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:
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students: buy one ticket get one free at Independent Picture House on Wednesdays | All Day | Discounted | Independent Picture House |
| Belmont Festival of Trees | All Day | FREE | Stowe Park, Belmont |
| Free Santa photos and more at Bass Pro Shops Santa's Wonderland | All Day | FREE | Bass Pro Shops, multiple locations |
| Burger King: Whopper Wednesday -- $3.99 Whopper | 12:00 am | Burger King, participating locations | |
| Wellness Wednesday Fitness Hike | 9:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Latta Nature Preserve |
| North Carolina Zoo Just $5 | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm | $5.00 | North Carolina Zoo |
| Ben & Jerry’s gives away new ice cream bars for free | 11:00 am | FREE | Ben & Jerry’s Foxcroft |
| Upcycle Arts' Holiday Pop-Up Market | 11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | Upcycle Arts |
| Ben & Jerry’s gives away new ice cream bars for free | 12:00 pm | FREE | Ben & Jerry’s Davidson |
| Disc Golf League | 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts |
| Holiday Card Making | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Bechtler Museum of Modern Art |
| Free Wednesday Evening at Mint Museum Randolph | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Mint Museum Randolph |
| Wednesday Night Live: Free Museum Admission | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | |
| Christmas at the Library | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Billy Graham Library |
| Christmas Light Extravaganza in Kings Mountain | 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Patriots Park (Kings Mountain, NC) |
| 20% off Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular (price varies per day and time) | 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | $10.00-25.00 | Ballantyne’s Backyard |
| Holiday Pop-up Market | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | The Chamber by Wooden Robot (NoDa) |
| 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 |
| Kannapolis Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express (free admission, charge for train ride) | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Village Park, Kannapolis |
| Open Mic Night | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Muddy River Distillery, Mount Holly |
| Open Mic Night | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Southern Strain Brewing Company, Plaza Midwood |
| Wednesday Crafting Circle | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Divine Barrel Brewing |
| December Book Club and Cookie Exchange | 6:30 pm | FREE | Lore Brewing, Indian Land |
| Ugly Sweater Contest | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Neoteric Brewing Company |
| Holiday Buzzed Spelling Bee | 7:00 pm | FREE | Vaulted Oak Brewing |
| 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, Pineville |
| The Happening -- Collaborative arts/music/dance event | 8:00 pm | FREE | Jackalope Jack’s |
Thursday, December 18, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burger King: Free Croissan'wich with $5 purchase | All Day | FREE | Burger King, participating locations |
| Light the Knights (click for times and prices) | All Day | $12.00-40.00 | Truist Field |
| Belmont Festival of Trees | All Day | FREE | Stowe Park, Belmont |
| Free Santa photos and more at Bass Pro Shops Santa's Wonderland | All Day | FREE | Bass Pro Shops, multiple locations |
| Birding at Stevens Creek | 9:00 am to 10:30 am | FREE | Stevens Creek Nature Preserve and Center |
| North Carolina Zoo Just $5 | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm | $5.00 | North Carolina Zoo |
| Meet animals at the Billy Graham Library | 11:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Billy Graham Library |
| Upcycle Arts' Holiday Pop-Up Market | 11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | Upcycle Arts |
| ArtBreak at Mint Museum Uptown -- free guided lunchtime tour | 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm | FREE | Mint Museum Uptown |
| Mission City Church's Food Pantry Distribution Event | 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm | FREE | Mission City Church |
| MODA Digital Arts Open Studio Oasis (pre-registration required) | 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture |
| Hope Street Food Pantry Food Distribution | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Hope Street Food Pantry |
| The Line Holiday Market | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | The Line |
| Christmas at the Library | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Billy Graham Library |
| Christmas Light Extravaganza in Kings Mountain | 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Patriots Park (Kings Mountain, NC) |
| 20% off Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular (price varies per day and time) | 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | $10.00-25.00 | Ballantyne’s Backyard |
| Live Nativity and Food Distribution | 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | Bethesda Presbyterian Church, York, SC |
| Weekly Ping Pong Club | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing Charlotte |
| Kannapolis Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express (free admission, charge for train ride) | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Village Park, Kannapolis |
| Live Music Thursdays | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Lore Brewing, Indian Land |
| Charlotte Fit Fam | 6:00 pm | FREE | HopFly Brewing Company |
| Drunk Journaling at the Bar | 6:00 pm | FREE | Free Range Bar, Camp North End |
| Queen City Ringers at Cokesbury UMC | 7:00 pm | FREE | Cokesbury United Methodist Church, Charlotte |
| South End Spanish Club | 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing Charlotte |
Friday, December 19, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carowinds Winterfest (promoted event -- price varies) | 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Carowinds | |
| Burger King: Free French Toast Sticks with $5 purchase | All Day | FREE | Burger King, participating locations |
| Light the Knights (click for times and prices) | All Day | $12.00-40.00 | Truist Field |
| Belmont Festival of Trees | All Day | FREE | Stowe Park, Belmont |
| Free Santa photos and more at Bass Pro Shops Santa's Wonderland | All Day | FREE | Bass Pro Shops, multiple locations |
