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:
- Free and cheap things to do this week
- Free and cheap kids' events
- Concerts this week in Charlotte
- Trivia Nights in Charlotte
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students: buy one ticket get one free at Independent Picture House on Wednesdays | All Day | Discounted | Independent Picture House |
| Wine Wednesday -- half priced bottles of wine | All Day | Discounted | Olde Mecklenburg Brewery — LoSo |
| Lowe's YMCA: Field of Flags | All Day | FREE | Lowes YMCA |
| Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse | 9:30 am | $1.75 | Cinemark (multiple locations) |
| Birkdale Buds -- activities for preschool children | 10:30 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Birkdale Village |
| Golden Bull Bite Wednesdays at the West Complex | 11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | West Complex |
| Watermelon Eating Contest (register in advance) | 12:30 pm | FREE | Johnston YMCA |
| Disc Golf League | 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts |
| Queen Charlotte Fair | 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $7.00-12.00 | Route 29 Pavilion, Concord |
| Wednesday Night Live: Free admission to Uptown museums | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Various locations |
| Free Wednesday Evening at Museum Museum Randolph | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Mint Museum Randolph |
| Free Yoga | 5:30 pm | FREE | Sycamore Brewing |
| Chess Time! At West Boulevard Library | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | West Boulevard Library |
| Free Yoga at Hindu Center of Charlotte | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Hindu Center of Charlotte |
| Adult (Off)Color Coloring Night | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Red Clay Ciderworks |
| Stitch 'n' Bitch Craft Circle | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Petty Thieves Brewing Co. |
| Electricidad by Three Bone Theatre | 6:00 pm | FREE | Mint Museum Uptown |
| The OG Boot Camp | 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | Lenny Boy Brewing Co. |
| Brewhouse Yoga | 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm | $5.00 | Sugar Creek Brewing |
| Tommy's Trivia | 6:30 pm | FREE | Sycamore Brewing |
| Bunco! | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Eleven Lakes Brewing, Cornelius |
| Open House at MakerSpace CLT | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Makerspace Charlotte |
| Open Mic at Summit Coffee Basecamp | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Summit Coffee, Basecamp, Davidson |
| Open Hearts Open Mic | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Starlight on 22nd |
| Puzzle Race and Half-Priced Wine | 7:00 pm | Discounted | Middle James Brewing |
| Wednesday Night Yoga | 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm | $5.00 | Lenny Boy Brewing Co. |
| The Happening -- Collaborative arts/music/dance event | 8:00 pm | FREE | Jackalope Jack’s |
Thursday, July 3, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowe's YMCA: Field of Flags | All Day | FREE | Lowes YMCA |
| Trails and Tales: free monthly event for kids at Cabarrus County parks | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Rob Wallace Park, Midland |
| Gem Theatre's Summer Matinee | 10:00 am | $2.00 | Gem Theatre, Kannapolis |
| Gem Theatre's Summer Matinee | 12:30 pm | $2.00 | Gem Theatre, Kannapolis |
| Hope Street Food Pantry Food Distribution | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Hope Street Food Pantry |
| Harrisburg 4th of July Celebration, including fireworks | 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Harrisburg Park |
| Queen Charlotte Fair | 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $7.00-12.00 | Route 29 Pavilion, Concord |
| Town of Matthews Independence Day Concert and Celebration | 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Stumptown Park, Matthews |
| Paws and Pints | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Brewers at 4001 Yancey |
| Yappy Hour Thurstdays | 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Southern Strain Brewing Company, Plaza Midwood |
| Music at the Met | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Metropolitan |
| Weekly Ping Pong Club | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing Charlotte |
| Bluegrass Jam | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Birdsong Brewing Co. |
| Fort Mill Independence Day Celebration | 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Walter Elisha Park, Fort Mill SC |
| Cherryville's Independence Day Celebration | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Cherryville |
| 4th of July Celebration at U.S. National Whitewater Center (free admission; $12 parking) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | U.S. National Whitewater Center |
| Lowe's YMCA: Field of Flags Ceremony and 4th of July Fireworks | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Lowes YMCA |
| Charlotte Fit Fam | 6:00 pm | FREE | HopFly Brewing Company |
| 4th of July Celebration in Stanley | 6:00 pm | FREE | Harper Park, Stanley |
| Charlotte Knights game, followed by SkyShow fireworks show (price varies) | 6:05 pm | Truist Field | |
| Name the Music at Rhino Market & Deli South End | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Rhino Market South End |
| Open Mic Night | 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Traust Brewing Company, Mount Holly |
| Cannon Ballers game, followed by fireworks (price varies) | 6:30 pm | Atrium Health Ballpark, Kannapolis | |
| Bingo w/ Shane | 6:30 pm | FREE | Model A Brewing, Tega Cay |
| Thinkin and Drinkin Trivia | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Lost Worlds Brewing, Charlotte (Metropolitan) |
| Music Bingo Night with Mel | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Divine Barrel Brewing |
