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
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Night Out event at Cabarrus Arena & Events Center | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Cabarrus Arena and Events Center |
| Free-to-play BINGÖ at IKEA: Win an As-Is prize | 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm | FREE | IKEA |
| National Night Out and Back to School Bash in Belmont | 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | Stowe Park, Belmont |
| NoDa National Night Out Celebration | 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | The Chamber by Wooden Robot (NoDa) |
| National Night Out at Richard "Stick" Williams Dream Fields, including free baseball clinic and hot dogs | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Richard “Stick” Williams Dream Fields |
| 5 Points National Night Out | 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | 5 Points Plaza |
| National Night Out in Indian Trail | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Chestnut Square Park, Indian Trail |
| Matthews Police Department's National Night Out | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Stumptown Park, Matthews |
| Free movies for teachers at Cinergy | All Day | FREE | Cinergy Dine-In Cinemas |
| Walgreens Senior Day: 20% off for rewards members age 55+ | All Day | Walgreens (multiple locations) | |
| Library Mobile Food Pantry with Hope Street Food Pantry (click to see location each week) | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Various locations |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Bring Your Own Vinyl Night | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Divine Barrel Brewing |
| Be Well Birkdale: Free workout series | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Birkdale Village |
| Social Paddle Club | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | King Canary Brewing, Mooresville |
| Magic: The Gathering Meetup | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | The Chamber by Wooden Robot (NoDa) |
| Tosco Music Open Mic | 6:30 pm | $5.36 | The Evening Muse |
| Bunco at Hoptown | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Hoptown Brewing Company, Mooresville |
| Dart League at Primal Belmont | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery Belmont |
| Dart League at Primal Huntersville | 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 |
| Piano Karaoke & Sing Along with Ryan Stamey | 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | $5.00 | Petra’s |
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Book Swap Bash | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Phoebe’s, Pineville |
| Charlotte 54 Fashion and Flash | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Mint Museum Uptown |
| Book Club: The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand | 6:30 pm | FREE | Lore Brewing, Indian Land |
| Students: buy one ticket get one free at Independent Picture House on Wednesdays | All Day | Discounted | Independent Picture House |
| Free movies for teachers at Cinergy | All Day | FREE | Cinergy Dine-In Cinemas |
| 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 |
| Free "Explore Creative Art" classes for adults and teens | 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm | FREE | Berewick Recreation Center |
| Disc Golf League | 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts |
| 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 |
| Brewhouse Yoga | 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm | $5.00 | Sugar Creek Brewing |
| The OG Boot Camp | 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | Lenny Boy Brewing Co. |
| Tommy's Trivia | 6:30 pm | FREE | Sycamore 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 |
| Bunco! | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Eleven Lakes Brewing, Cornelius |
| Open Hearts Open Mic | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Starlight on 22nd |
| Jazz Night at Old Town Public House | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Old Town Public House |
| 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. |
Thursday, August 7, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaston County OTC Medicine Giveaway and Community Event | 7:30 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Bountiful Blessings Food Pantry, Gastonia |
| Grand Opening of Play It Again Sports Charlotte North -- first 25 people get $25 gift card (plus, free coffee, donuts and pizza) | 10:00 am to 8:00 pm | FREE | Play It Again Sports North |
| Back to School Bash in at Logan Family Medicine | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | |
| Industry Professional Night at Gardens at Stowe: Free admission for nonprofit professionals | 4:00 pm | FREE | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden |
| Plaza Midwood Chess Club Meetup | 6:00 pm | FREE | Common Market Plaza Midwood |
| Sundown Sounds: Foo 4 You | 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Pearl Street Park |
| Crossroads Cinema at Camp North End: The Parent Trap | 8:30 pm | FREE | Camp North End |
| Free movies for teachers at Cinergy | All Day | FREE | Cinergy Dine-In Cinemas |
| Trails and Tales: free monthly event for kids at Cabarrus County parks | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Frank Liske Park |
| Gem Theatre's Summer Matinee | 10:00 am | $2.00 | Gem Theatre, Kannapolis |
| ArtBreak at the Gantt: Free lunchtime tour | 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm | FREE | Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture |
| Gem Theatre's Summer Matinee | 12:30 pm | $2.00 | Gem Theatre, Kannapolis |
| 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 |
| 5th Street Live | 5:00 pm | FREE | Truist Center Plaza |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| LangTree Live Concert Series | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | LangTree Lake Norman (Mooresville) |
| Board Game Night | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing Charlotte |
| 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 |
| Open Mic Night | 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Cabarrus Brewing Company |
| River Jam live music series (free admission; parking is $12) | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | U.S. National Whitewater Center |
| Music Bingo Night with Mel | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Divine Barrel Brewing |
| Trivia at Pilot Brewing | 7:00 pm | FREE | Pilot Brewing |
| Mooreoke Karaoke w/ KJ Notorious J.A.M. | 8:00 pm | FREE | Tommy’s Pub |
Friday, August 8, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Comforts Fiber Market | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | $5.00 | Oasis Shriners |
| Live at the Amp: Shot Thru the Heart (Bon Jovi tribute) | 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm | $15.00 | The Amp, Ballantyne |
| Rally Fest -- A National Pickleball Day Celebration | 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $15.00 | Rally |
| Gothic Punk Night Market | 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Cavendish Brewing Company, Gastonia |
| Live Music: Quinn Crowe | 6:00 pm | FREE | Neoteric Brewing Company |
