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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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:
- Free and cheap things to do this week
- Free and cheap kids' events
- Concerts this week in Charlotte
- Trivia Nights in Charlotte
Today: Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Tomorrow: Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Thursday, December 7, 2023
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa's Wonderland, with free pictures, at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| The Polar Express Train Ride (various start times; prices vary) | All Day | $34.00-40.00 | North Carolina Transportation Museum |
| Outdoor ice skating at Birkdale Village (time varies) | All Day | $14.00-18.00 | Birkdale Village |
| Light the Knights (click for times and prices) | All Day | Truist Field | |
| Ice Skating at Camp North End (time varies) | All Day | $10.00-15.00 | Camp North End |
| Sea of Lights at SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord (price and times vary) | All Day | SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord | |
| Elves in the Park | All Day | Rob Wallace Park, Midland | |
| Christmas Toy Drive: Donate toy and get a free pizza | All Day | FREE | Triple C Brewing Co. |
| SouthPark Holiday Hop (with free shuttle rides between venues) | All Day | FREE | Various locations in SouthPark |
| Nature Story Walk at Buzzard Rock | 9:30 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Quest (Latta Nature Preserve) |
| Meet animals at the Billy Graham Library | 11:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | |
| Cramerton Christmas Village | 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Cramerton |
| Cramerton Christmas Parade | 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Cramerton |
| Free golf clinic at PXG Golf Store | 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | PXG Charlotte |
| Holiday Walk at Sweetwater Farms | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | $10.00 | Sweetwater Farms |
| Holidays at the Garden | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $15.00-25.00 | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden |
| Music Bingo | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | King Canary Brewing, Mooresville |
| Pirates Christmas at High Seas Miniature Golf | 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $10.00-15.00 | High Seas Miniature Golf |
| Christmas Light Extravaganza in Kings Mountain | 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Patriots Park (Kings Mountain, NC) |
| Christmas at the Library | 5:00 pm | FREE | Billy Graham Library |
| Menorah Lighting at StoneCrest | 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm | FREE | Stonecrest at Piper Glen |
| Bluegrass Jam Night | 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Birdsong Brewing Co. |
| McAdenville "Christmas Town" Christmas lights | 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Downtown McAdenville — various locations |
| The Menorah Lighting at Birkdale | 5:30 pm | FREE | Birkdale Village |
| Weekly Ping Pong Club | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing Charlotte |
| Tie Dye Party | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | $10.00 | Blue Blaze Brewing Co. |
| Kannapolis Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express (free admission, charge for train ride) | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Village Park, Kannapolis |
| Candy Land Christmas Nights | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | First Federal Park, Lincolnton |
| Speedway Christmas (Price varies per day of week. Price is per vehicle.) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $35.00-45.00 | Charlotte Motor Speedway |
| Wonder of Christmas at Trinity Baptist Church in Indian Land | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $5.00 | Trinity Baptist Church, Indian Land |
| Charlotte Fit Fam | 6:00 pm | FREE | HopFly Brewing Company |
| Free Bingo Night | 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Model A Brewing, Tega Cay |
| A Providence Christmas in Bethlehem | 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Providence Baptist Church, Harrisburg |
| Name the Music at Rhino Market & Deli South End | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Rhino Market South End |
| Tango CLT in Plaza Midwood | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $15.00 | The Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters |
| Open Mic Comedy Night | 7:00 pm | FREE | Resident Culture Brewing Plaza Midwood |
| Open Mic at Redd's on Union | 9:30 pm | FREE | Redds on Union, Concord |
Friday, December 8, 2023
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa's Wonderland, with free pictures, at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| The Polar Express Train Ride (various start times; prices vary) | All Day | $34.00-40.00 | North Carolina Transportation Museum |