| River Jam live music series (free admission; parking is $12) | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | U.S. National Whitewater Center |
| Trivia at Pilot Brewing | 7:00 pm | FREE | Pilot Brewing |
| Crossroads Cinema at Camp North End: Legally Blonde 2 | 8:30 pm | FREE | Camp North End |
| Watch SkyShow fireworks from Romare Bearden Park (time approximate) | 8:30 pm | FREE | Romare Bearden Park |
| Town of Matthews 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular | 9:30 pm | FREE | Sportsplex at Matthews |
Friday, July 4, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th of July Food Deals and Freebies | All Day | Various locations | |
| Krispy Kreme: free doughnut if you wear red, white and blue | All Day | FREE | Krispy Kreme — Multiple locations |
| Lowe's YMCA: Field of Flags | All Day | FREE | Lowes YMCA |
| Free Fishing Day in North Carolina on 4th of July | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| Unionville 4th of July Car Show | 8:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Unionville Elementary School, Monroe |
| 4th of July Celebration at U.S. National Whitewater Center (free admission; $12 parking) | 8:30 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | U.S. National Whitewater Center |
| Free Birding Walks on trails of Stowe Conservancy | 9:00 am to 10:00 am | FREE | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden |
| Tega Cay 4th of July Land Parade | 9:00 am | FREE | Various locations |
| Harrisburg 4th of July Parade | 9:00 am | FREE | Harrisburg Park |
| Baxter Village July 4th Parade | 9:30 am | FREE | Baxter Village |
| Birkdale Village 4th of July Celebration: bike parade and block party | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Birkdale Village |
| Town of Waxhaw's Independence Day Parade | 10:00 am | FREE | Downtown Waxhaw |
| July 4th Parade in Indian Trail | 10:00 am | FREE | Downtown Indian Trail |
| July 4th Celebration at VFW Post 2423 in Indian Trail -- free hot dogs and ice cream, bounce house, more... | 10:45 am | FREE | James B. Crump VFW Post 2423, Indian Trail |
| Independence Day celebration at Charlotte Museum of History, including U.S. Oath and Naturalization Ceremony | 11:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Charlotte Museum of History |
| 4th of July Weekend Celebration | 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Brewers at 4001 Yancey |
| Food Truck Friday at Resident Culture Brewing | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Resident Culture Brewing Plaza Midwood |
| Rock Hill's Red, White & BOOM! | 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Fountain Park, Rock Hill |
| Harrisburg 4th of July Celebration, including fireworks | 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Harrisburg Park |
| Fourth of July | 4:00 pm | FREE | Cavendish Brewing Company, Gastonia |
| University City Food Truck Friday | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Armored Cow Brewing |
| First Fridays Pineville | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Historic Downtown Pineville |
| City of Monroe 4th of July Celebration and Fireworks | 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Downtown Monroe |
| City of Gastonia Fireworks Show | 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Rotary Centennial Pavilion, Gastonia |
| Asian Night Market | 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Urban District Market |
| Free Uber, Lyft and Cab Ride | 5:00 pm | FREE | |
| Davidson's 4th of July Patriotic Stroll | 5:30 pm | FREE | Davidson Village Green |
| Live Under the Oaks music series | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Birkdale Village |
| Davidson's Concerts on the Green: Buffett & Beyond | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Davidson Village Green |
| Live Music: Timothy Chandler Hicks | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Neoteric Brewing Company |
| South End Gallery Crawl | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Historic South End |
| Maker's Market CLT at Primal Brewery Huntersville | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery, Huntersville |
| Live Music Fridays | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten — Ballantyne |
| Summer Residency Showcase at Goodyear Arts | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Goodyear Arts |
| Kings Mountain's Revolutionary 4th | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Deal Park Walking Track, Kings Mountain, NC |
| South End Food Truck Friday | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing Charlotte |
| Red, White and Belmont -- 4th of July Celebration | 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm | FREE | Stowe Park, Belmont |
| Belmont's Friday Night Live: 80z Nation | 6:00 pm | FREE | Stowe Park, Belmont |
| Indian Land Fireworks Extravaganza | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Indian Land YMCA |
| Fireworks in York, South Carolina | 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | York Middle School |
| Friday Night Live Music at Confluence | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Confluence, Cramerton |
| Music on the Green at Promenade on Providence | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Promenade on Providence |
| River Jam live music series (free admission; parking is $12) | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | U.S. National Whitewater Center |
| Friday Night Live Music | 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing Charlotte |
| The Comedy Market: Open Mic | 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Common Market South End |
| Brews & Views | 8:00 pm | FREE | Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts |
| Lincolnton 4th of July Parade | 8:30 pm | FREE | Court Square, Lincolnton |
| Tega Cay's 4th of July Fireworks | 9:00 pm | FREE | Glennon Community Center, Tega Cay, SC |
