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In This Issue...

13 things to do on Friday the 13th in Charlotte — spooky stories, 5 tattoo deals, graveyard visits, more
Depositphotos

Friday the 13th doesn’t come around often. It does happen at least once every year, and sometimes more than once. 2023 has two Friday the 13th dates: January and October.

There are a several origin stories that suggest why Friday the 13th is considered unlucky, but here in Charlotte we feel lucky to have SpookyCLT. All year...

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Free and cheap things to do in Charlotte this weekend

Looking for things to do in Charlotte this weekend? You came to the right place! This list contains free and cheap things to do from Friday to Sunday (or Monday if it’s a holiday weekend.)

You’ll find festivals, live music and dance, kids’ activities, organized hikes, seasonal activities, learning opportunities and so much...

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11 MLK Day Celebrations and Observances in Charlotte 2023


On Martin Luther King Day, January 16th, 2023, we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with celebrations, art, conversations, marches, music and more.

We are adding events as they’re announced, so please keep checking back.

Also, check out our list of what’s open and closed on MLK Day in the Charlotte area.

...

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Buy $80 in P&G Items, get a $20 Amazon.com Credit

Christmas might be over, but Amazon is continuing to offer special deals. Its promotions includes many items that you might have wished you had received as gifts. Or if you’re returning a gift, look here for great deals on what you really want.

We’re listing a few deals below that seem like they might be a good fit, and have...

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Krispy Kreme: Double Dozen for $13 on Friday the 13th

Do you love Krispy Kreme Doughnuts? Do you love a good deal? You’re in the right place. We keep track of the best Krispy Kreme deals, right here.

Also, keep reading for a list of Charlotte area Krispy Kreme locations.

We have a big day-by-day list of food, drink and restaurant deals in the Charlotte area, so if you’re feeling...

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Discounts on Tax Products

For better or worse, it’s probably time to think about how you’re going to file your tax return this year. If you’re thinking about using tax software, please keep reading for discounts on some tax products.

At the time of this post, all of the below items are discounted by 20% to 38%, but prices change rapidly and promotions...

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Rail Trail Lights returning to South End Feb 3-19

Visit the Rail Trail from February 3rd to 19th, 2023, and experience Rail Trail Lights, six never-before-seen interactive light installations.

It’s a .7 mile walk to see all six installations. See addresses below. Also, scroll down for an interative Google map of the installations.

Installations on Rail Trail Lights

Descriptions...

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Duck Donuts: Special Deal for National Rubber Ducky Day

Duck Donuts announced on Facebook that on Friday, January 13th, 2023, they are celebrating National Rubber Ducky Day with a special deal.

Get 12 donuts for $12.

We have a big day-by-day list of food, drink and restaurant deals in the Charlotte area, so if you’re feeling hungry, check it out! We update it every day.

As always,...

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Special deals on home organization and storage products

If your New Year’s Resolution is to get your home more organized, you might need some home organization and storage products to do it, and you might as well save some money on them!

Right now, Amazon has some good deals on organization and storage products, from the kitchen to the garage to the bedroom and bath.

Here are some that got...

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MLK Day Call to Service with United Way of Central Carolinas — in-person service project


Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with United Way’s MLK Call to Service.

Learn about all the other MLK Day events in the Charlotte area.

On Saturday, January 14th, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., join the United Way at Northside Baptist Church, 333 Jeremiah Blvd, Charlotte, NC, to help assemble snack packs for students attending tutoring...

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Lunar New Year Celebration at VisArt Video: films and dumplings

VisArt Video, at 3102 Eastway Drive, Charlotte, NC, is hosting a Lunar New Year Celebration on Sunday, January 22nd, 2023, at 2 p.m.

Local filmmaker Jinna Kim will be providing delicious dumplings and Asian snacks for the screening of his two short films.

Learn about more ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year around Charlotte!

Afterwards...

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Lunar New Year celebrations in Charlotte in 2023
Image: Depositphotos

The Lunar New Year takes place January 22nd, 2023, and is celebrated all month long. Read on to learn how to celebrate in the Charlotte area.

Although commonly referred to as Chinese New Year, it’s also celebrated in other Asian countries, especially Vietnam and Korea.

2023 is the Year of the Rabbit for most Asian...

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Valentine’s Orchid Festival and Ganache in the Gardens with UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens

UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens’ Valentine’s event is back, expanded and in an in-person format.

