12 free and cheap things to do in Charlotte: Queen’s Feast, doggie date and food trucks
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, Jan. 19
Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week starts
Location: Multiple
Time: Varies
Cost: $30-$50 per person
Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week starts off on Friday and lasts until Jan. 28, so you can check out special deals at some of the area’s most beloved restaurants. There will be 100 participating restaurants in eight counties for you to choose from.
Location: 222 Rampart St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Cost: Free entry
Take yourself and your furry friend out for a date night at Skiptown. Get a professional portrait taken, shop through local businesses at the After Dark Market or grab a winter cocktail.
Saturday, Jan. 20
Location: 20833 Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies
Visit OTC Food Truck Village, where you can expect numerous cuisines to pick from. This food truck village is home to eight food trucks, has a common area with picnic tables and heat lamps, flower beds and more. The space can hold up to 100 people chowing down on crepes and hot dogs, along with Venezuelan and Ukrainian fare.
Location: Hoptown Brewing, 107 Plantation Ridge Dr, Mooresville, NC 28117
Time: 1-3 p.m.
Cost: Free entry
If you’re a fan of mac & cheese and want to share your opinions on the delicious goodness, then head over to the Mac & Cheese Throwdown at Hoptown Brewing. Cast ballots for your favorites and see who takes the top prize.
Location: Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: $16 for ages 23-65; $14 for ages 13-22 and 65+ and $12 for ages 3-13;, or free for kids under 3, Indigenous tribal members and individuals participating in SNAP/EBT or WIC.
Join the Carolina Raptor Center for a day of fun and games on the Raptor Trail, where you can expect activities and friendly competition. You’ll also learn about the importance of resident birds.
Sunday, Jan. 21
Providence Chamber Music Recital Series
Location: 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Spend your Sunday night listening to the harmonies of the Providence Chamber Music Recital Series. The group will perform with the piano and include a musical piece from “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
Monday, Jan. 22
Location: Abbey Basilica, 419 Monastery Ln, Belmont, NC 28012
Time: 8 p.m.
Cost: Free, but donations are appreciated
Arts at the Abbey provides free experiences to Belmont Abbey students and the community with performers including national, local and international artists. This time, enjoy a voice and piano performance from Emalie Savoy and Mildred Roche.
Visit Picadeli’s Pub-In-Deli or another restaurant from our soup guide.
Location: 1600-A, Matthews-Mint Hill Rd, Matthews, NC 28105
Time: 10:30 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Cost: Under $15
With winter at its coldest, it’s the perfect time to grab some tasty soup at a local business. At Picadeli’s Pub-In-Deli, try the housemade French Onion Soup or Soup Du Jour for $5.95.
Tuesday, Jan. 23
Student Night at Opera Carolina: Madame Butterfly
Location: 1600 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: $10-$15
Opera Carolina is hosting a Student Night showcasing “Madame Butterfly,” a story about love and cultural bias where a young Japanese girl falls in love with an American naval officer.
Visit Blu Star Grill for a veggie wrap, fried Brussels sprouts
Location: 120-A Marketplace Ave, Mooresville, NC 28117
Time: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Cost: Under $20
If you’re looking for meatless options for your 2024 resolution, head over to Blu Star Grill for some delicious food. You could try the fried Brussels sprouts topped with blue cheese crumbles and candied walnuts for $11 or black bean wrap with a black bean patty, avocado and more for $17.
Wednesday, Jan. 24
Free admission and drop-in art
Location: Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Location: Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207
Time: 5-9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Enjoy free admission hours to Mint Museum Uptown for an art experience with your family, friends or partner. You can also check out drop-in art at Mint Museum Randolph, where the Art Room will be opened for you to explore drawing, painting and more.
Thursday, Jan. 25
Location: Common Market South End, 235 W Tremont Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203
Time: 7-10 p.m.
Cost: Free
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, join in a night filled with love and laughter at Common Market South End. Enjoy a singles mixer at 7 p.m. and a comedy show afterward, featuring comedians Paul Platt, Johnny Millwater and more.
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.
