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Charlotte On The Cheap

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In This Issue...

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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Donate blood today and get 2 tickets to Light the Knights plus a $50 gift card

The Charlotte Knights are hosting a blood drive with The Blood Connection at Truist Field. It will take place Monday, December 26th, 2022, from 12 to 5 p.m., in front of Truist Field, at 324 Mint Street, Charlotte, NC.

All donors will receive two free Light the Knights tickets, plus a $50 eGift card.

Make your appointment now.

Photo: Mace...

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Kwanzaa celebrations in Charlotte 2022
Photo: Depositphotos


There will be several opportunities in 2022 to learn about and to celebrate Kwanzaa in the Charlotte area. All of these are free, family-friendly events, unless otherwise specified.

Kwanzaa is an African American celebration of family, community, and culture. Established in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, this series of...

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CLT New Year’s Eve includes fireworks, live music, food trucks, more…
Photo by Patrick Schneider for Charlotte Center City Partners

CLT NYE presented by Ally, Charlotte’s Uptown New Year’s Eve celebration, is back! Say goodbye to 2022 and hello to 2023 at this party at Tryon Street and Levine Avenue of the Arts.

This is a free event and if you’re looking for fireworks near you, this is the...

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See & Save with the Explore Charlotte Marketplace

Want the best way to experience the Queen City without breaking your budget? Shop the Explore Charlotte Marketplace for a pass that fits your interests with savings at popular spots.

Ready for a brewery crawl paired with special discounts? The Charlotte Brew Badge has your next round covered.

Need a blast of inspiration at some of the...

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Big list of free and cheap New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day 2023 events in Charlotte

Illustration: Depositphotos

Looking for fireworks near you for New Year’s Eve? We’ve got you covered!

Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2022 and New Year’s Day 2023 in Charlotte! Read on for a list of New Year’s Eve events, including CLT NYE, as well as some special New Year’s Day events too.

We’ll be adding to...

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Best Christmas light displays in the Charlotte area for 2022 — updated
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 the...

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Last night of Christmas Town USA McAdenville Dec 26


McAdenville Christmas is a treasured tradition in the Charlotte area. McAdenville is Christmas Town USA, and for good reason. For more than 60 years the Christmas lights display has drawn visitors to this small town west of Charlotte and east of Gastonia. Hundreds of thousands of lights set the scene for holiday displays.

Check out our ...

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Final day: Gingerbread Lane at The Ballantyne Dec 26
Image: Mace Publishing, LLC

The Ballantyne, A Luxury Collection Hotel, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, is hosting the extremely popular Gingerbread Lane again this year.

Gingerbread artists are creating masterpieces that compete for top honors in three categories:

  • Professional
  • Amateur
  • Child

Check out our huge day-by-day list of holiday...

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Order your fully cooked New Year’s Eve dinner or New Year’s Day lunch to enjoy at home

If you prefer to leave the cooking to someone else when you ring in 2023, consider ordering your New Year’s Eve dinner or party food, or your New Year’s Day meal, from a grocery store, caterer, or restaurant.

We’ve put together a list of businesses in the Charlotte area where you can order a fully-cooked New Year’s...

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Your guide to Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte 12/30 (including hotel discounts)

Duke’s Mayo Bowl will take place on on Friday, December 30th, 2022, at 12 p.m., at Bank of America Stadium, 800 S. Mint Street, Charlotte.

The game will pit the University of Maryland Terrapins against the North Carolina State Wolfpack.

This game marks the 21st anniversary of this bowl game in Charlotte, although the name has evolved...

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Primal Brewery’s 8th Birthday Bash at Primal Brewery Huntersville (and more)


Primal Brewery, at 16432 Old Statesville Road in Huntersville, hosts frequent events, including live music, holiday parties, and more. To see all of their events, visit Primal Brewery’s Facebook page or the Primal Brewery website calendar.

Primal Brewery has a second location, at 52 Ervin Street, Belmont, so please make sure, when you...

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Win 2 tickets to The Avett Brothers’ New Year’s Eve Show at Bojangles Coliseum

We are holding a giveaway contest for two tickets to The Avett Brothers’ New Year’s Eve concert at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. We are giving away two concerts to the Avett Brothers NYE concert.

The concert will take place December 31st, 2022, at 8 p.m., and includes special guest Valient Thorr.

The Avett...

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Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular — save 20%
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

The 1st Annual Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular is bringing holiday magic to Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N. Community House Road, Charlotte, NC, this Christmas season.

Check out our huge day-by-day list of holiday events in the Charlotte area! We update it every day!

Overview of Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular with golden reindeer in the foregroundPhoto: Mace Publishing, LLC

Immerse...

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Tijuana Flats: Free kids’ meal Dec 26

Tijuana Flats offers frequent deals. Read on to see what’s coming up. Find details of the offers 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.

Most deals require you to be a Tijuana Flats Reward Member. Guests can...

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Final week: Kannapolis Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express
Courtesy of City of Kannapolis

The nearby City of Kannapolis always goes above and beyond in its holiday festivities, and 2022 will be no exception. Read on to learn about the Tree Lighting, the Celebration of Lights, and the Christmas parade.

Downtown Kannapolis has undergone an incredible revitalization. Learn about all the fun things to do...

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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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Free Uber, Lyft and Cab Rides Home on New Year’s Eve

The law firm Mehta & McConnell, PLLC, is providing FREE rides home on holidays, to help to keep our community safe.

If you’ve been drinking, take an Uber, Lyft or cab home and then submit a copy of your receipt and your photo ID to Mehta & McConnell and you’ll get reimbursed for your ride.

Reimbursement is limited to the...

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AAA offering impaired drivers a free ride home, and will tow their car home too

If you plan to imbibe this holiday season, please make plans to get home safely. Have a designated driver, or plan to use a ride-sharing service.

But if you get in a jam, as a last resort, AAA Carolinas’ Tow To Go program will give you a ride home AND tow your car home too.

There’s NO cost to the service, and you do not have to...

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Free Capoeira Classes in West Charlotte

In January and February of 2023, take a FREE capoeira class at West Charlotte Recreation Center, 2401 Kendall Drive, Charlotte, NC.

The class will take place on Thursdays from 6 to 7 p.m.

Check out a big list of free fitness events in the Charlotte area!

The class is for all ages.

Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian dance, martial arts, and...

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New Year’s Day Free Soup Day at Free Range Brewing (and more)
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

Free Range Brewing, 2320 North Davidson Street, hosts a number of free and inexpensive events every week. Some are regularly scheduled and recur every week or month, and some are special events. Make sure to check Free Range Brewing’s Facebook page for updates to this schedule.

Coming Up

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Free bagels and coffee at Birdsong Brewing’s New Year’s Day party (and more!)


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...

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Free 6-count Fruit Box from Edible (no purchase required)
Image Courtesy of Edible

Edible, formerly known as Edible Arrangements, is offering everyone a FREE 6-count fruit box through the end of 2022.

The offer is valid at any location, and requires no purchase. Just stop by and ask for it. One per person.

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

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30+ Charlotte restaurants open on New Year’s Day 2023

Interested in not cooking for New Year’s Day 2023? Check out this growing list of restaurants in the Charlotte area that are open for the New Year holiday.

Most listed will be available for take-out as well, and, in some cases, delivery.

Some will serve a special New Year’s Day meal, and some will serve their regular menu....

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