Expect intense Raleigh traffic with major concerts, NC State Fair. Here’s where
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- State Fair runs Oct. 16-26; Lenovo Center concerts will create heavy traffic.
- Concerts Oct. 16-17 and Oct. 24-25 include high-profile acts; expect delays.
- Parking options: paid Lenovo Center lots on concert days and free off-site lots.
The North Carolina State Fair runs from Thursday, Oct. 16 to Sunday, Oct. 26 at the state fairgrounds, but nearby concerts scheduled during the same time — plus lane-limiting roadwork— could lead to heavy traffic delays.
Pop singer Billie Eilish has two stops at the Lenovo Center Oct. 16-17 as part of her “Hit Me Hard and Soft” Tour, and rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again (also known as NBA YoungBoy) is slated to take the stage Oct. 24. Canadian singer Tate McRae is slated to perform the following day.
With each show starting at 7 p.m. or later, fair traffic could back up again — just like during Sabrina Carpenter’s concert last year.
“As someone who attended the Sabrina concert last year during the fair, please plan ahead and leave earlier than you think you need to,” a commenter wrote on a Lenovo Center Instagram post warning visitors about traffic. “Me and my friends were literally running to our seats as Sabrina was coming onstage.”
Though the fair hasn’t officially started yet, concertgoers headed to Chris Brown’s show at Carter-Finley Stadium on Tuesday night found themselves stuck in heavy traffic around the venue, our reporting partner ABC11 reported.
Here’s what you need to know about state fair and concert parking.
NC State Fair traffic
These roads are expected to be heavily impacted during the NC State Fair, according to a news release from the Raleigh Police Department:
- Hillsborough Street
- Blue Ridge Road
- Trinity Road
- Edwards Mill Road
- Wade Avenue
- Western Boulevard
- Interstate 40
Can I park at the Lenovo Center for the State Fair?
Yes, but guests will be charged to park there on concert dates.
Reserved parking at the Lenovo Center will not be available Oct. 16-17, according to their website, but advance parking passes can be purchased for Oct. 24-25 online at parkwhiz.com. Prices range from $32-$100 for VIP parking.
Parking passes can also be purchased on concert days. Prices range from $45-$150.
State Fair parking is otherwise free.
How to avoid Lenovo Center, State Fair traffic
The Lenovo Center suggests that concertgoers “plan accordingly to allow for extra travel time,” according to an Instagram post.
“Guests are encouraged to carpool if possible and arrive early! Lenovo Center parking lots open at 1PM each day,” the post reads.
If you plan to use Uber or Lyft, the drop-off area at the venue is right across the main road from VIP Parking, next to TowneBank Center at Carter-Finley Stadium. Rideshare service is available for all arena events.
Lenovo Center parking directions
To get the general parking lots at the Lenovo Center, if you’re coming from Interstate 40 or Wade Avenue, take the Edwards Mill Road exit and head south. The main entrance to the Lenovo Center parking lots will be on your left.
For VIP parking, If you’re on Wade Avenue, take Exit 289 for Edwards Mill Road and head south to Trinity Road. Turn left there, and you’ll enter the Lenovo Center at Gate D.
If you’re coming from Blue Ridge Road, just turn onto Westchase Boulevard and enter through Gate F.
Free parking NC State Fair
Outside of concert days, parking at the Lenovo Center is free during the state fair. There are three other lots with free parking, and some even have shuttle service to the fairgrounds, so you can skip the long walk.
Here are the free parking lots:
- Dogwood Lot
- Cardinal Lot
- Carter-Finley Stadium
There are also free off-site parking lots with a free shuttle service to the fairgrounds:
- Park at the corner of Edwards Mill and Reedy Creek. Shuttle pick-up and drop-off will be across from Gate 8 on Trinity Road.
- Park off Hwy 54/Chapel Hill Road just past I-40 Exit 290. Shuttle pick-up and drop-off will be across from Gate 7 on Youth Center Drive.
How to take a bus to the NC State Fair
GoRaleigh will offer Express Bus Service to the 2025 North Carolina State Fair Oct. 16-26, which can help with parking struggles.
A round-trip ticket costs $5 (or $4 one-way). People 65 and older or riders with disabilities can ride for half price at $2.50. Kids under 40 inches tall ride free.
Buses will pick up and drop off passengers at 1525 Garner Station Blvd in Raleigh (that’s behind the Goodberry’s). The Triangle Town Center stop won’t be available this year. GoPasses and Transit Assistance Passes aren’t valid for the express route.
You can find more information online at goraleigh.org.
GoDurham will also offer free rides to and from the state fair, with expanded service and multiple daily trips to help riders skip traffic and parking fees. Full schedules are available at godurhamtransit.org.
Train routes to 2025 NC State Fair
NC By Train will make multiple stops at the state fairgrounds everyday for guests departing from Charlotte, Kannapolis, Salisbury, High Point, Greensboro, Burlington, Durham and Cary. This service begins Oct. 16.
Here’s a breakdown of the four special routes for getting to and from the fair:
- Take Carolinian train 80 from Charlotte at 6:45 a.m. to get to fairgrounds at 10:22 a.m.
- Take Piedmont train 72 from Charlotte at 10:25 a.m. to get to fairgrounds at 1:58 p.m.
- Take Piedmont train 77 from the fairgrounds at 3:15 p.m. to get to Charlotte at 6:35 p.m.
- Take Carolinian train 79 from the fairgrounds at 5:30 p.m. to get to Charlotte at 9:10 p.m.
When leaving the fairgrounds, you’ll need to ride the specific train listed on your ticket because departing trains aren’t interchangeable. To pre-board, check in at the Amtrak hospitality tent at least 20 minutes before departure.
This story has been updated.
This story was originally published October 15, 2025 at 9:09 AM with the headline "Expect intense Raleigh traffic with major concerts, NC State Fair. Here’s where."
