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, December 16, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Queen City Ringers at Stallings Church | 7:00 pm | FREE | Stallings Methodist Church |
| Dart League | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery, Huntersville |
| Name the Music at Wobbly Butt Tap Room & Eatery | 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Victory Lanes, Mooresville |
| Comedy Open Mic at Starlight on 22nd | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Starlight on 22nd |
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students: buy one ticket get one free at Independent Picture House on Wednesdays | All Day | Discounted | Independent Picture House |
| 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 |
| Upcycle Arts' Holiday Pop-Up Market | 11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | Upcycle Arts |
| Disc Golf League | 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Heist Brewery & Barrel 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 | |
| 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 |
| Free Yoga at Hindu Center of Charlotte | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Hindu Center of 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 |
| Christmas Vacation 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 18, 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 |
| Birding at Stevens Creek | 9:00 am to 10:30 am | 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 |
| ArtBreak at Mint Museum Uptown -- free guided lunchtime tour | 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm | FREE | Mint Museum Uptown |
| 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 |
| The Line Holiday Market | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | The Line |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Bingo w/ Shane | 6:30 pm | FREE | Model A Brewing, Tega Cay |
| Queen City Ringers at Cokesbury UMC | 7:00 pm | FREE | Cokesbury United Methodist Church, Charlotte |
Friday, December 19, 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 Birding Walks on trails of Stowe Conservancy | 9:00 am to 10:00 am | FREE | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Doubles Mario Kart Tournament | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Chamber by Wooden Robot (NoDa) |
| Hot Glass Alley's Open Demo | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Hot Glass Alley |
| 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 | St. John’s United Methodist Church, Rock Hill |
| 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 20, 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 |
| Cars and Coffee Concord | 8:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Charlotte Motor Speedway |
| Lowe's DIY-U Kids Workshop: Sleigh Ride | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Lowe’s (multiple stores) |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Maker's Market CLT at Fonta Flora | 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Fonta Flora Brewery at Optimist Hall |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Charlotte Bronze Handbell Ensemble Holiday Concert | 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm | FREE | Christ Episcopal Church Charlotte |
| 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 |
| Belmont Movies in the Park: Elf | 6:00 pm | FREE | Stowe Park, Belmont |
| 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 |
