy, craft creation and overall fun.
This year's celebration featured everything from traditional trick-or-treating, and a trunk-or-treat area to inflatables, face painting, crafts, pumpkin painting, music, dancing, and more. With activities spread throughout Hillsborough Street, Logan Court, and NC State's North Hall parking area, families had plenty of opportunities to explore, participate, and enjoy the afternoon.
More Than Trick-or-Treating: Partnerships That Make It Possible
An event of this size takes a community effort, and Hillsborough Street Trick or Treat has become a great example of what can happen when local organizations, schools, and university groups work together.
Volunteers from NC State Greek Life, Broughton High School, and Activate Good helped bring the event to life, supporting activities and helping create a welcoming experience for the hundreds of families in attendance. Their involvement, along with participation from local businesses and other community partners, helped make this year's expanded celebration possible.
This year, the event also partnered with NC State's Feed the Pack Food Pantry to host a community food drive. In addition to collecting donations, the partnership provided an opportunity to introduce more Raleigh residents to Feed the Pack and the resources it provides to support the NC State community. It was a great way to use an already well-attended community event to connect people with an important campus resource and encourage giving back.
An Award-Winning Community Tradition
The growth and impact of Hillsborough Street Trick or Treat has earned recognition beyond the district. The event was honored with the North Carolina Downtown Development Association's (NCDDA) Downtown Impact Award in recognition of its contributions to events, activations, and placemaking.
While we're so proud of this recognition, what makes the event most rewarding is seeing the impact it has on the people who attend and help bring it to life. Following this year's celebration, families shared overwhelmingly positive feedback about the activities, atmosphere, and overall experience.
It's the enthusiasm of our attendees and the continued support of our local businesses, volunteers, and community partners that make this event special and inspire us to keep growing this tradition each year.
See You Next Halloween!
Whether you joined us this year, have attended in years past, or are just discovering Hillsborough Street Trick or Treat for the first time, we'd love to see you next year!
As we continue growing this annual tradition, our goal remains the same: to create a fun, welcoming Halloween experience that brings families, local businesses, students, and the greater Raleigh community together.
Keep an eye on Live It Up Hillsborough Street's website and social media for announcements about next year's event. Start planning those costumes, and we'll see you on Hillsborough Street for another Halloween celebration!