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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If you’re seeking North Carolina fall colors, there are many beautiful, scenic drives in North Carolina, especially Western North Carolina, where you can experience vibrant fall foliage as part of a stunning landscape. ...

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Camp North End, 300 Camp Road, Charlotte, is hosting free outdoor 80s and 90s movies every Thursday.

Crossroads Cinema will take place at 8 p.m. on a jumbo screen with surround sound against the backdrop of the Historic Ford Building.

The movie series has been extended to October 27th, 2022! Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the movie starts at...

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The Independent Picture House is partnering with CIAF (Charlotte International Arts Festival) to bring FREE movies to The Green, 425 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC.

Check out this big list of outdoor movies coming up around Charlotte!

Watch award-winning animated films on The Green in the evening during CIAF. The films will be shown every...

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Fall festivals are back in Charlotte!

The fall is the perfect time in Charlotte for outdoor events, and there are plenty planned. Read on for a big (and growing) list of Halloween festivals, harvest festivals, apple festivals, cultural festivals, food festivals and more.

We will be adding to this list all the time, so please keep checking...

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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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The Charlotte area is ready for fall and Halloween! Here’s a list of haunted trails, corn mazes, fall farm activities and more, for the 2022 season.

Some of these are a little bit of a drive, and are in areas that we don’t typically include in Charlotte on the Cheap, but are worth checking out.

If you have questions about safety...

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Black Power Rangers is a comedy show featuring Black comedians from the south. The show is coming to Charlotte on October 20th, 2022.

Headliner Wills Maxwell Jr. is headlining the show, which also features Deshawn Mason, Brandi Roberts and Jarrod Fortune.

See the show at Urban Reader Bookstore, 440 East McCullough Drive, Charlotte, NC, on...

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The 14th Annual Charlotte Film Festival is taking place September 28th to October 2nd, at The Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh Street, Charlotte, NC.

This is the first time that Charlotte Film Festival will take place in Charlotte’s new Independent Picture House.

The film festival will feature more than 100 films from around the...

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Lanart, a local company that provides products made from alpaca fiber, is hosting an Alpaca Fiesta on Saturday, September 24th, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

It will be held outside, at their location at 10325 Hambright Road, Huntersville.

Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

This family-friendly event is free to attend.

Here’s some of...

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Belmont Main Street / Downtown Belmont Development Association is presenting a free outdoor concert series, Thursday Night Pops, every Thursday from September 22nd to October 13th, 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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UPDATE: We are starting a 4th contest. This one is for 8 tickets again! This contest ends on September 26th.

Carolina Renaissance Festival is making the Charlotte area more festive and fun! It is...

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Get ready for an expansive and interactive art experience, with the inaugural Charlotte International Arts Festival. This festival will take place September 16th to October 2nd, 2022, in locations in Uptown Charlotte and Ballantyne. It’s going to be an annual event.

Fall is looking great around Charlotte, whether you’re looking...

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Asheville’s Bhramari Brewing Company is has opened the doors to its Charlotte taproom, at 1200 South Graham Street. They are hosting weekly trivia and more.

Check out a huge calendar of events at Charlotte breweries.

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Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is celebrating their 75th season with the 75th Season Family Festival on Saturday, September 24th, from 1 to 4 p.m., at ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center, 300 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC.

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

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Camino Fiesta and Futbol is a free festival at American Legion Memorial Stadium, 310 N Kings Drive, Charlotte, on Saturday, September 24th, 2022, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Camino invites you to a fun night with food, family, and Soccer! They’re partnering with Charlotte Independence and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina to deliver...

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Sustain Charlotte is presenting Impact 704 Academy, a three-part series will equip you to help shape our future and meet others who share your desire to make an impact.

Learn about sustainable land use and transportation. Sustain Charlotte will provide light refreshments. This is an alcohol-free event.

Impact 704 Academy is free, and takes...

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St. Giles Presbyterian Church, at 2027 Emerywood Drive, Charlotte, NC, is hosting Music on the Lawn on Friday, September 23rd, 2022, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

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.

This is a free event. A food...

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Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th to October 15th in the United States. It recognizes the rich and varied cultures of Hispanic and Latino Americans, and the contributions that they have made to the United States.

In Charlotte, there are several ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Do you know of others that...

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In September and October, Charlotte is bursting with Oktoberfest celebrations. You’ll find them at breweries, restaurants, music venues and more.

At some of these celebrations you can enjoy beer that’s not available other times of years. At some you can enjoy beer stein hoisting competitions, and more. One of the biggest...

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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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Metropolitan’s music series, Music at the Met, is taking 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. Most are free.

...

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Matthews Playhouse is presenting its Halloween Haunted Trail from Friday, October 28th, to Sunday, 30th, 2022.

The trail is on Four Mile Creek Trail, behind the Matthews Community Center, 100 McDowell Street, Matthews.

