Plan your weekend on the cheap with this list of free events around Charlotte from Friday, January 17th, to Sunday, January 19th. If you’re not doing this already, you can subscribe to Charlotte on the Cheap’s daily emails (just one a day), and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Make sure to click on each link for details, because some events require pre-registration. Interested in getting exposure for your business or event? Consider sponsoring this popular weekly list. Email ads@charlotteonthecheap.com.
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It’s a good idea to check with venues about specific events. Even if it’s on this list, it’s possible that it’s canceled or changed.
Open demo at Hot Glass Alley
Friday, January 17, 2020
MLK Day Parade
Saturday, January 18, 2020
Stories in the Woods at UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens
Sunday, January 19, 2020
Top Five Free Things To Do in Charlotte
You saw the calendar of free events, but what about things that are always free? Here’s a list of top five free things to do in Charlotte that are not dependent on the calendar.
Idea Box at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Have you ever wanted to try out a 3D printer or laser cutter? Do you have an idea for an invention that you’ve been talking about and would like to prototype? The Main Library’s Idea Box provides you with the tools you need: 3D printers, CAD stations, vinyl and laser cutters, sewing machines, knitting machines and a variety of tablet devices like the Nexus, Microsoft Surface Pro 3 and iPad. Other equipment includes: MakerBot Replicator, LulzBot Mini, Epilog Laser Engraver/Cutter, Roland Vinyl Cutter and three desktop computers.
There’s a small charge for materials that you use.
Disc Golf
You might not know this, but Charlotte is a mecca for disc golfers in the United States. Learn about the best disc golf courses in Charlotte for beginners, as well as some tips for getting started, and info on where to buy disc golf gear.
Mountain Biking at the U.S. National Whitewater Center
Some of the best mountain biking trails in the area are at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Bring your bike. Parking is $6 but it’s free to ride the trails. Also free at the Whitewater Center are the concerts (held twice weekly in warm months), festivals, yoga and more.
UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens
Explore both native and exotic plants at the McMillan Greenhouse and the two gardens, Van Landingham Glen and Susie Harwood Garden. The UNCC Botanical Gardens delight with more than just plants, though, including walking paths, bridges, and a pond with waterfalls.
Make sure to stop at the greenhouse to visit the carnivorous plants. Also at the greenhouse are two Titan Arum plants, Bella and Odie. They’re notable because of their size, but even more so because when they bloom every 7-10 years, they emit a stench that draws a crowd. Seriously: people stand in line to get a whiff of it.
McColl Center
The McColl Center for Art + Innovation, at 721 North Tryon Street, is home to 30,000 square feet of artist studio and gallery space. It’s in an historic neo-gothic church. It’s free to visit the galleries. The McColl Center hosts open studio events, which are also free, and these often include live music and hands-on arts activities for adults and kids. Of special note in Uptown Charlotte: the McColl Center has a parking lot, where you can park for free.
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