The Orchid Festival and Ganache in the Gardens will take place February 11th and 12th, 2023, from 12 to 5 p.m. each day.

Most of the events will take place at Cone University Center, 9025 University Road, with selected events at...

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Charlotte Restaurant Week: January 20-29 — reservations open now!

Queen’s Feast — Charlotte Restaurant Week is returning in January, 2023, for ten days. It will be taking place from January 20th to 29th, 2023.

This will be the perfect time to try a new restaurant, or revisit a favorite restaurant that you’ve been missing.

During Queen’s Feast you pay a set amount for a three...

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Town of Davidson’s MLK Day Celebration Jan 16

The Town of Davidson is holding a MLK Day event on Monday, January 16th, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Town Hall, 216 S Main Street, Davidson, North Carolina.

Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at this event.

Learn about all the other MLK Day events in the Charlotte area.

Double-Check Before You Head Out!

We make...

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Sudanese Independence Celebration at Charlotte Art League

A free, family-friendly event celebrating Sudan Independence Day will take place on Saturday, January 14th, 2023, 1 to 3 p.m., at Charlotte Art League, 4237 Raleigh Street, Charlotte, NC.

Come by and celebrate the 67th anniversary of Sudan’s independence.

The celebration will include:

  • Activity tent for kids
  • Halal food truck
  • ...

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Red Clay Ciderworks: Fortune Friday

Red Clay Ciderworks, at 245 Clanton Road, hosts plenty of events, many of which are free. Find them all on Red Clay’s Facebook page or website calendar.

Coming Up

Fortune Friday
Friday, January 13th, 2023
7 p.m.
$10

Want to see what the cards say about your future? Come by the tap room and explore the possibilities with...

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2nd Saturdays at the Parks in Cabarrus County

Every 2nd Saturday of the month, please join a friendly park ranger at Cabarrus County Parks to celebrate nature and outdoor recreation. Each program is free or low cost and for the whole family!

Find them all and register here.

Find all the best (and cheapest) kids’ activities on our list of upcoming kids’ events in Charlotte!

...

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Around the Crown 10K Launch Party at NoDa Brewing (and more!)

NoDa Brewing Company, at 2921 N. Tryon St., hosts many free events. They also have a second location at 2229 N. Davidson St. Be sure to double-check the location before attending an event.

Check out a huge calendar of events at Charlotte breweries.

Check out NoDa Brewing Company’s Facebook page for information on events like:

  • Trivia
  • ...

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Open House and Sweetheart Arts Fair at The Corner Shop LKN

Sweetheart Arts Fair and Open House takes place at The Corner Shop LKN, 13532 S Old Statesville Road, Huntersville, North Carolina, on Saturday, February 11th, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Discover The Corner Shop LKN, and enjoy free arts and crafts, and more.

The event includes:

  • Free sensory play bar for kids
  • Artisan vendor...

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Book Launch of Tameka Fryer Brown’s “That Flag,” with reading and discussion at Park Road Books Feb 4

Acclaimed local children’s book author, Tameka Fryer Brown, will be at Park Road Books, 4139 Park Road, Charlotte, on Saturday, February 4th, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., for the launch of her new book, That Flag.

Bring the kids for a book launch with the author! The event will include a reading and discussion.

That Flag is an...

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Valentine’s Day Gifts in Charlotte — shop for truly local, unique gifts

Looking for a Valentine’s Day gift but want to avoid the mad dash to the drugstore, or the overpriced flowers? Here are some ideas for Valentine gifts with a local twist. Celebrate your Valentine, while also celebrating the Queen City.

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Personally Speaking author series with UNC Charlotte

UNC Charlotte’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences’ Personally Speaking series offers the community a chance to meet UNC Charlotte researchers/scholars and learn about their work. They will lead conversations about their books and how they came to write them.

These are free events.

Next up:

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Concert: “Bridging Musical Worlds–a Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.”


Bridging Musical Worlds–A Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. is an annual MLK Day tradition in Charlotte that brings together music from the rich, diverse jazz, folk, R&B, and classical traditions.

Learn about all the other MLK Day events in the Charlotte area.

It will take place on Sunday, January 15th, 2023, at 4 p.m., at...

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Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Gantt Center: It Takes a Village

The Levine Museum of the New South and Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture are presenting an event for MLK Day on Monday, January 16th, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It takes place at both the Gantt Center, 5511 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, and Levine Museum, 401 S Tryon Street.

