14 free and cheap things to do in Charlotte: Festivus, Christmas and Kwanzaa celebrations
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, Dec. 22
Screening of Live from the Double Door Inn at Independent Picture House
Location: 4237 Raleigh St, Charlotte, NC 28213
Time: 8 p.m.
Cost: $10
If you’re a local film fanatic or curious to know more about Charlotte’s music scene and culture, The Independent House is showing a screening of “Live from the Double Door Inn,” a documentary about the renowned Charlotte music club that spanned from 1973-2017.
Location: 222 Rampart St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Time: 1-10 p.m.
Cost: Free
Looking for plans to bring your furry best friend along? Get a free weekend pass that includes Saturday and Sunday at Skiptown, a Charlotte dog bar and park. There’s more than 20,000 square feet of space for your pup to play around, along with 24 beers on tap and local food trucks — plus bone broth dog beer for your pup.
Wagon Ride and Campfire at McDowell Nature Center and Preserve
Location: 15222 York Rd, Charlotte, NC 28278
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Cost: $5-6
Take a wagon trip through McDowell Nature Preserve and prairie with a guide and join them at the end for a toasty campfire. Register here because spots are limited.
Saturday, Dec. 23
Festivus and Old Time Christmas Tunes at Petty Thieves Brewing
Location: 413 Dalton Ave Suite B, Charlotte, NC 28206
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: Free entry
Celebrate the “Seinfeld” holiday with Petty Thieves Brewing. The brewery is hosting a night of Festivus fun that will incorporate celebrating with Feats of Strength, The Airing of Grievances and live Christmas folk tunes.
Ha Ha Holidays Comedy Show at Free Range Brewing
Location: 2320 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Cost: $10
Sunday, Dec. 24
Christmas Town USA – McAdenville Christmas lights
Location: McAdenville
Time: Dusk and afterward
Cost: Free
If you’re in the mood to see some Christmas lights before the big holiday, head over to Christmas Town USA – McAdenville Christmas. The town ranked as No. 7 in a list of the country’s most festive light displays and is only a 16-mile drive from Charlotte. Grab your hot chocolate, put on your favorite holiday tunes and drive over to McAdenville Christmas to see what makes this NC town so festive and special.
Monday, Dec. 25
Celebrate Christmas with a festive meal
Location: Multiple
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies
A few Charlotte restaurants are open Christmas Day to serve hungry folks in search of a special meal. You can have breakfast at Angeline’s from 8-11 a.m. or enjoy a full buffet at the Ballantyne Hotel. Later in the day, you can enjoy a pre-fixe menu at Mico Restaurant, or grab takeout from Moon Thai and Japanese, or Angry Ale’s. Browse your options in the CharlotteFive guide to dining on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Tuesday, Dec. 26
First Night of Celebrations with Kwanzaa Charlotte
Location: Movement School, 2701 Freedom Dr., Charlotte, NC 28208
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Kwanzaa, a weeklong holiday that celebrates black culture and history, is celebrated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. The first gathering at Kwanzaa Charlotte honors Umoja, or unity, hosted by A Sign of the Times. You can also check out CharlotteFive’s list of events where you can celebrate Kwanzaa in the Charlotte area.
Keep the Christmas spirit going with Havana Cabana Christmas
Location: Havana 33, 637 Williamson Rd., Mooresville, NC 28117
Time: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Cost: Varies
Head out to extend Christmas just a little longer with a visit to a holiday-themed pop-up bar. The Havana Cabana Christmas event will continue until Dec. 31, with what it calls a “fusion of Cuban charm and yuletide festivity.” Expect decorations, festive drinks and dishes, and a good time.
Wednesday, Dec. 27
Gantt Center’s Kwanzaa celebration, plus Wednesday Night Live
Location: 551 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Cost: Free, but registration is required
Join The Gantt Center for an in-depth education and celebration of Kwanzaa and its traditions. Guests can expect performances, hands-on art and discussions about the holiday. The schedule includes a group piece: The Unity in Creation, The Seven Resources of Kwanzaa; Kwanzaa drop-in creations; and more.
Free Center City Historical Walking Tours
Location: Charlotte Center City
Time: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with tours continuing through Sunday, Dec. 31 at 10 a.m.
Cost: Free
Enjoy the day with friends and family staying over for the holidays and join Queen City Culture Vultures for a free Center City Historical Walking Tour. This one hour and 1 mile loop of the center city highlights some of Charlotte’s art, sports and history hot spots.
Thursday, Dec. 28
VHS Fitness Potluck at VisArt Video
Location: 3104 Eastway Dr, Charlotte, NC 28205
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Cost: Free, donations are appreciated
Exercise with a little bit of nostalgia as VisArt Video hosts a VHS Fitness Potuck class. Participants will grab their leg warmers and fuzzy sweatshirts, then sweat it out to an old school VHS fitness tape. Grab your water bottle and yoga mat for this event, too.
Location: Starlight on 22nd, 422 E 22nd St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Time: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Free entry
Join Starlight on 22nd for a day of drag hosted by Onya Nerves. You can purchase a cocktail like the Black Hole, made with Tito’s homemade vodka, Black Triple Sec, lime juice, cranberry and orange bitters, or the Meteorite,with George Dickle Bourbon, sour mix, simple syrup and blackberries.
Seek out one of the best meals of the year
Location: Verde, 9818 Gilead Rd b107, Huntersville, NC 28078
Time: 11 a.m-9 p.m.
Cost: Varies
CharlotteFive rounded up some of the best meals we’ve had all year, and you can try them out, too. Chyna visited Verde in Lake Norman and tried the Calamar ($12), which is crispy calamari with chipotle rouille and a spicy-sweet chili sauce.
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.
