One of the main reasons that Charlotte on the Cheap reaches so many people is because of word of mouth. We’d like to thank our newsletter subscribers for spreading the word by running a contest throughout the month of May.

By the way, our daily newsletter was named by Queen City Nerve as the best newsletter in Charlotte!

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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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Culture Blocks connects communities with responsive arts, science, and history experiences close to residents’ homes. The program engages with creative individuals and organizations with a primary mission of arts, science, and/or history to present programs in specific geographic areas. Culture Blocks, funded by Mecklenburg County,...

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Kids Bowl Free offers a way for kids to bowl for free all summer. Bowling is a fun and engaging way to stay active and beat the heat. It’s a sport that can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels, making it a perfect activity for families to do together.

AMF Summer Games Season Pass used to be an additional low-cost way for kids to bowl...

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York County Library, at 138 East Black Street, Rock Hill, SC, is hosting LibraryCon on Friday, May 19, 2023, from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

This is a family-friendly comic & pop culture convention. Free to attend.

Meet guest authors, play games, compete in cosplay contests, and much more.

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Teens, ages 14-19, can work out for free all summer at any Planet Fitness location from May 15 to August 31st, 2023.

In addition, Planet Fitness is giving away $200,000 to high schools and students. Teens who register can help win a grant for their school or even a scholarship for themselves.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Teens can ...

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Birkdale Village hosts a free community workout series, Be Well Birkdale, on Tuesdays from April 4th to October 24th, 2023, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Please check in at 5:45 p.m.

The class will take place under The Willow Oaks in The Grove.

Please bring a mat.

You’ll receive access to a virtual punch card during your first class and if you...

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Outdoor movies and drive-in movies are very popular in spring, summer, and fall. Many of these outdoor movies are free. You’re encouraged to bring a blanket or chair.

The list will grow during the warmer months, so keep checking back.

At many of these events, there will be food trucks and beverage vendors...

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The Town of Pineville is presenting Pineville Arts in the Park on Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Pineville Lake Park, 1000 Johnston Drive, Pineville, NC.

This is a free event.

It features over 75 vendors, food trucks, a children’s art show, live entertainment, and a children’s activity zone.

Check out the...

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May 20th, 2023, marks the 248th 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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Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 4150 Yancey Road, hosts events throughout the year. Find them all on OMB’s Facebook page.

Coming Up

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Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is presenting the Trail of History Festival on Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Midtown Park, 510 S Kings Drive, Charlotte, NC. This is a rescheduled date, due to weather.

This is the first year for this annual, one-day event that celebrates the history, growth and development of...

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Starlight on 22nd, at 422 E. 22nd Street, Charlotte, boasts a relaxed lounge atmosphere, and beer, wine, spirits and art.

Free parking is available in the secure gravel lot across the street, or along Brevard. It’s also close to the Parkwood and 25th Street stops on the LYNX light rail.

Starlight on...

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Interested in meeting some local Charlotte residents from the past? The Mecklenburg Historical Association Docents are presenting Voices from the Past, on Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. This is a rescheduled date.

The event will be held in Elmwood/Pinewood Cemeteries where many of the “residents” will...

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Haitian Heritage & Friends of Haiti present a Haitian Flag Day Celebration on May 20, 2023, from 1 to 6 p.m., at Winget Park, 12025 Winget Road, Charlotte, NC.

This is a free community day with Haitian food available for purchase, music, games, vendors and more.

There will be dominoes and card game tournaments.

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Birkdale Village’s 4th of July Celebration is back for 2023 and it offers families a great time, with bike decorating, a bike parade, and entertainment. This event is one of many on the list of Charlotte’s Fireworks and 4th of July Celebrations.

Maybe most importantly, the Birkdale Village’s 4th of July wet down with the fire...

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Love Insomnia Cookies? You came to the right place! Every time we hear about a great deal at Insomnia, we put it right here!

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.

Insomnia Cookies’ 2023 Grads

Insomnia Cookies...

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The Levine Center for the Arts’ Wednesday Night Live takes place every Wednesday evening.

The three museums that are part of Levine Center for the Arts — Mint Museum Uptown, The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, and the Harvey B. Gantt Center for...

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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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Charlotte Museum of History, 3500 Shamrock Drive, offers events throughout the year, some of which are free. Read about a couple of upcoming event, as well as the exhibits at the museum.

Learn about free days at Charlotte museums!

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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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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...

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Town of Cornelius Parks & Recreation is presenting the Cornelius Jazz Festival on Saturday, May 20th, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Smithville Park, 19710 S. Ferry Street Cornelius.

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...

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Cheerwine brings the Cheerwine Festival back to historic downtown Salisbury on May 20th, 2023, from noon to 10 p.m.