Fall is looking great around Charlotte, whether you’re looking for something spooky or totally kid-friendly! Check...

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On Thursday nights through October 20th, and also Monday, October 31st, 2022, Craft Tasting Room and Growler Shop, 1320 S Church St, is showing outdoor movies. The movies will be shown at sunset. Free to enjoy!

Check out this big list of outdoor movies coming up around Charlotte!

Craft offers 36 rotating taps from local Charlotte and...

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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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Sycamore Brewing, 2161 Hawkins Street, in the South End, hosts frequent events, many of which are free to attend.

Here are a few upcoming events. You can see more on their Facebook page or on their website calendar.

Coming Up

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Looking for things to do in Charlotte today and tomorrow? We’ve compiled an ever-growing list of free and cheap events in the Charlotte area.

We’re adding events to our calendar all the time, including festivals, movies, concerts, food events, kids’ events and much more.

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Charlotte Wildlife Stewards present Kids in Nature Day on Sunday, October 9th, 2022, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Reedy Creek Park, 2900 Rocky River Road, Charlotte.

This is a free event and takes place at Shelter 4.

Follow Charlotte Wildlife Stewards on Facebook for updates on the event.

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Sustain Charlotte, Partners for Parks and the Carolina Thread Trail are hosting a free event, Growing Our Greenways: Charlotte’s Irwin & Stewart Creek Greenway.

It takes place Saturday, October 8th, 2022, from 2 to 3 p.m. It’s free, but registration is required.

The group will meet at Seversville Park, 530 S Bruns Avenue,...

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Front Porch Sundays is on the move! Front Porch Fest will take place on Saturday, September 24th, 2022, from 12 to 5 p.m., at Resident Culture South End, 332 W Bland Street, Charlotte, NC.

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

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NoteWorthy is a concert series from WDAV Classical Public Radio and Fair Play Music Equity Initiative.

This collaboration pairs gifted artists of color from Charlotte’s music scene with classically trained musicians. Jazz, R&B, hip hop, Pop, Latin and soul music will meet classical.

Next up is a NoteWorthy concert featuring YUNG...

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Cramerton Parks and Recreation is hosting a Youth Fishing Derby on Saturday, September 24th, 2022, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

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

The event, which is for ages 18 and under, will take place on Goat Island, 141 8th Avenue, Cramerton, NC.

...

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On National Alpaca Farm Days, September 24th and 25th, 2022, alpaca farms and ranches across the country invite the public in to meet the alpacas, shop for alpaca fleece products, and learn about the animals.

There are several places within driving distance of Charlotte where you can meet alpacas on National Alpaca...

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The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers are hosting the 3rd Annual Oktoberfest at Atrium Health Ballpark at 1 Cannon Baller Way, Kannapolis, from Friday, September 30th, to Sunday, October 2nd, 2022.

• Friday: 5 to 9 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Sunday: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

This is a free event and includes many activities for the whole family....

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Enjoy art and music in downtown Cornelius at the ‘Tawba Walk Music & Arts Festival Saturday, September 24th, 2022, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

There are some recent updates on the Facebook event.

Head to Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak Street, Cornelius, for this family-friendly event.

The event features several bands, street performances, a...

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Optimist Hall, at 1115 N. Brevard Street, Charlotte, is a food hall inside in a redeveloped former gingham mill. Its 147,000 square feet feature a wide variety of unique food stalls, as well as bars, some retail, and restaurants.

It’s situated in Optimist Park, between Uptown and NoDa.

Read on...

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The North Carolina Zoo, at 4401 Zoo Parkway, Asheboro, is thanking those who have served in the U.S. Military with Military Appreciation Week.

Learn about more Veterans Day events in the Charlotte area, including parades, festivals, and ceremonies. There is also a list of special freebies for veterans and military members.

From Monday,...

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St. Simeon Serbian Orthodox Church, 7609 Mallard Creek Road, is hosting Serb Fest on Saturday, September 24th and 25th, 2022.

• Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Sunday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

On Saturday, the tournament starts at 3 p.m. and live music starts at 3 p.m.

Admission and parking are free.

Fall is looking great around Charlotte, whether...

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Charlotte Concert Band is a volunteer community band of professional and dedicated amateur musicians in Charlotte.

Charlotte Concert Band will be presenting Tribute to Veterans on Saturday, November 5th, 2022, at 4 p.m., at Indian Land High School, 6100 Charlotte Highway, Lancaster, South Carolina.

Learn about more Veterans Day events in...

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Squirrel Lake Park, 1631 Pleasant Plains Road in Matthews, is the site for Kids in Nature Day on Saturday, October 8th, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This day of free family fun in the park is presented by HAWK (Habitat and Wildlife Keepers), the Town of Matthews, and NCWF’s Great Outdoors University.

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