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:
Friday, August 14, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLT Burger Week -- burgers are $8 at participating restaurants | All Day | $8.00 | Various locations |
| Free car washes for teachers and school staff all August | All Day | FREE | The RipTide Car Wash, multiple locations |
| Upcycle Arts: 50% off School Supplies | All Day | Discounted | Upcycle Arts |
| Little Explorers: Unwrapping Chocolate History | 10:00 am to 11:30 am | FREE | West Boulevard Library |
| 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 | 11:00 am | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Summer Reading Finale at Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library (formerly Beatties Ford Regional Library) |
| Paws & Pints | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Brewers at 4001 Yancey |
| 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 |
| Campground Series: Fishing Guide to Lake Wylie | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | McDowell Nature Center and Preserve |
| Davidson College Fall Fan Fest | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Davidson College Stadium |
| Mount Holly Nights: The Catalinas | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Mt. Holly |
| Live Under the Oaks music series | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Birkdale Village |
| Car Cruise-In in Downtown Monroe | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Downtown Monroe |
| Live Music Fridays | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Lost Worlds Brewing, Cornelius | |
| Friday Nights at Camp North End | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Camp North End |
| Friday Live Music | 6:30 pm | FREE | Model A Brewing, Tega Cay |
| Pineville Rock'n & Reel'n Concert: The Return -- A Tribute to the Beatles | 7:00 pm | FREE | Pineville Lake Park |
| Friday Live Music | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Confluence, Cramerton |
| Friday Live Music | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | King Canary Brewing, Mooresville |
| River Jam live music series (free admission; parking is $13) | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | U.S. National Whitewater Center |
| Friday Live Music | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Heist Brewery |
| Movies on the Lawn: Zootopia 2 | 7:30 pm | FREE | Johnston YMCA |
| Movies in the Park: Zootopia 2 | 7:30 pm | FREE | Fountain Park, Rock Hill |
| Friday Live Music | 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Old Armor Beer Company, Kannapolis |
| Karaoke Idol | 9:00 pm | FREE | Beer Lab by Ghostface Brewing |
Saturday, August 15, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free car washes for teachers and school staff all August | All Day | FREE | The RipTide Car Wash, multiple locations |
| Upcycle Arts: 50% off School Supplies | All Day | Discounted | Upcycle Arts |
| Cars and Coffee Concord | 8:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Charlotte Motor Speedway |
| Cartoons & Coffee: Zootopia 2 | 8:30 am | FREE | Rea Farms |
| Free Introductory Flag Rugby Clinics for Girls | 9:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Friendship Sportsplex |
| Free recycling class for kids | 10:00 am to 11:30 am | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Flip the Fit: Free kids' clothing giveaway/swap, plus STEM activities | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Grace Communion International |
| 3rd Saturday Music: Country artist Drew Nathan | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Summit Coffee, NoDa |
| Bounce Back to School Jam | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Eastway Recreation Center |
| Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie Workshop | 10:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Lowe’s (multiple stores) |
| Free military appreciation day at Billy Graham Library, including a free lunch | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Billy Graham Library |
| Historic Matthews Cemetery Tour | 10:00 am | FREE | Historic Matthews Cemetery |
| 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 |
| Kidz & Co Friendship Rocks | 11:00 am to 1:00 pm | FREE | Confluence, Cramerton |
| Back to School Bash at David B. Waymer Rec Center | 11:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE | Waymer Park, Huntersville |
| People of the World: Russia | 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm | FREE | International House |
| Back to School Bash with free backpacks and school supplies | 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm | FREE | Kingdom Builders Church International |
| Charlotte Pride Festival | 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | First Ward Park |
| Free drum circle at Goodyear Arts | 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | FREE | Goodyear Arts |
| Dino-Themed Back to School Bash at Charlotte Premium Outlets | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Charlotte Premium Outlets |
| Bachata in the Library | 1:00 pm | FREE | Sugar Creek Library |
| Free Public Tour of Innovation Barn | 1:00 pm | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Robot Block Party | 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm | FREE | Waymer Park, Huntersville |
| Hopfly Bike and Brew | 1:30 pm | FREE | HopFly Brewing Company |
| Back to School Bash with The Social Shaker LLC | 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | TGI Fridays, University |
| Back to School celebration at Compare Foods with free school supplies | 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Compare Foods, N. Sharon Amity Road |
| Yo Ho Yo Ho A Pirates Night For Me! | 4:00 pm | FREE | Cabarrus Brewing Company |
| Concerts @ The Circles: Chasing Phoenix (Rock / Variety) | 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Clean Juice, Davidson |
| Live Music Saturdays | 5:00 pm | FREE | Lost Worlds Brewing, Charlotte (Metropolitan) |
| A Foam Back to School Bash | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | OpenTap |
| Live Music Saturdays | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Lore Brewing, Indian Land |
| Live Music Saturdays | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Lost Worlds Brewing, Cornelius | |
| Mint Hill Family Night Concert: Crystal Aria | 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Mint Hill Veterans Memorial Park |
| Saturday Live Music | 6:30 pm | FREE | Model A Brewing, Tega Cay |
| Live Music: David Childers and Special Guest Jason Ringenberg | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Confluence, Cramerton |
| NASCAR Cup Series Race Days | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Eleven Lakes Brewing, Cornelius |
| Stories Under the Stars: Gravity Check | 7:00 pm | FREE | Cabarrus County Library, Kannapolis Branch |
