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In This Issue...

Free and cheap things to do in Charlotte this weekend

This list includes things to do in Charlotte, NC, and surrounding areas, this weekend, from Friday to Sunday.

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

We focus on free and cheap events, but, of course, the definition of...

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Big discounts on Carowinds tickets, including two days for $77 (total) — waterpark is opening soon!
Photo courtesy of Carowinds

Save money at Carowinds with these exclusive discounts!

Carowinds has opened for the season. Carolina Harbor (the water park) will be open on select days starting May 27th, 2022.

The discount tickets will save you a LOT. When you compare prices, make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. When you buy an...

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Get free tacos for a year at Condado Tacos’ grand opening in South End

Condado Tacos is celebrating the grand opening of their first Charlotte restaurant on Thursday, May 12th, 2022. It will be at 1515 S. Tryon Street.

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.

Condado Tacos specializes in...

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Shoppes at University Place’s Spring concert series


Shoppes at University Place’s longstanding concert series returns to the bandstand near the lake. They’ve just announced the lineup of their spring concert series.

Do you love outdoor concerts? They’re not just for summer! Make sure to check out HUGE day-by-day list of outdoor concerts around Charlotte. Most are free. ...

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Big discounts for Halsey, Five Finger Death Punch, Flip Circus, and more…

Don’t pay full price for concerts if you don’t have to! We will update this page as frequently as we can, but there will still be times when you events on this page have sold out, or the discount is no longer available, or the event is over.

We also include tickets for sports events, when there’s a discount.

Please note...

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Atherton Nights — night market and live music along Rail Trail

Atherton Nights is a new summer series featuring a night market and live music.

It takes place at Atherton, 2000 South Blvd., along the Rail Trail.

Check out a huge, day-by-day list of artist, artisan and vintage markets in the Charlotte area!

Each Atherton Nights event will feature over 30 vendors. They are happening from 5 to 9 p.m. on...

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River Jam at U.S. National Whitewater Center — here’s the whole schedule

Photo: Mace Publishing LLC

The U.S. National Whitewater River Center’s popular River Jams are free concerts take place every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening in the warm months.

They take place Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from May to September, 2022.

The music will go from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The schedule might be a...

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Music at the Met returns to Metropolitan May 12

Metropolitan’s music series, Music at the Met, is returning! It will take place every Thursday from May 12th to September 29th, 2022, from 6 to 9 p.m.

It takes place next to Dressler’s.

Do you love outdoor concerts? They’re not just for summer! Make sure to check out HUGE day-by-day list of outdoor concerts around Charlotte....

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Drive-in movies near Charlotte — what to see this weekend

There are three drive-in theaters fairly close to Charlotte, and they are a great source of affordable family entertainment.

Hound’s Drive-In, in Kings Mountain, and Badin Road Drive-In, in Albemarle, are both operating. Sunset Drive-In, in Shelby, is not open for the season yet.

In addition to those three, there are often pop-up...

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Myers Park Summer Series — free chamber music concerts at Myers Park Presbyterian Church

Myers Park Summer Series is a free chamber music series at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, 2501 Oxford Place, Charlotte, in May and June, 2022.

The six concerts take place at 7 p.m.:

Charlotte Piano Trio 3rd Anniversary Concert
Monday, May 16th, 2022
The Charlotte Piano Trio will revisit the first piece it ever performed three years...

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Summer Concert Series at Anne Springs Close Greenway

Anne Springs Close Greenway, 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, in Fort Mill, South Carolina, is hosting a Summer Concert Series that will run on Thursdays from May 5th through June 30th, 2022.

Do you love outdoor concerts? They’re not just for summer! Make sure to check out HUGE day-by-day list of outdoor concerts around Charlotte. Most are...

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Vibes and Vino Cookout Edition at Dupp & Swat May 15

Spend your Sunday afternoon at Vibes and Vino Cookout Edition on May 15th, 2022. It is taking place at Dupp & Swat, at Camp North End, 1824 Statesville Avenue, Charlotte, from 3 to 7 p.m.

The event is free to attend — just pay for your food and drink.

DJ DiSean Lamar will be setting the mood with hip hop, R&B, pop, Reggaetón...

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Ballantyne Live: free outdoor concert series at Ballantyne Village
Photo: Depositphotos

Ballantyne Live is a Thursday night music series at Ballantyne Village, 14825 Ballantyne Village Way, Charlotte.

Do you love outdoor concerts? They’re not just for summer! Make sure to check out HUGE day-by-day list of outdoor concerts around Charlotte. Most are free.

It takes place every Thursday from May 5th to...

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Jiggy with the Piggy Festival in Kannapolis


Jiggy with the Piggy Festival is a longstanding favorite in Kannapolis and returns Friday, May 13th, and Saturday, May 14th, 2022. It features music, a BBQ competition, rides, arts and crafts, a kids zone and more.

Check out this big list of spring festivals in the Charlotte area!

It takes place in the North Carolina Research Campus...

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An Evening of Waltzes — free harp concert with Beste Toparlak May 13
Photo: depositphotos

Charlotte Harps, the Charlotte chapter of the American Harp Society, is a non-profit organization made up of professional and semi-professional harpists, harp instructors, students and just people who love the harp.

