14 free and cheap things to do in Charlotte: Veterans Day, Diwali, Southern Christmas Show
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, Nov. 10
Christmas in the Country at Ramah Presbyterian Church
Location: 14401 Ramah Church Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
Time: 6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join Ramah Presbyterian Church for a beautiful experience at its Christmas in the Country event. The evening will start with a Christmas concert featuring the NC Baroque Orchestra Chamber group. Following the concert, the church will light its spectacular 25-foot Christmas tree.
Live from the Boileryard Concert: Florencia & The Feeling and Barcerado
Location: 300 Camp Rd, Charlotte, NC 28206
Time: 6-9:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join the crowd at Camp North End and listen to live tunes from the pop-funk fusion band Florencia & The Feeling. This five-piece band is known for its funky grooves and fun energy.
Sip & Shop at Main St. Antiques & Design Gallery
Location: 500 S Main St, Mooresville, NC 28115
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join Main St. Antiques, one of the largest antique malls in the Southeast, for a Sip & Shop event. It will feature complimentary wine samples and the chance to win a $50 gift certificate. It’s home to 500 vendors presenting antiques, furnishings and other hand-crafted items in a building that’s a former old textile mill.
Saturday, Nov. 11
Location: Starts on Tryon Street, uptown Charlotte
Time: 11 a.m.
Cost: Free
Celebrate Veteran’s Day with Salute to Veterans Parade in uptown Charlotte. The event showcases high school bands, Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, active military and first-responder units, motorcycles and classic vehicles, K9 officers and more.
Salute to Service Festival After Veterans Day Parade
Location: Levine Avenue of the Arts, Charlotte, NC 28285
Time: 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Immediately following the Veterans Day parade in uptown Charlotte, join the Carolinas Freedom Foundation for pop-up roller skating and food trucks by veteran-owned businesses; mascots like Blaze, Chubby and Homer, a caricaturist and the newest American Red Cross Blood Mobile at the Salute to Service Festival on Levine Ave of the Arts.
Carolinas’ Veterans Day Festival at American Legion Memorial Stadium
Location: 1218-1238 Armory Dr, Charlotte, NC 28204
Time: 2-8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Veterans from across the Charlotte region are inviting the entire community to join them at the Carolinas Veterans Day Festival at American Legion Memorial Stadium. This free and open-to-the-public celebration will be an interactive day of shopping and fellowship, capped by a concert presented by Truist featuring Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Elle King.
If you’re looking for other ways to celebrate Veterans Day, you can also check out Charlotte on the Cheap’s list of deals and events.
[READ NEXT: These Charlotte-area restaurants are offering free meals and other Veteran’s Day deals.]
Diwali Celebration at Elon Recreation Center
Location: 11401 Ardrey Kell Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Cost: $5, and free for children under 5
Join Elon Recreation Center for a dazzling and joyful celebration of Diwali, the Festival of Lights! This Diwali Festival Celebration is a fantastic opportunity to experience the warmth and traditions of one of the most vibrant festivals in the world. Whether you are familiar with Diwali or new to its customs, everyone is welcome to join in the festivities and celebrate the spirit of togetherness and light.
Sunday, Nov. 12
Location: Optimist Hall, 1115 N Brevard St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Time: 5-9 p.m.
Cost: Varies
Celebrate the festival of lights with Meherwan Irani at Botiwalla Charlotte at Optimist Hall. Diwali is a long-awaited holiday at Botiwalla by Chai Pani, and the annual celebration will be big and bright. Botiwalla is planning food and drink specials, henna tattoos, sparklers, photo opportunities and more.
Monday, Nov. 13
Location: 800 Briar Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205
Time: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: Varies, but use promo code CHEAP for $4 off.
Ho, ho, ho! Christmas is around the corner so why not celebrate with the Southern Christmas Show. Scroll down through the festive Christmas Tree Lane, enjoy dance and music performances and sample the best tastes of Christmas.
Open Mic Comedy at Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ Cotswold
Location: 282 S Sharon Amity Rd Suite 335, Charlotte, NC 28211
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Come out to Open Mic Comedy Mondays at Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ at Cotswold Village. This is a family-friendly event that starts at 7 p.m., and sign-ups are in person.
Tuesday, Nov. 14
Schiele Museum Free After 4 p.m.
Location: 1500 East Garrison Blvd. Gastonia NC 28054
Time: 4-9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Looking for fun family plans and want to learn something new? The Schiele Museum has free museum admission and free planetarium shows that are available on the second Tuesday of every month.
Wednesday, Nov. 15
People of the World Celebration with International House
Location: The People’s Market, 1609 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204
Time: 6-7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
International House is excited to host the People of the World monthly event, focusing this month on Ghana. Join in to explore, celebrate and honor the foreign-born immigrant community together.
Thursday, Nov. 16
Location: PXG Golf store, 7101 MacFarlane Blvd Suite 103, Charlotte, NC 28262
Time: 5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Want to learn how to play golf but don’t know where to start? The PXG Golf Store is offering free golf clinics so you can better learn about the art of golf. Scheduling an appointment is required.
Location: Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Time: 12-12:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Take a break in the day to hear from a museum docent about a work of art in the Mint’s collection. The quick lunchtime event is offered every third Thursday of the month.
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.
