Memorial Day 2022 in Charlotte will feature events celebrating the beginning of summer, as well as events to commemorate our fallen military personnel.
We will also share information on Memorial Day freebies and discounts when they’re announced. And we also have a schedule below of everything on our event calendar for Memorial Day Weekend, 2022.
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Memorial Day Weekend Freebies and Discounts
Check back soon! We’re just getting started. There will be lots of freebies and discounts for military service members.
- Carrabba’s Italian Grill: Military service members and first responders get 10% off all year. Now through June 19th, 2022, if you purchase $50 in gift cards, you’ll receive a $10 bonus card to use on your next Carrabba’s visit, from June 21st through August 21st, 2022.
- Bonefish Grill: Military service members and first responders get 10% off all year. Now through June 19th, 2022, if you purchase $50 in gift cards, you’ll receive a $10 bonus card to use on your next Bonefish visit, from June 21st through August 21st, 2022.
- Firebirds Grill: Dine with a Veteran, Active Duty Service Member or Gold Star Family this Memorial Day and their lunch or dinner is free. Receive one free entrée, equal to or less than your entrée purchase. Dine-in only. Participating restaurants only. May 30th, 2022. Follow above link for more details, including acceptable forms of ID.
- Krispy Kreme: From May 27th to 29th, 2022, get two dozen doughnuts for $14 at participating shops. Follow above link for details. There’s a barcode you’ll need.
- National Hamburger Day: Saturday, May 28th, 2022, is National Hamburger Day. Follow the above link for deals and freebies.
- Marco’s Pizza: 20% off any pizza from May 26th to 29th, 2022. Use promo code MEM20. Offer valid on menu-price pizza through Marco’s app and online orders.
- Sonic Drive-in: From May 27th to 30th, 2022, buy one hot dog through Sonic Drive-in’s website or app, and get a second one free.
- Walgreens: Military personnel and their families get 20% off regularly priced items from May 27th to 30th. Follow the above link for details.
Memorial Day Weekend 2022 Events
Memorial Day Celebration at U.S. National Whitewater Center

The Whitewater Center’s Memorial Day Celebration is back! It will take place Saturday, May 28th, and Sunday, May 29th, with the main celebration being Sunday. On Saturday there will be a trail race at 9 a.m., followed by several yoga sessions and live music by Craig Waters and the Flood at 7 p.m., as part of the River Jam music series. Then on Sunday, there will be yoga sessions starting at 9:30 a.m., and then live music starting at 6 p.m. The music lineup on Sunday features Dane Page and Brett Dennen. Admission is free, and parking is $6. Regular prices apply to the activities at the Whitewater Center like rafting, climbing and zip-lining.
Fireworks at Carowinds

Carowinds is putting on its Celebrate America Fireworks Show on Saturday, May 28th, 2022, at 8:45 p.m. If you go to Carowinds this weekend, make sure to stay for the fireworks show! The firework display will be visible throughout the park, but the best viewing locations can be found in the Carolina Boardwalk, County Fair, and Celebration Plaza areas. If you do plan to go, and you don’t have a season pass, make sure to get the best Carowinds discounts!
Food Truck Fridays
Start the holiday weekend off with one of these five Food Truck Fridays at Charlotte breweries! We’ve got a list of food trucks at each one.
Open Demo at Hot Glass Alley

Another great way to start the weekend is by going to Hot Glass Alley’s open demo on Friday, May 27th. Watch the amazing process of glass blowing! Free to attend.
Matthews Beats ‘n Bites
On Friday, May 27th, head to Stumptown Park in Matthews for Beats ‘n Bites. On the Border, an Eagles tribute band, will be performing, and there will be five or six food trucks. This is free event.
More outdoor concerts
Check out a very big list of outdoor concerts taking place all over the Charlotte region! Most on the list are free to attend.
Hendrick Motorsports Fan Fest

Hendrick Motorsports is hosting Fan Fest Friday, May 27th, to Sunday, May 29th, 2022, at its location at 4400 Papa Joe Hendrick Blvd, Concord. This celebration is leading up to the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday. The hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The event features driver appearances, car displays, food trucks, kids’ activities, photo opportunities, an engine building demonstration, behind-the-scenes tours, and more.
Free Cheeseburger Meal

For 40 years Keith Clinic Estramonte Chiropractic has been sharing food with the community on Memorial Day. This year it’s a drive-thru lunch giveaway on Monday. May 30th, 2022, starting at 11 a.m., at the location at 4016 Triangle Drive in West Charlotte.
They’ll be giving away 1,000 meals in reusable, insulated lunch bags:
- “Nearly World Famous” Bacon Double Cheeseburger
- Drink
- Bag of potato chips
- Chocolate chip cookie
You must be present, in a vehicle, to receive the lunch bags. Walk-ups are not eligible.
National Hamburger Day
Saturday, May 28th, 2022, is National Hamburger Day! Check out the above link for all the special deals.
Party in the Park

