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:
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Charlotte Book Crawl | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| Subway: Buy One Get One Free Footlong Sub | All Day | Subway — Multiple locations | |
| Charlotte SHOUT! | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| North Carolina Science Festival (events all month -- click for schedule) | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| Children's Theatre of Charlotte: Life Skills Through Theatre Skills -- Creative Movement | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Waymer Park, Huntersville |
| Children's Theatre of Charlotte: Life Skills Through Theatre Skills -- Creative Drama | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Eastway Recreation Center |
| Drop-In Dance Class from Charlotte Ballet: Senior Dance Class | 11:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Sugaw Creek Recreation Center |
| Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day | 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Ben & Jerry’s, multiple locations |
| Free Public Tour of Innovation Barn | 1:00 pm | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Free Tuesday at Schiele Museum | 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Schiele Museum of Natural History, Gastonia |
| Board Game Night | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | NoDa Brewing North End |
| Troop Trope Smutty Book Club | 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Divine Barrel Brewing |
| Charlotte VegFest Jr. | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Victoria Yards |
| Reception, Performance and Conversation for The Trout Who Found the River | 6:30 pm | FREE | Wells Fargo Atrium |
| Comedy Open Mic at Starlight on 22nd | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Starlight on 22nd |
| Pub Trivia | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Petty Thieves Brewing Co. |
| GospelSHOUT Concert | 7:30 pm | FREE | United House of Prayer for All People |
| Hatties' Bingo Night -- free to play, with prizes | 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Hattie’s Tap and Tavern |
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students: buy one ticket get one free at Independent Picture House on Wednesdays | All Day | Discounted | Independent Picture House |
| Greater Charlotte Book Crawl | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| Subway: Buy One Get One Free Footlong Sub | All Day | Subway — Multiple locations | |
| Charlotte SHOUT! | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| North Carolina Science Festival (events all month -- click for schedule) | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| Children's Theatre of Charlotte: Life Skills Through Theatre Skills -- Creative Movement | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Tuckaseegee Recreation Center |
| Children's Theatre of Charlotte: Life Skills Through Theatre Skills -- Creative Drama | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Mallard Creek Recreation Center |
| EXPLORE: Community Concert Series: Spoken word artist Jah Smalls | 11:00 am | FREE | Mallard Creek Recreation Center |
| Puzzle & Pint Night | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Sugar Creek Brewing |
| 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 |
| FOMO: Museum Block Party | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Levine Center for the Arts |
| Free Wednesday Evening at Mint 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 | |
| Food Distribution Event | 5:30 pm | FREE | |
| Gaston Draws: The Figure Series (Open session; registration required) | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Anne Biggers Furr Learning Station, Dallas |
| Open Mic Night | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Muddy River Distillery, Mount Holly |
| Wednesday Crafting Circle | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Petty Thieves Brewing Co. |
| The Gaming Lounge Video Gaming Pop-Up | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Divine Barrel Brewing |
| Weekly Bluegrass Jam | 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Gibson Mill Market |
| Brewhouse Yoga (includes a free beer taster) | 6:30 pm | $6.00 | Sugar Creek 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 |
| Left Right Center Game Night | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Eleven Lakes Brewing, Cornelius |
| Wednesday Jazz Jam with The Lovell Bradford Trio and Guests at VisArt Video (suggested $10 donation) | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | VisArt Video | |
| Open Mic | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Starlight on 22nd |
| Open Shag Dancing | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $5.00 | Swanee Theatre, Kannapolis |
| 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, April 16, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Come See Me Festival (various locations in Rock Hill -- click for details) | All Day | FREE | Old Town Rock Hill |
| Greater Charlotte Book Crawl | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| Subway: Buy One Get One Free Footlong Sub | All Day | Subway — Multiple locations | |
| Charlotte SHOUT! | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| North Carolina Science Festival (events all month -- click for schedule) | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| Birding at Stevens Creek | 9:00 am to 10:30 am | FREE | Stevens Creek Nature Preserve and Center |