This is a free event for all ages.


Food...

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Tet Festival: Vietnamese New Year Celebration Jan 14


Celebrate the Lunar New Year at the Tết Festival, on Saturday, January 14th, 2023, from 1 to 5 p.m., at The Oasis Shriners, 604 Doug Mayes Place, Charlotte, NC, 28262.

Tickets are $5.

This will be the Year of the Cat in the Vietnamese calendar, although it’s Year of the Rabbit in most other Asian countries.

Learn about more ways to ...

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National Bagel Day is January 15th, 2023 — where to get bagels in Charlotte, plus special deals
Photo: Depositphotos

January 15th is National Bagel Day 2022, the official date to honor and enjoy the bagel this year.

We have a big day-by-day list of food, drink and restaurant deals in the Charlotte area, so if you’re feeling hungry, check it out! We update it every day.

How can you celebrate National Bagel Day? Treat yourself to a...

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Uptown Farmers’ Market Opening for Inaugural Winter Market Jan 14

Uptown Farmers’ Market, at 300 S. Davidson Street, is opening for its inaugural Winter Season from January 14th to March 18th, 2023.

This announcement was made on Facebook.

The winter market will have shorter hours, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

As always, parking is free during market hours. Uptown Farmers Market is a SNAP approved retailer and...

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Bunny Run 5K, Fun Run and Festival in Downtown Concord — registration open now

Celebrate Easter at the Bunny Run 5K and Festival in Downtown Concord on Saturday, April 8th, 2023. The events will start in the vicinity of Fifth Third Bank, 40 Cabarrus Avenue E., Concord.

Find more Easter egg hunts and Easter bunny pictures in the Charlotte area.

The events include:

Bunny Run Fun Run

Fun Run (1 mile)
8:30 a.m. ...

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Free cocktail class with Bob Peters at The People’s Market Elizabeth Jan 14

Master Mixologist Bob Peters is offering a FREE craft cocktail class on Saturday, November 19th, 2022, from 2 to 3 p.m., at The People’s Market Elizabeth, 1609 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte. (The former location of Earl’s Grocery.)

The People’s Market Elizabeth announced this event on their Facebook page.

Follow the ...

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Laugh at Lenny: Free Comedy Show at Lenny Boy Brewing Jan 13
Image use with permission by Lenny Boy Brewing Co.

Lenny Boy Brewing Co., at 3000 South Tryon Street, is known for its organic kombucha, as well as gluten free wild ales, gluten-reduced beer, sours, and traditional ales & lagers.

Follow Lenny Boy on Facebook to see all of their upcoming events.

Check out a huge calendar of events at...

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Kite Festival at Hindu Center of Charlotte Jan 14

The Hindu Center of Charlotte is hosting a Kite Festival on Saturday, January 14th, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

It’s free to attend and open to the whole community.

The Hindu Center is at 7400 City View Drive, Charlotte.

  • Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC
  • Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC
  • Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC
  • Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC
  • Photo:...

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Dogs of Lowe’s Pet Party

Lowe’s is celebrating its new Maytag Pet Pro washer and dryer, designed to remove more pet hair than any other washer and dryer, with a Dogs of Lowe’s Pet Party!

The party takes place at all Lowe’s on Saturday, January 14th, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s free to attend.

Enjoy:

  • Giveaways like dog bowls and...

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Free lecture series: Great Decisions

Great Decisions is a national program of the Foreign Policy Association. It’s a non-partisan citizen education effort that includes a free public lecture series.

In North Carolina, the Office of International Programs at UNC Charlotte is the state coordinator.

The eight topics for 2023 are:

  • Energy Geopolitics
  • War Crimes
  • China...

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Charlotte Summer Camps for 2023


Looking for a summer camp in Charlotte for your child? We get a lot of requests from parents for summer camps, so we’ve put together a list of resources for you to explore.

It’s important to know that registration for some of the camps happens early–as early as January–and spots can fill up quickly. So, research in...

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“Meet Dr. King”–free performance in Kings Mountain

To honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the City of Kings Mountain and Mauney Memorial Library welcome Bright Star Touring Theatre to perform “Meet Dr. King” at the Joy Performance Center, 202 South Railroad Avenue, Kings Mountain, North Carolina.

The performance will take place Monday, January 16th, 2023, at 2 p.m....