| Outdoor ice skating at Birkdale Village (time varies) | All Day | $14.00-18.00 | Birkdale Village |
| Light the Knights (click for times and prices) | All Day | Truist Field | |
| Ice Skating at Camp North End (time varies) | All Day | $10.00-15.00 | Camp North End |
| Sea of Lights at SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord (price and times vary) | All Day | SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord | |
| Elves in the Park | All Day | Rob Wallace Park, Midland | |
| Christmas Toy Drive: Donate toy and get a free pizza | All Day | FREE | Triple C Brewing Co. |
| SouthPark Holiday Hop (with free shuttle rides between venues) | All Day | FREE | Various locations in SouthPark |
| Kids Hiking Club | 9:30 am | FREE | McDowell Nature Center and Preserve |
| S'mores Please | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Stevens Creek Nature Preserve and Center |
| VTGCLT Pop -- pop-up vintage and handmade market | 10:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | Camp North End |
| Museum of Illusions First Anniversary: 10% off tickets | 10:00 am to 10:00 pm | Discounted | Museum of Illusions |
| Meet animals at the Billy Graham Library | 11:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | |
| Christmas Market at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery | 11:00 am to 11:00 pm | FREE | Olde Mecklenburg Brewery |
| Festive Flicks: Elf | 1:00 pm | $5.00 | Cinergy Dine-In Cinemas |
| Festive Flicks: The Grinch | 3:30 pm | $5.00 | Cinergy Dine-In Cinemas |
| Winter Festival at Skiptown | 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $15.00 | Skiptown |
| Photos with Santa (Free, but donations accepted) | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Blakeney |
| Holiday Walk at Sweetwater Farms | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | $10.00 | Sweetwater Farms |
| Holidays at the Garden | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $15.00-25.00 | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden |
| Mooresville 150: A Classic Christmas | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Mooresville |
| Family Movie Night: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Ray’s Splash Planet |
| A Classic Christmas in Mooresville | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Mooresville |
| Pirates Christmas at High Seas Miniature Golf | 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $10.00-15.00 | High Seas Miniature Golf |
| Christmas Light Extravaganza in Kings Mountain | 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Patriots Park (Kings Mountain, NC) |
| Christmas at the Library | 5:00 pm | FREE | Billy Graham Library |
| McAdenville "Christmas Town" Christmas lights | 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Downtown McAdenville — various locations |
| Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular (click for discount) | 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | $15.00-25.00 | Ballantyne’s Backyard |
| Free cocktail class with Bob Peters | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Old Town Kitchen & Cocktails, Rock Hill |
| Letters to Santa at Arboretum Shopping Center -- free Santa picture and gift | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Arboretum Shopping Center |
| Free interactive Christmas drama: Walk Thru Bethlehem | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Camp Wesley |
| Candy Land Christmas Nights | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | First Federal Park, Lincolnton |
| Kannapolis Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express (free admission, charge for train ride) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Village Park, Kannapolis |
| Speedway Christmas (Price varies per day of week. Price is per vehicle.) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $35.00-45.00 | Charlotte Motor Speedway |
| Wonder of Christmas at Trinity Baptist Church in Indian Land | 6:00 pm | $5.00 | Trinity Baptist Church, Indian Land |
| Festive Flicks: The Holiday | 6:00 pm | $5.00 | Cinergy Dine-In Cinemas |
| 4th Annual Krampus Market | 6:00 pm | FREE | Petty Thieves Brewing Co. |
| A Providence Christmas in Bethlehem | 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Providence Baptist Church, Harrisburg |
| Flame & Symbol at Flux Galleries -- an immersive firelit art experience | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $10.00 | Flux Galleries |
| Fortune Friday | 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm | $10.00 | Red Clay Ciderworks |
| Friday Live Music | 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing Charlotte |
| Belmont Movies in the Park: Arthur Christmas | 7:00 pm | FREE | Stowe Park, Belmont |
| Christmas Card Photos with Krampus | 7:00 pm | $10.00 | Petty Thieves Brewing Co. |
