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In This Issue...

Family friendly New Year’s events in Charlotte, including 8 Noon Year’s Eve countdowns and one early fireworks display!

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with the whole family at these events in Charlotte. This list includes many Noon Year’s Eve events, as well as some events with countdowns in the early evenings. There’s even one event with early fireworks!

Charlotte’s official New Year’s Eve event, CLT NYE, is free, and is...

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Wednesday Night Live Dec 28: Kwanzaa celebration + museum admission
Grand Oiseau de Feu sur l’arche by Niki de Saint Phalle. Photo by Mace Publishing, LLC

The Levine Center for the Arts’ Wednesday Night Live returns in the fall of 2022.

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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Free: JazzArts Nuestro Tiempo Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble (auditions required)

JazzArts Charlotte is offering the Nuestro Tiempo Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble program to middle and high school students.

Students will play repertoire in a Latin Jazz orchestra and learn fundamentals, including clave rhythms, improvisational theory, Latin Jazz history and stage presence from renowned Latin Jazz educators.

The program will...

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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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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...

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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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Fairy House Festival returns Feb 25

The Fairy House Festival, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation’s extremely popular February festival, is returning as an in-person event on February 25th, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Advance tickets are required, and are $7 for ages 5 and up. It’s free for children ages 4 and under. Tickets go on sale January 1st, 2023.

This...

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January in Charlotte — the top 10 things to do this month

Welcome to 2023! Santa might have parked his sleigh and headed to a much-deserved vacation, but for those wintering in the Charlotte area, there is plenty to do in January.

We’re highlighting several major events this month. But then, scroll down for our huge calendar of things to do in Charlotte, and surrounding areas in January. This...

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Dog Days of Winter Festival at U.S. National Whitewater Center Feb 11
Image: Depositphotos

Dogs have always been valued guests at U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, but they get their own festival, on February 11th, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Dog Days of Winter is a celebration of our best friends, and features a variety of activities for dogs and dog-owners,...

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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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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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New Year’s Eve Party at The Blind Pig

The Blind Pig is a neighborhood bar in NoDa, at 453 E 36th Street.

It’s open 7 nights a week, and features darts, skeeball, foosball, pool, and much more.

It’s close to The Evening Muse, Neighborhood Theatre, Wooden Robot Brewery, and the many restaurants, bars, coffee shops and breweries in NoDa.

Age 21+.

It’s a very...

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Recycle your Christmas tree for mulch in the Charlotte area
Photo: Depositphotos

No hurry, but when you’re ready to let your Christmas tree go, it’s easy and free to do, and even “pays it forward” — as Christmas trees are turned into mulch.

Dried out Christmas trees become increasingly flammable as days go by, so maybe we’re rushing you just a little bit.

City of...

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Here’s How to Watch and Stream the 2023 New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in Times Square

There is plenty going on in Charlotte for New Year’s Eve, including CLT NYE, which features live music, fireworks, and the lighting of Charlotte’s crown. In addition, there are a ton of low-priced New Year’s Eve celebrations in Charlotte.

But if you’d rather greet 2023 from the comfort of your couch, wearing your pajamas...

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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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19 Community bands, orchestras and choirs in the Charlotte area — learn how you can participate

The Charlotte area is home to a large number of community bands, orchestras and choirs. The membership varies. Some are made up of professional or almost-professional musicians, and some are open to anyone with an interest in performing.

Whether you’ve performed professionally and are looking for a new music community, or you...

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New Year’s Day 5K along University City’s Greenways

Start the year off on the right foot with the New Year’s Day 5K. This year the race goes along the Greenways in University City.

The race is on January 1st, 2023, and starts at 10 a.m.

This is a run and walk experience that takes you along the Greenways in University City, including Mallard Creek Greenway, Barton Creek Greenway and...

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Town of Davidson’s MLK Day Celebration Jan 16

The Town of Davidson is holding a MLK Day event on Monday, January 16th, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Town Hall, 216 S Main Street, Davidson, North Carolina.

Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at this event.

Learn about all the other MLK Day events in the Charlotte area.

Double-Check Before You Head Out!

We make...

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Free Stand Up Comedy Show at Fonta Flora Brewery at Optimist Hall Jan 5

Fonta Flora Brewery is at Optimist Hall, 1115 Brevard Street, Charlotte, NC, joining other tenants like Boxcar Betty’s, Botiwalla Indian Street Grill, Billy Sunday and many more. Learn all about Optimist Hall.

Fonta Flora Brewery is presenting a free Stand Up Comedy Show on Thursday, January 5th, 2022, from 8 to 9:30 p.m.

The show...

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Huntersville’s Year-Long 150th Anniversary Celebration in 2023

The Town of Huntersville is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2023. The Sesquicentennial Celebration will include a whole year of festivals, concerts, historical exhibits.

When events are added they’ll be announced on Huntersville 150th Anniversary webpage.

Here are a few that have been announced:

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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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Noon Year’s Eve at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Celebrate New Year’s Eve early with the younger members of the family. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, at 6500 South New Hope Road, Belmont, NC, is holding Noon Year’s Eve on Saturday, December 31st, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Check out more family-friendly New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day events around Charlotte.

...

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Speedway Christmas through Jan 8 — Save $5

Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

Speedway Christmas is at Charlotte Motor Speedway for a 13th year in 2022. It’s included in our list of the best Christmas light displays in the Charlotte area.

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

Read on for all the information you need,...

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Charlotte Concert Band presents free concert Feb 18

Charlotte Concert Band is a volunteer community band of professional and dedicated amateur musicians in Charlotte. Read on to learn about their upcoming concerts.

Learn all about the various community bands, orchestras and choirs in Charlotte, and how you can participate.

Illuminations

Charlotte Concert Band will be presenting...

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Town of Matthews Kwanzaa Celebration Dec 28
Photo: Depositphotos

The Town of Matthews is hosting a Kwanzaa Celebration on Wednesday, December 28th, 2022, from 7 to 8 p.m., at Matthews Community Center, 100 McDowell Street, Matthews.

Check back soon for more Kwanzaa celebrations in the Charlotte area.

This is a free event.

Enjoy music, dancing and informative presentations about the...

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Final week of Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular — save 30%
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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Discovery Place Kids: Noon Year’s Eve


Discovery Place Kids–Huntersville, 105 Gilead Road, Huntersville, will be celebrating New Year’s Eve a little early on December 31st, 2022.

Noon Year’s Eve takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with special activities and a countdown to noon, with an epic balloon drop. Each family will get a gift bag.

Tickets are regular...

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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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