Charlotte on the Cheap logo

Charlotte On The Cheap

Did someone forward this email to you? Click here to subscribe to Charlotte on the Cheap and you'll never miss a thing!

In This Issue...

Lights and Ice Skating returning to Whitewater Center — learn what’s new, including 2 new suspension bridges
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

For a fourth year, the U.S. National Whitewater Center, at 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, is offering ice skating. In addition, a brand new Lights installation is coming to the Whitewater Center, as well as two new 600-foot suspension bridges.

Ice skating and Lights will be available starting in mid-November....

Read the whole entry»

Where to see The Nutcracker in Charlotte in 2022 — 9 different productions (and a discount)
Photo: Depositphotos

Many people love to see the ballet, The Nutcracker, during the Christmas season, and the Charlotte area always affords several chances to do so.

Performances are presented by youth and adult groups, and include both traditional presentations and performances with innovative twists.

Although tickets to some productions are...

Read the whole entry»

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,...

Read the whole entry»

Winter Wine & Beer Passport: Economical Way to Enjoy NC Wine Country

Early bird rates make it especially attractive – and gift-worthy

The Yadkin Valley Winter Wine & Beer Passport serves up a season of tastings in North Carolina wine country.

Whether buying for yourself or giving as a gift, each passport is a money-saving pass to tasting experiences at 18 wineries and breweries. The tastings can be...

Read the whole entry»

6th Annual Charlotte Black Restaurant Week

BBOC (Black Business Owners Corp) is presenting the 6th Annual Charlotte Black Restaurant Week from October 17th to 31st, 2022.

During this time participating Black owned restaurants will be offering 25% to 50% off Charlotte Black Restaurant Week specials.

Participating Restaurants

More restaurants might be added.

Cuzzo’s Cuisine
...

Read the whole entry»

Owl-O-Ween at Carolina Raptor Center

Carolina Raptor Center, at 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville (within Latta Nature Preserve) is hosting Owl-O-Ween on Saturday, October 29th, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

At Owl-O-Ween:

  • Meet the resident owls
  • Trick-or-treat the Raptor trail
  • Learn about spooky creature
  • Enjoy fun photo opportunities
  • Try interactive activities
  • Compete in a costume...

Read the whole entry»

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...

Read the whole entry»

EpicFest Literary Festival For Kids Of All Ages Nov 5


EpicFest is a literary festival designed to connect families, children and teens to the library while strengthening the love of reading.

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

It takes place November 5th, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at ImaginOn, 300 E. 7th Street.

...

Read the whole entry»

Winner announced for 8 tickets to Carolina Renaissance Festival (contest 7)

Contest number 7 ended and the winner is Stephanie C! Check your inbox and spam folder!

The previous winners were:

  • Juan D. on September 5th (4 tickets)
  • Linda P. on September 13th (4 tickets)
  • Kelly M. on September 19th (8 tickets)
  • McKenzie T. on September 26th (8 tickets)
  • Tina M. on October 3rd (4 tickets)
  • Menasha C. on October 10 (4 tickets)

...

Read the whole entry»

Big list of Trick-or-Treat (and Trunk-or-Treat) events in the Charlotte area for 2022

Photo: Depositphotos

When is Trick or Treating in the Charlotte area in 2022? This is a commonly asked question and the answer is simple. October 31st. Neighborhood trick or treating is always on October 31st in the Charlotte area. It doesn’t matter what day of the week it is, or what else is going on. It’s always on Halloween.

That...

Read the whole entry»

Carolinas Chili Championship Festival Oct 22

Rev up your tastebuds for Carolinas Chili Championship, on Saturday, October 22nd, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at McClancy Corp. Headquarters, 8746 Charlotte Hwy, Indian Land, South Carolina.

Taste dozens of chili samples prepared by world champion chili competitors, local cooks and sponsored cook teams.

Look for updates on the Carolinas...