On Sunday, May 29th, 2022, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., relax on the huge lawn of Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road, for Party in the Park. Enjoy live music, a food truck and a cash bar. The event is free to attend and also offers free admission to the museum.
Food Truck and Movie Night at The Green at Prosperity Village
Prosperity Village’s first movie and food truck night of the season is taking place on Saturday, May 28th, 2022, at The Green at Prosperity Village, 5334 Docia Crossing, Charlotte. Multiple food trucks will be on site starting at 5 p.m., and the movie, Encanto, will be shown at dusk. This is a free event.
Special events at Independence Harley-Davidson
Independence Harley-Davidson, at 8205 E. Independence Blvd, Matthews, has fun events all the time. Two this weekend are a free concert with Shoot to Thrill (all-female AC/DC tribute band) on Friday at 7 p.m., and Old Fashioned Biker Rodeo Games on Saturday from 12 to 3 p.m. Learn more about both events.
Free cello concert with laser show
Cellist Kelvin Chang is performing Bach Cello Suites 1-4 at Free Range Brewing on Saturday night, accompanied by a live laser show produced by Salty Robot Productions. This is a free event. Doors at 8 p.m.
Swim and Splash

Many area pools and spraygrounds open this weekend! Check out the details of the places to swim in the Charlotte area, including lakes and a quarry!
Free Flags from Ace Hardware

Ace Hardware is giving out one million free flags on Saturday, May 28th, 2022. These are 8″x12″ stick flags, suitable for placing on a grave, field, or garden as a tribute to a fallen serviceman or servicewomen.
No purchase is required. While supplies last. For every flag given away, a second one will be donated to a local VFW Post to be used for marking and honoring veterans’ graves this Memorial Day.
Drive-In Movie
Two drive-in theaters in our area have been operating this spring: Badin Road Drive-In in Albemarle, and Hound’s Drive-in in Kings Mountain. Follow the link to see the movies each will be playing, and the ticket prices.
Hiking

Please check out our huge list of 50+ hikes and walks in and near Charlotte. You’ll find plenty of interesting hikes on greenways and nature preserves right in Charlotte, as well as hikes to spectacular waterfalls, mountain views and more, just a short drive away.
Huntersville Memorial Day Ceremony
The Town of Huntersville is holding its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 30th, 2022, at 11 a.m., at Veterans Park, 201 Huntersville-Concord Road, Huntersville, NC.
Indian Trail Memorial Day Ceremony
The Town of Indian Trail is holding a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 30th, 2022, at 11 a.m., at Veterans Memorial Garden, 315 Matthews-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail.
Kings Mountain Memorial Day Ceremony
The City of Kings Mountain is holding a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 30th, 2022, at 10 a.m., at Mountain Rest Cemetery, 111 S. Dilling Street, Kings Mountain, NC.
Waxhaw Memorial Day Ceremony
The Town of Waxhaw’s Memorial Day Ceremony takes place Monday, May 30th, 2022, at 10 a.m., at the Waxhaw Military Wall of Honor, 100 E. North Main Street, Waxhaw.
Memorial Day Flags and Poppies in Harrisburg
Check back soon for Harrisburg’s Memorial Day plans. Last year, the American Legion Post 523 Auxiliary placed 100 flags in the green space of Veterans Park, Harrisburg, and they handed out poppies.
Memorial Day service at Sharon Memorial Park
McEwen Funeral Service is hosting a Memorial Day service at Sharon Memorial Park, 5716 Monroe Road, Charlotte. It will take place on Monday, May 30th, 2022. It will start with live music from Stained Brass at 9:30 a.m., followed by a service at 10 a.m. Refreshments will be served.
Memorial Day program in Cornelius
The Town of Cornelius and Legion Post 86 is presenting the Cornelius Memorial Day program on Monday, May 30th, 2022, at 10 a.m., at Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Avenue, Cornelius. The program will feature patriotic music by Hough High School, the Hough High School JROTC, a 21-gun salute, and POW/MIA Empty Chair and Wreath of Remembrance ceremonies.
Kannapolis Memorial Day Ceremony
The City of Kannapolis is holding a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 30th, 2022, at 12 p.m., at Veterans Park, 119 N. Main Street, Kannapolis. The ceremony will include remarks from guest speaker Major General Charles H. Swannack Jr. of the U.S. Army. There will also be special patriotic music performances and a wreath laying ceremony. Everyone is asked to bring lawn chairs and American flags to wave during the ceremony.