| Lake Wylie Annual Fireworks Display | 9:00 pm | FREE | Various locations |
| Lincolnton 4th of July Fireworks | 9:30 pm | FREE | City Park, Lincolnton |
Saturday, July 5, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free museum admission first weekend of month for Bank of America/Merrill customers | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| Lowe's YMCA: Field of Flags | All Day | FREE | Lowes YMCA |
| Free Tai Chi Class with Taiji Matthews | 9:00 am to 10:00 am | FREE | Stumptown Park, Matthews |
| Streetside Classics -- Charlotte Caffeine and Classics | 9:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Streetside Classics Charlotte |
| Home Depot Kids' Workshop: Toucan Mobile | 9:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | The Home Depot, multiple locations |
| Charlotte Doodle Meetup | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | $5.00 | Skiptown |
| Saturday Morning Yoga | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | $5.00 | Lenny Boy Brewing Co. |
| Visit Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society Museum | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society & Museum |
| Free Yoga | 10:00 am | FREE | Sycamore Brewing |
| Bowl Street Pop Up Market presented by Shop Local QC | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | The Bowl at Ballantyne |
| Tega Cay Boat Parade | 11:00 am to 6:30 pm | FREE | Windjammer Park, Tega Cay |
| Concord Creates: An Exhibition of Local Artists -- Reception and artist talks | 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm | FREE | ClearWater Arts Center & Studios |
| Mash-Up Market -- Father's Day Edition | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Carolina Beer Temple-Matthews |
| Queen Charlotte Fair | 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm | $7.00-12.00 | Route 29 Pavilion, Concord |
| Tega Cay 4th of July: Carolina Show Ski Performance | 12:00 pm | FREE | Windjammer Park, Tega Cay |
| Manifest Market | 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | NoDa Brewing North End |
| Free Public Tour of Innovation Barn | 1:00 pm | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Hopfly Bike and Brew | 1:30 pm | FREE | HopFly Brewing Company |
| 4th of July Weekend Celebration | 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Brewers at 4001 Yancey |
| Super Saturday: Big Bang Boom | 2:00 pm | FREE | ImaginOn |
| Summer Block Party, with Rock, Paper, Scissors Contest | 2:00 pm | FREE | Pilot Brewing |
| Live Music: James Delco | 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | NoDa Brewing North End |
| Independencia de Venezuela | 4:00 pm | FREE | Camino Community Center |
| Concerts @ the Circles: Stella Rising | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Clean Juice, Davidson |
| Maker's Market at Pilot Brewing | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Pilot Brewing |
| Live Music: RP Allen | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Neoteric Brewing Company |
| Live Music Saturdays | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten — Ballantyne |
| Live Music: Elonzo Wesley | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery Belmont |
| Live Music: Remington Cartee Band | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery, Huntersville |
| Tega Cay Music in the Park | 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Runde Park, Tega Cay |
| Uncle Sam Jam | 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Runde Park, Tega Cay |
| Music on the Green at Promenade on Providence | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Promenade on Providence |
| River Jam live music series (free admission; parking is $12) | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | U.S. National Whitewater Center |
| Belmont Movies in the Park: A Goofy Movie | 8:30 pm | FREE | Stowe Park, Belmont |
| Open Mic Comedy Night at Dish Restaurant | 10:00 pm | FREE | Dish |
Sunday, July 6, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free museum admission first weekend of month for Bank of America/Merrill customers | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| Sensory-friendly hours at Discovery Place Science | 10:30 am to 1:30 pm | $18.00-23.00 | Discovery Place Science |
| Front Porch Sundays -- with Charlotte FC | 10:30 am to 4:30 pm | FREE | Atherton Mill |
| QC Fitness Games x NoDa Brewing Workout Class | 11:00 am to 12:15 pm | FREE | NoDa Brewing North End |
| Mint Hill Car Show -- Hot Rods on the Lawn | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Chick-fil-A Mint Hill |
| Something Brewing: Fusion Jam Sessions | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Town Brewing |
| Summer Residency Showcase at Goodyear Arts | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Goodyear Arts |
| Alpaca Farm Tours at Farm and Fleece Alpaca Ranch in Concord | 1:00 pm | $12.00 | Farm and Fleece Alpaca Ranch, Concord |
| Sensory-Friendly Hours at Discovery Place Kids | 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm | $15.00 | Discovery Place Kids |
| 4th of July Weekend Celebration | 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Brewers at 4001 Yancey |
| Free Tour at Torance House & Store | 2:00 pm | FREE | Hugh Torance House & Store |
| Animal Ambassador Meet 'n' Greet at McDowell Nature Preserve (registration required) | 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm | FREE | McDowell Nature Center and Preserve |
| Downtown Jazz Jam in Rock Hill | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Power House Rock Hill |
| Charlotte Blues Society: Blues Sunday with Rockaholics | 6:00 pm | $0-15.00 | Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts |
| Sundance Sundaze Watch Party: Top Gun | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Resident Culture South End |
| Free Comedy Open Mic at The Royal Tot | 7:00 pm | FREE | The Royal Tot |
