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In This Issue...

Party on the Plaza at Bechtler Museum during Wednesday Night Live Oct 12
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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Prime Early Access Sale — early holiday deals at Amazon Oct 11-12

You can look at it like Prime Day 2 or as a super early chance at Black Friday / Cyber Monday shopping, but on October 11th and 12th, 2022, Amazon is hosting Prime Early Access Sale, which features big savings for Prime members only.

Check out the deals now.

If you are not a Prime member yet this is one of the best times of the year to join....

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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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New contest: Win 8 tickets to Carolina Renaissance Festival (contest 7)

Here we go again! Read on for a chance to win 8 tickets to the Carolina Renaissance Festival!

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)
...

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Laketoberfest in Cornelius October 15

The 10th Annual Laketoberfest Music & Brew Festival will take place Saturday, October 15th, 2022, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Bailey Road Park, 11536 Bailey Road, Cornelius.

We’ve put together a big list of Oktoberfest celebrations in the Charlotte area! Check it out for the Wiener dog races, stein hoisting competitions, bratwurst,...

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Scenic drives for North Carolina fall color in the mountains and Piedmont

Pisgah National Forest, from Graveyard Fields (Milepost 418 on Blue Ridge Parkway) Credit: ExploreAsheville.com

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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Groupon Day: Extra savings and exclusive deals Oct 7-14

If you’re a regular reader of Charlotte on the Cheap, you already know that Groupon is a consistent way to save money on concerts, kids’ activities, restaurants and much more.


Groupon is holding its annual Groupon Day on October 14th, 2022. It will be offering extra savings and exclusive deals.

But it’s not just a one day...

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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.

...

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Win $50 for Charlotte Warehouse Sale October 15-23

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 certificate to the sale!

Charlotte Warehouse Sale’s “Hello Fall”...

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Fall Festival Benefitting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte — free event

Alpha Delta Pi is presenting a Fall Festival benefiting Ronald McDonald House of Greater Charlotte, 1613 E Morehead Street, Charlotte, NC. It takes place Saturday, October 22nd, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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

This is a free event,...

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Amazon Prime members get free Grubhub delivery (plus 20% off an order during Prime Early Access Sale Oct 11-12)

Amazon and Grubhub have just partnered to offer Prime members a free, one-year Grubhub+ membership. With this membership you’ll enjoy unlimited $0 delivery fees from tons of participating restaurants on GrubHub. The regular price of GrubHub+ is $9.99 a month.

If you’re already a member of Prime, you can sign up for GrubHub+ here,...

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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...

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Charlotte area corn mazes, haunted trails, pumpkin patches and hayrides

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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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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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...

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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...

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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...

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Free outdoor, family-friendly performances of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night at The Barn at MoRA

Actors Theatre of Charlotte is presenting Shepherd Shakespeare Company’s Twelfth Night. These are free performances, and are appropriate for the whole family. Enjoy this wild and hilarious 90-minute version of Shakespeare’s classic comedy.

It takes place on Saturdays and Sundays from September 24th to October 30th, 2022, at 11...

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FREE: Wood-Fired BBQ Grill-Zilla Hotdogs, Homemade Coleslaw and Chili, and Ice Cream

Wood-Fired BBQ Grill-Zilla and Reunion Ministry Nationwide Gospel Concerts are giving back to the Charlotte community with FREE hot dogs, homemade slaw, chili, and ice cream.

The event takes place Saturday, October 15th, 2022, from 12:30 to 4 p.m., behind Mayfield Memorial Baptist Church, 700 West Sugar Creek Road, Charlotte, NC.

While...

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Thumbs, a mystery comedy thriller at VAPA Center: BOGO tickets and pay-what-you-can night

Thumbs, a mystery comedy thriller by Rupert Homes, is full of twists and turns, taking the audience on a fun-filled, thought-provoking journey. Playwright-songwriter Homes (widely known for his hit single “The Piña Colada Song”) called Thumbs “not just a whodunnit, but a whydunnit.”

It reverses traditional thriller...

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NoteWorthy concert featuring YUNG Citizen and Nathan Kam

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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2nd Friday Street Festival in Cornelius Oct 14 — Oktoberfest

Head to Cornelius on the 2nd Friday of the month for the 2nd Friday Street Festival. It takes place at Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak Street, Cornelius, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

It’s free to attend.

The October 14th event has an Oktoberfest theme and features:

  • Live performances from The Dropouts and Pluto for Planet
  • An all-star lineup of...

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Hispanic Heritage Festival with Invest Collegiate: Transform Oct 13

Invest Collegiate: Tranform, a charter school at 2045 Suttle Avenue, Charlotte, is hosting a Hispanic Heritage Festival on Thursday, October 13th, 2022, from 6 to 9 p.m. This was announced on ICT’s Facebook page.