| Free Birding Walks on trails of Stowe Conservancy | 9:00 am to 10:00 am | FREE | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden |
| North Carolina Zoo Just $5 | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm | $5.00 | North Carolina Zoo |
| Free Public Tour of Innovation Barn | 10:00 am | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Friday Fire and S'mores | 10:30 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Stevens Creek Nature Preserve and Center |
| Meet animals at the Billy Graham Library | 11:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Billy Graham Library |
| Upcycle Arts' Holiday Pop-Up Market | 11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | Upcycle Arts |
| Christmas Market at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery LoSo | 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Olde Mecklenburg Brewery — LoSo |
| Christmas Market at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Ballantyne | 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten — Ballantyne |
| Photos with Santa (Free, but donations accepted) | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Blakeney |
| University City Food Truck Friday | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Armored Cow Brewing |
| 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 to 10:00 pm | FREE | Billy Graham Library |
| 20% off Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular (price varies per day and time) | 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | $10.00-25.00 | Ballantyne’s Backyard |
| Return of the Light: A Community Solstice Celebration | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | $5.00-6.00 | Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve |
| Live Music: David Childers | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Muddy River Distillery, Mount Holly |
| Outdoor Movie: The Christmas Chronicles | 6:00 pm | FREE | Seoul Food Meat Co., Mill District |
| Hot Glass Alley's Open Demo | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Hot Glass Alley |
| Friday Nights at Camp North End | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Camp North End |
| Friday Live Music | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Lost Worlds Brewing, Cornelius |
| Kannapolis Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express (free admission, charge for train ride) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Village Park, Kannapolis |
| South End Food Truck Friday | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing Charlotte |
| Unsilent Night -- bring a bluetooth speaker and participate in this outdoor roving sound sculpture | 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | Goodyear Arts |
| Charlotte Bronze Handbell Ensemble Holiday Concert | 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | St. John’s United Methodist Church, Rock Hill |
| 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 |
| Live music: Ramona and the Holy Smokes | 8:00 pm | FREE | The Tipsy Burro |
Saturday, December 20, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carowinds Winterfest (promoted event -- price varies) | 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Carowinds | |
| Burger King: Free Jalapenõ Cheddar Bites with $5 purchase | All Day | FREE | Burger King, participating locations |
| Light the Knights (click for times and prices) | All Day | $12.00-40.00 | Truist Field |
| Belmont Festival of Trees | All Day | FREE | Stowe Park, Belmont |
| Free Santa photos and more at Bass Pro Shops Santa's Wonderland | All Day | FREE | Bass Pro Shops, multiple locations |
| Nordstrom cardmembers get free photos with Santa (make reservation for time slot) | All Day | FREE | Nordstrom, SouthPark Mall |
| Cars and Coffee Concord | 8:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Charlotte Motor Speedway |
| Breakfast with Santa | 9:00 am | Middle James Brewing, Pineville | |
| Free song creator workshop for tweens and teens (registration required) | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Charlotte Area Fund |
| Lowe's DIY-U Kids Workshop: Sleigh Ride | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Lowe’s (multiple stores) |
| Pancakes with Santa, and free toys, groceries and clothes | 10:00 am | FREE | New Covenant AME Church |
| Gibson Mill Market: Kids build a mini-robot | 10:00 am | FREE | Gibson Mill Market |
| 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 pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Blackhawk Hardware | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Blackhawk Hardware |
| Animal Meet & Greet | 10:30 am to 11:30 am | FREE | Latta Nature Preserve |
| Nature's Stillness -- A Solstice Meditation | 10:30 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve |
| Figuring Drawing with Live Model | 11:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Goodyear Arts |
| Brunch with Santa (pay for food) | 11:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Brewers at 4001 Yancey |
| Saturday Swap: Game & Puzzle Exchange at Innovation Barn | 11:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Holiday Party | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Pilot Brewing |
| Meet animals at the Billy Graham Library | 11:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Billy Graham Library |
| Upcycle Arts' Holiday Pop-Up Market | 11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | Upcycle Arts |
| Crafty Kids Market | 11:30 am | FREE | Free Range Brewing |
| Maker's Market CLT at Fonta Flora | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Fonta Flora Brewery at Optimist Hall |
| Howlidays at Skiptown: Naughty & Nice Photos (with Santa or The Grinch) | 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | $0-15.00 | Skiptown |
| Christmas Market at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery LoSo | 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Olde Mecklenburg Brewery — LoSo |
| Christmas Market at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Ballantyne | 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten — Ballantyne |
| Charlotte Vintage Market | 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Lenny Boy Brewing Co. |
| Starving Artist Market at Prosperity Village | 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Docia Crossing Road |
| Christmas Pop-Up Market | 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Brewers at 4001 Yancey |
| Santa at Southern Lion (free pictures!) | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Southern Lion |