Read the whole entry»

Kids Go Free Halloween Weekend at NASCAR Hall of Fame

Kids go free at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, 400 E Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, on Halloween weekend, October 28th to October 31st, 2022.

Experience racing excitement from start to finish with over 50 interactives. View 18 historic cars on Glory Road, celebrate NASCAR inductees in the Hall of Honor and experience what it takes to be a NASCAR...

Read the whole entry»

Everything you need to know about Topgolf, including half-price Tuesdays

Topgolf is a little bit different (to say the least) than traditional golf. You play from climate controlled hitting bays, so you can play all year. The 240-yard outfield has dartboard-like targets in the ground. The closer to the center or “bull’s-eye” you get and the farther out you hit your microchipped balls, the more points you...

Read the whole entry»

Olde Mecklenburg Brewery’s 11th Annual‎ Christmas Market


For four weekends in November and December, Olde Mecklenburg Brewery will transform into a German-inspired Christmas Market, known as Weihnachtsmarkt. OMB Christmas Market features vendors selling gifts and baked goods from open-air booths.

2022 marks the 11th anniversary of OMB’s Christmas Market, and it’s become a popular...

Read the whole entry»

Halloween Events in the Charlotte area — movies, pumpkin painting, costume contests, more


Are you ready for Halloween? Here are a whole bunch of events to get you in the Halloween spirit. The list includes trick-or-treating, costume contests, and much more. This list includes events for both kids and adults.

Make sure to scroll down for a monster of a list, organized chronologically, day by day. And it’s growing every day.

...

Read the whole entry»

Charlotte area corn mazes, haunted trails, pumpkin patches and hayrides
Image: Depositphotos

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...

Read the whole entry»

Free afternoon at Schiele Museum October 28 (plus free planetarium show)

The Schiele Museum of Natural History, the excellent museum at 1500 E. Garrison Blvd. in Gastonia, is probably familiar to many kids, who visit it for school field trips. If your child hasn’t visited it yet (or if they have!) it’s more than worth the short trek to Gastonia.

Read on to see some pictures of the outdoor exhibits,...

Read the whole entry»

Fall 2022 Poetry + Fiction Reading at Book Buyers

Book Buyers, the incredible, massive book store moved to Eastway Crossing from The Plaza in February of this year. Its address is 3040 Eastway Drive, Charlotte.

You might also be interested in our list of thrift stores, vintage shops, consignment stores, and more, or our in-depth look at three great used book stores in Charlotte.

Photo: Mace...

Read the whole entry»

NoDa Brewing’s 11th Anniversary Party — 2011 pricing on beer all weekend

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
  • Beer...

Read the whole entry»

Charlotte Warehouse Sale October 15-23

Update: The contest has ended and the winner is Shealyn! Congratulations!

Charlotte on the Cheap readers have loved Charlotte Warehouse Sale for years. Several times a year, fashion lovers have the chance to shop for new, name-brand clothings and accessories, at 65% to 90% off retail prices.

Read on to enter a contest to win a $50 gift...

Read the whole entry»

Niner Nation Week Oct 17-23

Niner Nation Week is October 17th to 23rd, 2022. Whether you’re a Charlotte resident, or returning to Charlotte for the UNC Charlotte Homecoming, there is plenty to do. There are some events for alumni and some for the whole community. Read on for the a few of the events…

Uptown Celebration

Tuesday, October 18th, 2022
12...

Read the whole entry»

Howl-O-Ween 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...

Read the whole entry»

Christmas Made in the South at Cabarrus Arena & Events Center Oct 21-23

Get ready for the holidays with Christmas Made in the South. This Christmas show takes place at Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, 4751 US Highway 49 North, Concord, NC, on October 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, 2022. An alternate address, which might work better with your GPS, is 4551 Old Airport Road, Concord.

  • Friday, October 21st: 10 a.m. to 6...

