Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s Summer Break program encourages kids, teens and adults to read and stay active over the summer. Participants can earn rewards and win prizes.
Read all about the Summer Break program and several other summer reading programs.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is presenting several Summer Break Kick Off Events. All are free to attend. The kickoff events feature fun activities like performances, arts and crafts, games and more.
Some require registration. Space is limited for some. Read on to see what each branch has planned!
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Summer Break Kickoff Events
Follow the links below to get details and to register, if required.
Summer Reading Kickoff for Teens
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Sugar Creek Library
4045 North Tryon Street, Suite A
Charlotte NC 28206
Ages 12-18
Kick off Summer Reading with a fun, creative experience just for teens! Design your own custom bracelet, discover new books, and connect with friends while starting your reading journey. Come chill, create, and make this summer your best reading season yet!
Summer Break Kickoff Carnival and Magic Show
Thursday, June 11, 2026
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
North County Region Library
16500 Holly Crest Lane
Huntersville NC 28078
All ages
Join us at North County Regional Library from 11am-1 pm as we kick off our Summer Reading program for readers of all ages. Enjoy entertainment, games, and sign up for our 2026 Summer Break reading program! All are welcome to attend!
11:00 – MAGIC SHOW (downstairs in the Community Room) no registration needed
11:30 – Balloon Art, Games and Prizes (3rd floor program room and deck) while supplies last
Teen Summer Reading Kickoff
Thursday, June 11, 2026
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
North County Regional Library
16500 Holly Crest Lane
Huntersville NC 28078
Ages 10-18
Join us as we kick off Summer Break with a fun-filled celebration! Enjoy food, games, activities, and more as we welcome the start of summer together. Don’t miss the opportunity to sign up for our Summer Break Reading program and get ready for a season full of learning, adventure, and excitement!
SouthPark Summer Reading Kickoff
Thursday, June 11, 2026
2 to 3:30 p.m
SouthPark Regional Library
7015 Carnegie Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Free
Ages 3-12
Join us at SouthPark Library as we kick off our Summer Reading program for children of all ages. Drop in for summer fun! We will have a variety of activities including face painting, crafts, and a treat.
Mountain Island Summer Reading Kickoff
Saturday, June 13, 2026
10 to 11 a.m.
Mountain Island Library
4420 Hoyt Galvin Way, Chralotte, NC
Free
All ages
Join us at Mountain Island Library as we kick off our Summer Reading program for readers of all ages. Attend a Family Storytime, play games, and get crafty. Sign up for the Reading Challenge to enjoy and receive a prize!
Summer Break Kickoff with author/illustrator Ashley Belote
Monday, June 15, 2026
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Davidson Library
119 South Main Street, Davidson, NC
Free
All ages
Join us at the Davidson Library as we kick off our Summer Reading program for readers of all ages! Following our regularly planned Outdoor Storytime starring local author/illustrator Ashley Belote, we will blast off into a “Universe of Stories!” There will be chalk, outdoor games, popsicles, bubbles, and you get to sign-up for the Summer Reading Program!
Summer Reading Kickoff Party at Allegra Westbrooks Regional
Monday, June 15, 2026
2 to 4 p.m.
Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library
2412 Beatties Ford Road
Charlotte North Carolina 28216
All ages
Join us at the Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library for a space-themed glow stick party to kick off our Summer Reading Challenge!
Summer Reading Kickoff: Charlotte Hornets Book Bus
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Cornelius Library
21105 Catawba Avenue, Cornelius, NC
Free
Ages 3-11
Children of all ages are invited to join us for this fun and interactive celebration to kickoff Summer Reading. Enjoy a high energy show about the fun of reading with Hugo the Hornet and the Book Bus Crew! Following the show, participants will be allowed to go onto the Charlotte Hornets Book Bus to receive a free book.
(Please note: The limited number of children to receive a free book from the Charlotte Hornet Book Bus is 75)
To visit the Book Bus after the presentation, program attendees will need a parent or guardian to sign a Charlotte Hornet Book Bus Participant Waiver before the start of the event.
University City Summer Reading Kickoff
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
1 to 2 p.m.
University City Regional Library
5528 Waters Edge Village Drive, Charlotte, NC
Free
All ages
Join us at University City Library as we kick off our Summer Reading program for children of all ages. Enjoy outdoor games and more on our patio. The first 50 kids receive a free shaved ice from Kona Ice! Kickoff will be followed by a fun puppet show from CML’s very own Frontline Puppeteers starting at 2:00PM.
Summer Reading Kickoff
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
2 to 4 p.m.
Steele Creek Library
13620 Steele Creek Road
Charlotte NC 28273
All ages
Kick off your summer with a celebration at the library! Enjoy fun crafts, games, and cool down with a refreshing ice pop. Visit community partner info tables from to learn about fun things to do this summer!
And last but not least, sign up for our Summer Reading: Universe of Stories and start earning prizes just for reading!
Summer Reading Kickoff
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Myers Park Library
1361 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC
Free
All ages
The Summer Reading Kickoff at Myers Park Library is a full day of fun, creativity, and hands-on activities for ages 0–18, and the perfect launch into a summer of reading that’s truly out of this world!
Start the day with Baby Storytime, a warm, interactive experience that supports early language development, bonding, and a lifelong love of books through songs, rhythm, and simple stories that help our youngest readers begin their journey through the “reading universe.”
In the afternoon, preteens can launch into a DIY Galaxy Slime program—where they’ll mix, stretch, and swirl their own cosmic creations as science and imagination collide in a hands-on experience.
Kids ages 5–11 can also visit the Charlotte Hornets Book Bus at Myers Park United Methodist Church for books, games, and surprises—a stop that brings big energy to their reading orbit.
Teens wrap up the day with a paint program where they’ll help create artwork for our new teen-only space in the library, adding their own creative stars to a growing constellation of community expression.
DIY Galaxy Slime
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
1 to 2 p.m.
Myers Park Library
1361 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC
Free (register at above link)
Ages 8-12
Blast off into a Universe of Stories at the Myers Park Library Summer Reading Kick-off celebration and make your own DIY Galaxy Slime!
Summer Reading Kickoff
Saturday, June 27, 2026
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hickory Grove Library
5935 Hickory Grove Road, Charlotte, NC
Free
All ages
Join us at Hickory Grove Library as we kick off our Summer Reading program for readers of all ages. Featuring Family Storytime, Arts & Crafts Activities, Face Painting and More!
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.
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More Events for Kids
Check out our huge list of upcoming events for kids in the Charlotte area, or look at a few of them here:
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