August marks the end of the summer (although it might not feel like it) and the beginning of the school year for many kids. There’s still lots to do in Charlotte in August.
Read on for some of the top events in the Charlotte area in August. Then keep reading for a day by day calendar of everything on Charlotte on the Cheap’s calendar in August, 2026. You can also jump right to the calendar.
We focus on the “free and cheap” so many of these events will be easy on your wallet.
Top Charlotte Events in August
Museums on Us
Bank of America’s “Museums on Us”
Date: The first weekend of the month — August 1 and 2, 2026
Time: Varies
Place: Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Charlotte Museum of History, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Cutlure, Mint Museum Randolph, and Mint Museum Uptown
Cost: Free for Bank of America or Merrill card holders
Features: If you have a Bank of America or Merrill credit or debit card, you can get into any of the above museums for free the first weekend of the month. Special exhibits might not be included in the free admission.
NoDa Bizarre: All Arts Festival
NoDa Bizarre: All Arts Festival
Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
Time: 12 to 7 p.m.
Place: Johnston YMCA, 3025 N Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, and an art market
Front Porch Sundays
Front Porch
Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: 2215 Thrift Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This monthly event features 100+ small businesses, food, fun, photo ops and more.
VAPA Center Open Studios
VAPA Center Open Studios
Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
Time: 12 to 6 p.m.
Place: VAPA Center, 700 N Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: The first Saturday of the month, VAPA Center hosts an open studio event. Tour the galleries and see what the tenant artists are up to.
National Night Out
National Night Out Celebrations
Date: Most are on Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Time: Varies, but generally in the evening
Place: Multiple locations
Cost: Free
Features: National Night Out is a community-building event that is meant to enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement. Each event is different, but all offer fun activities for kids, and, often, free food.
Asian Night Market
Asian Night Market
Date: Friday, August 7, 2026
Time: 5 to 11 p.m.
Place: Urban District Market, 2315 N Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free to attend. (Pay for food and drink)
Features: Asian food trucks, Finally Friday market, karaoke singalong, meet the artist, more.
Back to School Bashes
Back to School Bashes
Date: Multiple dates
Time: Varies by date
Place: Varies
Cost: Most are free
Features: Celebrate the end of summer and the start of the new school year at one of these events. Many include free school supplies.
Repair Cafe North Carolina
Repair Cafe North Carolina
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
Time: 12 to 4 p.m.
Place: Innovation Barn, 932 Seigle Avenue, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: At this free community event, you can bring in small appliances, lamps, jewelry, fans, clocks, toys, electronics, and more, and partner with volunteers, who will help you repair your items.
Summer Movie Programs
Weekday Summer Movie Programs
Date: Various weekdays
Time: Usually in the morning
Place: Several theaters
Cost: Price ranges from $1 to $3
Features: Six movie theaters and chains offer a summer family matinee program with low-priced tickets. It’s a great way to cool off during these hot days. Most of the summer movie programs end the first or second week of August.
Free Tuesday at Schiele Museum
Free Tuesday at Schiele Museum
Date: Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Time: 4 to 8 p.m.
Place: Schiele Museum of Natural History, 1500 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC
Cost: Free
Features: One afternoon and evening a month, visit the Schiele for free. No registration is required.
Outdoor Concerts
Outdoor Concert Series
Date: Many dates
Time: Times vary
Place: Many locations
Cost: Most are free
Features: Charlotte’s huge calendar of outdoor concerts continue! Our expansive list can be perused by area or date.
Charlotte Pride Parade and Festival
Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade
Date: Festival is August 15 and 16, 2026. The parade is August 16.
Time: Festival is 12 to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 12 to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The parade is 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Place: The festival is at First Ward Park, 301 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC. The parade is on Tryon Street between 4th and 9th Streets.
Cost: Free
Features: Charlotte Pride’s two-day LGBTQ cultural festival includes a variety of national, regional, and local entertainers, musicians, bands, and hundreds of participating vendor booths, including art exhibits, local nonprofits, retailers, a food court, and more.
Hummingbird Week
Hummingbird Week
Date: August 17 to 23, 2026
Time: Various times
Place: Mecklenburg County Nature Centers
Cost: Many events are free
Features: Celebrate the migratory hummingbirds with special events at nature centers, including story times, habitat walks, kids’ educational activities and more. The highlight, bird banding with a hummingbird expert, takes place August 22 and 23, at Reedy Creek Nature Center. Registration is required.
Hot Glass Alley Open Demo
Hot Glass Alley’s Open Demo
Date: Friday, August 21, 2026
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Place: Hot Glass Alley, 438 Atando Avenue, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Watch an incredible piece of glass art be created, from start to finish.
Outdoor Movies
Outdoor Movies
Date: Many dates
Time: Usually at dusk
Place: Many locations
Cost: Free
Features: The summer of free outdoor movies continues! Check out our day by day list for movies at parks, breweries, shopping centers, churches and more. Many movies are for the whole family. There are often special features, like free retro video games, too.
NC BeachBlast Festival
NC BeachBlast Festival in City of Kings Mountain
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Time: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Place: Patriots Park, 220 S Railroad Avenue, Kings Mountain, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live beach music, kids’ activities, rides, inflatables and more.
