11 free and cheap things to do in Charlotte: African American Heritage Festival, Black History
This list is curated by Charlotte on the Cheap, where you’ll find even more free and cheap things to do every day, and detailed by Denise Casalez.
Friday, Feb. 23
Illuminating the Breonna Oya Sculpture, Yoruba Symbolism, and Artivism
Location: Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Time: 6:30-9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join Mint Museum Uptown for a moment of remembrance and activism with the Breonna Oya sculpture, created by Láolú Senbanjo and Chris Carnabuci. The program starts at the staircase and ends in the atrium.
Saturday, Feb 24
African American Heritage Festival
Location: Charlotte Museum of History, 3500 Shamrock Dr, Charlotte, NC 28215
Time: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Celebrate Black History Month with the Charlotte Museum of History’s annual African American Heritage Festival. You can expect performances, guest speakers, panels and more. Parking and shuttle services are free.
Historic cooking demonstration
Location: President James K. Polk Historic Site, 12031 Lancaster Hwy, Pineville, NC 28134
Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Travel back in time with Susie Worcester in the Historic Kitchen House as she recreates historic foods from the North Carolina back country. You can expect her to cook food as authentic as possible — however, the food is not for public consumption.
Black History Month Celebration in Cornelius
Location: Cain Center for the Arts, 21348 Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031
Time: 5:30-7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Celebrate Black History Month with Cornelius for its Black History Month Celebration. This year’s program includes keynote speakers at the Smithville Community Coalition, art exhibitions, music performances and more.
Sunday, Feb. 25
Free concert by Brighter Day Community Choir
Location: Reeder Memorial Baptist Church, 3725 Beatties Ford Rd, Charlotte, NC 28216
Time: 4-6 p.m.
Cost: Free
If you’re in the mood for music, the Brighter Day Community Choir is presenting a free concert at the Reeder Memorial Baptist Church. The concert features songs that inspire a spirit of renewal, and the choir invites you to come out for an evening of praise, worship and fellowship.
Monday, Feb. 26
Free wings at Buffalo Wild Wings
Location: Multiple
Time: 2-5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Grab free wings at Buffalo Wild Wings’ celebration of the Super Bowl going into overtime for the first time since 2017. Just show up to dine in or pick up an order in person and enjoy six traditional or boneless wings.
Location: Belmont Abbey Basilica, 100 Belmont Mt Holly Rd, Belmont, NC 28012
Time: 8 p.m.
Cost: Free, but donations are appreciated.
Join Belmont Abbey College for its Arts at the Abbey series, where it provides free cultural opportunities for students and the community. This week’s event features Handel’s London 1724 with Carolina Pro Musica, where you can expect voice and 1800s instruments.
Tuesday, Feb. 27
Location: Primal Brewery, 16432 Old Statesville Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
Time: 3-10 p.m
Cost: Free entry
Join Primal Brewery Huntersville for its song request night. Request your favorite tune, and check out The Smashed Patty food truck from 5-9 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 28
Location: Old Town Public House, 21314 Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031
Time: 7:30-10 p.m.
Cost: Free entry
Join the Old Town Public House for its Songwriter Showcase every fourth Wednesday of the month. This is an intimate, round-robin style performance that features some of the area’s top songwriters.
Great Decision Lecture with UNC Charlotte
Location: Dubois Center, 320 E 9th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Time: 6:30-8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Head to a Great Decision Lecture with UNC Charlotte to learn something new or gain a new perspective. This week’s lecture features “Climate Technology and Competition” with Joshua Miller, assistant professor of the department of Political Science and Public Administration.
Thursday, Feb. 29
Black History Month exhibitions
Location: Historic Rosedale, 3427 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28206
Time: 10 a.m-3 p.m
Cost: Free
Celebrate the last day of Black History Month with Historic Rosedale’s Black History Month exhibitions. The day’s programming includes “Oasis Spaces: The Green Book Project African American Travel in NC 1933-1966” and “The Great Escape: The Underground Railway.”
Visit Charlotte on the Cheap for an expanded list of things to do in Charlotte every day. You’ll find festivals, kids’ activities, date night ideas, art, trivia and much more. You can sign up for a daily email that will keep you in the loop.