The organization presents concerts, masterclasses, guest artist recitals and more.

On Friday, March 13th,...

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Third Annual Lavender Bloom Festival at Dallas Lavender Lane, with U-pick lavender June 4-5

Dallas Lavender Lane, at 937 Old Willis School Road, in Dallas, is hosting its third annual Lavender Bloom Festival on June 4th and 5th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

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...

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Save up to 50% at Great Wolf Lodge in Concord — dates through June

If you’d like to make your kids very, very happy, and also save some money, check out the Groupon for Great Wolf Lodge.

They are offering deals on a number of different kinds of suites, with discounts up to 55% off, with dates on and off through the middle of June, 2022.

Check out all the dates and prices.

Great Wolf Lodge features:

  • ...

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BeachFest Matthews May 13-14
Image: Depositphotos

“Go to the beach” on the cheap by attending BeachFest Matthews on Friday, May 13th, and Saturday, May 14th, 2022. The festival takes place in and around Stumptown Park, 120 S. Trade Street, Matthews.

  • Friday: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Check out this big list of spring festivals in the...

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5 Food Truck Fridays this week — where to find 20+ of your favorite food trucks


Food Truck season is in full swing in Charlotte!

Somehow food just seems to taste better when it comes from a truck. It can’t be explained. It’s even better when there are lots of trucks to choose from.

Do you love outdoor concerts? They’re not just for summer! Make sure to check out HUGE day-by-day list of outdoor...

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Art Day at Gaston County Museum, including Soap Bubble Circus

Gaston County Museum, at 131 West Main Street, Dallas, is presenting Art Day on May 14th, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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

This is a FREE event for the whole family. This celebration of the arts will feature hands-on activities and...

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Decades Party: 90s night at 4001 Yancey (and more)


Brewers at 4001 Yancey is a group of like-minded brewers from Victory Beer Co. & Southern Tier Brewing Co. The taproom features well-known varieties, as well as exciting new offerings designed for the local market. There is also a full-service kitchen and dining spaces.

Keep an eye on Brewers at 4001 Yancey’s Facebook page for...

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Amélie’s Artifacts Sale — take home chandeliers, tables, art, decor and more

When Amélie’s French Bakery and Cafe moved from its original location of 2424 N. Davidson Street to its new digs at 136 E. 36th Street, did you wonder what they did with the art and decor at the original spot?

We did! And now we know. They’re having an artifact sale.

Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

On Saturday, May 14th, and Sunday,...

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Markets at 11 open air markets in Ballantyne May 14

Markets at 11 is a new open air market that Esther & Elsa and Northwood Office are bringing to Ballantyne. The events will include live music, picnicking, outdoor yoga, shopping, food trucks and more.

It will take place at Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N. Community House Road, Charlotte. Free parking is available.

Check out a huge,...

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Gardens in Bloom at Historic Rosedale May 15 — take your graduation pictures here!
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

Historic Rosedale, at 3427 N. Tryon Street, has been part of Charlotte’s history since 1815, when the house was completed by Archibald Frew, a tax collector and postmaster for the town of Charlotte.

Fall is looking great around Charlotte, whether you’re looking for something spooky or totally...

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Meck Dec Day celebrations in 2022, including a return to Trade & Tryon


May 20th, 2022, marks the 247th anniversary of the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, which preceded the signing of the more famous Declaration by more than a year.

Influential Charlotte (then called Charlottetown) men declared themselves “free and independent” of the British crown. The declaration was read on...

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Win 4 tickets to Crayola IDEAworks opening May 13th at Camp North End
Photo courtesy of Immerse Agency

Crayola IDEAworks is an immersive creativity experience that will challenge guests to explore their inner creativity.

It’s a little pricier than what we usually include, with general admission tickets starting at $20, but it’s such a unique experience that we decided to include it. Maybe it will...

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Day by day list of hundreds of outdoor concerts in Charlotte (mostly free)

There’s no shortage of outdoor concerts in the warmer months in Charlotte, and there’s really no better way to spend a nice evening.

We’ve put together a huge list of outdoor concerts, mostly free, throughout the whole Charlotte area.

After the descriptions of the concerts, which is organized by area, scroll down to see a...

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Free and cheap things to do in Charlotte this week

What is there to do this week in Charlotte? A lot! This list includes things to do in Charlotte, and surrounding areas, this week, from Monday to Sunday.

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

We focus on free and cheap events,...

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Charlotte 4th of July fireworks and celebrations, including SkyShow for 2022
photo: Depositphotos

Charlotte’s biggest 4th of July celebrations are back in 2022! Here’s a list of fireworks displays, plus parades, celebrations and more. Notably, WBT SkyShow is back! Not to mention the U.S. National Whitewater Center 4th of July Celebration, Carowinds’ Celebrate America Fireworks Show, parades and more!...

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Visit Tasting Rooms, Earn Cool Swag with $10 Cheers! Trail Passport

One of North Carolina’s newest craft beverage experiences is the Cheers! Trail in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Hendersonville. And one of the neatest ways to explore the trail is via the Cheers! Trail Passport.


The passport serves as a guide to 24 tasting rooms along the state’s only trail that features beer, wine, cider and mead. The...

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