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:
Thursday, December 10, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 off chips & queso | Discounted | Lenny Boy Brewing Co. | |
| Children's Theatre of Charlotte: Life Skills Through Theatre Skills | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Waymer Park, Huntersville |
| Drop-In Dance Class from Charlotte Ballet: Senior Dance Class | 11:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Sugaw Creek Recreation Center |
| ArtBreak at Bechtler Museum -- free guided lunchtime tour | 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm | FREE | Bechtler Museum of Modern Art |
| 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 |
| Plaza Midwood Chess Club Meetup | 6:00 pm | FREE | Common Market Plaza Midwood |
| Board Game Night | 6:30 pm | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing Charlotte |
| Lake Norman Philharmonic's Holiday Concert | 7:00 pm | FREE | Charles Mack Citizen Center |
| Music Bingo | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Middle James Brewing, Pineville |
| Karaoke Thursdays | 9:00 pm | FREE | Hattie’s Tap and Tavern |
Friday, December 11, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Weekly Water Playgroup for Babies & Preschoolers at Charlotte Aquatics | 10:00 am to 10:30 am | FREE | Charlotte Aquatics |
| Move Beyond: Learn Contemporary and Cambodian Dance in free classes | 10:00 am to 11:30 am | FREE | Open Door Studios |
| Free Public Tour of Innovation Barn | 11:00 am | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| University City Food Truck Friday | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Armored Cow Brewing |
| Fiesta Friday | 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Urban District Market |
| Friday Live Music | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Confluence, Cramerton |
| Friday Night Karaoke | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | High Branch Brewing (Gibson Mill, Concord) |
| Friday Night Live Music Series | 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm | FREE | The Craic |
| Karaoke Idol | 9:00 pm | FREE | Beer Lab by Ghostface Brewing |
Saturday, December 12, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMC theatre Sensory-Friendly Family Movie (price and time can vary by theater) | All Day | AMC Theatres, participating locations | |
| College Football Saturdays | FREE | OpenTap | |
| AutoBarn's Classic Cars & Coffee | 8:00 am to 10:00 am | FREE | Gibson Mill Market |
| Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic | 8:00 am to 10:45 am | FREE | Charlotte Vehicle Operations Center |
| Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Community Book Sale | 9:00 am to 1:00 pm | South County Library | |
| Lowe's DIY-U Kids' Workshop: Holiday Trolley Car | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Lowe’s (multiple stores) |
| Repair Cafe at Innovation Barn -- partner with volunteers to repair your stuff (free with $5 suggested donation) | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| 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 |
| 2nd Saturday Makers' Meet-Up (Free, but $5 donation suggested for materials) | 10:30 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Charlotte Studio Artists |
| Charlemos Charlotte Language Exchange Program | 10:30 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | South Boulevard Library |
| Mint 2 Move for Kids: Free bilingual program at Mint Museum Randolph | 11:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Mint Museum Randolph |
| JCPenney Kids Zone: free crafts for kids | 11:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | JCPenney, participating locations |
| Free Public Tour of Innovation Barn | 1:00 pm | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Hopfly Bike and Brew | 1:30 pm | FREE | HopFly Brewing Company |
| Free order of egg rolls with the purchase of any drink | 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Pilot Brewing |
| Live Music Saturdays | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Lore Brewing, Indian Land |
| VAPA Center Night Market | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | VAPA Center |
Sunday, December 13, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Figure Drawing | 11:00 am | FREE | Free Range Brewing |
| Makers' Market CLT at The Boardwalk | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Boardwalk at University City |
| Free Tour at Torance House & Store | 2:00 pm | FREE | Hugh Torance House & Store |
Monday, December 14, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindful Mondays: 20% off N/A beers and alcohol free drinks | 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Discounted | Pilot Brewing |
| Free line dancing lesson | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Swanee Theatre, Kannapolis |
| 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 |
| 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 |
