Enjoy the summer in June, 2026, with some of these events. You’ll find lots of outdoor concerts, festivals, markets, kids’ events and more.
We’re highlighting several events this month. But then, scroll down for our huge calendar of things to do in Charlotte, and surrounding areas in June. This calendar will be updated all the time. Every day! You can also jump right to the day-by-day list.
Of course, we focus on the “free and cheap” here, so many of these events are absolutely free.
June Highlights in Charlotte
Star Wars Summer Movie Series
Star Wars Summer Movie Series
Date: Monday, June 1, 2026
Time: 7:15 p.m.
Place: Parking lot between Ben & Jerry’s and Summit Coffee, 202 S Main Street, Davidson, NC
Cost: Free
Features: The movie is The Empire Strikes Back. There will also be themed trivia and giveaways, and live acoustic music before the movie. Bring blankets and lawn chairs.
Asian Night Market
Asian Night Market
Date: Friday, June 5, 2026
Time: 5 to 11 p.m.
Place: Urban District Market, 2315 N Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Pop-Up market, Asian food trucks, meet the artist and karaoke
Museums on Us
Museums on Us
Date: June 6 and 7, 2026
Time: Hours vary
Place: Mint Museum Uptown, Mint Museum Randolph, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Charlotte Museum of History and Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
Cost: Free for Bank of America/Merrill credit or debit card holders.
Features: This long standing program offers free museum admission to customers of Bank of America and Merrill.
Indian Trail Family Fun Day
Indian Trail Family Fun Day
Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026
Time: 2 to 9:30 p.m.
Place: Crooked Creek Park, 9500 Oakwood Lane, Indian Trail, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Free carnival rides and kids’ activities. Food trucks and vendors. The night ends with a fireworks show.
National Trails Day at Anne Springs Close Greenway
National Trails Day
Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026
Time: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Place: Anne Springs Close Greenway, 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill, SC
Cost: Free admission, $5 parking
Features: Admission is waived today. Activities include hiking, kayaking, and more
Taste of Charlotte
Taste of Charlotte
Date: Friday, June 5, through Sunday, June 7, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday
Place: Tryon Street from Trade Street to Brooklyn Village Avenue, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free admission. Pay for food and drink, and kids’ activities.
Features: Three stages of live entertainment, kids’ activities, many local restaurants and food vendors.
Festival & Pop-Up Market for Autism
Festival & Pop-Up Market for Autism
Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Place: SouthPark Christian Church, 6650 Park South Drive, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Multiple sensory-friendly zones, including an art zone, music zone, literacy zone (free books!), movement zone, teen zone, gaming zone, quiet zone, nature zone and market zone.
The Thing
The Thing: An arthaus blacklight bodypaint experience where you become the art
Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026
Time: 7 to 11 p.m.
Place: Studio 1212, 1212 E 10th Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free to enter (tip bodypainters)
Features: There are no spectators at this event. Everyone who enters the space gets painted and is part of the art. Multiple bodypainters will be stationed throughout the studio. A DJ will shape the atmosphere throughout the night to match the room’s energy.
Cook Out Summer Shootout
Cook Out Summer Shootout
Date: 10 dates from June 9 to July 28, 2026. All Tuesdays, plus a few Mondays
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Place: Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Parkway S. Concord, NC
Cost: Most are $10 for adults and free for kids 12 and under. Fireworks nights are $15 for adults. But follow above link for a list of discounts.
Features: Watch racing’s future stars battle in Legend Cars and Bandoleros on the front-stretch quarter-mile.
Free Charlotte Symphony Community Concerts
Free Charlotte Symphony Community Concerts
Date: Multiple ldates
Time: Time varies
Place: Locations in Matthews, Huntersville, Cornelius, Pineville, and Kannapolis
Cost: Free
Features: Some of these events also feature fireworks.
Outdoor Concerts
Outdoor Concerts
Date: Various dates
Time: Various times
Place: Various places
Cost: Mostly free
Features: June is prime season for outdoor concerts. They are happening everywhere. Just follow the above link for a round-up of many concert series, as well as a day-by-day list of outdoor concerts.
Summer Movie Programs for Kids
Summer Movie Programs for Kids
Date: Various dates, usually Mondays to Thursdays
Time: Various times
Place: Various places
Cost: Varies, but all are $3 or less
Features: Many movie theaters host low-price weekday movies for kids. We’ve compiled a list of participating theaters.
Fire Truck Festival
Fire Truck Festival
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Place: NC Transportation Museum, 1 Samuel Spencer Drive, Spencer, NC
Cost: $10 for adults, $9 for seniors/military, $8 for kids 3-12, and free for children under 3.
Features: Fire trucks to check out, inflatables, Lil’ Firefighter costume contest, fire truck parade, much more
Juneteenth Celebrations
Juneteenth Celebrations
Date: Various
Time: Various
Place: Various
Cost: Most are free
Features: We’ve compiled a big list of Juneteenth celebrations around the Charlotte area.
Outdoor Movies
Outdoor Movies
Date: Various dates
Time: Various times
Place: Various places
Cost: Mostly free
Features: We update a calendar of outdoor movies throughout the Charlotte area. Most are free.
Repair Cafe
Repair Cafe
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Time: 12 to 4 p.m.
Place: Innovation Barn, 932 Seigle Avenue, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Bring in your broken stuff and skilled volunteers will help you fix it. Registration recommended.
Havana Night
Havana Night
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Time: 5 to 10 p.m.
Place: Boileryard at Camp North End, 1824 Statesville Avenue, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free (pay for food and drink)
Features: Live music, dancing, authentic Cuban food for purchase, Mojitos for purchase
Open Demo at Hot Glass Alley
Open Demo at Hot Glass Alley
Date: Friday, June 19, 2026
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Place: Hot Glass Alley, 438 Atando Avenue, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Hot Glass Alley, Charlotte’s first hot glass art studio, holds and open demo the third Friday of every month. Watch the artists create a special piece of art.