This is a free festival for the whole family that celebrates Cheerwine’s 100+ years in Salisbury.

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On Sunday, May 21, 2023, the town of Davidson invites the community to the grand opening of the Fisher Farm Archery Range. The event takes place from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Check out this list of upcoming Lake Norman events!

This archery range will be the first public range in the North Mecklenburg area. It will have open hours...

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Not to be confused with National Cheeseburger Day, National Hamburger Day is on May 28th every year, around Memorial Day. This year, 2023, it’s on Saturday, so it’s a tasty way to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend in Charlotte!

The first known hamburger was created by a 15-year-old German immigrant named Charles Nagreen, who was...

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Camden Road, in the South End, will be transformed into an outdoor living room on select Sundays this spring.

Camden Commons, presented by Lowe’s, will feature two blocks of Camden Road, between Tremont and East/West Boulevard.

It will be closed to traffic and open for fun and relaxation.

...

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Petty Thieves Brewing Co., at 413 Dalton Avenue, Charlotte, creates craft beers, fueled by passion and imagination.

They also host many events, which you can find on their Facebook page.

Check out a huge calendar of events at Charlotte breweries.

Coming Up

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Queen City Sports Camp is a FREE sports camp for 6-14-year-olds, serving the city of Charlotte. The camp takes place at Marie G. Davis K-8 School, 3351 Griffith Street, Charlotte, NC, from Monday, June 26th through Thursday, June 29th.

The camp will run from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm every day. Each day, kids will experience different sports and...

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Hot Glass Alley is Charlotte’s first hot glass art studio. It’s at 438 Atando Avenue, which is north of Uptown, between Graham Street and N. Tryon Street. It’s around the corner from NoDa Brewing.

It’s owned by artist Jake Pfeifer, a young artist who has been blowing glass since he was 14 years old.

Hot Glass...

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Blue Blaze Brewing, 528 South Turner Avenue, is the first brewery in the Historic West End. It maintains a strong connection with the outdoors and healthy living. The brewery is named after the “blue blaze” symbol on the Appalachian Trail, which leads hikers off-trail to something interesting, like a spring or overlook.

Blue Blaze hosts...

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Davidson Lands Conservancy is hosting Spring NatureFest at Roosevelt Wilson Park, 420 Griffith Street, Davidson, NC, on Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

This free event features nature activities, educational opportunities, fishing, live animals and more family fun.

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Cabarrus County Active Living and Parks is presenting Roly Poly Fest on Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Rob Wallace Park, 12900 Bethel School Road, Midland, NC.

Family-friendly, fun, and free, this event is a day full of “get outside and play” activities…Roly-Poly Rumbles, Races, Rolling, and Bowling, and much, much...

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St. Philip Neri Italian Festival is returning May 18th to 20th, 2023.

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

It takes place at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 292 Munn Road East, Fort Mill, South Carolina. Activities will take place inside the Parish Center and outside.

Admission is free.

Festival...

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A new outdoor concert series, SouthPark After 5, will take place at Symphony Park, 4400 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC.

It kicks off April 20, 2023, and will take place every Thursday through May 25, 2023 at 5 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...

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Shop for Froddo Children’s Shoes at a big warehouse sale from May 19 to 25, 2023, at 1033 Zimmer Road, Fort Mill, SC.

The sale will be taking place for 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day of the sale.

There will be a big selection of Froddo Children’s Shoes at 40-60% off. Sizes from prewalker to Big Kid 6.

Shop for sandals, sneakers,...

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Kings Mountain Historical Museum, at 100 East Mountain Street, Kings Mountain, North Carolina, features archives and objects related to the City of Kings Mountain. It’s free to visit.

War & Memory: A Commemoration of Remembrance

The current exhibit is War & Memory: A Commemoration of Remembrance. It will take place from...

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The City of Gastonia’s Summer Concert Series is returning in 2023. The concerts will be free and will take place at Rotary Centennial Pavilion, 107 N. South Street, Gastonia.

There are four concerts scheduled on Fridays in May, June, August and September, 2023. See below.

Do you love outdoor concerts? They’re not just for summer!...

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Wandering where to watch 4th of July fireworks in Charlotte, NC in 2023? Here’s the answer for you! Charlotte’s biggest 4th of July celebrations will be back in 2023! Here’s a list of fireworks displays, plus parades, celebrations and more. Notably, WBT SkyShow is back, as it was for 2022.

Not to mention...

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The Plaza Midwood neighborhood is celebrating springtime with Midwood Maynia.

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

This popular annual festival takes place Saturday, May 20th, 2023. It features live music, food, beer from a local brewery, local artisans, a pet parade, fun kids’...

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