| Children's Theatre of Charlotte: Life Skills Through Theatre Skills -- Creative Drama | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Waymer Park, Huntersville |
| Children's Theatre of Charlotte: Life Skills Through Theatre Skills -- Creative Movement | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Eastway Recreation Center |
| Drop-In Dance Class from Charlotte Ballet: Senior Dance Class | 11:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Sugaw Creek Recreation Center |
| ArtBreak at Mint Museum Uptown -- free guided lunchtime tour | 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm | FREE | Mint Museum Uptown |
| Mission City Church's Food Pantry Distribution Event | 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm | FREE | Mission City Church |
| Drop-In Dance Class from Charlotte Ballet: African Drumming | 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | FREE | West Charlotte Recreation Center |
| Hope Street Food Pantry Food Distribution | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Hope Street Food Pantry |
| SouthPark After 5: Coconut Groove Band | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Symphony Park |
| Small Business Networking Event | 6:00 pm | FREE | Muddy River Distillery, Mount Holly |
| Live Music Thursdays | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Lore Brewing, Indian Land |
| Charlotte Fit Fam | 6:00 pm | FREE | HopFly Brewing Company |
| Plaza Midwood Chess Club Meetup | 6:00 pm | FREE | Common Market Plaza Midwood |
| Music on Main in Pineville | 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Historic Downtown Pineville |
| Neoteric April Book Club | 6:30 pm | FREE | Neoteric Brewing Company |
| Board Game Night | 6:30 pm | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing Charlotte |
| Sketchbook Swap | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Divine Barrel Brewing |
| Karaoke Contest | 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Seoul Food Meat Co., South End |
| Mooreoke Karaoke w/ KJ Notorious J.A.M. | 8:00 pm | FREE | Tommy’s Pub |
| Karaoke Thursdays | 9:00 pm | FREE | Hattie’s Tap and Tavern |
Friday, April 17, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Come See Me Festival (various locations in Rock Hill -- click for details) | All Day | FREE | Old Town Rock Hill |
| Greater Charlotte Book Crawl | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| Subway: Buy One Get One Free Footlong Sub | All Day | Subway — Multiple locations | |
| Charlotte SHOUT! | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| North Carolina Science Festival (events all month -- click for schedule) | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| Free Birding Walks on trails of Stowe Conservancy | 9:00 am to 10:00 am | FREE | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden |
| Free Fun Fridays with YScholars at Johnston YMCA | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Johnston YMCA |
| Free Weekly Water Playgroup for Babies & Preschoolers at Charlotte Aquatics | 10:00 am to 10:30 am | FREE | Charlotte Aquatics |
| Children's Theatre of Charlotte: Life Skills Through Theatre Skills -- Creative Movement | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Mallard Creek Recreation Center |
| Free Public Tour of Innovation Barn | 11:00 am | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| 43rd Annual Showcase of Woodcarvings | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Worrell Building, CPCC |
| Free Acting Workshop with material from The Spongebob Musical (registration required) | 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm | FREE | Charlotte Academy of Music |
| SHOUT! Showcase -- live outdoor music | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | First Ward Park |
| Gatito Night Market | 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | 4410 N Tryon Street |
| Food Truck Friday at Resident Culture Brewing | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Resident Culture Brewing Plaza Midwood |
| University City Food Truck Friday | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Armored Cow Brewing |
| Live Music: Avery Creek | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts |
| Backyard at Burial Artisan Market | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | |
| Mint Hill Rodeo | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $5.00-15.00 | McWhirter Rodeo Arena |
| Live Under the Oaks music series | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Birkdale Village |
| Hot Glass Alley's Open Demo | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Hot Glass Alley |
| Street SHOUT! on the Green -- kid-friendly entertainment | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Green |
| Live Music Friday | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Lost Worlds Brewing, Cornelius |
| Friday Night Live Music: La Brava | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | The Spoke Easy |
| Nerd Nite Charlotte | 7:00 pm | FREE | Divine Barrel Brewing |
| Jammin' On the 1 -- jam session at Access 21 Studios | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Access 21 |
| The Comedy Market: Open Mic | 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Common Market South End |
| Uptown Dueling Pianos | 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Old Armor Beer Company, Kannapolis |
| Whitewater Film Series: The Badwater 135 | 8:00 pm | FREE | U.S. National Whitewater Center |