| River Jam live music series (free admission; parking is $13) | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | U.S. National Whitewater Center |
| Saturday Live Music | 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Heist Brewery |
| Movie Night at Jerry Richardson Stadium: Zootopia 2 | 7:30 pm | FREE | Jerry Richardson Stadium, UNC Charlotte |
| Movies in the Park | 7:30 pm | FREE | Fourth Ward Park |
| Charlotte FC Watch Parties | 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | NoDa Brewing North End |
| Live Music: DJ Manney | 9:00 pm | FREE | Old Armor Beer Company, Kannapolis |
| Charlotte Pride: Show Your Color Dance Party | 10:00 pm | FREE | Bar Argon |
Sunday, August 16, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free car washes for teachers and school staff all August | All Day | FREE | The RipTide Car Wash, multiple locations |
| Upcycle Arts: 50% off School Supplies | All Day | Discounted | Upcycle Arts |
| Charlotte Pride Festival | 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | First Ward Park |
| Charlotte Pride Parade | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Center City Charlotte–festival area |
| Classic Cruisers of Monroe Cruise-In | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Poplin Place Shopping Center, Monroe |
| Tour of Mecklenburg Extension Master Gardeners' Pollinator Garden (registration required) | 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Freedom Park |
| Free Tour at Torance House & Store | 2:00 pm | FREE | Hugh Torance House & Store |
| Back to School celebration at Compare Foods with free school supplies | 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Compare Foods, W. Arrowood Road |
| Ritmo Latino Dance Social | 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm | $10.00 | Lenny Boy Brewing Co. |
| Sunday Sweet Tea Twirl Tea Dance: Twirl to the World | 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Bar Argon |
| American Guild of Organists Summer Recital Series: Tomasz Robak -- The Roaring Organ | 4:00 pm | FREE | Myers Park Presbyterian Church |
| Free Concert by The Charlotte Singers: Broadway Bound! | 4:00 pm | FREE | Providence Presbyterian Church |
| Animal Ambassador Meet 'n' Greet | 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm | FREE | McDowell Nature Center and Preserve |
| Stu's Barrel House: Open Funk & Blues Jam Session | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE |
Monday, August 17, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free car washes for teachers and school staff all August | All Day | FREE | The RipTide Car Wash, multiple locations |
| Upcycle Arts: 50% off School Supplies | All Day | Discounted | Upcycle Arts |
| Hummingbird Challenge | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | McDowell Nature Center and Preserve |
| Kids eat free at Sonny's BBQ (with adult entrée purchase) | 11:00 am to 9:00 pm | Sonny’s BBQ, various locations | |
| Hummingbird Week: Family Nature Hour | 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve |
| Student discount at The Percantile and Creamery: 15% off | 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Discounted | The Percantile and Creamery, Concord |
| Mindful Mondays: 20% off N/A beers and alcohol free drinks | 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Discounted | Pilot Brewing |
| Drop-In Dance Class from Charlotte Ballet: Senior Ballet | 3:15 pm to 4:15 pm | FREE | Northern Regional Recreation Center |
| Free line dancing lesson | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE | Swanee Theatre, Kannapolis |
| Dance With Me: Line Dancing -- beginning lesson and open dance | 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $5.00 | The Barrel Room at Triple C, South End |
| Game Night | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE | Urban District Market |
| Free Country Swing Dancing Lesson | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Cabarrus Brewing Company |
| Animal Trivia with the Humane Society of Charlotte | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Vaulted Oak Brewing |
| Nerd Night: games and free pizza | 7:00 pm | FREE | Resident Culture Brewing Plaza Midwood |
| Regal Cinema: Mystery Movie Monday -- Horror Edition | 7:00 pm | $5.00 | Regal Cinema (multiple locations) |
| Bill Hanna Legacy Jazz Session | 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm | $7.00-10.00 | Petra’s |
| Karaoke at Starlight on 22nd | 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm | FREE | Starlight on 22nd |
| Find Your Muse Open Mic | 7:30 pm | $8.24 | The Evening Muse |
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
| Event | Time | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free car washes for teachers and school staff all August | All Day | FREE | The RipTide Car Wash, multiple locations |
| Upcycle Arts: 50% off School Supplies | All Day | Discounted | Upcycle Arts |
| Two Days of Gluten Freedom | Monday Night Garden Brewing Co. | ||
| Hummingbird Week: Help the Hummingbirds | 10:00 am to 11:30 am | FREE | Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve |
| Adult Trail Trekkers | 10:00 am to 11:30 am | FREE | McDowell Nature Center and Preserve |
| Hope Street Food Pantry Food Distribution at West Boulevard Library | 10:30 am to 12:30 pm | FREE | West Boulevard Library |
| Drop-In Dance Class from Charlotte Ballet: Senior Dance Class | 11:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Sugaw Creek Recreation Center |
| Kids eat free at Sonny's BBQ (with adult entrée purchase) | 11:00 am to 9:00 pm | Sonny’s BBQ, various locations | |
| Free Public Tour of Innovation Barn | 1:00 pm | FREE | Innovation Barn |
| Hummingbird Crafternoon | 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm | FREE | McDowell Nature Center and Preserve |
| Summer Reading Finale at Steele Creek Library | 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE | Steele Creek Library |
| Student discount at The Percantile and Creamery: 15% off | 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Discounted | The Percantile and Creamery, Concord |
| Taster Tuesdays: half off beer flights, 20% off top shelf bourbon, $4 shooters, and 20% off snacks | 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Discounted | Pilot Brewing |
| Hike For Your Health | 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve | |
| Be Well Birkdale: Free workout series | 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm | FREE | Birkdale Village |
| Gamer's Social | 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Market at 7th Street |
| Taps & Tiles Mahjong Open Play | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Triple C Brewing Co. Taproom, South End |
| Dart League | 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Primal Brewery, Huntersville |
| Comedy Open Mic at Starlight on 22nd | 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm | FREE | Starlight on 22nd |
| Battle for Better Veteran Fundraiser | 8:00 pm | FREE | Armored Cow Brewing |
