The Charlotte events calendar features free and cheap things to do every day. Think there's nothing to do? Look at this list of Charlotte events to get some ideas. You'll find festivals, free food, music, kids' activities and much more.
Click each title to see more information about the event or deal. You can also view the whole month (click "By Month") or see a specific date (click By Day).
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Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It's also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
You might also be interested in one of these more specific calendars:
Today: Friday, September 4, 2026
Tomorrow: Saturday, September 5, 2026
Sunday, September 6, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardee's: 66¢ sausage biscuit | All Day | $0.66 | Hardee’s, participating locations |
| Free museum admission first weekend of month for Bank of America/Merrill customers | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| Kids eat free at IKEA Swedish Restaurant Labor Day Weekend, with adult entrée purchase | All Day | FREE | IKEA |
| Labor Day celebration at Whitewater Center (free, but $13 for parking) | 9:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | U.S. National Whitewater Center |
| Labor Day Weekend Market | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | The River District |
| Sensory-friendly hours at Discovery Place Science | 10:30 am to 1:30 pm | $18.00-23.00 | Discovery Place Science |
| Shop Local Sundays Pop-Up Market | 11:00 am to 7:00 pm | Camp North End | |
| Figure Drawing | 11:00 am | FREE | Free Range Brewing |
| Matthews Alive | 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Matthews |
| Mint Hill Car Show -- Hot Rods on the Lawn | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Chick-fil-A Mint Hill |
| Mobile Market Pop-Up Pantry -- get a FREE Zealous Meal Kit | 2:00 pm | FREE | Keith Family YMCA |
| Sensory-Friendly Hours at Discovery Place Kids | 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm | $15.00 | Discovery Place Kids |
| Free Tour at Torance House & Store | 2:00 pm | FREE | Hugh Torance House & Store |
| Free Live Music Sundays | 3:00 pm | FREE | Free Range Brewing |
| Celebration: Independencia de Nicaragua | 4:00 pm | FREE | Aldersgate UMC Charlotte |
| Animal Ambassador Meet 'n' Greet | 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm | FREE | McDowell Nature Center and Preserve |
| Live music: The Bo-Stevens | 5:00 pm | FREE | The Thirsty Beaver Saloon |
| CLT Food Not Bombs: Free Food Distribution (and more) | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | First Ward Park |
| Downtown Jazz Jam | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Slow Play Brewing, Rock Hill |
Monday, September 7, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9th Annual Teacher-Penned Play Festival | 2:00 pm | FREE | VisArt Video |
| Hardee's: 66¢ sausage biscuit | All Day | $0.66 | Hardee’s, participating locations |
| Kids eat free at IKEA Swedish Restaurant Labor Day Weekend, with adult entrée purchase | All Day | FREE | IKEA |
| Matthews Alive | 9:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Matthews |
| Charlotte Labor Day Parade | 11:00 am | FREE | Center City Charlotte–Trade and Tryon |
| Kids eat free at Sonny's BBQ (with adult entrée purchase) | 11:00 am to 9:00 pm | Sonny’s BBQ, various locations | |
| Labor Day Bash with Josh Daniel | 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Triple C Brewing Co. Taproom, South End |
| Student discount at The Percantile and Creamery: 15% off | 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Discounted | The Percantile and Creamery, Concord |
| Mindful Mondays: 20% off N/A beers and alcohol free drinks | 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Discounted | Pilot Brewing |
| Drop-In Dance Class from Charlotte Ballet: Senior Ballet | 3:15 pm to 4:15 pm | FREE | Northern Regional Recreation Center |
| Dance With Me: Line Dancing -- beginning lesson and open dance | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $5.00 | The Barrel Room at Triple C, South End |
| Game Night | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Urban District Market |
| Open Mic Night | 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Old Armor Beer Company, Kannapolis |
| Nerd Night: games and free pizza | 7:00 pm | FREE | Resident Culture Brewing Plaza Midwood |
| Star Wars Summer Movie Series | 7:15 pm | FREE | Ben & Jerry’s Davidson |
| Bill Hanna Legacy Jazz Session | 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm | $7.00-10.00 | Petra’s |
| Karaoke at Starlight on 22nd | 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm | FREE | Starlight on 22nd |
| Find Your Muse Open Mic | 7:30 pm | $8.24 | The Evening Muse |
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drop-In Dance Class from Charlotte Ballet: Senior Dance Class | 11:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Sugaw Creek Recreation Center |
| Kids eat free at Sonny's BBQ (with adult entrée purchase) | 11:00 am to 9:00 pm | Sonny’s BBQ, various locations | |
| Free Public Tour of Innovation Barn | 1:00 pm | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Student discount at The Percantile and Creamery: 15% off | 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Discounted | The Percantile and Creamery, Concord |
| Taster Tuesdays: half off beer flights, 20% off top shelf bourbon, $4 shooters, and 20% off snacks | 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Discounted | Pilot Brewing |
| Free Tuesday at Schiele Museum | 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Schiele Museum of Natural History, Gastonia |
| Puppet Tuesday | 4:00 pm | FREE | VisArt Video |
| Troop Trope Smutty Book Club | 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Divine Barrel Brewing |
| Gamer's Social | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Market at 7th Street |
| Free Country Swing Dancing Lesson | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Cabarrus Brewing Company |
| Dart League | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery, Huntersville |
| Taps & Tiles Mahjong Open Play | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Triple C Brewing Co. Taproom, South End |
| Comedy Open Mic at Starlight on 22nd | 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm | FREE | Starlight on 22nd |
| Hatties' Bingo Night -- free to play, with prizes | 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Hattie’s Tap and Tavern |