September 15th to October 15th, 2022, is Hispanic Heritage Month. Learn about more ways to celebrate National Hispanic...

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Birkdale Buds — free preschool kids’ activities at Birkdale Village

Birkdale Buds is a series of fun, interactive events for preschool-aged kids. It takes place every Wednesday morning, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., from June 8th to October 26th, 2022.

The event takes place in The Grove, and may include face painting, storytelling, magicians, arts and crafts and more.

Find all the best (and cheapest)...

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Comedy night with Deece Casillas at Primal Brewery Huntersville, live music at Primal Brewery Belmont (and much 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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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...

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$6 Booritos at Chipotle on Halloween

Chipotle is once again offering a special deal on burritos (“Booritos”) on Halloween.

On Monday, October 31st, 2022, from 3 p.m. to closing Chipotle Reward members dressed up in costume will enjoy an entrée for just $6. (Closing times vary by location, but many are open until 10 p.m.)

Make sure to check out our growing list...

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Free Xtreme World Wrestling TV Taping at Lenny Boy Brewing Co. (and more!)
Image use with permission by Lenny Boy Brewing Co.

Lenny Boy Brewing Co., at 3000 South Tryon Street, is known for its organic kombucha, as well as gluten free wild ales, gluten-reduced beer, sours, and traditional ales & lagers.

Follow Lenny Boy on Facebook to see all of their upcoming events.

Check out a huge calendar of events at...

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Movies in the Park at Wilmore Centennial Park in South End: Moana Oct 15
Photo: Depositphotos

Movies in the Park is taking place at Wilmore Centennial Park, 205 West Kingston Avenue, in the South End. This is a free event that includes a movie, music, and children’s activities.

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

It’s all free.

The live music and children’s...

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Free paper shredding events in Charlotte, Concord, Kannapolis, Indian Trail and Gastonia

Shredding your documents is a one way to protect yourself from identity theft and other forms of fraud. Shred pre-approved credit card offers, tax records, employment records, old bills, out-of-date account statements and other personal documents that include confidential information.

Several organizations regularly hold free paper shredding...

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Armenian Festival October 14-16

St. Sarkis Armenian Church, at 7000 Park Road, Charlotte, is holding its annual Armenian Festival from Friday, October 14th, to Sunday, October 16th, 2022.

Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC
  • Friday: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Saturday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Sunday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

This is your chance to try delicious, authentic Armenian food, including beef and...

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Charlotte Knights 3rd Annual Pumpkin Patch
Photo from Charlotte Knights

The Charlotte Knights are presenting the 3rd Annual Pumpkin Patch on Saturday, October 15th, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Truist Field, 324 S. Mint Street, Charlotte.

Admission is free. Large pumpkins cost $20 and small pumpkins cost $10. You do NOT have to pre-purchase a pumpkin to enter the ballpark and enjoy...

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Kannapolis Fire Department Fire Truck Parade and costume contest Oct 14
Photo courtesy of Kannapolis Fire Department

The Kannapolis Fire Department will host a Fire Truck Parade on Friday, October 14th, 2022.

The parade will begin at 5:45 p.m. and proceed along Laureate Way and N. Research Campus Drive, between City Hall and the North Carolina Research Campus.

Immediately, following the fire truck parade join...

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Big discounts for Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Nutcracker, Lewis Black, Disney Jr., W.A.S.P., and more…

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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Free trick-or-treating and costume parade at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s are offering free Halloween activities for kids on Saturday, October 29th, and Sunday, October 30th, 2022.

  • Saturday, October 29th, 2022: 3 to 6 p.m.
  • Sunday, October 30th, 2022: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

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

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‘Burgtoberfest at Percent Tap House in Harrisburg Oct 15

Celebrate ‘Burgtoberfest at Percent Tap House, 4250 Main Street, Harrisburg, on Saturday, October 15th, 2022, from 12 to 8 p.m.

Also, keep reading for some regularly scheduled events at Percent Tap House.

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

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TV Party at Petra’s: Live variety show with TV clips and improvised live score (also puppets)

Enjoy a fun and strange night of entertainment as TV Party will be at Petra’s, 1919 Commonwealth Avenue, Charlotte, NC, on Thursday, October 20th, 2022, at 7 p.m.

TV Party is a live variety show, where clips are projected from various television events and musicians improvise the live score. There is no audio, so different voice actors...

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47th Carolina BalloonFest Oct 14-16

The 47th Carolina BalloonFest takes place October 14th to 16th, 2022, at Statesville Regional Airport, 260 Hangar Drive, Statesville, North Carolina. It’s 45 miles from Charlotte.

  • Friday, October 14th: 3 to 8:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 15th: 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, October 16th: 7 a.m to 6 p.m.

The festival features:

  • Hot air...

