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:
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Film Festival ($14 per film) | All Day | $14.00 | Independent Picture House |
| Charlotte International Arts Festival | All Day | FREE | Various 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 | |
| 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 |
| ArchWell Health: Cake-a-Licious Tasting | 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | FREE | Archwell Health, Eastway |
| East Charlotte Farmers' Market | 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm | FREE | McLawland Farms |
| Disc Golf League | 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts |
| Free Wednesday Evening at Museum 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 | |
| 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 |
| Chess Club at Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library (formerly Beatties Ford Regional Library) |
| Free Yoga at Hindu Center of Charlotte | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Hindu Center of Charlotte |
| Open Mic Night | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Muddy River Distillery, Mount Holly |
| Potions & Pixels Game Industry Gathering | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Divine Barrel Brewing |
| September Book Club: The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku | 6:30 pm | FREE | Lore Brewing, Indian Land |
| The OG Boot Camp | 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | Lenny Boy Brewing Co. |
| Bend It at the Ballpark -- yoga at Truist Field (first 500 people get a free yoga mat) | 7:00 pm | $10.00 | Truist Field |
| 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 |
| Jazz Night with DJam Collective at Camp North End | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Camp North End |
| 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 |
| Wednesday Night Yoga | 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm | $5.00 | Lenny Boy Brewing Co. |
| The Happening -- Collaborative arts/music/dance event | 8:00 pm | FREE | Jackalope Jack’s |
Thursday, September 25, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay What You Can Night for Matthews Playhouse\'s A Raisin in the Sun | 7:30 pm | Matthews Community Center | |
| Charlotte International Arts Festival | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| Charlotte Film Festival ($14 per film) | All Day | $14.00 | Independent Picture House |
| 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 |
| Sweater Camp: get help with your sweater knitting projects | 2:00 pm | FREE | Editions — Coffee and Bookstore (Kannapolis) |
| Live Music: Nectar A Picture of Phish | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | Triple C Brewing Co. | |
| Hope Street Food Pantry Food Distribution | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Hope Street Food Pantry |
| SouthPark After 5: Bourbon Sons, plus free sunflowers | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Symphony Park |
| 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 |
| Charlotte Fit Fam | 6:00 pm | FREE | HopFly Brewing Company |
| Beer and Board Games | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery Belmont |
| Women of the World -- Giant Puppet Pop-Up at SouthPark After 5 | 6:30 pm | FREE | Symphony Park |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| Fight Club at VisArt Video: celebration of martial arts and action cinema (suggested $10 donation) | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $10.00 | VisArt Video |
| River Jam live music series (free admission; parking is $12) | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | U.S. National Whitewater Center |
| Crossroads Cinema at Camp North End: Talladega Nights | 8:00 pm | FREE | Camp North End |
Friday, September 26, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte International Arts Festival | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| Charlotte Film Festival ($14 per film) | All Day | $14.00 | Independent Picture House |
| 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 |
| Oktoberfest at Gilde Brewery | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Gilde Brewery |
| Charlotte Weenie Walk, with Halloweenie Costume Contest | 2:00 pm | FREE | Pineville Lake Park |
| Now That's What I Call Fridays! | 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Brewers at 4001 Yancey |
| Festival of Lebanon | 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | St. Matthews Catholic Church South |
| Showcase of Power -- Oakboro 2-day Cruise-In Event | 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Downtown Oakboro, NC |
| Cabarrus Brewing's Oktoberfest | 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Cabarrus Brewing Company |
| Food Truck Friday | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Resident Culture Brewing Plaza Midwood |
| Free beginning crochet class (must register and buy materials in the store) | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Editions — Coffee and Bookstore (Kannapolis) |
| Ground Zero Wrestling | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | $5.00 | Triple C Brewing Co. |
| Matthews Beats 'n Bites Outdoor Concert: Landslide | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Stumptown Park, Matthews |
| Lady Like Festival | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Arts+ Community Campus |
| University City Food Truck Friday | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Armored Cow Brewing |
