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, December 10, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Ice Skating at The Bowl at Ballantyne (time varies by day) | All Day | $12.00-20.00 | |
| 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 |
| Family Winter Walk | 10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Stevens Creek Nature Preserve and Center |
| EXPLORE: Community Concert Series: Amanda Hampton | 11:00 am | FREE | Mallard Creek Recreation Center |
| Upcycle Arts' Holiday Pop-Up Market | 11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | Upcycle Arts |
| Haylo Healing Arts Lounge's 10th Annual Winter Market & Art Gallery | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Haylo Healing Arts Lounge |
| Disc Golf League | 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts |
| Visit Santa at the Grand Hall in Mt. Holly | 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | The Grand Hall, Mount Holly |
| 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 | |
| Christmas at the Library | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Billy Graham Library |
| 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 | 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 |
| Eleven Lakes Book Club | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Eleven Lakes Brewing, Cornelius |
| Vinyl Wednesday | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Confluence, Cramerton |
| Kannapolis Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express (free admission, charge for train ride) | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Village Park, Kannapolis |
| Elf Trivia | 7:00 pm | FREE | Lore Brewing, Indian Land |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Thursday, December 11, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Polar Express Train Ride (various start times; prices vary) | All Day | $42.00-49.00 | North Carolina Transportation Museum |
| Light the Knights (click for times and prices) | All Day | $12.00-40.00 | Truist Field |
| Ice Skating at The Bowl at Ballantyne (time varies by day) | All Day | $12.00-20.00 | |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| ArtBreak at Bechtler Museum -- free guided lunchtime tour | 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm | FREE | Bechtler Museum of Modern Art |
| 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 |
| 5th Annual Tree Festival at Chickadee Hill Farms | 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm | $10.00-15.00 | Chickadee Hill Farms |
| Christmas at the Library | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Billy Graham Library |
| Yule Log Parade in McAdenville | 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm | FREE | Pharr Corporate Offices, McAdenville |
| 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 |
| Weekly Ping Pong Club | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing Charlotte |
| Kannapolis Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express (free admission, charge for train ride) | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Village Park, Kannapolis |
| 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 |
| Name the Music at Rhino Market & Deli South End | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Rhino Market South End |
| Board Game Night | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing Charlotte |
| Bingo w/ Shane | 6:30 pm | FREE | Model A Brewing, Tega Cay |
| Lake Norman Philharmonic's Annual Holiday Concert | 7:00 pm | FREE | Charles Mack Citizen Center |
| Open Mic Night | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Cabarrus Brewing Company |
Friday, December 12, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light the Knights (click for times and prices) | All Day | $12.00-40.00 | Truist Field |
| Ice Skating at The Bowl at Ballantyne (time varies by day) | All Day | $12.00-20.00 | |
| 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 |
| Free Weekly Water Playgroup for Babies & Preschoolers at Charlotte Aquatics | 10:00 am to 10:30 am | FREE | Charlotte Aquatics |
| Free Public Tour of Innovation Barn | 10:00 am | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Friday Fire and S'mores | 10:30 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Stevens Creek Nature Preserve and Center |
| 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 |
| Christmas Market at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery LoSo | 11:00 am to 11:00 pm | FREE | Olde Mecklenburg Brewery — LoSo |
| Christmas Market at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Ballantyne | 11:00 am to 11:00 pm | FREE | The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten — Ballantyne |
| 5th Annual Tree Festival at Chickadee Hill Farms | 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm | $10.00-15.00 | Chickadee Hill Farms |
| Photos with Santa (Free, but donations accepted) | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Blakeney |
| University City Food Truck Friday | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Armored Cow Brewing |
| Christmas at the Library | 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Billy Graham Library |
| 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 |
| Friday Nights at Camp North End | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Camp North End |
| Kannapolis Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express (free admission, charge for train ride) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Village Park, Kannapolis |
| South End Food Truck Friday | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing Charlotte |
| Charlotte Bronze Handbell Ensemble Holiday Concert | 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | First United Methodist Church of Belmont |
| Friday Night Flicks: The Santa Clause | 7:00 pm | FREE | Dorton Park, Concord |
| 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, December 13, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nordstrom cardmembers get free photos with Santa (make reservation for time slot) | All Day | FREE | Nordstrom, SouthPark Mall |
| Light the Knights (click for times and prices) | All Day | $12.00-40.00 | Truist Field |
