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, November 20, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birding at Stevens Creek | 9:00 am to 10:30 am | FREE | Stevens Creek Nature Preserve and Center |
| Southern Christmas Show (Save $4 on advance tickets with promo code) | 10:00 am to 9:00 pm | Discounted | Park Expo & Conference Center |
| ArtBreak at Mint Museum Uptown -- free guided lunchtime tour | 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm | FREE | Mint Museum Uptown |
| Free "Explore Creative Art" classes for adults and teens | 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm | FREE | Berewick Recreation Center |
| 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 |
| Yappy Hour Thurstdays | 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Southern Strain Brewing Company, Plaza Midwood |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Open Mic Night | 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Traust Brewing Company, Mount Holly |
| Bingo w/ Shane | 6:30 pm | FREE | Model A Brewing, Tega Cay |
| Clockwork Knotwork | 6:30 pm | FREE | Traust Brewing Company, Mount Holly |
Friday, November 21, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Polar Express Train Ride (various start times; prices vary) | All Day | $42.00-49.00 | North Carolina Transportation Museum |
| Free Birding Walks on trails of Stowe Conservancy | 9:00 am to 10:00 am | FREE | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden |
| Free Public Tour of Innovation Barn | 9:00 am | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Southern Christmas Show (Save $4 on advance tickets with promo code) | 10:00 am to 9:00 pm | Discounted | Park Expo & Conference Center |
| Friday Fire and S'mores | 10:30 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Stevens Creek Nature Preserve and Center |
| University City Food Truck Friday | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Armored Cow Brewing |
| Christmas Tree Lighting and Fireworks in Concord | 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Downtown Concord |
| Karaoke Night | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery Belmont |
| Karaoke Night | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery Belmont |
| Karaoke Night | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery Belmont |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Saturday, November 22, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Polar Express Train Ride (various start times; prices vary) | All Day | $42.00-49.00 | North Carolina Transportation Museum |
| AMC theatre Sensory-Friendly Family Movie (price and time can vary by theater) | All Day | AMC Theatres, participating locations | |
| Arts & Crafts Extravaganza at Matthews UMC | 9:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Matthews United Methodist Church |
| LKN Cars and Coffee | 9:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Lost Worlds Brewing, Cornelius |
| Help with Rail Trail Clean-Up and get a free drink | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | New Bern Light Rail Station |
| Yap Ye Iswa Festival (celebration of Catawba culture) | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Catawba Cultural Center, Rock Hill |
| 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 |
| Southern Christmas Show (Save $4 on advance tickets with promo code) | 10:00 am to 9:00 pm | Discounted | Park Expo & Conference Center |
| Free Yoga | 10:00 am | FREE | Sycamore Brewing |
| People of the World: Mexico | 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm | FREE | International House |
| Free Public Tour of Innovation Barn | 1:00 pm | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Hopfly Bike and Brew | 1:30 pm | FREE | HopFly Brewing Company |
| 97th Concord Christmas Parade | 2:30 pm | Downtown Concord | |
| Sensory Hour at Waxhaw Touch-a-Truck | 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Waxhaw |
| Children's Entrepreneur Market -- part of Touch-a-Truck and tree lighting | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Waxhaw Downtown Park |
| Waxhaw Touch-a-Truck and Tree Lighting (including visits with Santa) | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Waxhaw |
| Good Vibes Market | 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Legion Brewing, W Morehead |
| Belmont Movies in the Park: Frozen | 6:00 pm | FREE | Stowe Park, Belmont |
| Kannapolis Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express (free admission, charge for train ride) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Village Park, Kannapolis |
Sunday, November 23, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Polar Express Train Ride (various start times; prices vary) | All Day | $42.00-49.00 | North Carolina Transportation Museum |
| Southern Christmas Show (Save $4 on advance tickets with promo code) | 10:00 am to 6:00 pm | Discounted | Park Expo & Conference Center |
| Sunday Fundays | 10:00 am to 10:00 pm | Discounted | Gilde Brewery |
| QC Fitness Games | 11:00 am to 12:15 pm | $5.00 | Pearl Street Park |
| Free Figure Drawing | 11:00 am to 1:30 pm | FREE | Free Range Brewing |
| Boileryard Brunch at Camp North End (free to attend; pay for food and drink) | 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Camp North End |
| Free Monthly Basic Dog Training Class | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Pet in the City |
| Something Brewing: Fusion Jam Sessions | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Town Brewing |
| Free Tour at Torance House & Store | 2:00 pm | FREE | Hugh Torance House & Store |
| Soul Sundays (free, but donations accepted) | 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Starlight on 22nd |
| Bluegrass Jam Circle Hosted by Charlotte Folk Society | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Petty Thieves 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 |
| Free Comedy Open Mic at The Royal Tot | 7:00 pm | FREE | The Royal Tot |
Monday, November 24, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Appreciation Night: 20% off tabs for teachers, faculty, staff | 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Discounted | Pilot Brewing |
| 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 |
| Comedy Open Mic | 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Triple C Brewing Co. |
| The Bill Hanna Legacy Jazz Session | 7:30 pm | $7.00-10.00 | Petra’s |