| The Comedy Market: Open Mic | 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Common Market South End |
| Live music: Edison Overdrive | 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Old Armor Beer Company, Kannapolis |
| Karaoke at Ghostface Brewing | 9:00 pm to 11:45 pm | FREE | Beer Lab by Ghostface Brewing |
| Festive Flicks: Krampus | 9:00 pm | $5.00 | Cinergy Dine-In Cinemas |
Saturday, December 9, 2023
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa's Wonderland, with free pictures, at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| The Polar Express Train Ride (various start times; prices vary) | All Day | $34.00-40.00 | North Carolina Transportation Museum |
| Outdoor ice skating at Birkdale Village (time varies) | All Day | $14.00-18.00 | Birkdale Village |
| Light the Knights (click for times and prices) | All Day | Truist Field | |
| Ice Skating at Camp North End (time varies) | All Day | $10.00-15.00 | Camp North End |
| Sea of Lights at SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord (price and times vary) | All Day | SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord | |
| Elves in the Park | All Day | Rob Wallace Park, Midland | |
| Christmas Toy Drive: Donate toy and get a free pizza | All Day | FREE | Triple C Brewing Co. |
| SouthPark Holiday Hop (with free shuttle rides between venues) | All Day | FREE | Various locations in SouthPark |
| Yoga - Hosted by Cramerton Parks & Rec | 8:00 am to 9:00 am | FREE | Confluence, Cramerton |
| Free Rabies Clinic at Charlotte Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control | 8:00 am to 10:45 am | FREE | CMPD Animal Care and Control |
| Charlotte Warehouse Sale's Holiday Closeout Sale | 9:00 am to 6:00 pm | FREE | Charlotte Warehouse Sale |
| Santa Pictures | 9:00 am | $7.00 | Matthews Community Center |
| Charlotte Doodle Meetup | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | $5.00 | Skiptown |
| Cocoa with Santa Claus at Optimist Hall (including free hot cocoa with toppings bar) | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Optimist Hall |
| Woodland Christmas at Frank Liske Park | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | $5.00 | Frank Liske Park |
| Nature Holiday Celebration | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve |
| 2nd Saturday Open Studio at ClearWater Arts Center & Studios | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | ClearWater Arts Center & Studios |
| VTGCLT Pop -- pop-up vintage and handmade market | 10:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | Camp North End |
| Museum of Illusions First Anniversary: 10% off tickets | 10:00 am to 10:00 pm | Discounted | Museum of Illusions |
| Free family activities at Camp North End | 10:00 am | FREE | Camp North End |
| Kids can try ice hockey for FREE at the outdoor rink at Truist Field (registration required) | 10:30 am to 11:45 am | FREE | Truist Field |
| Saturday Morning Music | 10:30 am to 12:30 pm | FREE | Madison Perk Coffee Bar |
| Santa Pictures | 10:45 am | $7.00 | Matthews Community Center |
| Santa Visits Kings Mountain Historical Museum | 11:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Kings Mountain Historical Museum |
| Meet animals at the Billy Graham Library | 11:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | |
| Letters to Santa at Northcross -- free Santa pictures | 11:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Northcross Shopping Center |
| Free photos with Santa at Metropolitan (plus free hot cocoa and more) | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Metropolitan |
| Joy Jubilee: An Immersive Christmas Shopping Experience Benefitting Bright Blessings -- Volunteer Opportunity, Santa Pictures, much more... | 11:00 am to 4:00 pm | $10.00 | Bright Blessings |
| Free admission to Mint Museum Uptown for Opening of Craft Across Continents | 11:00 am to 6:00 pm | FREE | Mint Museum Uptown |
| Winter Festival at Skiptown | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | $15.00 | Skiptown |
| Christmas Market at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery | 11:00 am to 11:00 pm | FREE | Olde Mecklenburg Brewery |
| Santa Paws at Town Brewing | 11:00 am | Town Brewing | |
| Santa at Gibson Mill Market | 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Gibson Mill |
| 12th Anniversary Party | 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Birdsong Brewing Co. |
| Free photos and firetruck rides with Santa and the Grinch in Salisbury | 12:00 pm | FREE | Bell Tower Green, Salisbury |
| Noughties Market 1-Year Anniversary | 12:00 pm | FREE | Petty Thieves Brewing Co. |
| Holiday Film Series: Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey | 12:00 pm | $8.00 | Independent Picture House |
| Outdoor Women Hiking Group | 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | FREE | Reedy Creek Park |
| Photos with Santa (Free, but donations accepted) | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Blakeney |