| AMC theatre Sensory-Friendly Family Movie (price and time can vary by theater) | All Day | AMC Theatres, participating locations | |
| Ice Skating at The Bowl at Ballantyne (time varies by day) | All Day | $12.00-20.00 | |
| 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 |
| Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic | 8:00 am to 10:45 am | FREE | Charlotte Vehicle Operations Center |
| 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 |
| Charlemos Charlotte Language Exchange Program | 10:30 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | South Boulevard Library |
| Free Bilingual Holiday Concert with Café Amaretto | 11:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Charlotte Mecklenburg Library — Pineville |
| JCPenney Kids Zone: free crafts for kids | 11:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | JCPenney, participating locations |
| 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 |
| Christmas Market at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery LoSo | 11:00 am to 11:00 pm | FREE | Olde Mecklenburg Brewery — LoSo |
| Christmas Market at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Ballantyne | 11:00 am to 11:00 pm | FREE | The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten — Ballantyne |
| People of the World: Philippines | 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm | FREE | International House |
| Holiday-themed Repair Cafe at Innovation Barn -- partner with volunteers to repair your stuff | 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Catawba Riverkeeper Christmas Market in Christmas Town, USA | 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Dynamo 31, McAdenville |
| Maker's Market | 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Heist Brewery & Barrel Arts |
| Free Public Tour of Innovation Barn | 1:00 pm | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Hopfly Bike and Brew | 1:30 pm | FREE | HopFly Brewing Company |
| Holiday at the Plaza at Five Points Plaza | 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Five Points Plaza |
| Photos with Santa (Free, but donations accepted) | 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Blakeney |
| Indian Land Christmas Parade | 4:00 pm | FREE | Indian Land Middle School |
| 5th Annual Tree Festival at Chickadee Hill Farms | 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm | $10.00-15.00 | Chickadee Hill Farms |
| Christmas at the Library | 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Billy Graham Library |
| Indian Land Tree Lighting | 5:30 pm | FREE | Indian Land Middle School |
| 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 |
| Outdoor Movie Night: Elf | 6:00 pm | FREE | Carolina Beer Temple-Matthews |
| Kannapolis Christmas Parade | 6:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Kannapolis |
| Live Music Saturdays | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Lore Brewing, Indian Land |
| Kannapolis Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express (free admission, charge for train ride) | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Village Park, Kannapolis |
| VAPA Center: Night Market Studios | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | VAPA Center |
| Saturday Live Music | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery, Huntersville |
| Carols by Candlelight | 7:00 pm | FREE | St. James Lutheran Church, Concord |
Sunday, December 14, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light the Knights (click for times and prices) | All Day | $12.00-40.00 | Truist Field |
| Ice Skating at The Bowl at Ballantyne (time varies by day) | All Day | $12.00-20.00 | |
| 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 |
| Christmas Market at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery LoSo | 10:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | Olde Mecklenburg Brewery — LoSo |
| Christmas Market at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Ballantyne | 10:00 am to 10:00 pm | FREE | The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten — Ballantyne |
| Sunday Fundays | 10:00 am to 10:00 pm | Discounted | Gilde Brewery |
| Free Health Clinic | 10:30 am to 12:30 pm | FREE | Hindu Center of Charlotte |
| Sunny's Market Pop-Up Market -- Christmas Show | 10:30 am to 4:30 pm | Atrium Health Ballpark, Kannapolis | |
| Free Figure Drawing | 11:00 am to 1:30 pm | FREE | Free Range Brewing |
| Upcycle Arts' Holiday Pop-Up Market | 11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | Upcycle Arts |
| Shop the Lot | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Beer Lab by Ghostface Brewing |
| December Plant Swap and Shop | 12:00 pm | FREE | Traust Brewing Company, Mount Holly |
| Sunday Drink It | 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Discounted | Eleven Lakes Brewing, Cornelius |
| AAPI Cultural Holiday Festival | 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Eastway Recreation Center |
| Maker's Market CLT at Burial Beer Co. | 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Burial Beer Co., Charlotte |
| Something Brewing: Fusion Jam Sessions | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Town Brewing |
| Charlotte Concert Band concert: Holiday Echoes | 3:00 pm | $5.00-15.00 | Christ Lutheran Church, Providence Campus |
| Live Music Sunday | 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Free Range Brewing |
| 5th Annual Tree Festival at Chickadee Hill Farms | 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm | $10.00-15.00 | Chickadee Hill Farms |
| Soul Sundays (free, but donations accepted) | 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Starlight on 22nd |
| Hanukkah on the Green in Davidson | 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Davidson Village Green |
| CLT Food Not Bombs: Free Food Distribution (and more) | 5:00 pm | FREE | First Ward Park |
| The Menorah Lighting at Birkdale | 5:30 pm | FREE | Birkdale Village |
| 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 |
| Downtown Jazz Jam | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Slow Play Brewing, Rock Hill |
| Kannapolis Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express (free admission, charge for train ride) | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Village Park, Kannapolis |