| "Rockabilly Riot! The Revival" w/ DJ Christian Hoefle & DJ Dil3mma ( Emma Hoefle) | 9:00 pm | FREE | Tommy’s Pub |
| Karaoke Idol | 9:00 pm | FREE | Beer Lab by Ghostface Brewing |
Saturday, April 18, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voices from the Past at Old Settlers' Cemetery | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | $15.00 | Settlers’ Cemetery |
| Come See Me Festival (various locations in Rock Hill -- click for details) | All Day | FREE | Old Town Rock Hill |
| Greater Charlotte Book Crawl | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| Subway: Buy One Get One Free Footlong Sub | All Day | Subway — Multiple locations | |
| Charlotte SHOUT! | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| North Carolina Science Festival (events all month -- click for schedule) | All Day | FREE | Various locations |
| Cars and Coffee Concord | 8:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Charlotte Motor Speedway |
| Mint Hill Rodeo | 9:00 am to 10:00 pm | $5.00-15.00 | McWhirter Rodeo Arena |
| Lydia's Prom Closet: open for free prom dresses, suits, shoes, accessories | 9:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | First Baptist Church Huntersville |
| Free recycling class for kids | 10:00 am to 11:30 am | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Socrates Academy Spring Carnival | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Socrates Academy Charter School, Matthews |
| 6th Annual "Momma I Don't Want To Go To College" Skill & Trade Expo April 18 | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Sugaw Creek Recreation Center |
| Lowe's DIY-U Kids' Workshop: Terrarium | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Lowe’s (multiple stores) |
| STEAM Day at Latta -- Carolina Raptor Center | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | $0-16.00 | Carolina Raptor Center |
| NoDa Pottery Market Spring Event | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | NoDa Pottery Market |
| 43rd Annual Showcase of Woodcarvings | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | Worrell Building, CPCC |
| Healthy Kids Day at YMCA | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | FREE | YMCA, multiple locations |
| Charlotte Robot Rumble -- watch robots battle it out | 10:00 am to 6:00 pm | FREE | Belk Gym — UNC Charlotte |
| Halftoberfest | 10:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Gilde Brewery |
| Visit Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society Museum | 10:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society & Museum |
| Seedling Potting Workshop for kids | 11:00 am to 12:00 pm | $5.00 | Super G Mart, Pineville |
| Kings Mountain: Earth Day at the Gateway Trail | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Kings Mountain Gateway Trail |
| CLT Edgefest: live painting, music, dancing, more... | 11:00 am to 9:00 pm | FREE | First Ward Park |
| Happy Roots Earth Day Jam | 11:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Bell Tower Green, Salisbury |
| People of the World: Cambodia | 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm | FREE | International House |
| Buds & Brews | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Beer Lab by Ghostface Brewing |
| Empanada Fest | 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Camp North End |
| Charlotte Folk Music Festival | 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm | $10.00 | St. Martin’s Episcopal Church |
| SHOUT! Showcase -- live outdoor music | 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | First Ward Park |
| Spring Fling | 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery, Huntersville |
| Street SHOUT! on the Green -- kid-friendly entertainment | 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | The Green |
| Free Public Tour of Innovation Barn | 1:00 pm | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Hopfly Bike and Brew | 1:30 pm | FREE | HopFly Brewing Company |
| Guateke Sessions: Explore Latin dance styles | 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | South Boulevard Library |
| Earth Jam in Cornelius | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Robbins Park, Cornelius |
| Meditative Melodies 2026 – Connecting Cultures Through Heartfulness | 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm | $10.00-15.00 | Crossway Community Church |
| Saturday Live Music | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | Discounted | Triple C Brewing Co. Taproom, South End |
| Live Music Saturdays | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery, Huntersville |
| Live Music: Adam Daniels | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Neoteric Brewing Company |
| Sugar Creek Brewing's Spring Concert Series: Aaron Michael | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Sugar Creek Brewing |
| Huntersville Jazz Appreciation Concert | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Veterans Park (Huntersville) |
| Live Music Saturdays | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Lore Brewing, Indian Land |
| Live Music Saturday | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Lost Worlds Brewing, Cornelius |
| Charlotte Comedy Theater | 6:00 pm | $12.00-15.00 | VAPA Center |
| Belmont Movies in the Park: Honey, I Shrunk the Kids | 8:00 pm | FREE | Stowe Park, Belmont |
| Live music: Wilde Green // The Oyster // DJ Blondzai | 8:00 pm | FREE | Tommy’s Pub |
| Charlotte Comedy Theater | 8:00 pm | $12.00-15.00 | VAPA Center |