| Free Public Tour of Innovation Barn | 1:00 pm | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Hopfly Bike and Brew | 1:30 pm | FREE | HopFly Brewing Company |
| Free recycling class for kids | 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Whimsical Woodland Ornaments | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | McDowell Nature Center and Preserve |
| Queen City Ringers at Cooks Memorial Presbyterian Church | 2:00 pm | FREE | Cooks Memorial Presbyterian Church |
| Photos with Santa (Free, but donations accepted) | 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Blakeney |
| Mistletoe Market | 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Camp North End |
| Maker's Market CLT at Primal Brewery Huntersville | 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery, Huntersville |
| Inner Peaks Holiday Market | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Inner Peaks Climbing Center–South End |
| TubaChristmas in Rock Hill | 4:00 pm | FREE | Hoppin’ Rock Hill |
| Charlotte Bronze Handbell Ensemble Holiday Concert | 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm | FREE | Christ Episcopal Church Charlotte |
| Winter Solstice Celebration at Unitarian Universalist Community of Charlotte | 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | Unitarian Universalist Community of Charlotte |
| A Very Jerry Christmas (food donation for entry) | 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Triple C Brewing Co. |
| 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 to 10:00 pm | FREE | Billy Graham Library |
| 7th Annual Lake Norman Christmas Lighted Boat Parade | 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | EnergyExplorium |
| 20% off Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular (price varies per day and time) | 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | $10.00-25.00 | Ballantyne’s Backyard |
| Live Music: Tim Hong | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Lost Worlds Brewing, Charlotte (Metropolitan) |
| Bad Santa Party | 6:00 pm | FREE | Brewers at 4001 Yancey |
| Belmont Movies in the Park: Elf | 6:00 pm | FREE | Stowe Park, Belmont |
| Bart's Mart Krampus Party and Market | 6:00 pm | FREE | Bart’s Mart |
| Single Jingle Mingle | 6:00 pm | FREE | Traust Brewing Company, Mount Holly |
| Live Music Saturdays | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Lore Brewing, Indian Land |
| Saturday Live Music | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Lost Worlds Brewing, Cornelius |
| Kannapolis Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express (free admission, charge for train ride) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Village Park, Kannapolis |
| Charlotte Comedy Theater | 6:00 pm | $12.00-15.00 | VAPA Center |
| Charlotte Comedy Theater | 8:00 pm | $12.00-15.00 | VAPA Center |
Sunday, December 21, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carowinds Winterfest (promoted event -- price varies) | 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Carowinds | |
| Burger King: Free Cini Minis with $5 purchase | All Day | FREE | Burger King, participating locations |
| Light the Knights (click for times and prices) | All Day | $12.00-40.00 | Truist Field |
| Belmont Festival of Trees | All Day | FREE | Stowe Park, Belmont |
| Free Santa photos and more at Bass Pro Shops Santa's Wonderland | All Day | FREE | Bass Pro Shops, multiple locations |
| Nordstrom cardmembers get free photos with Santa (make reservation for time slot) | All Day | FREE | Nordstrom, SouthPark Mall |
| Carolina Panthers Bud Light Backyard | 10:30 am to 12:30 pm | FREE | Outside Bank of America Stadium |
| Winter Solstice Market & More | 11:00 am | FREE | Traust Brewing Company, Mount Holly |
| Free Figure Drawing | 11:00 am to 1:30 pm | FREE | Free Range Brewing |
| Free pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Blackhawk Hardware | 11:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Blackhawk Hardware |
| Upcycle Arts' Holiday Pop-Up Market | 11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | Upcycle Arts |
| Plant Swap & Shop | 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Sugar Creek Brewing |
| Procrastinators Market | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Lost Worlds Brewing, Cornelius |
| Sweater Day Celebration | 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Discounted | Southern Strain Brewing Company, Plaza Midwood |
| Sunday Drink It | 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Discounted | Eleven Lakes Brewing, Cornelius |
| Christmas Market at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery LoSo | 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Olde Mecklenburg Brewery — LoSo |
| Christmas Market at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Ballantyne | 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten — Ballantyne |
| Classic Cruisers of Monroe Cruise-In | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Poplin Place Shopping Center, Monroe |
| Evergreen Nature Crafts | 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Latta Nature Preserve |
| 6th annual S.M.I.L.E.S. Toy and Winter Items Giveaway | 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center |
| Live Music Sunday | 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Free Range Brewing |
| Free Concert by The Charlotte Singers | 4:00 pm | FREE | Christ Lutheran Church, Providence Campus |
| Appalachian Folk Tunes by Old Time Band | 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Petty Thieves Brewing Co. |
| Soul Sundays (free, but donations accepted) | 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Starlight on 22nd |
| Queen City Ringers at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church | 5:00 pm | FREE | St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Charlotte |
| Christmas Light Extravaganza in Kings Mountain | 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Patriots Park (Kings Mountain, NC) |
| A Winter Solstice "Rhythm Remedy" with DrumStrong | 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | Myers Park Baptist Church |
| 20% off Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular (price varies per day and time) | 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | $10.00-25.00 | Ballantyne’s Backyard |
| Kannapolis Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express (free admission, charge for train ride) | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Village Park, Kannapolis |
| Free Comedy Open Mic at The Royal Tot | 7:00 pm | FREE | The Royal Tot |
