Memorial Day 2023 in Charlotte will feature events celebrating the beginning of summer, as well as events to commemorate our fallen military personnel. You can jump right to the list of Memorial Day ceremonies.
We are also sharing 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, 2023.
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Memorial Day Weekend Freebies and Discounts
Check back soon! There will be lots of freebies and discounts for military service members, and some for everyone.
- Auntie Anne’s: $2 off orders $12 on May 29, 2023, for rewards members. Also, receive a free Original or Cinnamon sugar pretzel reward with any online gift purchase now through June 25, 2023.
- Cinnabon: From May 26 to 29, 2023, Cinnabon rewards loyalty members receive a buy one, get one free baked good when they unlock the code BONSOUT in the app.
- Jamba: Purchase a $25 gift card now through June 18, 2023, and get a $5 Reward Card.
- Twin Peaks Restaurant: 20% off meals for military members in select locations.
- Hooters’ dine-in patrons Saturday, May 27 through Monday, May 29, 2023, can enjoy a $9.99 build your own burger deal, including fries. Pair it with $3 Blue Moon drafts or a $9.99 Michelob Ultra pitcher. Also, kids eat free through 5/28/2023 with the purchase of an adult entrée.
Memorial Day Weekend 2023 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 27, and Sunday, May 28, 2023, with the main celebration being Sunday. The festival includes a trail race, yoga and live music. On Sunday, there will be a fireworks show as a grand finale. Admission is free, and parking is $6. Regular prices apply to the activities at the Whitewater Center like rafting, climbing and zip-lining.
Lake Norman Social District
Lake Norman Social District includes Old Town Public House and Thigs Cocktail Bar, in Cornelius. Customers can take alcoholic beverages between the two venues, and enjoy them outside, within a designated area. On Saturday, May 27, 2023, from 1 p.m. until midnight, there will be a Lake Norman Social District Memorial Day Weekend Block Party, featuring live music, a local vendor village, kids’ activities and inflatables, a petting zoo, outdoor games, food trucks and beverages.
Food Truck Fridays
Start the holiday weekend off with one of these Food Truck Fridays at Charlotte breweries! We’ll update with a list of food trucks at each one when they’re announced.
Matthews Beats ‘n Bites
On Friday, May 26, 2023, head to Stumptown Park in Matthews for Beats ‘n Bites. Smokey Jones & the Three Dollars Pistols will be performing, and there will be several food trucks. This is free event.
Lake Norman Foodees Food and Culture Festival
Lake Norman Foodees Food and Culture Festival is a three-day family-friendly event at Lake Norman YMCA, 21300 Davidson Street, Cornelius, from Friday, May 26, to Sunday, May 28, 2023. It will feature over 25 food trucks and food vendors, as well as artists, artisans and crafters. Admission is free. Parking is $5 for those who are not members of the YMCA.
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.
National Hamburger Day
Sunday, May 28, 2023, is National Hamburger Day! Check out the above link for all the special deals.
Party in the Park
On Sunday, May 30, 2023, 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, family art activities, a food truck and a cash bar. The event is free to attend and also offers free admission to the museum.
Empanada Fest – RESCHEDULED to JUNE 3
Empanada Fest has been rescheduled to June 3 because of the weather forecast!
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 Cheeseburgers from Keith Clinic Estramonte Chiropractic
Once again, Keith Clinic Estramonte Chiropractic and StarMed Healthcare are offering a free lunch on Memorial Day. This is the continuation of a tradition started more than 40 years ago by Keith Clinic. On Monday, May 29, 2023, starting at 11 a.m., drive-thru at Keith Clinic Estramonte Chiropractic, 4016 Triangle Drive in West Charlotte. Each person present will receive a lunch bag with a “Nearly World Famous Double-Bacon Cheeseburger, along with sides. While supplies last.
Free Flags from Ace Hardware
Ace Hardware is giving out one million free flags on Saturday, May 27, 2023. 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. The first 240 customers at each participating store will receive a flag, while supplies last. Ace Hardware is also giving away flags to VFW posts, to be used for marking and honoring veterans’ graves this Memorial Day.
Drive-In Movie
One drive-in theater in our area has been operating this spring: Badin Road Drive-In in Albemarle. 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.
Memorial Day Ceremonies
Huntersville Memorial Day Ceremony
The Town of Huntersville is holding its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 29, 2023, at Veterans Park, 201 Huntersville-Concord Road, Huntersville, NC. Patriotic music will begin at 10:30 a.m. and the ceremony will start at 11 a.m.
Indian Trail Memorial Day Ceremony
The Town of Indian Trail is holding a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 29, 2023, 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 29, 2023, at 10 a.m., at Patriots Park, 220 S Railroad Avenue, Kings Mountain, NC.
Waxhaw Memorial Day Ceremony
The Town of Waxhaw’s Memorial Day Ceremony takes place Monday, May 29, 2023, at 10 a.m., at the Community Corner in Downtown Waxhaw.
Memorial Day service at Sharon Memorial Park
McEwen Funeral Service is hosts a Memorial Day service at Sharon Memorial Park. Sharon Memorial Park is at 5716 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC. The ceremony will take place on Monday, May 29, 2023, at 10 a.m.
Memorial Day program in Cornelius
The Town of Cornelius and Legion Post 86 is presenting the Cornelius Memorial Day program on Monday, May 29, 2023, 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. After the ceremony head across the street to the Cain Center for the Arts, where there will be refreshments and, at 11:30 a.m., the film, “Devotion.”
Kannapolis Memorial Day Ceremony
The City of Kannapolis’ Memorial Day Ceremony will take place Monday, May 29, 2023, at 12 p.m., at Veterans Park, 119 N. Main Street, 2023. The ceremony will include remarks from guest speaker Major General Charles H. Swannack Jr. of the U.S. Army. A procession will precede the ceremony.
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