Read the whole entry»

Book Launch and Story Time with children’s book author Tameka Fryer Brown at Park Road Books Oct 22

Acclaimed local children’s book author, Tameka Fryer Brown, will be at Park Road Books, 4139 Park Road, Charlotte, on Saturday, October 22nd, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., for the launch of her new book, Twelve Dinging Doorbells.

Bring the kids for a book launch and story time with the author!

You can also pre-order the book.

...

Read the whole entry»

Le Creuset Factory to Table Sale Oct 20-23

Le Creuset is having a Factory to Table sale in Charlotte from October 20th to 23rd, 2022. Thursday, October 20th, is a VIP access day, and the rest of the days are general admission.

Le Creuset, maker of the world’s most trusted and treasured premium cookware, is proud to announce the return of its in-person Factory to Table Event in...

Read the whole entry»

Best Christmas light displays in the Charlotte area for 2022

House in Berewick

Looking for the biggest, best Christmas lights in the Charlotte area for the 2022 Christmas season? You’ve come to the right place.

This list includes professional displays, town events, and private homes.

We will have a Google map with all the light on this page, and more! To see the map, just scroll down past...

Read the whole entry»

Mint Hill Madness Festival October 20-22

Mint Hill Madness will take place October 20th to 22nd, 2022.

  • Thursday, October 20th: 4 to 9 p.m.
  • Friday, October 21st: 4 to 10 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 22nd: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Fall is looking great around Charlotte, whether you’re looking for something spooky or totally kid-friendly! Check out our HUGE list of fall festivals, a big...

Read the whole entry»

Moonlight Carnival in Belmont, with circus performances, costume contests, trick or treating and more

Aerial Arts Studio and Downtown Belmont Development Association are presenting Moonlight Carnival, a free, two-day event at Stowe Park, 24 S Main Street, Belmont, North Carolina.

The event takes place:

  • Friday, October 21st, 2022, from 7 to 11 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 22nd, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Fall is looking great around...

Read the whole entry»

Charlotte Halloween bar crawls, costume parties, and more events for adults


Looking for a Charlotte Halloween bar crawl? Looking for something to do for Halloween? Maybe a party to show off your costume? We’ve put together a list of bar crawls, costume parties, Halloween costumes and movies, for adults.

Not all of these events are strictly for adults, but most are. Make sure to follow each link to see if...

Read the whole entry»

40+ NC colleges waiving application fees during NC Countdown to College October 17-21

You might want to target NC Countdown to College, October 17th to 21st, 2022, for applying to college. During that time period, many North Carolina colleges and universities, plus, every North Carolina community college, will waive application fees for North Carolina residents.

The application fee for most colleges is $25 or $50, so if...

Read the whole entry»

5th Annual Mount Holly Lantern Parade Oct 22

The 5th Annual Mount Holly Lantern Parade takes place on Saturday, October 22nd, 2022, at 7 p.m. in downtown Mount Holly, NC.

Fall is looking great around Charlotte, whether you’re looking for something spooky or totally kid-friendly! Check out our HUGE list of fall festivals, a big list of Halloween parties, Trick or Treat events, and...

Read the whole entry»

Costume parties, parades and contests for dogs this Halloween in the Charlotte area


Looking for somewhere to show off your pet’s Halloween costume? Do you think you have a dog that’s cuter than the pirate dog in the picture, or the one in the squirrel costume below? (Hard to imagine, but anything’s possible, I guess.) Bring your pup to one of these canine costume parties in the Charlotte area.

These events...

Read the whole entry»

Reed Gold Mine: Trick or Treat in an underground mine

For a unique Halloween experience, bring the kids to Reed Gold Mine, 9621 Reed Mine Road, Midland, NC.

Reed Gold Mine is in Cabarrus County, about 26 miles to the east of the center of Charlotte.

Photo: Depositphotos

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

Read the whole entry»

56 fall festivals in the Charlotte area in 2022

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...

Read the whole entry»