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Indian Land Fall Festival Oct 15-16

Indian Land Fall Festival will take place October 15th and 16th, 2022, at Indian Lands Schools Complex, 8063 River Road, Indian Land, South Carolina. These dates are rescheduled from October 1st and 2nd, due to weather.

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

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Coming up at Hi-Wire Brewing: Trivia, plant swap, pop-up market, Halloween events, much more…

Hi-Wire Brewing Charlotte is open in the South End at 340 West Tremont Avenue, Charlotte, NC.

Hi-Wire Brewing includes two separate bars, and features 20 unique taps of Hi-Wire beer, wine and draft cider taps, and non-alcoholic options. You’re welcome to bring in outside food, including Benny Ferrovia’s pizza next door.

Check out...

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Baxter Village/Fort Mill Fall Festival

The Baxter Village/Fort Mill Fall Festival will take place Saturday, October 15th, 2022, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Baxter Village, 940 Market Street, Fort Mill, South Carolina.

Admission is free.

This is the largest fall festival in the Fort Mill/Rock Hill/South Charlotte area.

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

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Find fall colors in Charlotte — an interactive map (and you can help us build it!)

When we think of fall foliage, we think of the North Carolina mountains, and for good reason. The spectacular vistas are one of a kind. We have put together a list of scenic drives for fall color in the mountains, as well as some drives closer to us in Charlotte. The peak fall color season in most of the mountain regions is in October, so if...

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Oct 15 is “My First Checkers Game”: Kids get $5 tickets and first 750 get a free t-shirt

On Saturday, October 15th, 2022, when the Checkers play the Hartford Wolfpack at 6 p.m., they have a special offer for kids.

To encourage kids to become hockey fans, they’re hosting “My First Checkers Game.”


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

...

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3rd Annual Cannon Baller Oktoberfest at Atrium Health Ballpark in Kannapolis rescheduled to Oct 14-16

The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers are hosting the 3rd Annual Cannon Ballers Oktoberfest at Atrium Health Ballpark at 1 Cannon Baller Way, Kannapolis, from Friday, October 14th, to Sunday, October 16th, 2022.

These are the rescheduled dates, as the originally planned weekend got rained out.

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

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NoDa Ghosts and Legends Tour Oct 15

The 13th Annual NoDa Ghosts & Legends Tour takes place Saturday, October 15th, 2022, starting at 6:30 p.m. They leave from JackBeagle’s NoDa, 3213 N. Davidson Street.

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...

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Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall returning in 2022

2019 Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall. Photo: Tom Hanchett

The Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall has become a much-loved tradition, not just for Elizabeth residents, but for many others in the community. It’s a giant display of dozens of carved pumpkins, and is an amazing sight to see.

2022 is the 18th year of the Great Elizabeth Pumpkin...

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Salute to Veterans Parade in Uptown Charlotte Nov 5
Photo provided by Carolinas Freedom Foundation

Charlotte’s annual Salute to Veteran Parade will be in Uptown Charlotte on Saturday, November 5th, 2022, at 11 a.m.

More than 2,000 participants will gather to honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

Learn about more Veterans Day events in the Charlotte area,...

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29th Annual Apple Harvest Festival at Windy Hill Orchard Oct 15
Photo: Sharon Welling

Windy Hill Orchard and Cider Mill, 1860 Black Highway, York, South Carolina, is holding its 29th Annual Apple Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 15th, 2022

The festival marks the end of apple picking.

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

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Hola Charlotte Festival Oct 15

The Hola Charlotte Festival celebrates Hispanic heritage and culture. It will take place October 15th, 2022, on Tryon Street, between Brooklyn Village Avenue (formerly Stonewall Street) and 4th Streets.

The festival will take place from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., and is FREE to attend.


The festival will feature:

  • Latin American cultural...

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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...

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Build-Your-Own-Boat competition at U.S. Whitewater Center Oct 15
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

U.S. National Whitewater Center celebrates autumn with Build Your Own Boat on Saturday, October 15th, 2022, from 12 to 4 p.m.

We’ll update soon if there are more components to the festival. In some past years there was cider sampling.

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

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Discounts for Charlotte events through Goldstar

On this page you’ll find deals on tickets to Charlotte concerts, theater, sports and more from Goldstar. Goldstar is not a reseller. Goldstar works with the venue to sell available seats at a discount. Goldstar is a major supplier of legitimate discount tickets around the country, but it’s new to Charlotte.

Sign up with Goldstar so...

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Veterans Day 2022 in Charlotte: food freebies and deals for veterans, plus a list of ceremonies and other Veterans Day events


Many businesses thank veterans and active military members by offering them a free meal or other gift on Veterans Day, which is Friday, November 11th, 2022. If you’re a member of the military, please check out this list, and see if there’s a deal that you might be able to take advantage of.

If you’re not a military member,...

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