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Lunar New Year Celebration at Winthrop University

DSU and Winthrop University are presenting a Lunar New Year Celebration.

The event takes place Saturday, January 21st, 2023, at 8 p.m. at Richardson Ballroom, at DiGiorgio Student Union, 2020 Alumni Drive, Rock Hill, SC.

The celebration will feature lion dancers, a guzheng performance and a lecture from Dr. Catherine Chang.

Admission is $5...

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Silent Disco, free comedy shows (and more) at Birdsong Brewing


Birdsong Brewing Co., at 1016 North Davidson Street, frequently hosts live music and other events. There’s no cover. You can always verify their schedule on their website or on their Facebook page.

Birdsong Brewing was founded in 2011 and is part of Charlotte’s growing craft beer community. If you have questions about their events...

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National Pizza Week Deals
Photo: Depositphotos

National Pizza Week is from January 8th to 14th, 2023. Read on for some discounts for National Pizza Week! Please keep in mind that participation may vary.

If you don’t get your fill of celebrating pizza this week, no worries. National Pizza Day is February 9th.

We have a big day-by-day list of food, drink and...

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Calendar of Charlotte Trivia Nights — 75+ trivia nights a week
Image: Depositphotos

Looking for a chance to show off your smarts? Here’s a list of upcoming Charlotte trivia nights. Most are held on a regular weekly schedule.

You’ll find them at bars, breweries, cideries, restaurants and coffee shops. Keep reading for a day-by-day list of trivia nights around Charlotte.

Most of the trivia...

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Dog Days of Winter Festival at U.S. National Whitewater Center Feb 11
Photo courtesy of Whitewater Center

Dogs have always been valued guests at U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, but they get their own festival, on February 11th, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Dog Days of Winter is a celebration of our best friends, and features a variety of activities for dogs and...

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Green River Revival — St. Patrick’s Day Festival at Whitewater Center 2023
Photo courtesy of U.S. National Whitewater Center

The U.S. National Whitewater Center is planning Green River Revival on Saturday, March 11th, 2023, from 9 p.m. until 5 p.m.

Green River Revival is one of Charlotte’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day events, featuring the Color Me Green 5K Trail Run, live music, yoga, and a green river.

...

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IHOP National Pancake Day — free short stack Feb 28

IHOP is celebrating National Pancake Day by offering a FREE Buttermilk Short Stack to all customers on February 28th, 2023, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at participating locations. No purchase is required.

We have a big day-by-day list of food, drink and restaurant deals in the Charlotte area, so if you’re feeling hungry, check it out! We...

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Free Newborn Photography at Golden Cam Studios in Gastonia
Photo courtesy of Golden Cam Studio

Golden Cam Studio, at 493 Burtonwood Drive, Gastonia, North Carolina, has issued a call for newborn models!

The studio needs brand new babies to model its new wraps and props.

The session dates are January 18th to 31st, 2023. If your baby will be from 2 to 10 days old during that time, you can get a free...

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Celebrate Valentine’s Day 2023 in Charlotte — dates, gifts, food deals, more…
Image: Depositphotos

If you’re planning for Valentine’s Day in Charlotte, check out our growing list of Valentine’s Day parties, markets, and gatherings of all kind.

We’re not forgetting those among us who don’t have a romantic partner. Many of these ideas are perfect for enjoy with a friend, with family, or on...

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11 Spring Consignment Sales in Charlotte area in 2023
Photo: Depositphotos

Believe it or not, it’s time to start thinking about spring consignment sales for 2023. Some spring consignment sales in Charlotte start in February.

Save loads of money on clothes for yourself and your kids. Most of these sales are for kids’ clothing, toys and accessories, but there is at least one in the...

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Opera Carolina: Free Musical Storytime of The Tortoise and The Hare at local libraries

Opera Carolina is presenting Musical Storytime performances at local libraries throughout the Charlotte area. These events are completely free — and you can even get a free book.

Join Opera Carolina for Musical Storytime with Opera Carolina and bring your favorite stories to life!

Perfect for young audiences and families, performers...

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Fireworks Spectacular in Mooresville Jan 14
Photo: Depositphotos

Mooresville is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2023 with a year of special events.

It’s kicking off the celebratory year with the Anniversary Kick-Off Fireworks Spectacular. This event was scheduled for New Year’s Eve, but is being postponed until January 14th, 2023, due to the weather forecast.

This...

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