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:
Sunday, December 21, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light the Knights (click for times and prices) | All Day | $12.00-40.00 | Truist Field |
| Ice Skating at The Bowl at Ballantyne (time varies by day) | All Day | $12.00-20.00 | |
| 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 |
| Christmas Market at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery LoSo | 10:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Olde Mecklenburg Brewery — LoSo |
| Christmas Market at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Ballantyne | 10:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten — Ballantyne |
| Sunday Fundays | 10:00 am to 10:00 pm | Discounted | Gilde Brewery |
| Carolina Panthers Bud Light Backyard | 10:30 am to 12:30 pm | FREE | Outside Bank of America Stadium |
| Free Figure Drawing | 11:00 am to 1:30 pm | FREE | Free Range Brewing |
| Upcycle Arts' Holiday Pop-Up Market | 11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | Upcycle Arts |
| Sunday Drink It | 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Discounted | Eleven Lakes Brewing, Cornelius |
| Classic Cruisers of Monroe Cruise-In | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Poplin Place Shopping Center, Monroe |
| Something Brewing: Fusion Jam Sessions | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Town Brewing |
| Live Music Sunday | 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Free Range Brewing |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Downtown Jazz Jam | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Slow Play Brewing, Rock Hill |
| 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 |
Monday, December 22, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light the Knights (click for times and prices) | All Day | $12.00-40.00 | Truist Field |
| Ice Skating at The Bowl at Ballantyne (time varies by day) | All Day | $12.00-20.00 | |
| 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 |
| Teacher Appreciation Night: 20% off tabs for teachers, faculty, staff | 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Discounted | Pilot Brewing |
| Christmas at the Library | 5:00 pm to 9:00 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 |
| 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 | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Town Brewing |
| Karaoke at Starlight on 22nd | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Starlight on 22nd |
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light the Knights (click for times and prices) | All Day | $12.00-40.00 | Truist Field |
| Ice Skating at The Bowl at Ballantyne (time varies by day) | All Day | $12.00-20.00 | |
| 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 |
| Upcycle Arts' Holiday Pop-Up Market | 11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | Upcycle Arts |
| 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 |
| Free Public Tour of Innovation Barn | 1:00 pm | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Family Bingo Night at Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers in Concord | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers — Concord |
| Bring Your Own Vinyl Night | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Divine Barrel Brewing |
| Christmas at the Library | 5:00 pm to 9:00 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 |
| Kannapolis Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express (free admission, charge for train ride) | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Village Park, Kannapolis |
| Dart League | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery, Huntersville |
| Name the Music at Wobbly Butt Tap Room & Eatery | 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Victory Lanes, Mooresville |
| Comedy Open Mic at Starlight on 22nd | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Starlight on 22nd |
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students: buy one ticket get one free at Independent Picture House on Wednesdays | All Day | Discounted | Independent Picture House |
| AMC theatre Sensory-Friendly Movie for Mature Audiences (price and time can vary by theater) | All Day | AMC Theatres, participating locations | |
| Ice Skating at The Bowl at Ballantyne (time varies by day) | All Day | $12.00-20.00 | |
| 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 |
| Disc Golf League | 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
| Free Yoga | 5:30 pm | FREE | Sycamore Brewing |
| Free Yoga at Hindu Center of Charlotte | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Hindu Center of Charlotte |
| Potions & Pixels Game Industry Gathering | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Divine Barrel Brewing |
| 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 |
Thursday, December 25, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Skating at The Bowl at Ballantyne (time varies by day) | All Day | $12.00-20.00 | |
| Belmont Festival of Trees | All Day | FREE | Stowe Park, Belmont |
| Hope Street Food Pantry Food Distribution | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Hope Street Food Pantry |
| 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 |
| Name the Music at Rhino Market & Deli South End | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Rhino Market South End |
| Bingo w/ Shane | 6:30 pm | FREE | Model A Brewing, Tega Cay |