| Live Under the Oaks music series | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Birkdale Village |
| 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 |
| Live Music: Keith Wilson | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Lost Worlds Brewing, Cornelius |
| Ayrsley Retro Horror Series | 6:30 pm | $5.00 | Ayrsley Grand Cinemas |
| Live music: Rusty Knox and Jim Ashton | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Summit Coffee, Basecamp, Davidson |
| 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 |
| Outdoor Movie Night at Triple C | 7:00 pm | FREE | Triple C Brewing Co. |
| The Comedy Market: Open Mic | 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Common Market South End |
| Bounce Twerk Wine -- free dance party at Petra's | 8:00 pm to 11:59 pm | FREE | Petra’s |
| Ayrsley Retro Horror Series | 8:00 pm | $5.00 | Ayrsley Grand Cinemas |
| Brews & Views | 8:00 pm | FREE | Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts |
| Ayrsley Retro Horror Series | 9:45 pm | $5.00 | Ayrsley Grand Cinemas |
Saturday, September 27, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free entrance day in the National Parks | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| National Alpaca Farm Days (several events at different farms) | All Day | Various locations | |
| Charlotte International Arts Festival | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| AMC theatre Sensory-Friendly Family Movie (price and time can vary by theater) | All Day | AMC Theatres, participating locations | |
| Charlotte Film Festival ($14 per film) | All Day | $14.00 | Independent Picture House |
| [Re]Build and [Re]Claim Home Maintenance Workshop with Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte | 8:30 am to 12:30 pm | FREE | Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte |
| Caffeine and Chrome | 9:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Gateway Classic Cars, Concord |
| Autumn Jubilee in Mint Hill | 9:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Mint Hill Historical Society — Carl J. McEwen Historic Village |
| Mecklenburg Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Sale | 9:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | N.C. Cooperative Extension, Mecklenburg County Center |
| Touch-a-Truck at Mecklenburg County Compost Central | 9:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Compost Central and Recycling Center |
| Pumpkin Patch at Hodges Family Farm (the $5 is a parking fee) | 9:00 am to 6:00 pm | $5.00 | Hodges Family Farm |
| Free Tai Chi Class with Taiji Matthews | 9:00 am to 10:00 am | FREE | Stumptown Park, Matthews |
| LKN Cars and Coffee | 9:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Lost Worlds Brewing, Cornelius |
| The Longest Table at Truist Field: Free brunch and community connections | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Truist Field |
| UNC Charlotte International Festival | 10:00 am to 6:00 pm | FREE | Barnhardt Student Activity Center, UNC Charlotte |
| 5th Annual Catawba Fest | 10:00 am to 6:00 pm | FREE | Catawba Park, Tega Cay |
| 12th Annual Charlotte African-American Festival | 10:00 am to 8:00 pm | FREE | Carole Hoefener Center |
| 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 |
| Free Yoga | 10:00 am | FREE | Sycamore Brewing |
| Kanntoberfest: Oktoberfest celebration and market in Downtown Kannapolis | 11:00 am to 6:00 pm | Downtown Kannapolis | |
| Festival of Lebanon | 11:00 am to 9:30 pm | FREE | St. Matthews Catholic Church South |
| Muddy River Fall Festival | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Muddy River Distillery, Mount Holly |
| Oktoberfest: A Primal Bavarian Bash | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery Belmont |
| Oktoberfest: a Primal Bavarian Bash! | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery Belmont |
| Oktoberfest: a Primal Bavarian Bash! | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery Belmont |
| Outlaw Acres -- Immersive Western-Themed Fall Attraction | 11:00 am to 5:00 pm | $15.00 | Outlaw Acres, Monroe |
| Oktoberfest at Gilde Brewery | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Gilde Brewery |
| Bard at the Barn: Free outdoor, family-friendly performance of The Tempest | 11:00 am | FREE | The Barn at MoRA |
| Native American Studies Center: Gallery Gatherings Guided Tour | 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm | FREE | Native American Studies Center, Lancaster, SC |
| Queen City Flodown: A Goose Pre-Party | 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Triple C Brewing Co. |
| 4th Annual Concord International Festival | 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Concord |
| Old Town Fall Festival | 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Fountain Park, Rock Hill |
| Oktoberfest: A Primal Bavarian Bash | 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery, Huntersville |
| Shop the Yard! Pop Up Market at Victoria Yards | 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Victoria Yards |
| Oktoberfest at Pilot Brewing | 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Pilot Brewing |
| Cabarrus Brewing's Oktoberfest | 1:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Cabarrus Brewing Company |
| Free Public Tour of Innovation Barn | 1:00 pm | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Hopfly Bike and Brew | 1:30 pm | FREE | HopFly Brewing Company |
| 'Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival | 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Oak Street Mill |