| Jeep Meetup | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Blue Blaze Brewing Co. |
| Photos with Santa Paws | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | $5.00 | Hi-Wire Brewing Charlotte |
| Maker's Market CLT at Armored Cow Brewing Co. | 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Armored Cow Brewing |
| Starving Artist Market: 26 Acres Popup Market | 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Twenty-Six Acres Brewing Company |
| Maker's Market CLT at Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts | 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts |
| Regal Holiday Classics | 1:00 pm | $5.00 | Various locations |
| Festive Flicks: Elf | 1:00 pm | $5.00 | Cinergy Dine-In Cinemas |
| Fall Frosty Festival at Charter Senior Living of Charlotte, including Santa, petting zoo, more... | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Charter Senior Living of Charlotte |
| Santa at OMB Christmas Market | 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | |
| Torance House and Store HEARTS Winter Wisdom: Author David Fleming, Music by David Childers, more... | 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Hugh Torance House & Store |
| Free interactive Christmas drama: Walk Thru Bethlehem | 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Camp Wesley |
| Mistletoe Market | 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Camp North End |
| Historic Christmas Village | 3:00 pm | FREE | Dallas Park |
| Festive Flicks: The Grinch | 3:30 pm | $5.00 | Cinergy Dine-In Cinemas |
| Reindog Parade | 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Camp North End |
| Maker's Market CLT at OpenTap | 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | OpenTap |
| Christmas Market at sip co., with Santa! | 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | sip co. (Concord) |
| Wonder of Christmas at Trinity Baptist Church in Indian Land | 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $5.00 | Trinity Baptist Church, Indian Land |
| Indian Land Christmas Parade | 4:00 pm | FREE | Indian Land Middle School |
| Holiday Walk at Sweetwater Farms | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | $10.00 | Sweetwater Farms |
| Winter Lantern Walk in Salisbury | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Hurley Park, Salisbury |
| Hanukkah! On the Green in Davidson | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Davidson Village Green |
| Enchantment in the Garden at Mount Holly Community Garden | 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Mount Holly Community Garden |
| Holidays at the Garden | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $15.00-25.00 | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden |
| Pirates Christmas at High Seas Miniature Golf | 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $10.00-15.00 | High Seas Miniature Golf |
| Christmas Light Extravaganza in Kings Mountain | 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Patriots Park (Kings Mountain, NC) |
| Christmas at the Library | 5:00 pm | FREE | Billy Graham Library |
| Charlotte Nativity Drive-Through | 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Weddington |
| McAdenville "Christmas Town" Christmas lights | 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Downtown McAdenville — various locations |
| Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular (click for discount) | 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | $15.00-25.00 | Ballantyne’s Backyard |
| Indian Land Tree Lighting | 5:30 pm | FREE | Indian Land Middle School |
| A Providence Christmas in Bethlehem | 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Providence Baptist Church, Harrisburg |
| Candy Land Christmas Nights | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | First Federal Park, Lincolnton |
| Kannapolis Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express (free admission, charge for train ride) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Village Park, Kannapolis |
| Speedway Christmas (Price varies per day of week. Price is per vehicle.) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $35.00-45.00 | Charlotte Motor Speedway |
| Kannapolis Christmas Parade | 6:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Kannapolis |
| Stein Holding Competition | 6:00 pm | FREE | Gilde Brewery |
| Festive Flicks: The Holiday | 6:00 pm | $5.00 | Cinergy Dine-In Cinemas |
| Bart's Mart Merry Krampus Party | 7:00 pm | FREE | Bart’s Mart |
| Comedy Open Mic at The Landing | 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Landing at 4th Ward |
| Live music: John Sullivan | 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Old Armor Beer Company, Kannapolis |
| Festive Flicks: Krampus | 9:00 pm | $5.00 | Cinergy Dine-In Cinemas |
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