| Jammin' By the Tracks: Party Parrot Band | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Waxhaw Water Tower Community Corner |
| Pineville Rock'n & Reel'n: Diamond Dixie | 7:00 pm | FREE | Pineville Lake Park |
| North Carolina Baroque Orchestra: Magnificent Orchestral Music of the Baroque | 7:00 pm | FREE | St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Charlotte |
| Friday Night Flicks: Lilo & Stitch | 7:00 pm | FREE | Hartsell Recreation Center, Concord |
| Bachata-Merengue Night at Pascuales' Farm | 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm | $15.00 | Pascuales’ Farm |
| Movies in the Park: Mufasa | 7:30 pm | FREE | Fountain Park, Rock Hill |
| Outdoor Movie: The Bad Guys 2 | 7:30 pm | FREE | Seoul Food Meat Co., Mill District |
| Huntersville Movies in the Park: The Wild Robot | 8:00 pm | FREE | Veterans Park (Huntersville) |
| CabCo Movie Series: Men in Black | 8:30 pm | FREE | Cabarrus Brewing Company |
| Friday Morning Hike | 9:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Latta Nature Preserve |
| Free Public Tour of Innovation Barn | 9:00 am | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Food Truck Friday at Resident Culture Brewing | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Resident Culture Brewing Plaza Midwood |
| Gardens at Stowe: $5 after 5 | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | $5.00 | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden |
| University City Food Truck Friday | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Armored Cow Brewing |
| Free Water Ski Show by Carolina Show Ski Team | 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Windjammer Park, Tega Cay |
| Live Under the Oaks music series | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Birkdale Village |
| Live Music Fridays | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Olde Mecklenburg Brewery — LoSo |
| Live Music Fridays | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten — Ballantyne |
| Friday Nights at Camp North End | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Camp North End |
| South End Food Truck Friday | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing Charlotte |
| Friday Night Live Music at Confluence | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Confluence, Cramerton |
| 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 |
Saturday, August 9, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Krispy Kreme: One free Original Glazed doughnut if you're wearing Crocs | All Day | FREE | Krispy Kreme — Multiple locations |
| Back to School Bash at Northern Regional Recreation Center | 9:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Northern Regional Recreation Center |
| 11th Annual Back to School Community Health Fair at C.W. Williams Community Health Center | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | C. W. Williams Community Health Center |
| Oscar Mayer Wienermobile and Superheroes Super Saturday Event | 10:30 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Cabarrus Brewing Company |
| Super Saturday: Free Superhero Meet and Greet | 10:30 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Cabarrus Brewing Company |
| Back to School Bash at KidsStreet Urgent Care -- free food, backpacks, prizes | 11:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | KidsStreet Urgent Care, Charlotte |
| Back to School Book Bag Giveaway at New Foundation Church International | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | New Foundation Church International |
| 7th Anniversary Party | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Pilot Brewing |
| Vinyl Record Pop-Up | 12:00 pm | FREE | Eleven Lakes Brewing, Cornelius |
| Collidoscope: de la Torre Brothers Retro-Perspective Community Day | 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Mint Museum Uptown |
| Watermelon Fest | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Lenny Boy Brewing Co. |
| Live Music: Drew Nathan | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Petty Thieves Brewing Co. |
| North Carolina Baroque Orchestra: Magnificent Orchestral Music of the Baroque | 3:00 pm | FREE | Saint Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Mooresville |
| Food truck and movie night at The Green at Prosperity Village: Ferris Bueller | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Green at Prosperity Village |
| Davidson's Concerts on the Green: Shake the Dust | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Davidson Village Green |
| Rockin' The Burg: Krystal King | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Harrisburg Park |
| Live Music: Ephraim Scott Sommers | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery Belmont |
| Live Music: Philip Funderburk | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery, Huntersville |
| Village Park Concert: Big & Rich | 7:00 pm | FREE | Village Park, Kannapolis |
| Lights, Camera, Birkdale: Madagascar | 7:30 pm | FREE | Birkdale Village |
| Movies in the Park: 27 Dresses | 8:00 pm | FREE | Wilmore Centennial Park at South End |
| Outdoor Movie Night: Twister | 8:30 pm | FREE | Carolina Beer Temple-Matthews |
| Requiem Goth Dance Night w/ DJ Velvetine & DJ Sanity Ana | 9:00 pm | FREE | Tommy’s Pub |
| AMC theatre Sensory-Friendly Family Movie (price and time can vary by theater) | All Day | AMC Theatres, participating locations | |
| Free Rabies Clinic at Charlotte Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control | 8:00 am to 10:45 am | FREE | CMPD Animal Care and Control |
| Free Tai Chi Class with Taiji Matthews | 9:00 am to 10:00 am | FREE | Stumptown Park, Matthews |
| Free yoga class at Blakeney | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Blakeney |
| 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. |
| Outdoor Women Hiking Group | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve |
| Visit Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society Museum | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society & Museum |
| Southern Comforts Fiber Market | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm | $5.00 | Oasis Shriners |
| Free Yoga | 10:00 am | FREE | Sycamore Brewing |
| Charlemos Charlotte Language Exchange Program | 10:30 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | South Boulevard Library |
| 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 |
| Pickin' on the Porch -- free acoustic music series at Stowe Conservancy Trailhead Store | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Trailhead Store at Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Belmont |
| Nebel's Alley Night Market | 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Superica |
| Live Music Saturdays | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Olde Mecklenburg Brewery — LoSo |
| Live Music Saturdays | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten — Ballantyne |
| VAPA Center: Night Market Studios | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | VAPA Center |
| River Jam live music series (free admission; parking is $12) | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | U.S. National Whitewater Center |
| Rock the Hops Summer Concert Series | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | NoDa Brewing North End |