| Pickle Palooza | 2:00 pm | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing Charlotte |
| 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 |
| Hispanic Heritage Celebration at Compare Foods, Milton Road | 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Compare Foods, Milton Road |
| Oktoberfest at the Met | 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Lost Worlds Brewing, Charlotte (Metropolitan) |
| Women of the World -- Giant Puppet Pop-Up at UNC Charlotte International Festival | 3:00 pm | FREE | UNC Charlotte |
| Showcase of Power -- Oakboro 2-day Cruise-In Event | 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Downtown Oakboro, NC |
| Food Truck Night in East Spencer | 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Royal Giants Park, East Spencer |
| Davidson's Concerts on the Green: Davidson College Symphony & Jazz Ensemble | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Davidson Village Green |
| Live Music: GenX | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Lost Worlds Brewing, Cornelius |
| Live Music: HUSTLE SOULS | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery Belmont |
| Live Music: Aj Holt | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Traust Brewing Company, Mount Holly |
| Live music: The North Carolina Polka Time Allstars | 6:30 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery, Huntersville |
| Live Music | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery Belmont |
| Live Music | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery Belmont |
| Ayrsley Retro Horror Series | 6:30 pm | $5.00 | Ayrsley Grand Cinemas |
| Public Lands Day: Quest Outdoor Film Fest | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Latta Nature Preserve |
| Story Teller Open Mic | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Common Market OakWold |
| Live music: The Vel Crows | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Summit Coffee, Basecamp, Davidson |
| Su Casa: Afro-fusion dance party | 7:00 pm | FREE | Levine Avenue of the Arts |
| River Jam live music series (free admission; parking is $12) | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | U.S. National Whitewater Center |
| Karaoke Night | 7:00 pm | FREE | Lore Brewing, Indian Land |
| Belmont Movies in the Park: The Incredibles | 7:30 pm | FREE | Stowe Park, Belmont |
| Explore the night sky in Huntersville with the Charlotte Amateur Astronomers Club | 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Bradford Park Trailhead, Huntersville |
| Ayrsley Retro Horror Series | 8:00 pm | $5.00 | Ayrsley Grand Cinemas |
| Ayrsley Retro Horror Series | 9:45 pm | $5.00 | Ayrsley Grand Cinemas |
Sunday, September 28, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Alpaca Farm Days (several events at different farms) | All Day | Various locations | |
| Charlotte International Arts Festival | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| Charlotte Film Festival ($14 per film) | All Day | $14.00 | Independent Picture House |
| Sunday Fundays | 10:00 am to 10:00 pm | Discounted | Gilde Brewery |
| Sunny's Market Pop-Up Market | 10:30 am to 4:30 pm | FREE | Atrium Health Ballpark, Kannapolis |
| Festival Latino at Wow Supermarket in Gastonia | 11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | Wow Supermarket Gastonia |
| 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 |
| Oktoberfest at Gilde Brewery | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Gilde Brewery |
| Bard at the Barn: Free outdoor, family-friendly performance of The Tempest | 11:00 am | FREE | The Barn at MoRA |
| Plant Swap & Shop | 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Sugar Creek Brewing |
| Sunny Day Market | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts |
| BOOM Performances | 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Various locations |
| 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 |
| Outlaw Acres -- Immersive Western-Themed Fall Attraction | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | $15.00 | Outlaw Acres, Monroe |
| Sip and Stitch Hosted by Charlotte Yarn | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Town Brewing |
| Cabarrus Brewing's Oktoberfest | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Cabarrus Brewing Company |
| Live Music: Eternally Grateful | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Triple C Brewing Co. |
| Party in the Park at Mint Museum Randolph June 22 -- live music, art activities, free museum admission | 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Mint Museum Randolph |
| Guild of Charlotte Artists Pop-Up Market | 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Mint Museum Randolph |
| 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 |
| Annual All American Dog Show in Cornelius -- free to watch | 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Robbins Park, Cornelius |
| Free Tour at Torance House & Store | 2:00 pm | FREE | Hugh Torance House & Store |
| Hispanic Heritage Celebration at Compare Foods, Freedom Drive | 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Compare Foods, Freedom Drive |
| 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. |
| Ayrsley Retro Horror Series | 6:30 pm | $5.00 | Ayrsley Grand Cinemas |
| Free Comedy Open Mic at The Royal Tot | 7:00 pm | FREE | The Royal Tot |
| Ayrsley Retro Horror Series | 8:00 pm | $5.00 | Ayrsley Grand Cinemas |
| Ayrsley Retro Horror Series | 9:45 pm | $5.00 | Ayrsley Grand Cinemas |
