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).
Have you subscribed to Charlotte on the Cheap yet? Subscribers get one email a day. It's free to subscribe.
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:
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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) |
| 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 |
Monday, December 22, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carowinds Winterfest (promoted event -- price varies) | 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Carowinds | |
| Burger King: Free Whopper Jr. 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 |
| Nature Book and Look | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | McDowell Nature Center and Preserve |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carowinds Winterfest (promoted event -- price varies) | 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Carowinds | |
| Burger King: Free Original Chicken Sandwich 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 |
| 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 |
| Hike For Your Health | 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve | |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Kannapolis Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express (free admission, charge for train ride) | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Village Park, Kannapolis |
| Christmas Vacation Trivia Night | 7:00 pm | FREE | Middle James Brewing, Pineville |
| Dart League | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery, Huntersville |
| Dart League at Primal Belmont | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery Belmont |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burger King: 2 free cookies with $5 purchase | All Day | FREE | Burger King, participating locations |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Free Yoga at Hindu Center of Charlotte | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Hindu Center of Charlotte |
| Wednesday Crafting Circle | 6:00 pm to 9:00 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 |
| The Happening -- Collaborative arts/music/dance event | 8:00 pm | FREE | Jackalope Jack’s |
