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:
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 |
Thursday, December 25, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont Festival of Trees | All Day | FREE | Stowe Park, Belmont |
| Christmas Light Extravaganza in Kings Mountain | 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Patriots Park (Kings Mountain, NC) |
